Beacon Technology | A Glimpse of Latest Mobile App Development Trends

Source    : infoq
By        : Katie Stanfield
Category  :  Mobile App

Whether it is about shopping, ordering your favorite food, saving money, hiring a cab or any other routine activity online, which device do you pick up at an instant to carry all such activities? Your Smartphone, right! Well, it is same with every one of us. Our cellular device has emerged as a real friend in need and is playing a crucial role in simplifying our daily tasks, changing your outlook towards information. It is not at all wrong to say that technology of mobile is growing at the speed of light and the apps have become an integral part of the digital ecosystem. In fact, these apps are progressing to make ubiquitous presence. However, staying up-to-date with the latest trends of mobile app development has become order rather than merely an option.

Internet of Things:

Just like cloud technology, Internet of things is also gaining immense popularity. Though it just started gaining serious attention, this hype is expected to grow huge with new innovations and implementations that can open a ubiquitous world of connectivity and sources of information. Some key IoT trends that will be on lookout are new devices, development of new standards for multi-sensor support and M2M automation, vertical IoT services and a lot of topics related to security and privacy concerns. These trends clearly indicate a boom around Internet of Things, which will lead to an increased adoption of related products and a growth of the required ecosystem. Some organisations are still underestimating the impact of IoT on their market and business processes and it is highly recommended that they should measure this impact on their business goals.

Since IoT will be everywhere – just like are smart devices – developers are encouraged to create flexible mobile experience embracing those new opportunities provided by the sensors and actors around.

Location Based and Beacon Internet (Wi-Fi) Services:

Beacon (Beam) technology has blurred the bottom line differences between online and offline - be it retail sector or advertising. This technology has already been adopted in iOS and is expected to follow in Android systems in the near future. Almost every industry including Retail, Hospitality,Tourism, Education, Healthcare, Entertainment, Travel, Corporate, Real Estate, Automotive, Advertising etc.is receiving benefits from such internet services. An instance could help understand this trend better is Beacons used in large buildings. It is quite common to see beacons implemented in large buildings to provide internal mapping. When an emergency occurs, the first responders can quickly access where the issue occurred. You can get a list of last known locations tracked through beacons or temperature sensors help to determine dangerous zones as long as they are active in case of emergencies like fire.

Wearable Tech:

Credit goes to the Apple Watch - wearable technology became the hottest topic in the industry of consumer electronics. Most of the wearable devices developed so far were focusing on health and fitness. But, with the opening of 2015 these wearable are also expected to be utilized in enterprises in order to improve their efficiency and productivity. For instance, there is a boom among fashion and textile industry about adopting wearable technology. The encouragement to the development of cross-device applications that can be operated over a cellular device as well as wearable device or any third party device is sure to open up an unlimited scope for new apps, breaking the limitations of traditional health and fitness apps.

Mobile Banking, Payments and M-Commerce:

Recent surveys have shown 19% of commercial sales are coming from either aSmartphone or tablet. Analysts say this trend will positively continue as more and more consumers are adapting m-commerce solutions. Transferring money or purchasing goods using a mobile phone is becoming as common as using credit or debit cards. This implies that developers can develop the mobile apps that can process transactions without needing cash or any physical cards.

 Marketing, Advertising and Purchasing within Apps:

According to a new study publicized by Juniper Research, expenditure on in-app advertisements in all the mobile devices will get manyfold. Mobile advertisements are no longer limited to banners -a variety of ad formats such as image, text, or video ads are being integrated and experimented with right now. Both mobile app advertisements and purchases will become a focal point for monetisation and a ladder towards success as many app developers are making a shift away from paid download models.

The marketing techniques of mobile apps are also evolving constantly. In previous years, app marketers were extensively focused on grabbing maximum user attention (app downloads) instead of user engagement. Now, developers and marketers have started to realize the significance of an enhanced experience for organic users. Organic user is considered more engaged and loyal than users gathered via multiple paid channels. As stated before, a great user experience can be created by constantly analyzing user behavior and improving the app accordingly. With the availability of location based Wi-Fi services and beacon technology, there is even a whole new dimension of advertising the lets marketers initiate promotions based on the precise location and context of a user.

(Read More: infoq.com/articles/latest-mobile-app-development-trends)

Bluetooth Beacon | LBS technology on trial for most companies

Source    : searchcrm.techtarget
By        : Lauren Horwitz
Category  : Beacon Technology

It's the age of the customer, and companies are contorting themselves to make customers happy, address their grievances expressed on Twitter and give them deep discounts when pricing or inventory information is inaccurate. But many are also finding that they need to dig deeper into customer data to make the transaction go right.

Enter location-based services (LBS), which use mobile devices such as smartphones, hardware such as beacon sensors and software applications such as marketing automation to communicate with customers based on their location. The idea is that companies can use data on a customer's location to more accurately divine his or her' needs and close the sale. Companies also like LBS technology because they can use it in tandem with other technologies and concepts, including customer personalization tools and mobile wallets. If location can be a proxy for needs and wants, companies are betting on it to be an accurate proxy.

The movie-theater operator is considering beacon technology for its chain of movie theaters, but it's treading carefully. Timing the message properly is a key factor.

Proper timing could help companies realize LBS' ultimate objectives: enhancing customer experience and increasing sales. Take the high-end retailer Nordstrom, based in Seattle, which is experimenting with beacons in its dressing rooms with a technology-enabled mirror. The mirror lets customers browse items as they stand before their image. Customers can price items, look for alternate sizes or see complementary items available in the store, augmenting and enhancing the service of in-store sales associates.

Most of these examples are still on trial. Why? The reality is that LBS technology has a long way to go in truly appealing to customers. According to some data, customers are inclined to divulge their location on a smartphone in exchange for a product discount, but other data indicates that consumers have essentially surrendered to the tidal wave of encroachments on their data profiles. They seek discounts because they're resigned to the idea of their data being used for business insight. And that's not the attitude companies want to instill in their customers.

(Read More: searchcrm.techtarget.com/opinion/LBS-technology-still-on-trial-for-most-companies)

Beacon For Events | What Tech Should You Be Using To Plan Your Meeting in 2016

Source    :   eventindustrynews
By        :      Abi Mandelbaum
Category  :  Beacon For Events

From preparation to successful execution, technology plays a major role in meeting and event planning. But it can be difficult to determine which new technologies will be an asset. Knowing what’s on the horizon at innovative tech companies, and observing trends from this year’s big event’s can provide valuable insight.

Below are the technologies meeting and event planners will be used to plan events in 2016:

Beacon Technology

Beacon technology offers two-way communication between electronic beacons placed around an event and attendees’ smartphones. Venues that have installed beacons have a significant advantage over their competitors.

That two-way communication means that beacons can be beneficial both to event planners and attendees.

The beacons, which connect to phones in close proximity via Bluetooth, can be placed at registration desks, allowing attendees walking by to be checked in automatically.

Beacons placed at booths can send product or company information to the phones of people visiting that booth.

Additionally, beacons can make events more interactive or help planners steer attendees toward certain areas or events by incentivizing people to “check in” at different locations.

They also can help customize an event for attendees’ by accessing individuals’ social media profiles and, based on that information, steering them toward speakers or presentations that would be of interest.

Furthermore, the beacons can provide event planners with valuable data. Data gleaned through the beacons can give planners insight into which attractions are garnering the most interest. The technology can also help eliminate the circulation of surveys after an event.

Live streaming

Although live streaming is not a new technology, it has gained new life earlier this year with the release of apps like Meerkat and Periscope.

The apps alert a user’s Twitter followers when a video stream has been created. The followers can watch the video stream and provide comments, which are seen in real time by the video’s creator.

The apps have earned a lot of buzz this year with their successful use at major events such as South by Southwest.

Live streaming can assist with event promotion, and it can be used to engage attendees.

Planners can introduce a hashtag for attendees to use when streaming the event live, and prizes can be offered for generating the most views, or for visiting a certain part of an event and sharing it.

Additionally, it can make planners and event presenters more in tune with event attendees’ needs.

As conference-goers sit down before a presentation, they could be treated to a backstage livestream, during which they could offer questions for the speaker or give insight into what they hope to hear the speaker touch on.

Live streaming also can be used by planners to keep things running smoothly: Registration times can be provided via live streaming, as could alerts that a certain attraction at the event is seeing heavy traffic or long waits.

Because livestream viewers can comment on the video; those running an event can have instant feedback.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is expected to go mainstream next year with Facebook-owned Oculus leading the charge. Earlier this year, the company announced it will release its first consumer-ready virtual reality headset, the Rift, in early 2016. Other virtual reality headsets such as the Samsung Gear VR and Google Cardboard have already hit the market.

Hotels and venues are expected to be major users of virtual reality by creating virtual reality experiences of their event spaces and accommodations.

Many times the pictures on venues’ websites or promotional materials are not accurate, making it difficult for planners to choose a location without visiting in person. Virtual reality, however, can be a valuable tool as it gives planners the opportunity to fully explore a venue, and gain a better understanding of how a location can meet their event needs.

Virtual reality also can enhance the event itself through several applications.

Companies can use virtual reality to transport attendees out of a meeting room to tour a facility, experience a product, or engage in a team building activity.

Virtual reality also can play a role in creating branded experiences. A number of leading businesses and institutions have given away branded Google Cardboards, inexpensive VR headsets that work in conjunction with a smartphone, to their key audiences.

(Read More : eventindustrynews.co.uk/event-technology-news/guest-blog-the-tech-youll-be-using-to-plan-your-meeting-in-2016/)

PROXIMITY MOBILE MARKETING | HOW CAN STADIUMS & VENUES USE TECHNOLOGY TO DELIGHT FANS & KEEP THEM COMING BACK ?

Source : umbel
By      : Trips Reddy
Category  :Beacon In Museum

HOW FAN-CENTRIC COMPANIES ARE REDEFINING LIVE EVENTS AND CONVERTING SPECTATORS INTO SUPERFANS

Data and new technology are changing fan experiences at stadiums and venues like never before. Teams and venues are using data, apps, beacons and digital innovation to improve operations, player performance and fan experiences. The top priority is to bring fans to stadiums, put them in the center of the action and create experiences that keeps them coming back.

Across the U.S., teams are spending millions to bringing connectivity and convenience to stadiums. In-stadium fans want to be able to share, interact and stay social during games. While many college teams still don’t provide Wi-Fi access in their stadiums, that’s quickly changing. Even colleges have joined the race to give every fan the best seat in the stadium, from the bleachers to the VIP boxes.

Live events are not just about watching a game or concert from a seat anymore. Fans expect a tailored mix of physical and digital experiences across their phones, digital screens, kiosks, concession stands and pretty much every area of the venue.

So how can teams and venues convert stay-at-home viewers into superfans who pay to watch the event live?

Here are the top technology investments that teams are making:

 BEACONS


While beacon implementation across stadiums has been slow, they’re definitely happening. Teams that already implemented beacons use them to send exclusive, stadium-only promotions and trivia to fans devices. The geomapping also helps alert fans on closest restrooms with the shortest wait times etc. More importantly, teams are using beacons to track fan behaviors, movement and spending inside stadiums. So far, 20 of the 30 MLB stadiums have already implemented beacons.
Stadiums already using beacons: Levi’s Stadium, AT&T Park, Houston Dynamo

 A POWERFUL WIRELESS NETWORK SOLUTION


The top priority to ensure fan interaction is connectivity, not just for fans, but also for internal staff, vendors, contractors, press and luxury suite guests. Many younger fans are leaving stadiums at half-time if they can’t connect to the internet. And offering better Wi-Fi also means more money from additional food, beverage, merchandise and upgrade purchases. It’s not enough to just provide Wi-Fi. Fans expect a fast, secure and reliable connectivity. On average, larger stadiums are installing 700+ wireless access points and there are multiple third-party companies like AT&T, Cisco and Verizon that provide end-to-end wireless network services.
Most connected stadiums in the world: Levi’s Center, Barclay’s Center, AT&T Center


STATE-OF-THE-ART MOBILE APPS


Mobile Apps are quickly becoming the most efficient and profitable tool to engage and activate fans at live events. Some professional sports teams already have apps that let fans find parking spots, purchase premium seat upgrades, check-in and locate their seats, order food and beverages to be delivered to their seats, find the closest restroom with the shortest line, watch high-definition instant replay videos and close-up videos, view exclusive content, promotions, coupons and statistics, and get traffic information and the fastest route home after the game. This is already a reality and many teams are scrambling to catch up with the ones that already offer these amazing mobile experiences.
Teams and venues with cutting-edge mobile apps: San Francisco 49ers, Barclay’s Center, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Austin City Limits Music Festival,


MOBILE POINT-OF-SERVICE (POS)


Many stadiums and event venues have already rolled out mobile POS (point-of-service) systems so they can have hundreds of vendors selling food, beverages and merchandise pretty much anywhere in the stadium without requiring fans to leave their seats or spend a lot of time in lines. Mobile POS systems enable fast, secure concessions and merchandise sales and also offer savings on space, manpower and time.

GOPRO VIDEO STREAMING

GoPros are becoming increasingly popular with sports teams allowing them to capture and stream unique angles of their venues and games to fans. The National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) recently announced a North American partnership with GoPro. GoPros also allow teams and venues to create a lot of virality and buzz based on the stunning visuals that these cameras can capture when used creatively. Here's a video of the Denver Broncos Thunderstorm parachute team dropping into Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium before Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. The Cincinnati Bengals appear to be the latest team to embrace the GoPro video camera to enhance their ability to study game film from a different perspective. In preparation for football clash between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, ESPN installed the HeroCam to give fans a feel of what it's like seeing through the eyes of an NFL player. They did it for several other players and teams throughout the 2013-14 NFL season.

In 2014, before a Houston Texans' home game against the Bengals, a bald eagle named Challenger flew over Reliant Stadium wearing a GoPro camera, and the footage captured is pretty amazing. Also, check out a GoPro video shot by a skydiver as he lands at midfield in Ralph Wilson Stadium during the pregame ceremony against the Dolphins.

TARGETED IN-STADIUM ADS


Stadiums and venues are always looking for new ways to improve their bottom line and get fans to spend more at games. The Denver Broncos’ Sports Authority Field in partnership with Cisco created a powerful marketing platform by installing 1,200 displays that are 55 inches or larger for compelling high-definition experiences and high-impact partner content. But these screens aren’t just for keeping fans engaged with videos, photos and stats. Their team offers segmentation opportunities for advertisers, sponsors, concessionaires, and merchandising partners allowing them to promote tailored offers and products on these screens during games. The Broncos saw a 50% increase in partner sponsorship revenue using these new screens as compared to older, traditional static ad units. The screens have tremendously expanded the amount and value of the digital ad inventory that the Broncos can sell.

The ads and offers can be customized and targeted to various sections of the stadium including destination bars, entitlement zones and seating areas. For example, Bud Light sponsors the Mile High Mountain Village pre-game area and Coca Cola sponsors the Fan Cave. The screens have expanded the amount and value of the digital ad inventory that the Broncos can sell. Sponsors can also run promotions during key moments of the game to capture the most eyeballs. Their digital screens are highly customizable to support a brand's’ creative assets and are also used by alcohol brands to deliver promotional safe driving messages towards the end of a game.

The right technology and fan data can help both sports teams and venues connect with their fans, truly understand what their fans want and build experiences that keep them coming back to live events. Teams need to focus on creating amazing experiences from the minute fans leave their home through their in-stadium time and even after they leave the venue. Fan’s also expect reliable and secure Wi-Fi that lets them share their experiences more easily and stay connected during games. Sports teams and venues need to start innovating and collecting fan data to track customer buying behaviors both online and offline and use it to engage and convert their fans into buying customers.

(Read More: umbel.com/blog/publishers/10-ways-stadiums-are-using-technology-to-delight-fans/)