Before the launch of Apple application store stores like GetJar and Handango were the place to go to if users wanted to download a mobile application. Apple launched the “Apple Application Store” which dominated the market immediately with 81%of market share in 2008. In 2009 and 2010 competitive offerings from other OEMs, OS vendors and MNOs increased. In only two years the number of app stores jumped from 18 (2008) to 57 (2010), by 217% in two years.

There are several application stores in the market, but Apple store is still on the top. Amongst those rival app stores the Android Market turned out to become the strongest competitor, but the mass of smaller app stores also helped to eat up some of the market share from the market leader. As a consequence Apple’s app platform lost some of its dominant market position. In two years Apple’s market share dropped by 24 percent points to 57%.

For more information, see:

http://www.mindcommerce.com/Publications/MobileCommerceMarket2012-2017.php

Passive RFID systems

SAW RFID Tags

Semi Passive RFID systems

Active RFID systems

Readers 

The RFID reader is a device that creates an electromagnetic signal, which is transmitted to the RFID tags through one or more antennas. Under normal operation, the reader is continuously transmitting the electromagnetic signal in search of one or more RFID tags. The RFID reader also performs a second function of monitoring for electromagnetic signals from the RFID tags via the same antenna.

Passive RFID Tags 

The Passive tags do not contain a power source. To power the tag circuitry, the tag relies on electromagnetic power obtained from the RFID systems antenna. Since passive tags do not contain their own power sources, the designs can be simpler and less expensive.

They can also have an unlimited shelf life in comparison to active tags. This has made the passive tag the focus of most government and commercial RFID mandates. The downside of all passive tags is their extremely limited range. Since passive tags depend on power from the reader and antenna, with the current technology, passive tags must be in close proximity to the reader and antenna in order to obtain sufficient power to transmit a signal.

Many RFID experts believe that passive tags are the future of RFID. In the last few years, the unit price of passive RFID tags has steadily gone down in cost. This is a result of, at least, increased scales of production. Some industry analysts believe that when the cost of individual tags reaches five cents, significant acceptance will be achieved. At that point, RFID tags may be placed on many consumables. Should this happen, the vision of consumers bypassing the checkout counter may soon follow.

SAW RFID Tags

SAW (surface acoustic wave) tags are passive RFID tags that operate in a fundamentally different way from typical RFID tags. Typical RFID tags are based on semiconductor physics to provide power for transmission of their ID number. SAW tags convert an incoming wave from the interrogator into nano-scale surface acoustic waves on the surface of the chip. The wave travels past a set of acoustic wave reflectors that encode the wave into a unique pulse train. This pulse train is converted to a radio wave to be sent back to the reader.

Semi Passive RFID Tags

Tags can also be designed with features found in both passive and active tags. These are attempts to retain the advantages while eliminating the disadvantages of each type. Semi-active tags typically use an internal battery to power circuitry that is internal to the tag itself. Typically, circuitry on semi-active tags includes sensors for monitoring environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. Sensors can also be powered to detect vibration or movement. These are typically used to monitor the possibility of damage or unauthorized movement during transport or storage.

However, in contrast to active tags, the semi-active tag does not use its internal power source to communicate with the antenna. For communications functions, the semi-passive tag relies on electromagnetic field power received from the system’s antenna. By conserving its internal power in this manner, the internal battery life can be greatly extended.

Active RFID Tags

In contrast to passive tags, active tags contain an onboard power source. This is usually in the form of a small battery. The battery powers both the tag’s internal circuitry and the onboard antenna. The additional circuitry required by the battery as well as the battery itself requires that active tags be larger and more expensive than passive tags. Many active tags, for example, have plastic housings. These cannot simply be adhered to high-volume inventory in the same manner as a film or Mylar-based passive tag. Because of this, specific consideration must be made to affixing the active tag to the inventory or pallet being tracked.

As a result of the additional power offered by the battery, the range of active tags is generally far superior to that of passive tags. Active tags can have transmission ranges measured in hundreds or even thousands of feet instead of just a few feet, as is normal in the case of passive tags. Active tags conserve battery power by normally existing in a sleep mode. The tag is woken up or activated by entrance into an RFID system interrogation zone.

The powered tag then provides data to the RFID system as requested. The ability to normally exist in a sleep mode greatly lengthens the operational life of an active tag. The minimal power consumption in the normal sleep mode enables many tags to remain operational for several years. The actual length of the battery life will be dependent on the number of times that the tag is activated. Thus, the RFID engineer will have to design or set up an active RFID system so that in the event that tagged material is stored within an interrogation zone the tags will not be continuously activated until their batteries are exhausted.

RFID active tag batteries come in many shapes and sizes. Many RFID-specific batteries superficially resemble normal commercial equivalents. However, the RFID batteries are likely to function at a higher voltage of 3.6 versus 1.5 for smaller cells, as in the case with many defense-related RFID tags. To avoid potential damage to both RFID and other conventional battery equipment, it is imperative that control be maintained over both the storage and replacement of RFID-specific batteries.

The high power demands of RFID active tag batteries may also require different battery chemistry than conventional equipment. Whereas most electronics utilize alkaline, nickel-cadmium, or nickel metal hydride batteries, RFID batteries are more likely to be based on substantially more costly advanced battery technology such as lithium chemistry. The higher cost associated with lithium batteries may also lead the RFID tag manufacturer to produce rechargeable systems.

Active tags can also be more sophisticated than passive tags. In some cases, active tags can be interfaced with other technologies such as the global positioning system (GPS) and/or satellite communication systems. The global positioning system is a set ofU.S.government satellites orbiting around the earth. A GPS receiver communicates with the GPS satellites. Nowadays, receivers can be found in cell phones, radios, and wristwatches. If the minimum required number of satellite signals can be acquired by the GPS receiver, the system can determine its location within as little as ten meters. This means that GPS interfaced tags can be placed on large shipping containers or tractor trailer rigs to determine both the identification and location of product.

Frequencies

Tags primarily operate at either high frequency (HF) or ultra-high frequency (UHF). HF is most often 13.56 MHz, while UHF can range from 902 to 928 in theUnited States. The 2400–2500 MHz range may also use. Some active tags for specialized applications may utilize microwave frequencies. The use of either HF or UHF tags for more normal applications is dependent on the range required and the materials present in the system.

HF tags are generally limited in ranges measured in inches. This lends HF tags to inventory applications where the items are in close proximity to each other and in close proximity to a reader. UHF tags operating between 902 and 928 MHz, on the other hand, can be utilized out to several feet or even yards. The greater range of UHF tags makes them more applicable to shipping dock type applications; 2400- to 2500-MHz tags may have a range between one and four feet. Both the packaging material and the material itself is a significant RFID system issue as some materials are known as radio frequency absorbing while others are radio frequency reflecting. Examples of radio frequency reflecting materials are metallic items or containers. The RF reflecting characteristic of metals can prevent the tag antenna from absorbing sufficient RF energy to be powered by defecting the RF wave. Examples of RF absorbing materials are liquids, moisture. Liquids reduce the effectiveness of the RF wave by absorbing the energy. The reduced strength RF signal then does not have sufficient power to activate the tag.

Read/Write Operations

When the tag enters the interrogation zone, the data stored in the tag is transmitted to the RFID reader antenna. The data can be ASCII, hex characters, or decimal characters. The data that is stored in the tag is dependent on the tag’s writing capability. The three general types of writing capabilities are:

Read only

Write once, read many

Read/write

Read-only tags are tags where the identification data is entered by the tag’s manufacturer. Thus, these types of tags must be either specified by the manufacturer and accepted by the purchaser or specified by the purchaser. In many cases, the identification data is used by a number of different organizations. Therefore, it is actually easier to control if the identification data is assigned by the manufacturer. A typical example is the E-ZPass toll way system. A vehicle is assigned a tag with a specific number regardless of which toll way system the tag is purchased through. Since the tag number is controlled, it may be used on other toll way systems in the tag consortium.

Write once; read many (WORM) tags are not programmed by the manufacturer. The purchaser is given the opportunity to write the identification data to the tag. However, with the WORM type of tag, this identification data cannot be erased. This means that once the data is written it cannot be changed. However, in some cases, if additional memory space is available, additional identification data can be added. Generally, in the event that incorrect data is written to the tag, the tag must be discarded.

As with WORM tags, read/write tags are not programmed by the manufacturer. It is the purchaser who programs the tags. The advantage of the read/write tag is that the purchaser can reprogram the identification data held by the tag. Thus, any identification data writing errors can be corrected. Read/write tags are generally the most sophisticated type of the three types of tags. Often additional information may be stored. It is also possible to lock certain areas of the tag’s memory so that it cannot be erased.

For more information, see:

http://www.mindcommerce.com/Publications/RFID_SolnMktOpp.php

Recent metrics include:

• 50% smartphone users purchase via mobile
• 45% of smartphone users check email constantly throughout the day
• 32% of smartphone users check Facebook at least once per day
• 78% of Japanese smartphone users browse online from their mobile
• 90% of smartphone users search local information in US and Japan
• 76% of smartphone users utilize location check-in services
• 56% of smartphone usage is with applications
• 60% of end-users connect to social networks via mobile

For additional information, see:

http://www.mindcommerce.com/Publications/Smartphone_UserParadigmBehavior.php

“Our mobile advertising strategy is that we want to connect with people when they are using their mobile device, whether they are searching, browsing the Internet, watching video or using apps.” Alex Barza, Google

Although Google’s assertive foray into mobile advertising has paid off royally, other technology powerhouses are challenging the company with highly competitive business models. Apple and Facebook promise mobile advertising and pricing strategies, and online audience reaches that rival or exceed Google’s. The year 2012 promises to be a pivotal year in which a few companies could dominate the mobile advertising platform competitive landscape. The challenges for mobile advertising buyers and brand managers are to understand how Google’s strategy differs from the rest so they can effectively spend their budgets and maximize their investment returns.

For more information, see:

http://www.mindcommerce.com/Publications/Google_MobileAdvertisingStrategy.php

Government policies are shaping the landscape at state and federal levels. Investments, private and public, are driving innovation at a scale large enough to match that of the problem itself. Consumer adoption for a new wave of energy services is unknown. Definitions as seemingly simple as what a Smart Grid is or should be are inconsistent and often debated. In a nutshell, it’s overwhelming and often confusing.

Smart Grid covers three industries/sectors:

• Electric Power (Energy)
• Telecommunications Infrastructure
• IT (Information Technology)

Each industry’s expertise is needed to provide one of three high-level layers of a complete and end-to-end Smart Grid and/or Intelligent Utility Network:

• The Physical Power Layer (transmission and distribution)
• The Data Transport and Control Layer (communications and control)
• The Application Layer (applications and services)

In order to have what is known as a true end-to-end Smart Grid, that is able to run applications back and forth from the utility to the consumer, an end-to-end communication network is needed. While utilities have for years had their own local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN) to transport data both within the utility’s headquarters and to and from the substation, the missing link in communications has been the network that could bridge the utility to the end user, and vice versa. The emergence and continued development of an end-to-end communications layer is responsible for advancing the Smart Grid revolution, as new applications will both improve and optimize the generation, delivery and consumption of electricity.

For more information, see:

http://www.mindcommerce.com/Publications/LTE_SmartGrid.php

Handset Vendors, Network Operators, development consortiums and others are all providing mobile application stores to capitalize on the wireless data market. All emerged to take advantage of the revenue potential discussed above.

The Marketing statistics presented show is that consumers are looking apps that are tools, productivity aid or entertainment/recreation value to them

What does this mean for the application store marketplace?

Who will succeed?  Who will fail?

There are many factors impacting these questions. The majority of stores available to the public are provided by the handset vendors to supplement the sales of their smart phone handsets.  So one of the key factors the success of the store, is the applications they offer on the handset platforms they support.  The higher selling Smart phones will attract more customers and there will be greater interest in acquiring applications for their Smart phone and thus generating more revenue.

Another key here is having a Smart phone platform developers want to develop their applications for. Again, popular selling models will attract developers, who will generate more applications and provide greater choices to consumers and increase sales.

Mobile Data applications have finally taken off. No one has greater interest in mobile applications than the network operators.  Applications that generate traffic are very important to them. The network operators want to attract popular smart phones to their networks and encourage the development of mobile applications that generate traffic on their network. The revenue they generate from applications is a bonus.  What they are looking for is applications that their subscribers will use regularly, generating steadily increasing monthly mobile data usage revenue.

With web based application stores, the cost to create and operate are minimal.  So we can see MAS continue to be deployed. But Apple iPhone Store and Android Market are the established leaders. With over 500,000 and 350,000 applications available to the user base (and growing) provides a consumer differentiator from their competitors.

The iPhone is being challenged by Android products for market share. But considering the number of models of Android products on the market, versus iPhones, you have to still consider the iPhone the most successful Smart phone.  This is due to Apple’s continued success to bring its unique design philosophy in creating a solid phone product, applications and support services. Apple’s brand loyalty among its customers has led to huge sales and that loyal customer base has not been disappointed.  The iPhone is popular with the youth market and those customers who want a device for personal use.

For more information, see:

http://www.mindcommerce.com/Publications/MobileApplStore2012_Asia.php

Recently  BroadSoft Inc (Dec, 2011)  announced big win in APAC region, LG U+, one of South Korea’s leading service providers of mobile, fixed-line and broadband communications services, has selected BroadWork platform to introduce the Hosted Unified Communications to SME in South Korea. With the Hosted UC solution based on BroadWork’s platform, LG U+ will be able to introduce/enhance the following services/features more efficiently to their customers:

• Mobility/FMC: allow mobile workforces and the company to communicate and collaborate across distributed employees, from anywhere and any devices, which enables LG U+ to differentiate it’s business solution by offering FMC services without the need for extra hardware investment.
• Cloud based Unified Communication: allows end user to use business calling features (call transfer, extension dialing, hunt group, auto attendant, call center, conferencing, messaging, voice/video) from any location and any devices; provide enterprise  customer with great flexibility and speed for future line expansion and capacity growth
• Carrier-Grade level of reliability: provide Carrier-grade reliability to small and medium-sized business without associated capital expense, hardware/software maintenance.

BroadSoft has recently introduced the new enhanced BroadWorks Call Center solution and BroadCloud Web Collaboration solutions, which will further enhance it’s leading position in the Hosted Unified Communication market.

There is strong demand for Hosted Unified Communication services from global market, the following are the key benefits of Hosted UC:

• No CAPEX investment for enterprise user
• Fixed OPEX cost for enterprise user
• Fast UC service implementation
• Easy for Subscriber growth
• High availability
• Strong security protection

For more information, see:

http://www.mindcommerce.com/Publications/UC_IMS.php

Larger, nationwide carriers that have interest in covering large extensive areas, as well as providing broadband services to rural regions, are likely to be interested in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz or 900 MHz frequencies. The propagation properties of these frequency bands permit reaching communities that couldn’t be reached previously, and Operators interested in having an initial, larger coverage area, and later add capacity as demand grows, will use these frequencies as well. These frequencies require fewer base stations to provide the same population coverage than other higher frequency base stations. On the other hand, service providers looking to supply capacity in small dense urban or suburban areas will be interested in higher frequencies, such as 1.5 GHz and higher, since the physical properties of higher frequencies are shorter in range, but yield greater capacity than lower frequencies. Base stations will have to be closer and greater in number to provide higher capacity.

As a result in the USA, major commercial LTE deployments have taken place in 700/800 MHz spectrum and in existing AWS (1.7/2.1 GHz) spectrum. There is strong demand in Europe, Asia and elsewhere to access new 800 MHz Digital Dividend spectrum for extended geographical coverage and improved in-building performance. The first commercial 800 MHz services have launched in Germany for rural broadband services. There is also high interest in using re-farmed spectrum for LTE, e.g. 900, and particularly 1800 MHz bands as regulators adopt a technology-neutral approach. Initial deployments in Japan use 800 MHz, 1.5 GHz and 1.7 GHz (operator-dependant). The Middle East region, on the other hand has seen initial deployments in higher spectrum bands such as the 2.6 GHz, which has targeted metropolitan areas.

For more information, see:

http://www.mindcommerce.com/Publications/LTE_Infrastructure_2012.php

Additional kickbucks are available for performing particular actions — for example, scanning a poster on a store’s dressing room wall into the iPhone camera. The kickbucks can be redeemed for gift cards and donations to charitable causes. Moreover, when shoppers at Best Buy show their iPhones running Shopkick to the cashier, they receive instant discounts.

Combining the location-finding power of the global positioning system (GPS), the ubiquity of the cell phone, and the creativity of online marketing, Shopkick and many similar applications are altering the consumer landscape. At a time when retailers are struggling to reach customers, who have become more and more hesitant to spend in a soft economic environment, this new use of technology will divide retailers further. The early adopters of m-commerce will have greater opportunities to influence shoppers in real time as they build “in the moment” customer analytics capabilities. Lagging merchants will increasingly see customers browsing their aisles while tuning in to their smartphones to check reviews, compare prices, and make deals with competitors on the spot. In short, m-commerce blurs the distinction between websites and bricks-and-mortar outlets, linking disparate operations and making the Internet a pivotal sales engine for the first time for many retailers — and highly dangerous for others.

For more information, see:

http://www.mindcommerce.com/Publications/NextGenerationMobileCommerce.php

The most important business direction is moving towards social business. Many new ideas have been introduced to base on social and demographic data. The future will make the most of using such social networking data in implementing new ideas. Google has a promising future related to social business due to the successful launching of Google+, the attractive social network from Google which successfully owns more than 20 million users today.

Some of the current advantages of Google+ involve integration wherein Google is making use of each tool developed before to integrate it into a single place. For example, Google is utilizing Google Talk for chatting, Google Docs for online documentation and sharing, Google Video and YouTube for video sharing, etc.  At the same time, Google+ is providing new services, with new ideas, that attracts people – and almost forces them – to come to Google+ instead of other social networks.

To date, Google seems to be attempting to differentiate is social business offering against its main competitor, Facebook, by targeting businesses directly.  More specifically, Google is offering for businesses to develop their own business page through Google +.  The new feature closely resembles Facebook’s pages feature, giving businesses a reason to care more about Google’s 1 billion monthly unique visitors.

We see this as just one step in Google’s roadmap to take over the social element of marketing, which includes more than just advertising.  Google has a unique opportunity to monetize what Facebook has not been able to – the social selling element.  Heretofore, Facebook is all about advertising and not focused on referral or reference selling.  Google needs to capitalize on this and this is the first step.

We believe this will be a successful strategy and that there will be many application integration opportunities, some of which will come from outside firms rather than being developed in-house by Google.

For more information, see:

http://www.mindcommerce.com/Publications/GoogleAcquisitionsStrategy.php