Mobile Fringe

Much has happened in the two short years following the App Store’s launch in July of ’08.

• 5 billion iPhone apps downloads and counting
• 250,000 apps now listed in the Apple App Store
• 75,000 Android apps listed in Android Market
• 3 million iPhone 4’s sold in only 3 weeks (the original iPhone sold 6 million in 15 months)

What has also changed during these two years is the mindset of the client.

When Mobile Fringe first opened its doors, prospective clients wanted to learn more about mobile apps. It was all new to them:

• How many smartphones are being sold?
• Which brand has leadership?
• What are the trends?
• Which platform will prevail?
• What is the penetration for various platforms?
• Which age group dominates?

Today, the demand from clients is far different. Today clients know what they want. They understand mobile apps. They’ve read the tea leaves and realize it’s no longer a case of ‘when’ but ‘how soon’.

Today, clients come to us expecting enterprise solutions. They know what they want and they expect Mobile Fringe to deliver.

And we know what “Enterprise” means. It means working with core business systems … technologies that can be as diverse as business itself. It means working with Web Services, XML, JSON, API’s or direct database connections. ”Enterprise” also means security, which means working with http, token authentication or LDAP systems. Because security matters … and we know it.

All of this experience, along with a strong focus on mobile performance, provides the right combination for successful enterprise solution.’

Two years ago, we spent six months developing our m3 core engine. Simply stated, we wanted a platform that could handle data and enterprise issues.

m3 has enabled us to create apps for shopping malls, for conventions, even for carriers like Rogers Communications and brands like Puma. The heavy lifting has been done. m3 enables us to move faster, lowering our clients risk.

Today we are focused on unique enterprise solutions. An example is our latest app, called UROapp.

UROapp, provides secure 24/7 communication between urologists. This closed forum, private mobile network enables Doctors to confer with each other, obtaining instant peer-to-peer advice, while accessing research data and input from the medical community.  UROapp will come on stream September of 2010.

Developed for both the iPhone and Blackberry platforms, UROapp, is the first in a series of 11 professional social networking applications targeting the medical profession. Theses apps facilitate better medicine and better business.

And the core functionality applies equally to:

• Franchise networks with national or international distribution
• Vertical professions and industries
• Educational facilities
• Political organizations
• Fund raising groups

Perhaps you too need an enterprise mobile solution?

If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Version 4 is generating a whole lot of buzz:

• 1.7 million sold in three days
• 3 million sold to date
• Limited availability
• International orders pushed back until late July

It’s a classic case of demand outstripping supply.

Little wonder the demand is so high. Key features include a faster CPU, bigger battery, far better screen resolution, a vastly improved camera that also records HD video and of course, the much anticipated multitasking. All for $199 US.

A recent survey of those in line, waiting to be the first in their social group to get the iPhone 4, revealed that 77% were upgrading from previous iPhones. This is significant on a number of levels.

Obviously these people love their iPhone. No matter how much publicity the Android versions are generating, Apple fans are loyal. It also in yet another example of Apple expanding its eco-system. The Apple enterprise just keeps on growing. Churn is almost non-existent. The more iPhones sold, the more apps ultimately purchased. More people shopping Apple, leaves less for the competitors to fight over.

The big news, one that might open up all news vistas, which is typical of Apple, is FaceTime.

If you have ever had a video chat with someone, you know it can be a bit intimidating. Newbies keep looking at their own image, or have a problem looking into the lens. They glance nervously around the room, seemingly unable to ‘look you in the eye’. So video iChats may not be a big factor.

But FaceTime will likely have a major impact on service and sales. Can’t figure out what’s wrong with your computer or software? With FaceTime, turn your camera to the monitor and explain to the service rep what’s happening as you recreate the problem. Have a weird lump on your neck? Show the Doc. Selling your old lawnmower? Let the buyer take a look. Selling a car … well you get the idea.

And guess what? Apple will likely find a way to monetize this and add it to its ever-growing eco-system.