May 10, 2010

Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Mobile Apps for Canada

Filed under: Mobile Insights — Tags: , — Steve @ 11:26 pm

Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Mobile Apps for Canada

There are considerably more apps listed in the US Apple Store than there are in the Canadian version.

The gap is so significant, a pseudo-black market is emerging where Canadians are finding loop holes in Apple’s registration system in order to download apps currently unavailable north of the border. Even the Globe & Mail recently ran an article in its business section provided instructions on buying a pay-as-you-go MasterCard at a Canadian national pharmacy chain, then using a fake US address to gain access to the US Apple Store.

Why is that? Why are US software developers and corporations ignoring the Canadian market? Is it a simple matter of ‘out of sight, out of mind’? Or is it related to copyright, trade issues or language and cultural issues.

Whatever the reason, many developers and corporations are missing out on an important market. Canada’s population, GPD and other economic measurements, positions the Canadian market on a par with California. Typically Canada is 10% of the US regardless of population, GDP, car sales etc.

That’s a big market, too big to ignore.

In fact, the Canadian mobile market appears to be maturing at a slower rate than in the US. Mobile marketing tools such as SMS messaging, coupons and bar code scanning all appear to be months, if not years  behind the US adoption rate.

Is that bad?

We don’t think so. In fact it suggests that the smart marketer ought to exploit these differences between the US market and the Canadian scene.

Now is the time to step forward and reap the rewards in the relatively untapped Canadian market. And Mobile Fringe is your doorway to the Great White North.

Come on in, eh.

March 1, 2010

Mobile Web Development

Filed under: Enterprise — Tags: , , , — Steve @ 9:30 pm

Mobile Web Development is gaining in popularity.  However, it is still a confusing process and topic.  Mobile Web Development is not just making a website for the mobile device.  It is leveraging specific mobile web tools that make a mobile web app engaging.  This area of mobile development continues to mature as smartphones and the tools for mobile web development improve.

In an increasing mobilized world, reaching your audience on the mobile phone has never been more important. Mobile website or Mobile web apps are a way to reach every mobile device delivering rich content and a fast user experience.

Please contact us with the details of your desired Mobile application and we’ll provide a free review and quote.

February 4, 2010

Mobile Marketing Apps Will Outsell Games – Mobile Fringe

Filed under: News @ Mobile Fringe — Tags: , — Steve @ 9:03 am

Mobile Marketing Apps Will Outsell Games

“Does your company have a web site? Then there’s a good chance, within three years, it will have added a mobile marketing app.”

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Feb. 4, 2010) – Steve Sorge, CEO of Mobile Fringe has become a recognized spokesperson for the Canadian mobile app industry. Recently back from speaking to top hospitality professionals at the Online Revealed Conference, Sorge looks to help demystify mobile marketing to the business community.

Mobile Fringe developed for Cadillac Fairview, the much acclaimed Eaton Centre mobile marketing app. It is one of a series of mobile marketing apps developed by Mobile Fringe. Sorge has plotted a marketing plan for Mobile Fringe that focuses 100% upon business.

“We appreciate and like games,” says Sorge. “But Mobile Fringe is all business.”

The reason for this course of action, despite the huge success of games sold through the Apple App Store is a result of Sorge’s vision of the future.

“Apple gets a lot of publicity stemming from the three billion apps that have been downloaded in 18 months,” says Sorge. “But if you total all the apps within the Apple Store, plus those at RIM, Google and Palm, the number is 200,000, at best. That’s not a lot. The growth potential is staggering.

Back in ‘95, many corporations, large and small were wondering whether they ought to develop a web site for their companies. Today that sounds unimaginable, but back then, websites were a novelty.”

According to Sorge, the number of websites currently active in the United States is in excess of 100 million.

Sorge believes that within three years, most organizations will have their own marketing-oriented mobile app.

“If a company has a web site, then there’s a good chance, within three years, it will have added a mobile app to its marketing arsenal,” says Sorge. “That’s why we are focused on business apps.”

Sorge points to vertical markets, retailing, hotels and tourist destinations as the major benefactors of business-oriented mobile apps. These operations have location based marketing opportunities, with users looking for quick access to specific information.

“Too many business execs are staring at this new marketing tool trying to figure what it will look like, says Sorge. “Management can’t focus on today, the target is 12 to 24 months down the road.”

Speaking to top Canadian hospitality executives at the Online Revealed Conference in Montreal, Sorge emphasized “Now is the time to start developing your company’s mobile app, not two years from now when those who have waited to see what the market looks like, will find themselves playing catch-up.”

About Mobile Fringe

Mobile Fringe is a mobile marketing company that specializes in the production and development of mobile marketing applications for the iPhone, Blackberry and Android devices. Our unique platforms provide our clients with a seamless solution into the rapidly expanding mobile market.