"smartphones" articles

By Jim O'Neill, Research Analyst Operators looking to cash in on delivering video to multiple screens have been talking about HEVC (high efficiency video coding) for a long time. Developers say the new video coding standard — H.265 — would reduce bit rate requirements of the current standard, H.264, by half, and deliver the same quality video. At the Cable Show in Boston this year, Motorola, which has been a participant in HEVC’s development,  talked about its plans...

Zynga 's stocks are taking a beating since releasing its earnings a couple of days ago. Facebook shares plunged to new lows today. Do these events mean that more trouble is on the way for the social gaming industry? We are still optimistic about the long-term evolution of the industry: - Facebook's growth may have slowed down but the social network is now close to 1 billion monthly active users (up 29% year over year). - New consumer segments continue to be attracted to social...

Innovations in wireless technology have made mobile Internet capabilities common and popular features on numerous portable consumer devices, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, netbooks, and e-book readers. Data usage has increased dramatically as a result of more devices and consumer use of bandwidth-intensive services and applications. Allot Communications, a provider of network optimization solutions to global mobile operators, reported global mobile data bandwidth usage soared...

Designed to solve the headache of splitting drink or dinner tabs, and powered by PayPal, enter Bump Pay. Similar solutions exist, including one from Venmo and even PayPal's own Bump-enabled app, but now Bump has decided to introduce a new app, rather than update its original. The Bump Pay app functions much like its predecessor Bump, which lets users "bump" smartphones together to share contacts and photos. Bump Pay allows users to pay the same way. The app team...

55% of U.S. users of Apple iPhone 4S are “very satisfied” with the Siri voice-command feature, according to new consumer research from the international research firm Parks Associates. The survey, featured in Apple iPhone Siri Users, finds an additional 21% are “satisfied” which totals over three quarters or 76% satisfied, leaving a small number of dissatisfied users. Thirty-seven percent of iPhone 4S owners also want to have a similar voice-command interface for their TV set,...

By:  Stuart Sikes, President, Parks Associates Parks Associates' consumer study of Siri users revealed several interesting pieces of data. Here are some additional points we found intriguing: 1.  Of iPhone 4s users, 62% use Siri for some function at least several times a week, including 35% of respondents who report daily use.  The least used functions are playing a video, scheduling a meeting, or playing music. 2.  The number of respondents who stated...

Siri is clearly a hit among the initial iPhone user base. But are they ready for it on their TVs? Tomorrow, Parks Associates , will release new consumer research on Siri satisfaction and usage. Here's a sneak peak: Over 50% of U.S. users of Apple iPhone 4S are “very satisfied” with the Siri voice-command feature and an additional 21% are “satisfied,” leaving a small number of dissatisfied users. Check back here for more new data tomorrow.

Second-screen content and ad integration will take off in 2012. Almost 20% of U.S. smartphone and tablet owners currently search for TV program information on their device while watching TV, despite the limited availability of synced applications. Creating and enhancing second-screen synergies offer new revenue streams and ad inventory opportunities. Consumers are becoming more comfortable with personalized TV and Internet advertising. Over one-third of TV and Internet users are...