Mobile App Marketing: Strategies to Promote and Increase Downloads

May be you have developed a multimillion app or you have an idea to make it multimillion. However you haven't developed strategies to market your app properly.

Well, if you haven't done that so far, then it is the time. If you want your app to be downloaded by millions of users, then you have to promote it, in such ways that users get aware of your killer app.

Obviously, you have to face a tough competition ahead, however you don't have to wait for your turn. It is not necessary that you will promote your app after completion and submission to store.

Getting user for your app is never easy for new apps in market. Early promotion and marketing is the best way to get started awaring your potentials customers.

If possible let people use beta versions and collect feedbacks and follow them for making your app more better and user friendly.

Make your app free for sometime or early users and let people go crazy for your app. Focus on reviews, ratings and feedbacks. There is so much to do with marketing and promoting mobile app to get more downloads.

Android Wear: Must Have Apps For Your Android Watch

Since the inception of smart watch, wearable market is growing rapidly. Android and Apple wear are in high demand. everybody want to have a smart watch, that can make their day to day task more easier and well managed.

If you own such a watch then you must have following apps installed in your watch to make it more better and smarter:

1. Android Wear App:

Android wear app makes you pair your wearables with you Android phones easily. With this app you can control voice action preferences, adjust notifications setting, and configure devices.

2. Trello:

Best app that can make you organize your task easily. You can manage everything with this Android wear app. Write your ideas down on Trello cards and arrange them in lists on your boards. Add details to your cards such as:

• checklists to keep track of to-dos.
• comments to update your co-workers
• photos and videos
• who's working on that card

With the Trello app in your pocket, you can make to-do lists waiting in line at the grocery store, assign tasks to your co-worker while you're on the train home, or upload a photo of that paisley couch you saw the store that's just perfect for the house you're furnishing.

Trello is great with Wear! You can quickly reply to comments and create cards from you watch by simply saying Take a note.

3. Google Camera:

Missing most out of your phone ten don't worry here comes Google Camera. It uses your smart phone's features like HDR+, Lens Blur, Panorama etc. to enhance your phone's picture capabilities.

Features of Google Camera:

• Easy Interface - Capture photos and video easily with Google Camera's beautiful and intuitive Material Design interface.
• Lens Blur - Control the camera's depth of field using Lens Blur to focus on the subject in the foreground and blur the background; great for portraits and selfies.
• HDR+ - Use the HDR+ (High Dynamic Range + Low Light) setting to improve images captured in low light, and backlit scenes (only available on Nexus 5 and Nexus 6).
• Photo Stitching - Create amazing 360° Photo Sphere, panoramas, wide angle and fish-eye images with Google's photo stitching technology developed for Google Maps.
• Video - Shoot video and simultaneously capture stills just by tapping on the screen.
• Android Wear - Take photos from a distance by tapping on your Android Wear device.

4. 1Weather

1Weather is #1 most loved app for your android devices is now available for Android wear also. It is the free weather app which has lots of amazing features. It is simple yet beautiful in look and feel. this app allows you to use a bunch of weather tools.

FEATURES:

• Real-time weather forecasting and local weather information.
• Information of 10 days of weather. Hourly weather information.
• Location tracking and getting information around that area.
• Get information about clouds, radar status, surface temperature, dew point, wind speed, relative humidity, and UV Index.
• Know about sunrise, sunset and lunar phases in animation.
• Save and track multiple locations simultaneously.
• Share various weather related information directly to your social media friends.

Units that you can measure:

• Temperature: Fahrenheit or Celsius
• Wind: mph, kph, m/s, knots and Beaufort scale
• Pressure: Inches of mercury, millibars, millimeters of mercury
• Distance: Miles, Kilometers

 5. Find My Phone:

Are you heck up of forgetting your phone, then next time you don't have to be. Get Find My Phone app for your Android phone and pair it with your android wear and feel free to put your phone anywhere.

Whenever go out of reach from your phone, your Android wear start buzzing. To find your phone just tap on notification or open Find My Phone app in your watch and it will show you the visual signals to reach your phone.

The alarm can be setting up for your needs. You can:

• Set alarm volume
• Turn on gradual volume increasing
• Turn on vibration
• Select ringtone
• Set screen brightness
• Turn on Flashlight

The main thing is that you can get this app for free, however if you want to customize your alarm and other things then purchase PRO version of this app from Google Play.

Forecasting Future with Big Data and Predictive Analytics

Predictive analysis is in existence since a decade however people were not aware of it. We were already using this technique to get known of things that going to happen in future.

Every successful business or government is digging the present to collect more favorable things to implement in future.

Earlier calculations was not that easy however since the inception of Big Data, collecting and manipulating data is now easier than ever.

With the help of Big Data technologies you can process any type of data and extract useful information from that. Even you can convert one form of data into other form, sort, arrange and define. You can do anything with data.

As we know data is everywhere around us, however we don't know how to use and utilize it in proper way.

Predictive analysis is very useful for businesses, as you can predict future and customer requirements from voluminous collected data.

By utilizing historical and transactional data sets, businesses try to mitigate the risk factors and maximize opportunity for the betterment of customer experience, and business growth.

There are different types of business analytics that are used at different level of business enhancement.

I just love Big Data, read more about Big Data and Predictive Analytic.

Apple HomeKit: Everything You Want to Know

Apple's HomeKit is a framework that connects and controls various electronics devices with your iOS device. It will let you control all your electronic gadgets and accessories.

Working of Apple HomeKit

HomeKit as a central controlling unit allows you to control smart devices around you with your iPhone and iPads. Apple HomeKit enables you to organize your devices into groups such as all smart devices of a room will be group named "room", similarly we can define other group as "zones", "scenes" etc.. as per functionality.

"room" control group allows you to control all smart devices in any room. "zones" are cluster of rooms that allows control smart devices of multiple rooms. "scenes" as a medium enables your to adjust characteristics of multiple smart devices and accessories.

Apple TV: Control Things Remotely

Apple TV enables you to control you smart devices from a remote location with you iOS device. Users need to sign in into their iCloud accounts with their ids to control their devices remotely.

I am just waiting for Apple to officially announce this framework soon so, I can utilize the features for controlling accessories around me. Whatever I have just written above is a part of an article of Hidden Brains. Visit Everything you Wanted to Know About HomeKit for detailed information about Apple HomeKit.

Mobile App Development Myths Debunked

Mobile app development continues to be on priority list for most organizations. Businesses realize that mobile is the best way to reach out to their customers. But mobile apps are not standalone projects, rather part of a greater and bigger strategy. It is not about plunging into a mobile app development process without applying any strategic thought.

The entire mobile app ecosystem is still in nascent stage and many newbie app developers have completely wrong notions about the entire process. This blog post outlines several myths that will help the mobile entrepreneur chart a path and know what’s next in the journey right from ideation, design, development to app store optimization and promotion.

You need to be technology czar

You don’t need to be a coding genius to launch a mobile app. After all, idea is what drives a mobile app. If you feel that you have a path-breaking idea, hire a mobile app developer and get started. Don’t let technology or different platforms pull you back. However, it wouldn’t hurt to know the basics of mobile app.

Just develop the app and users will keep coming

There are millions of apps in the app store. It is a very competitive and saturated world out there. Mobile app is not just about the development process. Your job is not done once your app goes live. Developing an app is relatively simple compared to getting users to click on the download button. Trying to gain market traction is the toughest part in the app world.

Need opinion from anyone, everyone under the sun

Undoubtedly, seeking opinion is the best way to improve a product. Mobile app is no exception. Everything boils down to collaboration. But asking for feedback on a yet-to-be-launched app will get you a vague or imaginary response. And the trouble starts when you take advice from someone who is not a stakeholder or not even remotely involved in the mobile application development. Always believe in your user’s feedback and stay away from randomly seeking opinions from your friends.

Building for Multiple Platforms at Once

With more than one million apps on both the Google Play and Apple App Store, you are competing in a highly saturated market. But it does not mean that you launch on both platforms at the same go. Everything boils down to analyzing your target market and your budget. It is better to finalize an app for one platform through iterative approach, before porting it to other platform.

Marketing begins only after submitting app

It is important to create a buzz before your app goes live and not wait till the submission process is over. The process should start at least 2-4 weeks in advance. You can create a social media campaign. Reach out to tech bloggers in your niche who have covered a similar app. Create a splash page or landing page for your app to inform users about the app and ask them to sign up.

Show them the money

While paid promotion can help you get spotlight for some time, it is not a guaranteed way to move up the ladder. It is about building a great product and focusing on user experience. Every successful app has grown in popularity based on social proof and word of mouth recommendations. Big marketing budget will not help you buy user experience. You need to strike a balance between free and paid mobile app promotions.

Conclusion

Success of your app simply depends on avoiding common misconceptions. It is true that every app can’t be Instagram or Snap chat. However, it is important to get your fundamentals right. You just need to channelize your efforts in the right direction so that you can create an app that will get discovered, downloaded, and ultimately make you successful.

Top 5 Tips to Improve User Engagement Level for Mobile Applications

The mobile app world is a jam packed place with millions of apps and the numbers keeps on rising and continues to explode. There is literally an app for everything imaginable under the sun. Today’s savvy user has plenty of choices and customer engagement is the only way to make your app successful in the highly saturated app world. Remember, mobile device is the only device that is closely attached to their users. It is indeed the most personalized device ever.

Keeping users engaged for return visits ultimately increases the potential to make money. Engagement can help create better product, as feedback can shape app through iterative approach.

Here are few tips that will help to enhance user engagement levels

Adopt a user centric approach

User needs always comes first, no matter what. If they don’t need it, they are not going to be interested in your app. Your app does not need to be a mindless replica of your website or online store. Remember, people use app in a different way. Every mobile app has targeted audience of users to conduct research. Deeper customer research will reveal insights that will help you throughout the mobile development stage.

Encourage feedback

Successful engagement revolves around user feedback. It is ultimately about providing a seamless user experience. Glean through users’ reviews and convert them into actionable insights. Remember, user review can help you tap bigger opportunities. It is equally important to ensure that the act of providing feedback is a hassle free experience. Figuring out what people love about the app and enhancing those features can take user engagement to the next level.

Developers can also provide an in-app feature to gather feedback. This is a platform that lets app users to reach out to the developers directly, rather than venting out their frustration on the App Store. Simply add a feedback button at a strategic location to improve your app reviews.

Leverage mobile analytics

Mobile analytics is a crucial channel to ensure that you guide your customer through the entire journey. In fact, the advances in mobile analytics make it relatively easy to personalize customer’s experience. You can effectively use Geo-location technology, push messaging notifications and location-based analytics to listen to your customers and show them you care.

Efficient on-boarding

First impression of user about your app is very important. After all, users need to understand features and value of your app at the first go after download. Effective on-boarding could serve as key to success. This process involves helping first time users walk through you app’s navigation and showcase key features and how to use them. Users should remember the information and not feel overwhelmed.

Don’t just bombard users with instructions about features, rather intelligently spread content over a period of time to let user explore app intelligently at own pace and encourage them to visit your app again. It is best to strategically use combination of email and in-app messaging for the highest impact.

Social proof for the bandwagon effect

In the app world, nothing works better than social proof. Often known as the bandwagon effect or herd behavior, social proof can work wonders for your app. You can encourage your customers to share on social networking sites and spread word about your application. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and other such relevant networks can help customers spread word about special deals, promotion or discounts. You can consider linking the points that users earn inside apps to real world rewards. This motivates users to come back to your app and earn points.

Conclusion: User engagement is all about listening to, collaborating with, and caring for your customers. It is all about creating meaningful relationships with customers that transcends beyond single-click download.

Microsoft Windows 10: How to Get Your Free Copy

Windows is the widely used operating system. still people are using Windows 7 more than Windows 8 and 8.1. However, Microsoft is bringing Windows 10 for your with free upgrade this time.

This all new operating system has lots of amazing features to boost up your experience. Windows 10 offers your faster startup and resume functionality than its previous versions.

You will get all new browser with this Windows update, even you have given more power to manage your files and system efficiently.

Follow below steps to upgrade your Windows 7 and 8 freely:

1. Reserve your free copy:

If you are upgrading your Windows regularly ten you'll get an app automatically added at your tray icon area. Click and reserve your copy from there and download your copy whenever Windows 10 available. You can cancel your reservation at any time.

• Click on the small Windows icon found at the right end of the taskbar. If you don’t see it, visit Microsoft's Q&A page for more info.
• Click “Reserve your free upgrade” in the app window.
• Enter your email if you want a confirmation of this reservation.
• All set. There’s no obligation and you can cancel your reservation at any time. 

2. Install you free Windows 10 copy:

After 29th July 2015 you will get a notification to download Microsoft Windows 10 for your device. Install it or schedule your installation.

3. Hurray...you are done:

Enjoy your free copy of Windows 10.

Don’t miss out as this free offer won’t last forever. * Reserve your upgrade today.

Google Play: Download Material Designed Android Clock App

Google has launched new Android mobile clock app with material design experience. It has all the features you need in your clock.

This clock app is more than any clock. You can do following with this app:

• Set Alarms
• Set Timers
• Set Stopwatch
• World Clock
• Connect with Android Wear to snooze or dismiss alarms from your watch

On 18th June 2015, Google officially put this Android mobile app in Google Play.

Download and install Clock app for Android mobile phones.

Apple WatchOS 2: Revamping for Better Personal Experience

Apple has announced separate operating system for its watches as Apple Watch OS 2 at WWDC 2015. Apple is enabling these watches to take advantage of their size and location.

Apple WatchOS 2 is the refined version that is faster and powerful than the previous one.

The all new WatchOS will bring you more interaction with Apple watch. You can also change watch face look and work as you like.

Let's time travel, a new feature in WatchOS 2, you can turn the Digital Crown of your watch to see what is going to happen and what had happened. Know your yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Apple WatchOS 2 now run native apps for better performance. You do not need to pair with your iPhone or iPad after this fall.

This is not done yet, you will get familiar apps with new features and functionalities, so you have interactions that are known to you, but you have more to do with the same apps.

With this update you can make credit card payments right from your wrist. Store your card in you Apple Pay and feel free to go anywhere without money.

Siri is doing its best in iPhone and iPads, now enjoy Siri in your watch. Get assisted from Siri in this WatchOS 2.

Apple watches have a lot more to redefine the wearable industry. Just wait for this fall to happen, and then you will feel your wrist more useful then ever.

Gaming: Microsoft Revealed Future Centric Approach at E3 2015

Microsoft has announce so much at this E3 Press Conference 2015. Microsoft reveled more 20 titles games for Xbox One and upcoming Windows 10 platform.

This is not enough as Microsoft shown the working of its Hololens working for games like Minecraft. Whatever is announce here revolutionary for gaming industry.

Top 10 announcement for Xbox at E3 conference 2015 are listed below:

• Backward compatibility - compatible to use Xbox 360 games onto Xbox One.
• Xbox One Controller - wireless controller and more customized version of Xbox gamepad.
• Halo 5 - announce Halo 5 that would be more than the previous version.
• ReCore - a game by Mega Man. Story of a women and a dog.
• Forza Motorsport 6 - dynamic weather and gorgeous graphics.
• Minecraft Hololens Game - demo of Minecrafts  for Microsoft Hololens.
• Tomb Raider Rise - it will be available for both the Xbox versions with lots of adventures.
• Gears 4 - enjoy the gear war with Xbox One with amazing features.
• Game Preview Program - now get previews of games and play them.
• Microsoft and Valve VR - to strengthen the hold on virtual reality Microsoft announced partnership with Valve VR.

Want to know more in details then visit: E3 Conference 2015: Microsoft’s Future-Centric Approach to Gaming Revealed

Google Jacquard: The Smart Future of Apparel Industry

Once, I was just thinking of swiping through my clothes and controlling my TV, mobile phones and other electronics. At that time, I was just dreaming this thing a tech geek.

Since, six months I am hearing about smart and interactive clothes. Earlier It was in news that Google is working on such a technology that will bring a revolution in Apparel market.

I was just surprised, to learn about  project Jacquard at Google IO 2015 event. I started exploring about it, then read a very nicely written company blog post "Project Jacquard: Google’s Futuristic Innovation in Connected Apparel".

Now, I am eagerly waiting for the day, when these type of clothes will be available in the market and so, I will swipe through my cloths and control my smartphone, TV and other electronic things.

Google have created an awesome  web page for this innovative technology named "Project Jacquard". This is a future changing technology. Google and partners with Levi's to work on producing interactive clothes. Innovations are happening all around, I am just imaging what going to happen next, what our life would be after 2025.2030..2050....and so on.

Image Courtesy: Google

Apple Music: Bringing Revolution to Music Streaming Service

Apple announces music streaming service as an addition to iOS 9 at this Apple WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) 2015. After June 30th, 2015 this music streaming service will be available at iTunes for Mac OS X, Windows and iOS devices.

Apple Music App will compose of three things:

• iTune-in-Demand:
  Apple music is an iTune-in-demand music service. You can search for your favorite song in cloud and stream it. With Siri it would be more easy to find your songs with voice commands. You can also check various details related to that song.

• Global Radio Station:
  This radio station called Beat 1. Subscribe to this channel and listen to best DJs all over the world.

• Socialize:
  Now, you will have Myspace like interface where you can connect with old and new artist, share your streams, and socialize your artist and their creations.

To know how it work and other functionality visit Apple Music.

Augment Reality: Restructuring Retail Industry

"Augment reality is a term for live direct or indirect view of physical real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound video graphics or GPS data."

Google with Google Glass and Google Cardboard and Microsoft with Microsoft Hololens are already working with technology for the betterment of web and user experience. Recently Apple showed interest in this field by acquiring the Metaio. Metaio is the big name in augmented reality and it has done so much in this field.

Mark Zuckerberg the Facebook owner acquired Oculus VR. Every big company is trying to get ready for transforming their business with this future technology.

Now just imagine what else we can have with this technology. Augment Reality and retail, vow that is an amazing combination.

This technology will let us access virtual stores anytime, anywhere. We can visit store and its product as we do in real-time. even you can try several products as per your requirement.

With camera, GPS and other devices you will be in reality. This technology will increase your customer and and their engagement.

Visit this nicely written article about Augment Reality and Retail Industry.