Posts tagged Microsoft
Microsoft says don’t forget TV. Suspicious?
Jun 21st
WPP and Publicis Groupe are racing to expand their web and mobile-phone advertising businesses to catch consumers’ attention. But Microsoft reckons they shouldn’t forget a much more traditional route: TV.
There has “never been a better time for TV advertising to seize the moment,” Microsoft Advertising and BBDO Worldwide, a unit of the world’s second-biggest ad company Omnicom Group, said in a study released today.
The survey among 1,500 consumers in the US, China, Russia, the UK and Saudi Arabia shows that “TV is a rich, powerful medium and advertisers should continue to be making great ads for it.”
But before you jump to conclusions and think Microsoft is advising against its very own platform (digital), the reasoning behind the advice from the tech giant is it wants to promote a balance between online platforms and TV.
While digital advertising has the fastest growth rate, TV is able to stay relevant because of new technology such as digital video recorders and surround sound, as well as rising viewership in developing markets.
Microsoft is just pushing for TV campaigns to be integrated with digital.
The research projects that TV ads will account for 42% of the ad market by 2013, up from 37% in 2005. Microsoft simply want some of the pie.
Marketers are increasingly using the web for campaigns and are embedding videos on specific sites to ensure a more targeted approach.
Microsoft, as usual, just wants a partner to ensure its relevance is maintained, thus playing the ‘friendly side of the big online world’.
Yes TV and internet can work together, but inevitably, as many broadcasters migrate online with catch-up services and online video players, online will ultimately take a bigger slice of the market. And Microsoft wants a big piece of that pie.
Social – the game changer for search in 2011
Feb 25th
It’s now been 18 months since Bing first launched in the UK. But with a market share of just 1.66%, we’re expecting to see some innovative plans soon to ensure its survival.
To give Bing credit, it has spent a large portion of its time in the UK in Beta testing. So now that it is openly in the market, and preparing to come out of Beta in Australia, the Microsoft-owned search engine is picking up its game.
Today, Microsoft has announced that the feature that highlights Facebook activity around some of Bing’s search results has been “extended” to include any and all URLs.
The tech giant said in a blog post that the expansion of its Facebook partnership – which was announced last October – was “part of a longer journey,” and that it played a complimentary role to the company’s efforts in adding a social layer to is results, as it did with Twitter.
The blog said: “This is the first time in human history that people are leaving social traces that machines can read and learn from, and present enhanced online experiences based on those traces.
“As people spend more time online and integrate their offline and online worlds, they will want their friends’ social activity and their social data to help them in making better decisions. Integrating with Twitter data 16 months ago was one step, and exploring Facebook’s rich streams is another.
“If your friends have publicly liked or shared any of the algorithmic search results shown on Bing, we will now surface them right below the result.”
The Bing feature analyzes links that show up in its search results to see if Facebook friends have “liked” that particular URL.
Last week, Google unveiled a similar feature in the US, which takes advantage of data from Facebook, Twitter and other social networks to display links that have been shared by other users.
According to many search experts, social is where search is headed in 2011 and there’s no doubt that Bing’s partnership with Facebook has potential to be a real game changer. Now it’s just down to raising some brand awareness.
Microsoft goes in for battle with Apple – this time it may win
Oct 12th
Microsoft has finally entered a new era with the launch of its very own smartphone. The tech giant has already swayed Apple fan-boy Stephen Fry, but are its efforts enough to not only recruit ‘fans’ but keep its market share?
The software giant has launched its new Windows Phone 7 ahead of the busy Christmas period as its attempts to take on giants Apple, Google and RIM.
To help its plight, Microsoft’s launch was given the voice of reason by former Twinings brand ambassador and vocal Apple fan Stephen Fry (his powers on the Twitterverse are invaluable).
The nerdy brand has launched a total of nine new handsets that will be available in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and Australia. With more than 60 mobile operators in over 30 countries worldwide committed to bringing Windows Phones to market, “the millions of people around the world looking for a phone that plays as hard as it works will have a variety of phones from leading device-makers to choose from,” said Microsoft.
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, added: “Microsoft and its partners are delivering a different kind of mobile phone and experience — one that makes everyday tasks faster by getting more done in fewer steps and providing timely information in a ‘glance and go’ format.”
While that may be true – Microsoft is still one of the best performing technology brand sin the world with over 90% of computer users utilising its software – there’s still that issue of ‘sexy’ sells. And let’s face it, Apple wins that competition hands down.
Microsoft has collaborated with Dell, HTC, LG and Samsung, and from mobile operators including América Móvil, AT&T, Deutsche Telekom AG, Movistar, O2, Orange, SFR, SingTel, Telstra, TELUS, Three, T-Mobile USA and UK and Vodafone.
It’s hard to see how they can fail with so much back-up. But only half the battle is over.
Microsoft has a way to go in topping Apple’s iPhone offering as well as beatng down snide remarks that its touch screen phones are simply ‘copycats’.
But in Microsoft’s words, it’s taking on Apple all guns blazing: “Windows Phone 7 breaks the current smartphone convention to help people quickly and easily find and consume data, information and services from the Web and applications. The new phones are distinguished by unique design and integrated experiences built from Microsoft’s deep portfolio such as Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Office Mobile, Zune, Windows Live, Bing and more.
“The customisable Start screen with Live Tiles is a personal experience, showing people their own content. The Live Tiles come to life with real-time updates from the Web such as news, appointments or the status of friends. New Live Tiles can be easily created from whatever content a consumer wants, such as applications, websites and music.”
Basically, its main selling point is that if you’ve ever used Windows Microsoft or Internet Explorer, the Windows Phone 7 will be pretty easy for you to get used and find your way around.
It should also entice Xbox fans with its games offering and those who use Windows Office will be pleased at the usability and sync capabilities.
So if you’re a PC users, you’ll love the Window Phone 7 – but if you’re a Mac user, you’ll love the iPhone. Two very split markets, one though, Microsoft actually has market share. Let the battle begin.
Apple, Google, Microsoft and the battle of the browsers
Jun 29th
There seems to be an all out war going on between the internet browsers at the moment. Internet users have a choice between Internet Explorer, Google’s Chrome, Safari and Firefox – and they’re just the big guys. But which is best for you, your computer and your browsing habits?
Here’s a cute video on what an internet browser actually is:
Each and every one of the browsers mentioned is on the marketing trail. They all promise to deliver the best browsing experience, the best visual elements of browsing, faster searches, etc, etc. But here’s the real breakdown:
Google Chrome
Google has just released Chrome 5.0.375.86 to the Stable channel on Linux, Mac, and Windows, with a fix for a number of security issues. More importantly, the integrated Flash Player has now been enabled by default. Built-in Flash was previously only available in the developer and beta releases of the speedy WebKit-based browser, and the release to the Stable channel means the integrated plug-in is now available in its mainstream version.
Not only is Google giving Adobe’s Flash technology another vote of confidence (Flash Player 10.1 for Mobile will be rolled out on Android 2.2 phones first), but the integration also means any updates to Flash Player will be delivered directly via Google Chrome’s updating system, ultimately minimizing security risks that tend to surface when one uses outdated software and components.
Chrome is light weight, colorful, has an easy browse facility, contains its own task manager and a great bookmark facility.
The main advantage of this browser is default searching facility. If you type text in the link bar, the browser automatically shows corresponding search results. If you type website address in the link bar if it is available, the browser will find the site and display it. Otherwise it will search related information.
Chrome also interoperates Java Script super fast and of course, is compatible with all other Google products including Google Docs.
Disadvantages are that as Chrome was developed in 2008, it is available with beta versions as usual. But at the end of the day, Chrome is under a brand name that most internet users have come to love and trust: Google.
Another disadvantage of Google chrome is its history search box will fetch all types of data – even text from HTTPS-protected financial sites.
Internet Explorer
Many internet users have grown up with Internet Explorer (IE). It is the simple, pre-installed easy to use web browser that has never really posed any real problems for internet surfers. However, in an era where everyone is clamoring for a slice of the internet/tech brand pie, IE has become too boring for some internet users.
IE is actually a very typical Microsoft brand. Microsoft was or is the dawn of the internet. When I think of computers I think of Microsoft, but the brand can’t rest on those sorts of laurels when someone like Google is out there waving the ‘cool’ flag.
IE has recently release version 8 of its browser, which is selling itself on the grounds that it helps protect users from evolving online threats. The new SmartScreen filter and other built-in security features help users stay safe by protecting against deceptive and malicious websites which can compromise your data, privacy, and identity.
The Microsoft browser also comes with parental controls, so safety is a big selling point of this browser. Its usability should also win over families that have one main desktop computer. However, my main issue with IE is that it tends to be quiet slow, perhaps it’s too busy with all those security checks.
Firefox
I downloaded Firefox 3.6 this morning, and I must admit, I really love it. I’m not being bias though, on my MAC desktop computer at home I have Safari. I use Firefox on my laptop and at work I switch between Firefox and IE. I tried Chrome once and to be honest, it kept asking me to update it so I became annoyed and uninstalled it – to give Google credit though, this was Chrome beta. But back to Firefox…
This morning I downloaded the new version and it asked me to pick a theme, a persona. So now the top of my browser has a nice green design with the Firefox logo. It looks cool, and I can change it. At the moment I can have FIFA logos, Harry Potter themes, Snoopy cartoons or a nice picture of a sunset. I love that sort of personalization…and wasn’t it just last week that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that the web was moving towards personalisation?
On the technical side, I’ve always found Firefox extreme quick. I also love the brand, it’s not too flashy and overdone and so ‘in your face’. It’s very subtle which is less intrusive, it’s a browser after all, it doesn’t have to therefore penetrate every aspect of your internet life (as Google often does).
Firefox calls itself a “global community”. It’s a public benefit organization “dedicated not to making money but to improving the way people everywhere experience the internet”.
The browser is also an open source software project whose code has been used as a platform for some of the internet’s most innovative projects.
Firefox is super fast and it’s the ideal browser for watching TV online. What is also brilliant about Firefox is that if your computer crashes or your internet restarts, Firefox can restore your browsing sessions. It also is able to remember your tabs so if you cross out of Firefox, it’ll ask you if you want it to remember those tabs for the next time you launch the browser.
The browser also allows you to store your favourites as tabs on the actually browser interface, as does IE, for easy access.
So what are the disadvantages? Firefox’s tendency to crash with Flash downloads.
Safari
Apple’s Safari browser was mad especially for MAC OS. Safari is a graphical web browser Safari is also the native browser for the iOS. A version of Safari for the Microsoft Windows operating system supports Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. The latest stable release of the browser is 5.0. Apple and Google are neck and neck with their browsers, however Safari’s disadvantages are that it is compatible with all MAC programs, leading users to think it is only really worthwhile on MACs.
But some cool features include bookmarking links to particular pages as “Web Clip” icons on the Home screen, opening specially-designed pages in full-screen mode, pressing on an image for 3 seconds to save it to the photo album and it supports HTML5 new input types…not Flash though, a sore point with Apple.
Somewhat sneakily, Apple uses software updates to make it easy and convenient for both Mac and Windows users to get the latest Safari updates, which kind of makes Safari the default regardless of users preferences and borders on malware distribution practices.
So there you have it, which browser do you prefer?
Gaming is becoming more real – so are the ads
Jun 16th
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve noticed a lot more ads for the Nintendo DS. At first I thought it was trying to compete with the launch of Apple’s iPad. But no, today all became clear when the gaming company released its first 3D gaming console – and you don’t even have to wear those dumb glasses.
In back-to-back announcements at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, Nintendo and Sony both laid out their plans to make gaming even more immersive.
Nintendo showed off a 3D version of its DS handheld games console featuring a 3.5″ autostereoscopic 3D screen, which can be viewed without the use of active 3D glasses, and a touchscreen below it.
And advertisers are getting on board already. Earlier in the week, Domino’s Pizza announced its move into in-game advertising for the first time as part of an integrated football campaign.
The Sony PS3 activity, by digital specialists at ArenaMedia, forms a central plank of Domino’s multi-channel push that will also include TV, radio and social media.
Domino’s month-long in-game advertising targets 16 to 34-year old males playing a range of sports and racing titles on PS3 including NBA 2K10, Superstar Racing and Mx vs ATV Reflex. Ads will be shown to PS3 gamers who are connected to the internet.
In game advertising has been around for many years, but has struggled against regulation in the UK. While it is allowed, gaming companies must disclose the ads on the covers of games to warn player.
The concept has been called a bit of a ‘Marmite’ subject in the past. Some believe real world brands and products being forced into their games detracts from the experience, while others believe a well placed and well made ad can actually help ground the game in reality.
And as games become more real, ads are finding their place.
Sony Computer Entertainment president Kazou Hirai said in LA yesterday that making 3D playback available on the 35 million available PlayStation 3 consoles would give the new technology a significant boost and could speed up adoption of 3D TV screens.
“3D is one more leap in the entertainment experience, moving us forward to more realistic gaming.”
Games using the new controls will so far include Tiger Woods’ PGA Tour 2011, Toy Story 3 and SingStar Dance.
One last thing to add fuel to this fire: earlier this month a number of leading game publishers and businesses formed an in-game advertising steering group with the Internet Advertising Bureau.
The collaboration – which includes Sony, Microsoft, IGN, EA, DoubleFusion and IGA Worldwide – will work on developing and promoting in-game advertising in new titles this year.
MARKETING NEWS BITES: Microsoft’s new launch, Apple’s streaming service and Nissan’s iPhone controlled car
May 14th
A round-up of news from around the web:
Microsoft has launched a redesigned MSN Mobile homepage, streamlining the portal’s design and providing such as one-click access to Bing, Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger. The mobile homepage is accessible on a variety of devices and browsers, including Safari on the iPhone and Android. eWeek
Apple is to launch an online music service that, for the first time, will allow customers to listen to tracks streamed over the internet. The move will see the tech giant take on existing music operations such as Spotify and We7. The Times
Nissan has revealed the world’s first vehicle to have its features controlled by a smartphone. The groundbreaking Nissan LEAF is fitted with a system where the air conditioning can be programmed using a mobile like the iPhone or HTC Desire. Daily Mail
And finally, Facebook is catching up to rivals Yahoo and Microsoft in selling display ads. In the first quarter, Facebook pulled ahead of Yahoo for the first time and delivered more banner ads to its US users than any other Web publisher. Overall, Facebook.com served 176.3 billion display ads on its website over the first three months of 2010, or 16.2% of the total. comScore
MARKETING NEWS BITES: Apple’s 4G iPhone to launch June 7, RIM unveils BlackBerry 6 and Microsoft’s next generation Messenger
Apr 29th
A round up of news from around the web:
Apple is expected to formally debut its next-generation iPhone at a developers conference on June 7, the start of its five-day Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. The annual event has become a stage for Apple to unveil software updates, particularly for iPhones that star in the company’s line-up of popular mobile gadgets. AFP
Research in Motion has unveiled the new features in BlackBerry 6, saying the update to the BlackBerry operating system will arrive in the next quarter. The new OS — described by RIM co-chief Mike Lazaridis as its “the biggest step forward” — was shown to an audience of BlackBerry partners, developers and users at the company’s Wireless Enterprise Symposium in Orlando, Florida. ZDNet
AOL is to sell its ICQ instant messaging service to Digital Sky Technologies, the Russian internet company, for $187.5m, or less than half the $400m it paid for ICQ in 1998. The disposal came as AOL yesterday reported a 58 per cent decline in first quarter net profit and a 23 per cent drop in revenue year-on-year. Financial Times
Microsoft has announced the next generation of Windows Live Messenger, promising better sharing and interactivity. The onus of the Messenger redux is very much about creating richer and more meaningful conversations through the service, adding things like social-network integration and better video and photo sharing. Tech Radar
New figures reveal that that 66.7% of US Internet users—147.5 million people—are watching video online each month. By 2014, that figure is forecast to rise to 77% of Internet users, or 193.1 million people. eMarketer
MARKETING NEWS BITES: Google’s new ads, Facebook drives more traffic and 3D TV arrives
Apr 23rd
A quick round-up of this morning’s news from around the web:
Google has released two new ads on YouTube to showcase some features of its web browser, Chrome. Extensions and Translate are two components that flesh out users’ browsing experiences while simplifying online actions at the same time. The spots were created by agency BBH. Mashable
According to StatCounter’s GlobalStats research arm, Twitter now generates almost 10% of social media driven global hits to websites, while Facebook still reigns supreme as the primary source of traffic to global websites with almost half (48%) of ‘Social Media hits’. Surprisingly, the number two social media traffic generator is not Twitter, but StumbleUpon with almost a quarter (25%). The data for March 2010 is said to be based on 13 billion page views across the global StatCounter network of member sites. Techcrunch
Google has snapped up chip maker AgniLux, sparking talk of the internet giants building its own server processors or even considering launching its own tablet. However, CEO Eric Schmidt reiterated several times through his speech at the Atmosphere Cloud Computing conference that Google was not looking to make the hardware for Chrome OS devices, merely offering the operating system. Tech Radar
A home viewing revolution stars today with the first 3D television hitting the shops. The Samsung 40-inch 3D-TV is now on sale at John Lewis. Daily Express
And Microsoft has seen its profits leap by 35% in the first three months of 2010 – as its Windows 7 operating system continued to prove popular, becoming the best-selling operating system to date. The software giant made a net profit of £2.6bn and said it had also seen “strong growth” from its Bing search engine business and XBox Live. BBC
FACEBOOK F8 ROUND-UP: the social web, Microsoft, privacy, Like and new data rules
Apr 22nd
A round up from Facebook’s 2010 f8 conference in San Francisco.
F8 brings together the developers and entrepreneurs who are building the social web by moving fast, taking risks, and hacking traditional systems.
From Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg: “Today at our third f8, we are making it so all websites can work together to build a more comprehensive map of connections and create better, more social experiences for everyone.
“Facebook has always focused on building ways for people to connect with each other and share information with their friends. We think this is important because people are shaping how information moves through their connections. People are increasingly discovering information not just through links to web pages but also from the people and things they care about. This flow of social information has profound benefits – from driving better decisions to keeping in touch more easily – and we’re really proud that Facebook is part of the shift toward more social and personalized experiences everywhere online.”
“Today at our third f8, we are making it so all websites can work together to build a more comprehensive map of connections and create better, more social experiences for everyone. We have redesigned Facebook Platform to offer a simple set of tools that sites around the web can use to personalize experiences and build out the graph of connections people are making.”
For your eyes only: Privacy
Facebook is getting rid of restrictions that developers can only store user data for 24 hours in a move that could rekindle privacy concerns. The company said the reason for the change was primarily technical as the restrictions have been difficult for developers to work around, the company said. Read the rest of this entry »
Microsoft’s social phone – one for the kids?
Apr 13th
Microsoft has today launched its new Windows phone – the KIN. But the launch signals so much more than just another handset in the telecoms sector.
In a bid to pry away market share from leader Apple and its iPhone, and close second Google’s Android, Microsoft has come up with a different approach to its challenger handset. It’s going social.
Everybody knows that social media has changed the way we communicate, especially young people.
Kids are leading the world’s transition to digital media. Recent research from the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed that (somewhat obviously) kids aren’t afraid of technology because they’ve grown up with it.
So if you want to get a sense of where the world’s media habits are headed, it makes sense to watch what kids are doing (more specifically, kids ages 8 to 18).
Microsoft knows this. It knows kids want their social lives on tap – at the touch of the button. And the KIN should capitalize on this.
And, it’s not about apps, it’s about connecting to existing networks.
According to Microsoft, the KIN is designed to be the ultimate social experience that blends the phone, online services and the PC with new experiences it calls the “Loop”, “Spot” and “Studio”. Read the rest of this entry »
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