Sailthru iOS app developer Sam Jarman says the only businesses that should be making apps are those that can offer utility to users.
Browsing: apps
The Tiaki fishing approach, which includes innovative nets and a mobile app, is being trialled in a bid to enable consumers around the world to see where their fish came from and how it was caught.
For the last 16 years, Serato has been at the forefront of DJ culture and technology. Its ground breaking Pitch ‘n Time time-stretching algorithm and flagship audio mixing software product Serato DJ are industry standards. Kanye West rapped about them on one of his tracks. Eminem did the same. And now it’s releasing its first mass-consumer app, Serato Pyro, a music player that beat-matches and mixes song playlists. Chief executive AJ Bertanshaw explains the company’s evolution—and its Kiwi style marketing approach.
Seeing someone smile at you is one of life’s great pleasures. And those who can see take that completely for granted. But Listerine and JWT London wanted to find a way to give those who can’t see warm fuzzies (and sell more mouthwash), so it created an app that plays a sound or vibrates when it detects a smile.
Since the heady days of 2013, when Uber and Airbnb started blossoming (or spreading like weeds) around the globe and raising millions of dollars in funding, ambitious app designers have been looking for problems that could be solved by combining smartphones and financial incentives.
The willingness of Kiwis to adopt new technology means that major publishers have to ensure that their online and mobile interfaces continue to offer a suitable user experience for readers. Failure to do so can lead to frustration that could drive readers to get their news fix on other sites. And given the importance of staying in touch with its readership’s consumption methods, Fairfax recently launched the third version of its Stuff app. PLUS: a look at why apps are important for news publishers.
Technology has a history of subversion. Apple’s classic 1984 ad showed its beliefs very literally. Streaming and internet-enabled piracy are changing the media and entertainment business. Google changed the way we advertise. And now businesses like Airbnb, Uber and many others are fighting against powerful incumbents and antiquated regulation to give consumers better services. While the confiscation of a few cowbells from a rugby game at Westpac Stadium in Wellington certainly isn’t in the same category, MEA Mobile and app partner (and Chiefs sponsor) Deosan have showed their subversive side by developing a digital substitute for Chiefs fans.
To simplify the process of scouring through apps to find the best ones, Spark Digital has introduced a new offering called Spark Digital Apps that gives small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access to the core digital tools they need to run their businesses. StopPress chatted to the recently appointed Spark Digital marketing manager Mark Redgrave about the thinking behind this move.
Kiwi-owned travel management company Orbit Corporate travel has launched a new mobile app, which aims to alleviate the stress of business travel, enabling travellers to save time and have secure access to all itinerary details with real-time notifications of any changes to booking.
A new B2B app allows businesses to sports-pick outside the immediate workplace, with a view to “cut through the clutter” and inspire commitment from customers who are inundated with deals.
There’s been an explosion of transport apps in the New Zealand market in the last 18 months, and many in the industry are saying the time for traditional taxi companies to get on board is now, before they find themselves on a long journey into oblivion with the meter running. So how has the taxi market changed? And will technology bring the industry kicking and screaming into the modern world?
Freedom Furniture has given consumers the ability to see what a new piece of furniture would look like in their house with a brand new app.
Whether it’s TV, taxis, travel or titillation, the world is becoming increasingly ondemand. And Flossie.com is aiming to tap into that trend with a new smartphone app aimed at the hair and beauty industry that connects willing buyers with willing sellers.
After working with the likes of the Internet Party, Schick, Metro magazine and 2degrees in the local market, Auckland-based digital company Interlike is now setting its sights on the Russian market.
When Kiwi entrepreneur Derek Handley advertised for a new right hand human, his campaign The Shoulder Tap had more than 1000 applicants from more than 30 countries – from billion-dollar hedge fund managers to prison managers to activists. Yes, Handley’s reputation and vision pulled for sure, but there was also some clever Kiwi technology behind the campaign.
Paul Catmur, the managing partner of Barnes, Catmur & Friends, shares his views on life, advertising and other annoyances, like flying to Amsterdam in the hope of getting a movie made.
A recent article in Fast Company documented the transition of Domino’s from a struggling pizza chain to a technology company. And transparency, data and utility played a major role in that evolution. As such, online ordering has become increasingly important for the company, as evidenced by the likes of the pizza tracker and various mobile apps (its iPad app even features a 3-D pizza builder). And the same focus on digital customer service obviously exists in New Zealand, because it’s walking its ‘people powered pizza’ talk and investing in 24/7 resource to monitor customers across all social media platforms. Plus: Domino’s domain name stoush.
For the 55th year, the BNZ Literary Awards will celebrate the work of both aspiring and established writers in New Zealand. As was the case last year, BNZ is once again accepting entries through Facebook, via a specially designed app dedicated to the short story competition.
Every time a GPS-connected vehicle drives down the road, data related to the speed, route and habits of the driver can be recorded. And while most of this information might seem arbitrary, Tower has just released an app that uses it to reward responsible drivers with reduced insurance premiums—thereby marking a shift from the generalisations traditionally used to determine the amount to be paid.
BKA Interactive kicked off when HTML was newfangled and Webmonkey was the only way to search the net for how to code. Now CEO Barbara Anderson, creative director Maak Bow and the team are mining their diverse base of work for nuggets to turn into products that could be used across industries, companies and the globe. We take a look behind the concrete curtain at this innovative company.
According to Telecom’s annual report, an average smartphone user reaches for their phone 150 times per day. For some, including Banksy, whose latest piece is a commentary on the scourge of mobile addiction, that’s a bit sad. But that level of interest makes it an appealing place to be for advertisers, so local start-up Postr is hoping to get brands into consumers’ pockets by serving ads on their smartphone homescreens.
ASB is hunting an edge in attracting and keeping corporate banking talent with its Work For ASB app. The app is part of the Growth story initiative and has an augmented reality functionality developed by trans-Tasman agency One Fat Sheep.
Domino’s has continued its bid to boost online sales as a proportion of overall purchases to 80 percent in the next couple of years with a new orders app. It’s designed to replace paper vouchers and lets users views deals from their local store or those in the vicinity.
Vodafone is bringing its own version of a global app to Warriors matches, letting fans zoom in on a 36-billion-pixel image to spot themselves in the crowd. It captured 1400 of the 22,000-strong crowd at an Auckland stadium last week and plans to offer the engagement tool at more upcoming matches.
NZ Tax Refunds has complemented its desktop and mobile offerings with iOS and Android apps that let users apply for a refund and get updates on the status of their cash boost. And the 60 seconds it takes via browser to find out whether a windfall is in the offing will be a similar speed on the app.
Fairfax says its partnership with the team behind an app that brings together grass roots sports fans, clubs, live streams and content could be the first of other opportunities that tap into crowdsourcing in different verticals. The marketing and advertising partnership is with Waterboy, dreamed up by former All Black Kees Meuws.
MEA Mobile has rounded out the platform suite for its iSupr8 app, which lets uers add vintage-style filters to video in a range of resolutions. It hopes to rival the likes of Vine and Instagram by catering to pro photographers as well as consumers.
Johnson and Johnson in the middle East have a new campaign that taps into grandparents’ need to constantly see pictures of their grandchildren. The company is offering a frame and an app that lets parents send such images to grandparents daily, feeding seniors’ cute baby addiction.
The Warehouse Group’s new shopping app includes the ability to scan products in its stores and that of its competitors to compare pricing. The app, created by Sush Mobile, is also an e-commerce platform and provides offers and store information.
Ride sharing service Uber is opening its doors to Auckland passengers, with its website saying a limited numbers of cars are already available. The company is encouraging first time users to give it a try and leave feedback, and it’s offering an online fare calculator.