Global Media News

Trump Take Down: Via Smartphone

How has Trump's immigration ban impacted apps?

Throughout the presidential campaign, social media users took to platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to demonstrate their beliefs for and against Donald Trump. Eventually, the Anti-Trump movement was born. Social media as well as other smart phone apps have changed American politics indefinitely.

In light of the recent detainment of travelers at John F. Kennedy airport, officials are screening social media accounts in search of suspected terrorist affiliation. According to Independent, border agents are checking social media accounts of travelers whom are entering the country. What are they looking for? Political views of travelers. What does this mean for us? Individuals who post anything political on social media, are a potential target by the Trump Administration. Protesting Trump via hashtags may or may not be the safest idea, but wait, there's no need to grab a picket sign just yet. Here is a look at some alternative movements against the president. 

Following the protest at JFK airport, Uber is under fire. Taxi companies under the NY Taxi Workers Alliance exhibited protest by suspending their work in opposition of Trumps ban. On the other hand, Uber tweeted, " Surge pricing has been turned off at #JFK Airport. This may result in longer wait times. Please be patient." Uber account holders were outraged by the companies decision to profit off of the Muslim ban. In result, at least 200,000 people have deleted their Uber accounts.

On the bright side, App stores on both Apple and Android devices have released an app to boycott Trump. According to the apps description, the BoycottTrump app helps users search for businesses in order to determine if they have any affiliation with Donald Trump. This allows individuals to single-handedly boycott the President by refraining to do business with him directly, or any of his supporters.

 

Successful E-Mail Marketing: Fashion E-Commerce

If you have ever shopped online, you may have signed up for the store's email newsletter. What's that? You know, all of those annoying daily emails about shopping their newest collection and the three day sales where everything is 20% off. 

Although they can be annoying, believe it or not, these companies do find a way to make you open up the email and click through to their website. They may even get you to make a purchase; all from a simple email.

But is it really all that simple?

Even if you hadn't planned on making a purchase or shopping online anytime soon, Fashion E-Commerce Brands and Businesses always know just the right words to say to engage you into opening what you might consider spam mail. 

With subject lines such as "Offer ends today! Extra 20% off all sale items! Today only! You asked for it! It's back! Back in stock! Limited Time Only!" This pattern of simple phrasing with an explanation point may get you excited too if you're an avid shopper. Key words that Fashion E-Commerce brands tend to use are "save, today, sale, enjoy, extra, and FREE". Now who can resist that last one there? 

Although social media has been taking over the internet world lately, email marketing for e-commerce brands still remains the most powerful E-Commerce marketing tool to engage customers. E-mail marketing allows consumers to reach out to their customers with offers, news, product launches, and more. 

According to Targeting Mantra, there are five main factors for Fashion E-Commerce brands to keep in mind when it comes to email marketing.

1. Frequency: Less is more. Try not to spam your customers' inboxes; sending too many emails might force them to unsubscribe or kick you to their Spam list.
2. Subject Lines: Being gentle and subtle in your subject line without overselling will allow for better responses and openings. Using everyday words is more human.
3. Content: Attractive visual content that is easy to read works best. 41% of emails opened are through mobile devices so be sure they are optimized as such. 
4. Personalization: You are mailing an experience, not just an offer. Be personal with your customers and send things like trend alerts, styling tips, and a birthday shoutout.
5. Cart Abandonment: These emails should be a reminder to the customers that leave items behind in their online cart in order to fulfill the sale. According to SalesCycle, eCommerce brands who sent cart abandonment emails received 46% open rate leading to 35% of the returning customers completing their checkout processes!

Email marketing does not have to be complicated or annoying to your customers. Using these tips will help increase your click through rates as well as your sales!

Google Overshadowing Other Manufacturers

Its' difficult for smaller companies to shine when large scale companies get all of the shine. Google has pushed its competing rivals buttons such as Yandex. Yandex is a Russian Internet company which operates the largest search engine in Russia with about 60% market share in that country. According to bbc.com, Yandex alleges that its rival, Google has an unfair advantage because it insists device-makers set Google as the default search setting if they want to pre-install its Play store. 

 

Googles restrictions are conflict with the way Yandex markets its company. The amount of shares on android phones are affected because of  Google services. "Google's rivals have claimed Android is used as a way to give Google's other services an unfair competitive advantage". (bbc.com) 

 

Although Yandex has filed an antitrust complaint against Google,  the search engine has yet to respond. Google will most likely make an account that their rival search engines can be downloaded to android phones as long as their services aren't pre-downloaded. 

 

It's agreeable that Google is one of the largest most used search engines. With such reliable and safe services, Google attracts millions of servers worldwide. Of course others countries would like their citizens to use there soft- ware hence that challenge of competing against Google. Other internet companies have complained about the unfair benefits that Google has. The "take-it-or-leave-it" rule where manufacturers can either install all of Googles complete serve including google maps, gmail, google play, or reject cellular service all together. 

"We believe that user-centric services, such as search, maps, email, etc., should be unbundled from the Android OS. It is essential to return to a level playing field where competition is over quality of products and services rather than bundling and pre-installation."

 

Android is by a long way the most popular mobile device in Russia. Googles restriction of  apps and other services are pushing away customers from local smart phone vendors in Russia. "Google has been under investigation for years in Europe regarding its approach to desktop search -- something that Yandex's CEO has publicity backed. The European Commission also recently voted to push forward with legislation that could see Google (and other search providers) forced to unbundle its search engine from its other services.Google wants there search engine to be the main search engine or nothing at all. 

 

 

Comedian Makes Run for British Parliament

Politics is often considered one of the taboo subjects one should not discuss, lest they wish to start an argument. People have particular convictions about political opinions, and will defend them to the death. So what are politicians to do when political satire comedian Al Murray made his bid for parliament? Popular for his on stage persona, "The Pub Landlord", Murray has decided to run as his character.

Not many are taking his bid seriously, including UKIP (United Kingdom Independence Party) leader Nigel Farage. Farage has sarcastically said that Murray is welcome in the race, and that there will be "serious competition". Farage has also shown no sign of being intimidated by tweeting "the more the merrier!" at Murray. Although Murray stands a slim chance of winning votes for any sort of office under his designated FUKP (Free United Kingdom Party), he does appear to have quite the historical and political knowledge one would look for in a candidate for office.

    Murray's policies do not seem to warrant serious consideration, like taking the U.K. to outer space by 2025 or lowering the price of a pint of beer. Despite his most likely not attaining a seat in
parliament, perhaps his running for office will do well to shake the apathy of younger voters who might take more of a notice in politics by seeing an entertainment figure in the political spotlight.

Verizon Tech News Site Bans Stories on U.S. Spying

 Verizon is getting into the news business. What could go wrong?

Is Vine good for journalists?

     Vine is a mobile video sharing app. It allows its users to create and share six second videos. The videos loop continuously and are posted online. Vine is owned by Twitter. It can be used to show action and explain stories. Journalists use Vine to share videos of breaking news as it is happening. 

Upshot Journalism

     Upshot was created because of new opportunities being created for journalists due to the spread of digital data and the Internet. 

  

Twitter Partners with IBM

    Twitter and IBM have announced a partnership. This partnership will transform businesses to understand their markets, customers, and customers. 

    

CVS and Rite Aid Reject Apple Pay

    Apple Pay was to replace the consumer's wallet of credit cards with its mobile system. But this mobile system has hit a roadblock. CVS and Rite Aid have removed Apple Pay from their stores.

Blackberry Reshapes Smartphone

Blackberry has bought a London-based mobile technology start up company Movirtu. The company allows the users to have multiple phone numbers on one device. Blackberry has made it easier to have one smartphone instead of two. One smartphone for work and personal use.

    The virtual SIM technology from Movirtu allows the users to have both a business and personal phone number on the same smartphone. The individual will have separate billing for voice, data and messaging usage on each phone number. This allows the corporate to switch between work and personal easily without having multiple devices.

  
       

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2468343,00.asp

 

http://news.softpedia.com/news/BlackBerry-Buys-UK-Based-Company-Movirtu-Hopes-to-Boost-BYOD-Adoption-458580.shtml#sgal_0

"Clearly this fits nicely within the strategy we have so far. We are building recurring revenue streams in value-added services and providing more value to enterprises," said the Head of Blackberry's Enterprise Unit John Sims.

    Blackberry is trying to appeal to the bring your own device crowd which is the corporate world. In the corporate world, many people bring their own smartphones into the office; inorder to use the phone for office activities. The technology from Movirtu allows people in the corporate world to restrict calls or emails but not affect their personal calls or emails on the same smartphone.

    Blackberry was the first to dominate the smartphone market. Blackberry has reshaped itself. Blackberry with Movirtu technology makes it easier for its users to switch between both numbers. People can have a business and personal phone numbers on same device. Blackberry has eliminated the need for multiple devices.   

 

http://globalnews.ca/news/1558073/blackberry-buys-movirtu-terms-not-disclosed/

http://www.cnet.com/news/blackberry-buys-movirtu-for-multinumber-phone-service/

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/11/us-blackberry-m-a-idUSKBN0H61GC20140911