While the iPhone platform is arguably small when compared to other media outlets, we do feel that mobile applications should be a consideration when deciding on ways to leverage your brand or product. Our ideal approach is to collaborate with clients on discovering the best combination of strategy, technology and design.

 

Everything starts with an idea. give us a call at 215.519.6681 or drop us a line to schedule a meeting of the minds. No really, we would love to hear from you no matter what.....seriously!

 

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There is plenty of persuasive data to fuel the argument that iPhone applications can be potential game-changers. Here are a few:

 

1. Engagement 101:
If done right, an app is an opportunity to deeply involve the consumer and a way to extend dialogue after a campaign has ended.

 

2. It can raise brand loyalty:
The more times consumers interact with a brand, the greater the chances they will gravitate toward it when they’re ready to buy.

 

3. You’ll be ready when the app market really explodes:
Within five years, In-Stat expects handset makers to ship a total of more than 100 million units that are app-compatible, so now is the time to gain some experience.

 

4. It’s where the eyeballs are:
The numbers are compelling: some 1 billion downloads from the iPhone App Store.

 

5. iPhoners have great demographics:
Their income specifically makes them a very desirable target, and they’re ravenous multimedia users. According to AdMob, iPhone generates HALF the smart phone traffic in the US.

 

We have created a number of apps that primarily focus on utilities, and they aim to leverage some of the built-in capabilities of the iPhone, such as GPS, accelerometer & map functions.

 

With an updated version of the SDK being released in June of 2009, even more exciting features are made accessible to developers, most notably the use of blue-tooth and the ability to access the handset’s media library.

 

Here is a sampling of applications that we have developed (and some that are under development):

iU
We are currently developing a basic application engine which we intend to market to Universities and Colleges. The app will in its most basic way function as a micro site for the school’s existing website, but will offer the schools a number of ways to tailor content and functionality to specific uses, such as admissions and prospective students, (adding features such as campus maps, nearby hotels and restaurants, updates/alerts to upcoming open house events, etc.) Alternately, the app can be targeted to existing students, faculty and the overall campus community, again customizing content and functionality. In addition to letting users access pertinent information about the school, it will allow schools the option of letting local vendors place advertising within the app. The app will serve as an engine that can be re-skinned and customized to fit the design, functionality and budgets of any school. The app can be distributed ad-hoc up to 5,000 people and thus eliminating the approval process for distribution on iTunes.
Backstaged

This application is another engine app that can provide customized content and be scaled to various budgets. Essentially, the app provides bands a way to connect with their fans. It will publish tour schedules, news & updates, ways to buy tickets, fan community, music, photos and video clips. Promotional material and sweepstakes can also be sent to the phone, adding another level of interaction with the consumer. Or perhaps a short quiz on band trivia? Maybe a VIP offer to meet the band for the first 5 people responding to a text alert?

 

This app could also be distributed ad-hoc, allowing marketers to send the app to phones at venues.

Flamingo

Flamingo is an app that connects the iPhone to a Flash Player client over a closed network. The connection allows for two-way communication of complex information. The application’s core function is to act as a framework; enabling an application specific layer to be built on top.

 

As many as there are cases where it would be desirable to connect the iPhone to a Flash Player client, Flamingo would have a purpose.

 

One example is the health care industry. Currently reps utilize a form of handheld tablet that incorporates the Flash Player as the presentation tool. These presentations include visible navigation menus, which can be a source of distraction for a medical provider who is strapped for time. Allowing a rep to control the flow of the presentation via his iPhone allows the rep to maintain full control of the flow of the presentation. Additionally, the screen real estate on a given presentation is no longer crowded with navigation information, allowing pharmaceutical companies even more screen space to promote their products.

MyNight

MyNight is an application that creates an itinerary for a night out on the town, based on the location of the user (using GPS or as manually entered by user). The itinerary is populated with 3 events to fill a night, suggesting a restaurant, a movie and a late night activity (such as a club, bowling, live music, etc).


A set of preferences in the submenu, allow the user to further customize and control how the events are populated. If you prefer a night out that is centered around kids, the information will be “filtered” to suggest a list of movies that exclude R-rated films, and offer, places to eat that are both economical and serve kid-friendly food.


We feel the underlying concept is powerful and suitable for other uses, especially in cases where a database and website already exist. One concept that we are currently focused on is to design a mobile application for gophila.com that would essentially allow the user to create an itinerary based on his current location, length of stay, preferences (selecting those of a list/menu). The app would populate a basic itinerary with events from the existing database.

 

Additionally, with the ability of the iPhone to provide directions, the itinerary would give directions from the users location to any of the events suggested in the itinerary. The app could also deliver maps of popular walking tours. Other features include top-10 lists of varying categories such as restaurants, clothing stores, nightclub, music venues, bar/lounge, etc. Essentially, this app would serve not only a micro site for gophila.com, but it would leverage some of the iPhone’s great technology such as GPS, maps & directions, to deliver a powerful tool for anyone who is a visitor to Philadelphia.