We've never truly 'got' mobile barcodes, but we recognize that some consumers have embraced them as a form of mobile marketing. They certainly have their advantages, but they continue to face challenges. Consider TheNextWeb's recent post, 'Mobile Barcodes: The Challenges Ahead'

While the use of mobile bar codes has been mainstream in Asian countries like Japan, it is not until last year that we’ve witnessed their adoption in U.S. and Europe by brands in order to provide holistic experiences to their customers, blurring the line between the online and the offline world.

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There is a long list of brands experimenting with mobile codes, but there is also a list of challenges they have to face in order to interact with customers in innovative and effective ways.

Head over to TheNextWeb to read about challenges for further adoption including fragmentation, 'Coupon Madness,' and Mobile payments.

We knew that eBay has had some success with mobile sales but their 2010 numbers are absolutely incredible:

eBay has announced that global mobile sales generated nearly $2 billion in 2010, up from $600 million in 2009. To be clear, we’re not talking revenues here but gross merchandise volume. Nevertheless, a clear sign that mobile ecommerce has reached a tipping point.

eBay earlier announced that global sales were up 166 percent to $230 million from Nov. 25 to Dec. 25 from the same period last year, so the holiday season was a clear catalyst for much of that growth.

The ecommerce company says its mobile apps, which give users access to eBay’s global marketplace on the go, have been downloaded more than 30 million times in eight languages, and in over 190 countries.

Read more at TechCrunch.

With a week left in 2010 we've already seen a flurry of top ten lists - from iPhone and iPad apps to the tech world's winners and losers - but there's always room for more. Mobile Marketer posted their top ten mobile applications of the year this morning. Mobile Marketer took a holistic approach: "Here are the top 10 applications of 2010, in no particular order, based on usability, content and how well the app serves its purpose."

You'll find the usual suspects like Angry Birds and The Weather Channel along with some gems you might've overlooked. Check out the list now.

Maybe not magic, but after playing with Visual Lens on an iPhone we're absolutely floored (which seems to be the common reaction):

If you haven’t seen it already, Word Lens is a new iPhone app that instantly translates Spanish text into English and vice versa, via the medium of augmented reality.

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When I first wrote about Word Lens after it had been released on Friday by Quest Visual, the above YouTube clip had attracted just over 7,000 hits. Three days later more than 2.1 million people have seen it.

The app is getting plenty of attention from the press, and for good reason. It’s fantastically cool, and it’s a good illustration of the way augmented reality is starting to move away from marketing gimmick to useful tool.

Head over to Forbes to watch the video now, and if you have an iPhone, you probably want to download the app.

Five years ago when we built Club Texting to bring text messaging services to the nightlife industry. Since then we've grown to support tens of thousands of clients in every industry imaginable. If you're thinking about launching your business or group's first text message marketing campaign we can help. Check out some of the popular uses of Club Texting:

Real Estate - Generate leads faster and more cost efficiently with (SMS) text messaging for real estate.

Retail - The Club Texting (SMS) text messaging software makes it easy to collect cell phone numbers and send promotional text messages to your retail customers.  We offer customized solutions for car dealerships, golf courses, salons & spas, sports leagues, and theaters.

Magazines  Our cell phone advertising and mobile marketing programs for magazines and publishing allow your readers to respond to ads and articles with their mobile phone.

Radio  We offer text messaging and mobile marketing programs for radio that allow you to interact with your listeners. Take song requests, poll your listeners and more.

Television  - Offer your viewers interactive applications to compliment their viewing experience with our text messaging promotions for television.

Colleges, Universities, & Schools  Our (SMS) text messaging notification system for colleges, universities, and schools allows you to quickly get information to your students.

Social, Political & Non-Profit Groups - Use the power of (SMS) text messaging to rally supporters, organize meetups, and increase the bonds of community. If you work for a political organization or candidate, please visit our text messaging solutions for political campaigns section.

Churches, Temples, & Congregations  - Our (SMS) text messaging software is the perfect communications solution for faith-based institutions. We can help foster a sense of community with (SMS) text messaging for churches, temples, and other congregations.

Direct Mail & Out-Of-Home - Customized SMS text messaging solutions for direct mail and out-of-home advertising firms.

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Don't see your type of business or group on the list? Don't worry - we have clients in too many industries to count. See what some of our clients are saying about us to get a better idea of what we can do for you.

Our Facebook signup widget is one of our most popular features - but we also know that adding it to your Facebook Page can be a bit confusing. Had trouble adding the widget in the past? Haven't tried adding a signup tab to your Facebook Page yet? Then check out our new step-by-step guide to adding the Facebook signup widget. 

As TechCrunch notes, it took 16 months, but a Google Voice app has finally made its way to the iPhone:

The official Google Voice for the iPhone is here. And it’s wonderful. Yes, it was even worth that insane wait.

So what's so great about Google Voice?

If you’ve used Google Voice on your computer or other devices, the iPhone version should be familiar to you. However, unlike the Android version, Google Voice cannot totally take over the calling capabilities on the iPhone. All that means is that you have to open the app instead of your regular iPhone Phone app to use it.

But you can make calls right from the app. You dial a number and it automatically takes you to the iPhone’s Phone app where it places the call from your Google Voice number by way of Google’s backend system.

When you receive a call to your Google Voice number, it will come in to your regular Phone app as well, just as happens now with call forwarding.

You can also send and receive texts from the app. And you can listen to your Google Voice voicemails — and yes, all of them are transcribed for you to read in the app. And all of this works with the iPhone’s Push Notification system.

And unlike the HTML5 version, the native app can access your phone’s contact list. This make it easy to place calls and set up Quick Dial Contacts.

Read more at TechCrunch.

Text messages may be short, but consumers love them, and you shouldn't expect them to cede their lead among all mobile marketing channels anytime soon:

The data shows 58% of those surveyed predicted that SMS- and MMS-based messaging would be the second most widely accepted form of mobile marketing in the next five years, followed by search with 45%.  The research reveals that users in 2015 are thought to be “more likely to utilize mobile marketing or advertising promotions that are sent to them via their mobile phones than those generated through search, display or navigation.”  Put simply, the carriers are banking on mobile messaging remaining the primary form of mobile marketing for the foreseeable future, which to me is an obvious assumption.

Read more @ Mobile Marketing Watch

When it comes to operating systems, Android has the lead, but among all manufacturers of smartphones, Apple took the crown in the third quarter:

The Canalys numbers are out, and with Android coming off an 886 percent jump reported at the end of the second quarter we were expecting something big. So, here it is: Android is up 1,309 percent worldwide from this time last year, taking over 43.6 percent of the US smartphone market in the third quarter. In terms of mobile operating systems that makes it the dominant player in America, but with Apple capturing 26.2 percent it now jumps into the lead when it comes to hardware, beating out RIM's 24.2 percent.

Head over to engadget for more.

As the holiday season approaches and retailers await recession-strapped consumers, please consider SMS:

Brands and retailers should leverage SMS for the holidays to push private sales, holiday-themed merchandise via coupons, wish lists, mobile commerce-enabled sites and special store hours during this busy time of year.

Approximately 72 percent of American adult consumers send and receive text messages, according to Pew Internet Project. Virtually everyone is text messaging, making it a convenient way for retailers and brands to communicate with consumers.

It would appear that consumers want their mobile coupons to come in the form of text messages:

Read more analysis @ Mobile Marketer.

Read more about SMS marketing for retail @ Club Texting.

Want to learn more about SMS coupons? Read our Mobile Couponing guide.

Yesterday Microsoft debuted Windows Phone 7, their attempt to get back in the smartphone race. They unveiled a slick looking operating system, along with a slew of devices. We've put together some early coverage from around the web:

• Windows Phone 7 debuts: One phone won't rule them all - cnet
• The Windows Phone 7 Launch: Our Take - CrunchGear
• Windows Phone challenges us to pull our heads out of our phones - TechFlash Mobile
• Microsoft's new Windows phones (photo gallery) - cnet
• Why Windows Phone 7 Will Make Android Look Chaotic - Wired Gadget Lab
• Seven new things to know about Windows Phone 7 - All About Microsoft

Is there a consensus yet? It would seem that the Windows Phone 7 phones - yes, we know how that sounds - probably won't be challenging the iPhone anytime soon. Android however, which has been surging as of late, may have a serious competitor on its hands.

When Verizion licensed the Droid name from Lucas Films for their take on Android we thought that was that. We were mistaken:

Star Wars fan? Android fan? Verizon Wireless customer? September 29th at midnight should go down in history for you then. Not only is that when Motorola’s DROID R2D2 limited edition device goes on sale at select Verizon Wireless stores across the country, but it’s also looking to be quite an event. We have been just sent a couple images from one of the participating stores, a store called Vista Ridge in Lewisville, Texas, and we also have some info on what is exactly is happening for the launch — it’s pretty crazy. Apparently, the participating stores will be giving away 5 Motorola R2D2 units, there will be actual “Stormtroopers” at the store (employees dressed up as Stormtroopers), video gaming, a live DJ and more. Stores are getting approximately 200 units and stock will not be replenished.

Check out the story for full details at Boy Genius Report.

Sure it's just an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), which means that Wal-Mart is essentially reselling T-Mobile's service, but this is still major news:

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Monday that it is introducing the first cell phone plan that uses the chain's own branding, further demonstrating its clout in getting special deals from wireless carriers.

The Wal-Mart Family Mobile service will run on T-Mobile USA's network. Unlimited calling and texting will cost $45 per month for the first line and $25 for each additional line for the family. The service will be offered starting next week in most of its stores across the nation.

Read the entire press release here.

Here's an interesting story over at Computerworld about the growing importance of mobile devices among doctors:

Smartphones and tablet PCs are poised to play a greater role in health care as doctors and patients embrace the mobile Internet, panelists at a mobile health technology conference in Boston said last month.

In a poll of 2,000 U.S. physicians by Manhattan Research LLC, 71% of the respondents said that a smartphone is essential to their practice, and 84% agreed that the Internet is critical to their jobs.

Read more at Computerworld.

Nieman Marcus  Group Inc. has created a mobile shopping site which allows customers to browse and purchase items via their mobile devices. All customers have to do is visit Nieman Marcuse's website through their mobile phones and from there they can purchase anything from designer handbags to couture dresses. Everything available on their website is available on their mobile site. In addition to purchasing items, customers can also manage their accounts, track orders and check store locations. Gerard Barnes, president and chief executive officer at Neiman Marcus estimates that the company will be completely mobile by fall.
 

“We are hoping to increase traffic to our site as well as sales,” said Ginger Reeder, vice president of corporate communications at Neiman Marcus Group."The mobile site targets our traditional online customer who wants quick and easy access to new product right away and a younger customer who perhaps has more experience with mcommerce. We created the mobile site to enable our customers to shop at Neiman Marcus with ease, anywhere they may be.We know that they purchase [expensive items] from our Web site, so this merely gives them another way to access the site,” Ms. Reeder added.

To read the entire article, click here.

To learn more about mobile marketing for retail, visit Club Texting.

According to a report recently released by eMarketer, revenues from mobile gaming are expected to reach close to $850 million during this year alone. They continue to say that by 2014, mobile gaming revenues are expected to reach $1.5 billion. This year 64 million people play mobile games monthly and they predict that the number of gamers will continue to rise.

“Mobile content offers an opportunity for publishers and marketers with three primary revenue streams—subscription, pay-per-download and advertising-supported,” said Noah Elkin, senior analyst at eMarketer, New York. “For every type of mobile content, including mobile gaming, the ad-supported component is the smallest of the three streams, but it is also the fastest growing—it will grow at more than double the rate of paid mobile content." he adds.

To read the entire article, click here.

Glamour magazine has recently launched a new iPhone, iPod and iPad application to allow readers access to their favorite blogs anywhere they are! This free application allows customers to read up on their favorite articles and save their favorite fashion items in one place. It even provides information about where and how to buy that item!
 

“We think that this is the right time for this product. We want our readers to be able to enjoy Glamour content however they want — in print, on the Web or with the use of this app.” said Ben Berentson the online managing director at Glamour, New York.

To read the entire article, click here.

To find out more ways to use mobile marketing for magazines, click here.

For all of those retailers who still send customers coupons via email or hand out reward vouchers there’s an easier way to gain customer loyalty: SMS messages. Instead of having customers print out page-sized coupons and present them all crumpled up at the register, with mobile coupons customers simply receive a notification which contains a coupon link and present it to the cashier.

“This is easier for the consumer and for the company as well, which now has less need to print and distribute expensive catalogs. The conclusion is simple – mobility is a key to the future success of loyalty programs.”

To read the entire article, click here.

Click here to learn more about mobile coupons at Club Texting.

Click here to learn about text message marketing solutions for retailers at Club Texting.

According to statistics provided by IDC, more smart phones are being sold than desktop computers. During this year the number of people using smart phones has nearly doubled, creating a new way to market and sell goods. Although some retailers have already began mobile marketing, most retailers are still unaware of the advantages of using mobile marketing.

“The data is clear, whether it’s the enormous amount of time spent on mobile or the dollars spent directly, consumers are there,” said Andrew Koven, president of ecommerce and customer experience at Steve Madden, New York. “For these reasons, retailers need to have some presence to accommodate at least one if not all of the consumer’s uses for mobile.”

To read the entire article, click here.

To learn about how retailers can use mobile marketing, Visit ClubTexting.

For a limited time, foursquare subscribers who check in at Chili's Grill & Bar will receive a free order of chips and salsa. This restaurant, known best for its 'casual dining', is trying to connect with their customers by technological means, and its working!

 

“Chili’s Grill & Bar wanted to capitalize on the popularity of Foursquare to offer a cutting-edge incentive with our guests,” said Nicole Cochran, director of marketing at Chili’s Grill & Bar, Dallas, TX. “Additionally, our Foursquare offer is a unique way to leverage mobile marketing that is current and relevant.We feel this initiative is a great fit for our social and tech-savvy guests.”

To read the entire article, click here.

To learn more about mobile marketing for restaurants, visit Club Texting's restaurant page.