[x]cube GAMES participating in Inside Social Apps 2012!

At [x]cube LABS, we enthusiastically look forward to interact with various stakeholders of the mobile computing ecosystem. Such interactions help us not only to understand the swiftly changing landscape but also, many times, act as a guide to explore new opportunities and broaden our outlook that often culminates into better products and services.

[x]cube GAMES, our gaming division, is participating in the Inside Social Apps 2012, San Francisco. The 2 day summit brings together leading mobile app and game developers and contemplates on the future of mobile app and game growth and monetization on social and mobile platforms. We will be represented by a high-level team led by our CEO, Mr. Bharath Lingam, and comprising Mr. Ravi Korukonda, COO; Mr. Jason Franzen, Chief Design Officer and others.

If you too are attending the event, then please drop by and visit us at our booth!

February 9, 2012

[x]cube LABS wins honors at HOW Interactive Design Awards.

Our design team, over the years, has been consistently rolling out highly creative and ingenious designs, which are not only well-appreciated by our clients but has also been winning laurels at various platforms. Adding yet another feather in our cap, the team has brought home the “Merit” award in OTHER/APP category at the 14th Annual HOW Interactive Design Awards.  The annual award event recognizes the year’s top digital projects judged on a range of parameters including design, technical expertise, UI/UX etc.

Our entry to the event was ‘LoytalTree Rewards’, an application for iPhone, iPad and iPod developed for our client Cardeeo Inc. The award winning application offers users a brand new way to save money and earn rewards at favorite local destinations in their city. The app has previously won the prestigious Bronze award at The Dallas Show 2011 organized by DSVC (The Dallas Society of Visual Communications).

February 9, 2012

Mobile apps enhance company perception and customer satisfaction.

Mobile applications are fast gaining prominence as essential tools in the enterprise ecosystem. As the world witnesses a massive proliferation of mobile devices and consumers spend more time on apps, there is a significant opportunity for businesses to leverage applications to target, reach and connect with the audience and enhance their brand value.

Apps impact customer opinion

A survey by Nuance Communications reveals that companies that deploy mobile apps seem to gain in company perception and customer satisfaction. The majority of respondents (72%) in the survey said that they have a more positive view of a company that has a mobile application. In addition, 81% said that they will share the positive experience with others. When asked, how an app would increase their level of  satisfaction, 35% were of the opinion that easy transition to a live agent from an app would most likely to drive its usage, while 21% expect more functionalities in the app to better meet their needs.

App Downloads is on the rise

Mobile app downloads is maintaining its upward growth as more and more customers are willing to try new apps. As high as 89% of smartphone users are found to download at one app every month on their device with 70% having downloaded more than 10 applications, while 29% have over 30 apps on their phone. Another 12% of smartphone users have downloaded over 50 applications on their device.

Customer engagement with mobile apps

Mobile applications are fast becoming a popular channel for customer service. More than half of the respondents in the survey have said to download their carrier and bank’s app. Of the users who have downloaded the carrier’s app, 25% use it while 27% of smartphone owners use the banking app.

The above figures highlights that mobile apps are increasingly becoming a must-have in the overall communication architecture of an organization. Armed with high-powered mobile devices, consumer expects services on their devices. Businesses have significant opportunity in reaching to their respective audience through apps. And, therein lies an opportunity for businesses to differentiate themselves from the competition. However, it is critical for them to meet the rising consumer expectations through seamless experience and better functionality. In near future, a powerful app experience could turn out to be a key element in driving brand loyalty.

February 1, 2012

Infographic on Enterprise Mobility- Apps, Platforms and Devices.

The enterprises are witnessing a transformation led by smartphones and Tablets. Mobility is slowly becoming a critical part of IT strategy. As employees and business processes go mobile, we, at [x]cube LABS, tried to decode enterprise mobility, crunch numbers to present before you an informative infographic detailing out the technology used in enterprise mobility, industry verticals that are at the forefront of mobilizing its operations and why enterprises are adopting mobility solutions. Our enterprise mobility infographic also takes a look at the state of enterprise applications, the smartphone deployment approach by industries and how big brands are increasingly deploying apps.

To view the complete infographic and for a high resolution image click here.  Re-tweets and Feedback will be highly appreciated!

Our other infographics-

The Android Story

The evolution of mobile operating systems

Smartphone and Mobile App Usage

The smartphone app-o-graphic

January 10, 2012

Wishing You All Happy Holidays!

Dear friends,

At this Holiday season, we feel thankful to those who have made our progress possible. [x]cube LABS wishes you all happy holidays and a joyful and prosperous New Year!

We look forward to your continued encouragement and support in the year ahead.

December 26, 2011

Key focus areas for mobile app developers in 2012.

More than 40% of mobile app developers participating in the Millennial Media survey say that developing new application will be the key focus area for them in 2012 clearly underling the potential of mobile app development in future. There is also a growing need to maximize revenue in applications among app developers with around 21% marking it as the focus area for 2012. Improving discovery of their apps, marketing and advertising them and learning new skills has emerged as the new goals for mobile app developers for 2012.

While the latest data reveals the potential in mobile app development, it also highlights the developer need for maximizing revenues. With most app developers adopting Freemium model wherein the app is sold free but users are charged for any further up gradation or in-app purchases in games, developers are looking for new ways to maximize revenues. With millions of applications in app stores, there are also concerns among developers to make their application visible and gain consumer attention.

We believe mobile app development to gain more traction in 2012. The markets are expanding and the prospects look brighter for a mobile app developer.

We have to wait and see how it actually unfolds!

November 24, 2011

Changing patterns in mobile application usage.

The mobile application usage has also undergone a major change in the last one year. With the collection of smartphone applications in app stores expanding, both in terms of numbers and categories, there has been changing of positions in the app ranking chart. Music & Entertainment led the application categories in October, ranked by impressions, with productivity and tools applications; and books & references being the new entrants in the list.

The latest ranking by Millenial Media clearly demonstrates that mobile devices have now expanded their scope. It’s no more only about entertainment, gaming or music but the app usage has moved further beyond into user’s professional life. Mobile applications are also becoming access points for getting information, expert advice etc., on topics of user’s interest.

We believe there will be major changes in the app usage patterns in the near future. The future will see the rise of smartphone applications in enterprises. Healthcare, retail, banking and travel are already adopting enterprise mobility apps for their internal as well as external usage. In future, we will see massive adoption of mobile apps in industries, big and small, and across all verticals. Similarly, as smartphones become powerful, there will be a much broader role of apps in personal lives of users.

November 24, 2011

Mobile OS space- Its a two-way battle between Titans.

The mobile app development space is on a constant churn. The mobile OS battle which has been heating up over the last year or so has now seems to be settled into an Apple iOS vs. Google Android race with RIM’s BlackBerry being a distant third. A latest report by Millenial Media for the October, 2011 seems to suggest exactly that. As per the stats revealed in the report, Google’s Android seems to have overhauled Apple’s iOS to emerge as the leader in the mobile platform race. Android represented 50% of the Application Platform Mix, ranked by ad spends, followed by iOS with 40% and RIM with mere 6%. Other including Windows Phone 7, Symbian and webOS could only manage to gain 4% in the platform mix.

With RIM seeing fast erosion in its market base and no visible challengers to Apple and Google, we believe it to be a two-way battle in the mobile operating system space. With a majority of mobile app developers getting attracted to iOS or Android or both, others will have to come-up with something special to challenge the giants. There are many reasons for the supremacy of Android and iOS in the market. While Android scores above iOS in the numbers and range of handsets sold in the market, Apple’s iOS provides a bigger collection of applications, a key influencer in user’s purchasing decision. Android app developers see a future in developing apps whereas iPad and iPhone app developers are hooked to the monetizing opportunities and volume sales in Apple app store. So, any worthy contender must have to bring the best of both of the worlds to make his presence felt in the market.

November 24, 2011

Healthcare apps: Prescription of success for mobile app developers.

Mobile applications are turning out to be a great source of user empowerment. The smartphone apps have engulfed every sphere in personal and professional life and are ever-expanding their role and significance by catering to the varied needs of the users. The app phenomenon has significantly impacted enterprises, big and small, and across all verticals. Healthcare is one such industry where smartphone applications are quietly empowering various stakeholders and aiding and enabling them to make healthcare more accessible, affordable and efficient. The resultant hype around rapid adoption of mobility in industry has attracted many mobile app developers who are developing and marketing a range of mobile health applications catering to the various needs in the industry. However, the question to be asked is: Will healthcare adopt mobile apps in a big way? Should healthcare become the new focus area of mobile app developers? We believe it so. Here’s why we believe that healthcare is something for mobile application developers to be upbeat about:

Patients are slowly lapping-up mHealth…

A study by PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute, “Healthcare Unwired,” Sep 8, 2010 to study the attitude of US internet users towards online/mobile health options revealed that users showed a strong liking for patient care via mobile. There was a strong feeling among respondents with regard to the role of mobile healthcare applications and mobility based services.

Moreover, a Consumer Health Information Corporation (CHIC) survey, conducted in April, 2011 to understand the US consumer’s attitude towards mobile healthcare applications found that-

• 79.9% would be more likely to use an app that can analyze information input by the consumer and give feedback.
• 42.2% are likely to use an app to find information about drugs.
• 26.5% are likely to use an app to find information about disease states.
• 39.8% are willing to use an app several times a day.
• 33.4% prefer free health apps.
• 30.9% are willing to pay $1.00-$5.99 for health apps.

Physicians are bullish on mobile health…

It’s not only consumers who are willing to use mobile health apps but doctors too are eager to leverage mobile technology into their day-to-day tasks. A survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute (PwC HRI) came up with interesting statistics evidencing how clinicians perceive mobile healthcare solutions to be a boon for them. As per the study,

• 56% of physicians believed m-health could help expedite decision-making.
• 39% said it would reduce the time it takes for administrative tasks.
• 36% said it would increase collaboration among physicians.
• 26% said it would increase time spent with patients.
• 40% said they could eliminate 11% to 30% of office visits through the use of mobile health technologies such as remote monitoring, email or text messaging with patients.

The Market is gearing for it…

A survey by research2guidance released in 2010 predicts that smartphones, mobile phones and Tablets will offer the best Mobile Health Business Opportunities in 2015. Thereby revealing that mobile healthcare solutions is the way to go in healthcare industry.

One of the key stakeholders in the industry, the healthcare manufacturers are also banking big on mobile applications. A survey by Vital mHealth and Trinsic Interactive revealed that manufacturers in US and Europe see a bigger role for mobile applications and therefore a majority of them are already using or are planning big to use mobile channel to reach out to their consumers.

Mobile apps have the potential to play a significant role in every stage of the healthcare. These applications can not only bridge the gap between the doctor and patient but can also radically transform the way diseases are diagnosed, treated and monitored. Moreover, the 24X7 accessibility and availability of health & wellness information and expert advice can be a key factor in the prevention of diseases and promoting wellness.

With the advancement in the mobile technology, the scope and role of mobile healthcare applications will only grow. As mobile phones become more feature-packed and add better functionalities, it will widen the coverage of smartphone applications in the industry. The growing adaptation of mHealth or mobile healthcare solutions is and will offer myriad opportunities in future for mobile app developers to develop applications for various smartphone platforms and tap the expanding market.  Are you read to seize it?

November 22, 2011

[x]cube LABS mov(i)e to New Downtown Dallas Studio.

Our Dallas Design Studio gets a new address! After 2 years in the Dallas Design District, the team moved into a spacious studio near historic Deep Ellum, in the heart of Downtown Dallas. While moving to a new address requires lots of efforts in collecting your stuff, packing, un-packing and then putting all of it in the right place so as to re-create or better the old-office environment. But, we had great fun!!

Here’s the video capturing some of the best moments -

[x]cube Dallas mov(i)e from [x]cube LABS on Vimeo.

November 3, 2011