Chrome Web Store kabarnya segera siap diluncurkan Oktober 2010. Hal ini mengindikasikan kehadiran perangkat dengan OS Chrome dijadwalkan hadir pada waktu yang kurang lebih sama.

Chrome Web Store adalah toko online untuk aplikasi web milik Google. Namanya mulai diperbincangkan sejak diumumkan Google pada konferensi I/O 19 Mei 2010. Kehadiran toko online ini nantinya akan bersaing dengan App Store Apple dan Android Market yang juga masih milik Google.

Dikutip dari Cnet, Rabu (18/8/2010), Google memang tidak menyebutkan tanggal pasti diluncurkannya toko aplikasi online ini. Namun sebagian besar presentasi yang didiskusikan selama konferensi I/O Google mengindikasikan Chrome Web Store akan siap pada Oktober 2010.

Itu artinya, berbagai gadget berbasis Chrome akan mulai marak bermunculan di bulan yang sama. Kabar baiknya lagi, Google sepertinya berencana mengambil untung dari para pengembang aplikasi hanya sebesar lima persen.

Ini tentu sebuah kabar menyenangkan mengingat toko aplikasi rata-rata akan mengambil keuntungan hingga 30 persen dari penjualan aplikasi di tokonya. Sayangnya, Google masih bungkam soal ini.

The Logitech GoogleTV box will let you add Google TV to an existing TV, as long as you have HDMI ports and an internet connection.

Logitech takes aim squarely at Apple TV with their new Google TV external box which will be powered by the popular Android-based OS and Chrome web browser. This will allow users to add Google TV to an existing television without the need of purchasing a new one.

The futuristic-styled glossy black box will feature a 1.2-GHz Intel Atom Processor, 4 GB of internal memory, 802.11n Wi-Fi, two HDMI out ports, a pair of USB ports and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. The Logitech box will work in tandem with your existing set-top box provided by your cable or satellite company and pull content in that way, allowing you to search both the internet and your DVR under a single Android -based infrastructure.

Included with the system is a remote control, but users will also be able to use their Apple iPhone or Android based smartphone to control content. The application for your phone will include an on-screen keyboard, D-pad and other necessities. From what has been demonstrated, it looks like the phone will need to have a touchscreen in order for the application to work.

Google TV promises to give users easy access to the videos they love including photos and other internet content, all accessible through a compatible Google TV or peripheral box.

The Logitech Google TV box will be available in the U.S. this fall and pricing has not yet been announced. Logitech has a small teaser micro-site which you can check out.

Following two years of declining expenditures, global capital spending on wireless infrastructure equipment is set to return to growth in 2011 as carriers in the developed world start deploying next-generation 4G networks, according to iSuppli.

The research group says that capital spending on wireless infrastructure throughout the world is projected to reach $40.3 billion in 2011, up 6.7 percent from $37.8 billion in 2010.

This will reverse the downward trend that first occurred in 2009 and is expected to continue this year. Expenditures dipped 5.7 percent in 2009, and in 2010 will tumble by an additional 2.3 percent to $37.8 billion.

“The upturn in 2011 signals renewed commitment within the wireless industry to move on expansion plans that had been delayed or put on hold because of the global recession,” said Dr. Jagdish Rebello, senior director and principal analyst for wireless research at iSuppli. “Starting in 2011, wireless carriers in industrialized countries will start to deploy 4G in order to attain faster speeds and to unclog the heavy data traffic generated by the exploding use of smart phones. This 4G-driven growth in capital spending will continue at least through 2014.”

According to iSuppli, carriers the developed world in 2011 will start to deploy 4G, with most expected to choose Long Term Evolution (LTE). Over the next decade, LTE will become the dominant technology, while WiMAX will be relegated to the status of a niche 4G technology, iSuppli believes.

Already, a number of wireless carriers have announced support for LTE, including NTT DoCoMo and KDDI in Japan, as well as Vodafone and Orange in Europe. In the United States, Verizon Wireless has announced it will roll out LTE by the end of this year, with AT&T and T-Mobile expected to follow suit in 2011.

Overall, carriers will work to establish viable business models to achieve greater revenue growth in light of the capital expenditures needed for network upgrades, iSuppli believes. This means that in all likelihood, carriers launching 4G will implement tiered pricing plans based on data access rates. As a result, data traffic in access networks will be prioritized, and customers will be required to pay higher access fees when using high-bandwidth services like mobile video or peer-to-peer mobile video gaming.

Rebello notes that while wireless carriers in Japan, the United States and Western Europe contemplate launching 4G services in 2011, their counterparts in the developing world will continue to invest in 3G network enhancements.

“For Latin America, China, India and the rest of the developing world—where wireless penetration has yet to extend to many rural areas—4G is not considered a feasible proposition at this point. Instead, carriers will focus on expanding the geographical coverage of their networks, or seek network-sharing agreements with infrastructure providers to help reduce total capital outlay,” Rebello siad.

Mobile data usage continues to grow exponentially as 3G technology spreads globally. According to ABI Research, from 2009 to 2015 data usage in Western Europe and North America is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 42% and 55% respectively.

In 2010, the average North American user is expected to consume 159 megabytes of data – up from 100 megabytes in 2009.

“Mobile voice has already been surpassed by mobile data traffic on some networks, and this trend will only accelerate,” says ABI Research wireless analyst Bhavya Khanna.

“This boom in usage is driven by the rapid adoption of smartphones in these markets,” he added.

According to analysts, the explosion in data traffic does not mean a corresponding rise in data revenues for operators, as the popularity of unlimited or fixed price plans caps revenue even as usage grows. Mobile data revenues are expected to grow at a CAGR of about 18% in North America, in sharp contrast to the increase in usage. This presents a challenge for operators as they look to manage the demands on their networks without a corresponding increase in income.

ABI Research claims that the growth in data traffic comes at the cost of voice: minutes of use are on the decline in developed markets in North America and Western Europe.

“However, in emerging markets there is still room for voice usage growth. Increasing competition in Africa has reduced tariffs, resulting in minutes of use per user growing by 9% between 2009 and 2010. There is still much room for growth on the continent, as average usage per subscriber continues to be half of that of the Asia-Pacific region,” said Khanna.

Since its launch over 2 years ago, Apple’s App Store is redefining the way consumers are using the Internet. Apple has created a phenomenon and industry experts forecast application stores will become a billion dollar industry with revenues expected to exceed $25 billion by 2014.

Juniper Research estimates that by 2011 the majority of all applications-related revenue will originate from applications delivered via applications stores. And this trend will continue, with the contribution of 4G (both WiMAX and LTE) giving subscribers the opportunity to experience better mobile voice and data services, via application stores.

Operators should be happy. They are supporting this boom by providing the connectivity, marketing and customer care to the subscribers downloading the applications. However to date, operators are not enjoying increased revenue for their efforts.

Whilst data yield is increasing for operators, ARPU has been on a steady decline. Operators’ networks are being used to download and access applications but the operators themselves are seeing returns. Which is why, in recent months, operators have begun exploring ways to adopt the App Store model to gain full control over their revenue and subscriber base.

However, the challenge lies in how operators can ensure that subscribers will purchase applications from them and how an operator can add value compared to its competitors, device and platform vendors?

Source: Juniper Mobile Applications & Apps Stores Business Models, Opportunities & Forecasts 2009-2014

The Winning Application Store Strategy

Operators are only just beginning to realize that they have the existing assets to support their goal of launching an application store. By using the right avenues to tap into these assets, operators can fast track their venture into this exciting, profitable space.

There are 7 key factors that determine a winning application store strategy for operators.

I. Connectivity

Simply said, connectivity is the fuel required to transport any application to subscribers. Connectivity forms the very foundation, without which any application store, regardless of how cool or entertaining it is, cannot operate. Operators must realize that they are in possession of an essential sector of the application store ecosystem, and this sets them on the right path to owning their own application store.

II. Integrated Ecosystem (Applications Management, Billing & CRM)

A successful application store should place emphasis on both the front-end and back-end mechanisms, particularly the applications management, billing and CRM.

CRM Capabilities
On the front end, the system serves as a platform to push applications to subscribers. It is an online shopping mall that hosts various types of applications and it is the very place subscribers interface with the operator’s application store.

Hence, the front end should be managed carefully to meet the demands of subscribers.

This is where the operator has an advantage as they are the only entity within the ecosystem with a holistic view of subscribers’ lifestyle patterns based on their profile and purchase history. The operator’s CRM system provides an abundance of subscriber data which would assist in channeling the right applications to the right subscribers, at the right time.

It’s important for the application store system to be equipped with artificial intelligence that integrates with the operator’s CRM system to leverage on the wealth of subscribers’ behavioural information.

Based on this information, operators have the opportunity to make compelling recommendations to subscribers and meet their demands for personalized content.

Ready Billing Mechanism
Another advantage that operators have is a ready billing system, which includes options for prepaid and postpaid payments as well as flexibility in offering interesting rebate packages. This enables operators to differentiate from other players such as Apple, which typically has a less feasible or preferred billing options. The application store system should easily integrate with operator’s existing billing system, allowing a single point of access to manage billing.

Applications Management
At the back end, the application store system should be built to support an automated cycle of certifying an application. The right flow should be implemented to ensure applications submitted by content developers are properly scrutinized and tested before releasing to subscribers.

This relieves operators from the manual process of managing applications and, at the same time, ensures all deserving applications are made available to subscribers. In short, deploying an application store is about creating a whole ecosystem to support, develop and provision applications both online and at the device level.

III. Hassle Free Billing System

Operators have an established and trusted billing relationship with their subscribers. With prepaid and postpaid payment options, paying online with credit cards no longer needs to be the settlement medium. This enables all subscribers to enjoy applications without worrying about security and fraudulent risks, which is one of the main factors that deter them from shopping online. Application purchases can be charged directly to the subscriber’s scheduled (eg.monthly) bill.

Meanwhile, having a direct billing relationship with the operator puts the subscriber at ease. In the event of issues arising from the purchase of applications, subscribers are able to reach the operator for assistance and settlement.

IV. Focal Point of Access

A successful application store must consolidate all value-added services and applications within a single platform, hence subscribers benefit from a focal point of access. Distance to purchase must be reduced and free previews should be made available so that subscribers are given an opportunity to evaluate an application prior to purchase.

V. Location-based Content

Operators can offer more localization compared to application stores owned by device manufacturers or operating system vendors as the local operator understands their own market and subscribers’ demands. With this service differentiation, operator-owned application stores would generate more demand for applications and keeps the ecosystem healthy.

According to research conducted by ComScore, the number of people who sought local information on a mobile device grew 51% within just one year (from March 2008 to March 2009). ComScore defines local content as “searching for information on maps, movies, business directories or restaurants.”

Among the various local content categories, the number of people accessing online directories has seen the greatest increase during the past year, at 73%, followed by restaurants at 70%, maps with 63%, and movies with 60%. This further strengthens the need for localized content. Usage of applications like coverage maps, traffic updates, and restaurant recommendation not only enhances a subscriber’s everyday life, but keeps them coming back for more, thus driving demand for the entire application ecosystem.

VI. Multi End User Device & OS Support

Operators are faced with the daunting expectation of providing applications/services that can be supported by multiple devices, across all platforms with a consistent user experience. This gives all subscribers an opportunity to indulge in the application store regardless of the device or operating system used.

For example, Apple’s App Store is only confined to iPhone users. This means that unless they purchase an iPhone they cannot enjoy the applications.

Operators now have the chance to break this monopoly and offer a similar experience to all subscribers via the operator-owned application store. Synchronization capabilities between multiple devices further enriches user experience.

Aside from subscribers, a cross-platform application store is a stronger incentive for content developers as they are assured that their master pieces reach a wider target audience.

VII. Fair Game for Developers

It is widely expressed that the visibility of applications residing in Apple’s App Store has been a great disappointment to content developers. Apple’s practice of ranking applications by price drowns premium applications, while cheap and free titles receive a more preferable placement. With thousands of applications out there, an effective application marketing mechanism needs to be in place to give all applications a favourable selling ground. An application should have the opportunity to compete in its own space, ranging from popularity, rarity, uniqueness and pricing.

Taken from : Kelvin Lee is the Senior General Manager of Green Packet Berhad

So many email today talking about Android gadget, starting from Samsung GalaxyS, Motorola, A-Pad, SkyPad until the latest new one regarding the best Android based TabletPC Moimstone. It is become a new trend today that people is loving the new OS on the block.

Let see about the trend, it will be new stuff with new applications coming up and it will be new trend in the youth era. With only this devices, we can show movies, listen to music, make a phone call, internet everywhere, watching TV, reading ebook, playing games and alots of other stuff that help us on our daily activity such as compass, check health, writing notes etc.

So, wait for the next era of gadget..it is the era of Telco 3.0 with Forth screen on the ride.

Operator seluler XL pada tahun ini menargetkan pertumbuhan layanan data mencapai 10 persen. Dimana pada tahun 2009 lalu dari total pendapatan XL sebesar Rp 13,8 triliun. Dari jumlah itu sekitar 96 persen masih dominan dari Voice dan SMS. “Kami yakin, dengan berbagai program yang ada, XL bisa mencapai No 2,” kata Hasnul Suhaimi President Direktur XL saat peluncuran program internet sehat di Bandung Jawa Barat, Jumat (23/4).

Ia menyatakan, investasi perusahaan telekomunikasi ini sejak tiga tahun lalu terus meningkat. Paling tidak selama tiga tahun belakangan investasi yang sudah dikeluarkan mencapai Rp 23 triliun.

Dari hasil investasi tersebut, XL membukukan pertumbuhan traffik mencapai 30 kali lipat, pertumbuhan pendapatan 2 kali lipat, dan pertumbuhan pelanggan 2 kali lipat. Dan marjin dari 39 persen pada tahun 2008 menjadi 45 persen pada tahun 2009.

Hasnul menegaskan, pada tahun ini PT XL Axianta fokus pada penguatan infrastuktur layanan bagi 10 juta pelanggan XL yang sudah ada. “Wilayah timur sangat potensial untuk berkembang, tapi diwilayah timur alat yang harus digunakan adalah satelit beda dengan wilayah baray bisa memakai serat optik,” ujarnya.

Pada tahun 2010 ini, perusahaan yang mayoritas sahamnya di kuasai Axianta Group Berhand ini mengalokasikan sekitar Rp 4 triliun untuk investasi. Dimana sekitar 25 persenya akan digunakan dalam penguatan infrastuktur layanan data.

Para Group melalui Trans Corp dan Carrefour melakukan kerjasama strategis. Dalam kerjasama ini, Trans Corp resmi membeli 40% saham PT Carrefour Indonesia dan menjadi pemegang saham tunggal terbesar. Sedangkan pemegang saham Carrefour Indonesia lainnya adalah Carrefour SA 39%, Carrefour Netherland BV 9,5%, dan Onesia BV 11,5%.

“Saya berharap dengan akuisisi ini dapat membangkitkan semangat perusahaan-perusahaan yang ada di Indonesia untuk terus tumbuh menjadi tuan rumah di negerinya sendiri dan menjadi kebanggaan bangsa,” ujar Pemilik Para Group Chairul Tanjung dalam siaran pers, Jumat (16/4/2010).

Menurut Chairul, langkah itu langkah strategis bukan cuma sekadar perhitungan laba. Dengan mengakuisisi hipermarket terbesar di Indonesia itu, Trans Corp kini seperti menguasai power house. “Kalau Anda punya tanah 100 ha, Anda taruh Carrefour di tengahnya, nilai tanah itu langsung melonjak,” kata pengusaha properti Para Group ini.

Dengan akuisisi ini, Chairul juga ingin mengubah citra hipermaket asal Prancis ini menjadi lebih ramah terhadap Usaha Kecil dan Menengah. “Saya akan membuat pojok rakyat di Carrefour untuk pemasok UKM dan mereka akan dapat bantuan finansial dari Bank Mega,” katanya.

Ternyata bisnis Carrefour bukan dilihat dari bisnis sembako saja, namun lebih jauh dari situ adalah untuk meningkatkan penjualan property…ini yang disebut sebagai inovasi breakthrough….Keuntungan Carrefour hanya sekitar 10 persen keuntungan Trans TV, namun penting bagi bisnis properti group Para…..that is the real money come from….

Itu adalah thema terakhir yang update dari bahan presentasikan Juni mendatang di CommunicAsia 2010….masih berkisar mengenai IPTV. Hal ini dikarenakan banyak yang menurut saya agak keliru dari apa yang dilakukan oleh operator yang mulai masuk ke dunia IPTV, do they really know about what is IPTV ? IPTV 2.0 lebih mengarahkan pada business model dibandingkan dengan sisi teknis, saya menganggap bahwa dengan 3 juta rupiah saja sudah bisa kok mbangun IPTV….ngapain mikir dari sisi teknis lagi…..untuk itu fokus pada business model menjadi suatu hal yang lebih menarik untuk disorot…let say if we want to get some money from this business. So, tanggal 17 Juni 2010 nanti di Singapore….sekitar jam 15.00, silakan datang dan dengarkan…

Dua puluh satu juta lima ratus ribu data konsumen Indonesia bergelimpangan di Facebook!
Arti lain yang tidak kurang maknanya: sekitar 63 persen pengguna Internet di Indonesia memiliki akun Facabook!
(catatan: berdasarkan data Google Ad Planner, per Februari 2010 tercatat 34 juta penguna unik (unique visitor) Indonesia)

Data diri selengkap mungkin yang secara suka rela diserahkan ke Facebook itu bukan hanya nama, akun email, tetapi juga latar belakang pendidikan, latar belakang pekerjaan, hobi, hingga jalinan pertemanan! Ini data-data yang sangat diinginkan oleh pemasar mana pun. Facebook adalah surga data bagi para pemasar.

Data di Facebook jauh amat kaya dibanding web apapun yang pernah ada, baik itu layanan web tradisional seperti penyedia akun email (Gmail dan Yahoo!), chat (YM dan GTalk), maupun jenis Web 2.0, seperti Twitter, Kaskus, Plurk, Koprol, Foursquare dan lain-lainnya.

So, if you want to be a success marketer….don’t be lazy to keep online on your social networking..welcome to narsis world