Indian multiplex chain, Fun Cinemas, release a clone mobile ticketing app

Fun Cinemas, one of the major multi-city multiplex chain in India, has released their mobile ticketing app for Windows Phone a few days back. The app allows you to check showtimes, choose your seats, and buy tickets with several payment options.
That sounds cool, and you’d wonder why I’d dismiss it as pointless. The Fun Cinemas app is published by Bigtree Entertainment Private Limited, and is a clone of the BookMyShow app. BookMyShow, a product of the same company, is India’s largest entertainment ticketing service, and has had an app on Windows Phone since forever.

The app has identical design, user experience, and functionality as the BookMyShow app. Essentially it offers a subset of cinema choices (limited to Fun Cinemas) as against BookMyShow’s exhaustive options. So, while I could already book tickets for a movie at Fun Cinemas through BookMyShow’s app, the Fun Cinemas app allows you to book those tickets with similar functionality with no difference in user experience. Now why would I need that?
Clearly it's a marketing decision so that people who search for Fun Cinemas in the Store will find a dedicated app versus the more robust BookMyShow. In other words, it's good for the ecosystem but not necessarily for the savvy consumer.
If you wish, you could download the Fun Cinemas app on you Windows Phone 8 devices from here. However, I’d recommend you to download BookMyShow app instead, if you haven’t already.

Mobile devices account for more than a quarter of all Internet traffic

Going all the way back to last May, only 10% of people accessing the Internet did so through a mobile device. According to the latest report from Walker Sands, that number has since surged to a walloping 28% in the third quarter of 2013, a 67% year-over-year increase from the same quarter in 2012. John Fairley, the director of Web services at Walker Sands, explained that “device preference aside, the share of traffic coming from mobile continues to grow.” That said, certain devices have increased their share of the online market, such as the iPhone and Android tablets. On the flip side, iPads and Android phones have actually had slight decreases in traffic this quarter. Overall, iOS devices are still in the lead with 47% of all mobile traffic, but Android continues to steal traffic every year and is now up to 44.4%.

Tags:

Android, IOS

Via:

Marketing Land

Source:

Walker Sands

IK Multimedia's iLoud portable Bluetooth speaker is, well, loud

$299.95 buys you one of the loudest portable speakers you'll find anywhere

This week IK Multimedia — the folks behind the iRig range of music accessories for mobile — launched their latest product, the iLoud. And true to its name, it's loud. We're not short on premium Bluetooth speakers to use with our Android devices, but if you really like to crank it up to 11, this might be right up your street. Peter Cohen from iMore got his hands on one, and is mightily impressed.

If you're just interested in listening to music, iLoud may not look impressive, but it earns its stripes to that end the second you fire it up. Bluetooth gets knocked by audiophiles for having low-quality sound reproduction, but iLoud is easily one of the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers I've found for this price and in this size.

It may look somewhat unassuming, but it's a 40 watt sound system that not only plays your music, but can be part of your own portable music performance. With the iRig input on the rear you're able to plug in your Bass or Guitar to it as well. At moderate sound level the iLoud promises 10 hours of use with the internal batteries, but crank it up and it'll soon reduce.

AT&T releases hands-on video of Lumia 1520, places in-store display models to play with

Late last night, the pre-order page went live for the Nokia Lumia 1520 on both AT&T and the Microsoft Store. Where should you order your phone? Depends on which perks you want to pick up. Either way, AT&T is already in full preparation to be the sole carrier here in the United States where you can pick up the Lumia 1520. How are they getting ready? By dropping another “Mobile Minute” video and placing demo units in stores.
Head to AT&Ts YouTube channel and you’ll see a series of videos called “AT&T Mobile Minute”. The videos always feature a babe going over some of the specs of the phone that AT&T is currently offering or, in the case of the Lumia 1520, plan to offer.
Who knows when this video was filmed though, because she talks about Nokia’s Pro Camera, which you now just know as Nokia Camera.
We’re also now getting reports of the device popping up as demo units in some AT&T stores. Jason sent us a photo of one from his local AT&T store in Waterbury, CT. The device isn’t for sale just yet in store, but you can definitely place your pre-order there and at the same time get your own hands-on. Warning, this phone is ridiculously big. Also, do you notice the $50 bill credit you get when you purchase the phone?

Thinking of picking up the Lumia 1520? On AT&T it will go for $199 on a two-year contact for the 16GB version that comes in either red, yellow, white, or black. AT&T will eventually be picking up their own 32GB model. Still no word on international availability though.

The world’s first 20-inch 4K tablet will cost $6,000

Panasonic unveiled its Toughpad line of tablets back in 2011, which originally consisted of two Android devices with adequate specs. Two years later, the company is ready to release what might be the most visually impressive tablet on the market in the Toughpad 4K UT-MB5, the world’s first 4K tablet. Measuring in at an enormous 20-inches, this professional-grade tablet features an Intel Core i5 vPro processor, 256GB SSD, 8GB of RAM, 2GB of VRAM, 720p front-facing camera and Windows 8.1 Pro OS. In terms of its drop rating, the tablet can survive ”a 30-inch drop to its back while operating, and 12-inch drops to 26 angles when nonoperational.” The whopping 5.27-pound tablet will cost $5,999 when it goes on sale in January 2014. Panasonic’s full press release follows below.

Panasonic Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 Tablet Makes U.S. Premiere

 World’s First 20-Inch 4K Tablet Enables Ultimate Productivity for Professionals in Fields Including Media and Entertainment, Design and Healthcare

Los Angeles, November 7, 2013 – Panasonic, an industry leader in reliable and innovative mobile computers since 1996, tonight at a Hollywood event announced the U.S. availability of the Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 tablet, the world’s first 20-inch tablet with a 4K resolution display. Part of Panasonic’s Toughpad line of professional-grade tablets, the device is designed for professionals in fields where visual clarity and collaboration are essential to productivity, such as video production, architecture, design, photography and healthcare. With its crystal-clear, immersive display, the Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 also can be utilized in settings such as museums, training centers, sales showrooms and galleries.
The business-rugged Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 is powered by an Intel® Core™ i5 vPro™ processor, features Windows 8.1 Pro and offers a brilliant 3840×2560 pixel display that goes beyond Ultra HD resolution. With a 20-inch IPS Alpha LCD screen featuring 230 pixels per inch, a 15:10 aspect ratio and wide viewing angles, the Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 provides a lifelike viewing experience unlike any tablet on the market. Moreover, since the system is built on the Intel vPro platform, it bridges the gap between the needs of IT professionals and workers by including unique hardware enhanced security features, remote manageability and capabilities designed to increase end user productivity and data protection.
“In our highly connected and visual world, having access to the best quality, most detailed visual information available can be a critical component of success in many fields,” said Rance Poehler, president, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. “By delivering an unsurpassed level of image quality, running on an Intel vPro processor and using Microsoft’s most advanced operating system, the Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 tablet allows decision makers in various visual fields to view, share, manage, and interpret information to drive their innovation.”
Professional-Grade Productivity and Durability
In addition to its 10-point multi-touch input, the Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 comes with an optional Panasonic Electronic Touch Pen, a unique new device offering pixel-level precision and a distinctly pen-and-paper-like feel for freehand sketching, annotation or handwriting. The pen uses infrared signals to distinctly read each pixel on the screen and communicates with the tablet via Bluetooth®. For natural and highly accurate drawing or handwriting, the pen can be held from various angles and can interpret more than 2,000 levels of pressure.
The Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 is the world’s lightest and thinnest 20-inch tablet*. With a magnesium alloy frame enclosed in a reinforced glass fiber case, it provides business-rugged durability worthy of the Toughpad name. It’s built to handle a 30-inch drop to its back while operating, and 12-inch drops to 26 angles when nonoperational.
*World’s lightest and thinnest 20-inch tablet as of November 7, 2013
Toughpad 4K UT-MB5: Key Features

• 4K Visual Experience: 20-inch IPS Alpha LCD screen with 3840×2560 pixel display featuring 230 pixels per inch and 15:10 aspect ratio
• High-Performance Processing Power: Intel® Core™ i5-3437U vPro™ processor with NVIDIA® GeForce® 745M GPU
• Operating System: Windows 8.1 Pro
• Storage & Memory: 256GB SSD, 8 GB RAM and 2GB VRAM
• Connectivity & I/O: Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6235 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth® v4.0 (Class 1), USB 3.0, SDXC card slot, smart card reader, docking connector
• Camera: 1280 x 720 pixel built-in front camera
• Durability: Business-rugged with resistance to 12-inch drops to 26 angles (non-operating) and 30-inch drop to its back (operating)
• Battery: 2 hours per MobileMark® 2007 testing
• Lightweight Portability: 5.27 lbs., 0.49 inch thick

Combined with accessories such as the optional Panasonic desktop cradle and carrying case solution, the device can be used as both a desktop PC and tablet. The cradle offers USB 3.0 x3, Ethernet and HDMI-output connectivity. A VESA-compatible mounting adapter plate will be available early next year.
The Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 adds to Panasonic’s ever-expanding suite of technology for producing and consuming 4K media, including the 65-inch VIERA® WT600 Ultra-High Definition 4K TV and the BT-4LH310 LCD production monitor. The Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 was unveiled at an event this evening in Hollywood, Calif.

Pricing and Availability
The Toughpad 4K UT-MB5 will be available in January 2014 at a list price of $5,999. All Toughpad tablets can be purchased through authorized Panasonic resellers.
All products in the Toughpad family come standard with the industry’s most comprehensive 3-year warranty.

Tags:

4K, Panasonic