Mobile Users are Task Oriented, Tablet Users More Entertainment Oriented

Research to date on tablet advertising has typically found that placements that take advantage of the full features of the device—like video, 360-degree views, striking photos and interactivity—appeal most to users. An Adobe-sponsored study found flashy iPad ads were more engaging and effective than their static print counterparts, and earlier research from UM and Time Inc. indicated that videos were the most desired feature of iPad ads.

On smartphones, by contrast, users seem to prefer to keep it simple. A Pontiflex survey conducted by Harris Interactive found that very few smartphone users preferred ads that were like commercials or that featured video. Just 15 percent of all adults liked such ads on their phone, vs. 63 percent who preferred more basic coupons, deals or newsletters.

So it appears the flashy video ads are better suited to tablets, while coupons are better suited to smartphone users.

The Differences Between Mobile and Tablet Advertising - eMarketer

Mobile Banking in Africa to Hit U.S.$22 Billion By 2015

The International Telecommunications Union estimates mobile subscriptions across Africa more than tripled to 333 million since 2005. The World Bank said Sub-Saharan Africa averages just 163 bank accounts per 1,000 adults — compared to an average 635 in developing countries.

In 2006, Kenya had only 450 bank branches and 600 automatic teller machines, or less than two bank branches per 100,000 people. Read more here.

Taking the overall population as the potential target market, the penetration rate of mobile telephony in Uganda is now 35 percent, while in Liberia, it was around 31 percent in 2009. In Cameroon, where MTN and Orange have a duopoly, the penetration rate was around 38 percent in June 2010. In Kenya, mobile penetration is 50 percent, while in Rwanda, it was about 25 percent in early 2010.

South Africa’s Wizzit is another start-up. Its operations are guaranteed by the South African Bank of Athens. Managing Director Brian Richardson will not disclose the number of subscribers, but says the operation turns a profit.

“I do believe the bank-led model will win at the end of the day,” he says.

Mobile Banking in Africa to Hit U.S.$22 Billion By 2015

Visa Likes Square

Square allows small merchants, who have traditionally been limited by paper-based payments, to accept electronic payments through a credit card reader that plugs into a phone or iPad. "This is a big deal and will help the entire payments industry’s efforts in bringing access to electronic payments to a segment that has historically not been easy to serve, namely very small merchants," Visa says.

Before, these very small merchants depended solely on the limits of cash transactions, Visa says. Now with Square’s product, these small merchants can use a mobile device as a gateway, making a transaction over Visa’s global network and gaining the security, speed and reliability that come with it.

Emerging Payment Types = New Opportunities | Visa’s Blog – Visa Viewpoints

Smartphones Increasing Call Center Volumes

More than 60 percent of 55 service providers polled by Heavy Reading believe that the volume of smartphone-related support calls has increased 10 percent to more than 25 percent over the last two years. The same percentage believe the average cost of supporting smartphones is anywhere from 10 to 50 percent above that of standard feature phones, due in part to longer call-handling times. Additionally, more than half of the incoming calls are not resolved by the initial call center representative who handles the call - further driving up costs.

Some 75 percent of service providers surveyed are looking to advanced services to increase data usage and realize additional sources of revenue from smartphone customers. But the research shows that over two thirds of customers do not use advanced services, due to lack of awareness or understanding.

Operators Want Higher Smartphone Revenues, But Need to Educate Customers on Using Advanced Features

FCC Chairman Says Net Neutrality Rules Don't Cover Comcast-Level 3 Dispute

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski said the agency's net neutrality rules don't cover interconnection disputes such as the current dispute between Comcast Corp. and Level 3 Communications.

He called the Comcast-Level 3 issue a private business dispute and said he hoped the two companies could work out their differences.

Long-time observers of the interconnection business and framework will not be surprised by those views. Carrier interconnection is about the business relationship between network owners, not end user services.

WSJ: FCC Chairman: Net Neutrality Rules Don't Cover Comcast-Level 3 Dispute - WSJ.com (subscription required)

Google One Pass Enables Content Micropayments

Google One Pass is a payment system that enables publishers to charge consumers for articles and other content. It offers purchase-once, view-anywhere functionality, so users can view the content they buy across all of their devices.

Google One Pass supports subscriptions, day passes, metered access, pay-per-article and multi-issue packages.

Google One Pass

RIM, Telefonica to Support Carrier Billing for BlackBerry App World

Research In Motion and Telefonica are working together to introduce "BlackBerry App World" with integrated carrier billing, on a global basis.

Carrier billing will allow Telefonica customers to purchase apps from BlackBerry App World and charge the purchases directly to their monthly bill. Customers will also be offered the flexibility of charging in-app purchases to their carrier bill which allows for the purchase of digital goods to be made without interrupting their application experience.

BlackBerry - Press Releases