Marketing 2.0

The iPhone 8 early review

Image source: Mac Rumors

 

Here's an early review of the iPhone 8 that is releasing on Friday. I am considering the 8 Plus mainly to get the upgraded camera. I like the idea of consolidating my tech into one device.

The iPhone 8: A Worthy Refinement Before the Next Generation - The New York Times.

David Pogue reviews iPhone X

Image source: Variety

David Pogue has always been one of my favorite go-to sources for Apple tech. Here's his review of the iPhone X (pronounced ten in case you were wondering). Or, if you are a cynic, call it the iPhone Galaxy since its big features are already available on Samsung phones. Am I in on this? Nope. For just a couple hundred dollars more than the X's $999 price point, I can get a new laptop with my academic discount. I just don't do enough on my phone to justify spending four figures.

David Pogue iPhone X hands on review.

Apple latest keynote

Image source: 9to5 Mac

 

I came across this excellent commentary from the NY Times on Apple's Sept. 12 launch event. The author, James Poniewozik, has an interesting take on just what Apple is selling us. He calls it "a better vision of ourselves." I also watched the event on live stream and was fairly underwhelmed. The incremental changes to the phone, watch and TV did not match up to the typical gushing enthusiasm from presenters over the magic technology and new, life changing devices. I think this techno fetishism is actually getting a little creepy. Do I love my Apple devices? Yes I do. I own all of their major products. But as I get older I appreciate the value of my human relationships way more than my connection to Siri.

At the Apple Keynote, Selling Us a Better Vision of Ourselves - The New York Times.

Make your video content go viral!

Image source: YouTube

 

OK, so there's really no magic formula for making content go viral. My headline was just clickbait. But, you will find some good advice in this article from Adweek.

These Video Influencers Share Their Best Tips for Creating Viral Content – Adweek.

Applebee's retrenches

 

Repositioning your brand to appeal to a new segment of the market is very difficult to accomplish. You need to revise your product and value proposition and hope that it connects with the consumers you are targeting. In the meantime, you are trying not to alienate your loyal customers. Applebee's is just the latest company to find out that appealing to millennials is easier said than done. So, it's back to 2 for $20.

Millennials, Applebee's Has Given Up on You and Being Cool | Inc.com.

VR, AR, and Mixed Reality

Image Source: DeepKnowHow

 

Here's a good read on Apple's plans to bring augmented reality capabilities to the iPhone. There's also a short video clip from Wired in the post that discusses how AR might be more popular than VR. If you've ever tried IKEA's app that allows you to see how a piece of furniture will look in your room, then you know how AR works. It brings the virtual artifact into your real world. Mixed reality extends AR to allow you to interact with this visual artifact. The future is fast approaching!

The Apple ARKit Proves the Future of Augmented Reality Will Be on Your Phone | WIRED.

The impact of desktop dining

 

I came across this interesting article from Wharton on the impact of desktop dining on the restaurant industry. It seems that more people are choosing to eat at work or grab takeout meals at grocery stores. As a result, restaurants are feeling the pinch. Good insights from a Cornell faculty member on this trend.

Is Desktop Dining Hurting the Restaurant Industry? - Knowledge@Wharton.

Clickfarm in Thailand busted

Image source: The Verge

Take a look into the dark side of the Internet. There's a thriving industry providing clicks, likes, comments, and other measures of social media popularity. Gaining an audience is difficult. That's why some companies prefer to take a short cut and buy their likes. 

Three men in Thailand reportedly ran a clickfarm with over 300,000 SIM cards and 400 iPhones - The Verge.

Location-based marketing

Image credit: Mobile Industry Review

 

Here's an excellent article on the importance of mobile marketing. With the rise of the Internet, location became much less important to business success. Marketers could reach consumers anywhere on the globe. Now, with the dominance of mobile phones as a primary computing device, we are able to leverage the power of location-specific targeting. 

Why Having a Location-first Marketing Strategy Pays Off - Knowledge@Wharton.

Apple's redesigned stores

 

Here is a transcript and video clips of an interview with Apple's Senior V.P. of Retail, Angela Ahrendts.I like what she's doing with the Apple stores by focusing on educational sessions and a place to meet and network with friends and colleagues. In today's challenging retail world, it's important to provide consumers with a unique experience rather than just a product selection. The Internet is way better at that.

Apple SVP of retail Angela Ahrendts on launch of Today at Apple - CBS This Morning - Norah O'Donnell - CBS News.