SMS or text marketing has been around for a while now, but the field is always evolving. Since I founded my own SMS marketing company in 2010, I’ve seen many important changes in the way SMS campaigns are run. Just as importantly, I’ve watched the industry grow by leaps and bounds as mobile technology has […]
Mobile
Does Your Business Need an App or Mobile-Compatible Website?
No one seriously doubts that mobile is the future of the web. We crossed the point at which a business could blithely ignore mobile users a couple of years ago. Today, if you’re not mobile-friendly, you’re in trouble. But what does it mean to be mobile-friendly? There are two choices: native mobile apps or the […]
This LA Startup Raised $1.5M to Make AR Affordable
New advancements in AR and VR are revolutionizing entertainment, but as consumers we need to ask ourselves if we are willing to invest thousands in a new AR headset only to have it become obsolete a few weeks later when something new is introduced. If the answer is no, then you need a more viable […]
This LA Startup Just Raised $1M so Emojis Can Be Holographic
If you feel that all of your texting conversations have morphed into emoji conversations, you are not alone. But if you are feeling that emjoi experience should be deeper, then Mojiit is calling your name. The company brings your emojis to real life through augmented hologram technology, delivering emojis and Bitmoji’s for the most personalized and […]
6 Steps to Creating a Killer Voice App for Alexa and Google Assistant
As you no doubt have experienced, a new market of conversational devices and services has emerged. From Amazon Alexa and Google Home, to Facebook Messenger bot and intelligent assistants, we’re surrounded by conversation. (Between us, when was the last time you checked the weather on a device other than Alexa or Google Home?) While those devices and […]
This LA Startup Raised $4.5M So You Can Access Data From Your Competitors
Data has only recently replaced oil as the most valuable resource. While this should surprise no one, it should act as a wake up call to refocus on data and the power that lies in it. If you are looking to access, sell, or take advantage of data, look no further than Twine. Providing a […]
Mobile Trends to Watch in 2017
2017 will see a mobile ecommerce ecosystem that’s tailored to the growing population of millennials, who are more comfortable making large ticket purchases on their mobile devices. Machine Learning and AI will be ubiquitous and security will harden. At the same time, privacy will continue to be a top concern as software vendors try to […]
This LA Startup Just Raised $250K To Bring Interior Design to the Masses
Whether you are decorating a new home or just feel like renovating, it is often helpful to get as many second opinions as you can to make sure the room gives off the vibe you want. You may ask your mother and a few friends what they think, but they may just tell you it […]
How to Avoid Letting Your Smartphone Ruin Your Work-Life Balance
With my constant travel schedule and reliance on apps to help run my business, it is no wonder I am a self-professed smartphone addict. While it offers so much convenience for my life as an entrepreneur, the recent addition to our family has served as an extra reminder about the importance of maintaining a work-life […]
6 Tips for Aspiring App Inventors
Do you have an idea for the next big app? As of June 2016, there were an overwhelming 4.2 million apps available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. If you’re an app inventor, this makes it difficult for consumers to discover your app in a crowded market. How can you cut […]
Does Your Mobile Home Page Drive Visitors Away?
Consumer research suggests mobile shoppers prefer mobile websites to retail apps. But if you’ve invested in a companion app and wish to use your mobile home page to promote it, be careful about how you pitch your app — you may unwittingly foster FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) about your mobile experience. Karmaloop’s (old) mobile […]