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Instagram rolling out multiple account support to select iOS users

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

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A little over two months ago our sister site 9to5Google reported that Instagram was releasing multiple account support for its Android app, and it now appears it will be coming to iOS too. The feature is not currently available to all users, but there are reports that many are already seeing it enabled. Multiple users are reporting to Latergramme that the option is now visible for them under the Options menu view.

With this long-awaited feature being integrated into the Instagram iOS app, users no longer have to sign in and out of multiple accounts to manage all the different communities or businesses they are involved in. Time will tell if Instagram is rolling this out to everyone eventually, or if it will remain as a test feature (I’m sincerely hoping for the former).

It appears that when a user is logged into multiple accounts, they have the ability to switch between them using the name displayed in the navigation bar. Once notifications come into from any of the various accounts, Instagram pushes them out formatted in a way that clearly indicates which account it relates too.

Instagram Multiple Accounts image from Latergramme

Knowing the popularity of third-party Instagram accounts, and their removal from the App Store for violating privacy policies, this new feature is a long-awaited change for Instagram. If you see that your account has enabled this feature, let us know in the comments below.

(Photo via: Latergramme)

Filed under: Apps, iOS Tagged: Instagram, iOS, Latergramme, Multi-Account

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Here’s which smartphone apps have the most usage on iOS & Android

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

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comScore today has shared its monthly report on both smartphone and app marketshare. The data released today reflects the three-month average ending in December of 2015. The report breaks down the top smartphone platforms, manufacturers, and perhaps most interestingly, the most popular apps…

As you can see in the chart below, Facebook remains the most used app on smartphones, reaching 76.8 percent of all smartphone users that are 18 or older. Facebook Messenger comes in second place with 62.5 percent, while apps from Google round out the top 7.

Apple Music, which accounts for anyone that uses the Music app on iOS, even if they don’t use the streaming aspect, achieved 32.2 percent reach during this time. Apple Maps came in slightly lower at 29.1 percent, compared to the 50.9 percent of Google Maps. The extra reach of Google Maps, however, is likely due to the fact that the app is  available on both iOS and Android.

One interesting thing to note, however, is that these reach percentages only account for smartphone users 18 years or older. This restriction likely skews data somewhat. For instance, Snapchat does not make the list of the top 15 most used apps, despite it being one of the most popular and fastest growing apps among teenagers. Likewise, Twitter comes in 15th place in this ranking, but would likely place higher if the data accounted for users under the age 18.

Apple still holds the title as the top smartphone manufacturer this time around, although it did slip slightly. The report shows that Apple holds 42.9 percent of the market, a 0.7 percent change compared to the previous month’s report.

On the Android side, Samsung, LG and Motorola all saw minor increases of 0.8 percent, 0.5 percent, and 0.5 percent, respectively. It’s worth noting that the data released from comScore last month also saw Apple decline by 1 percent, making it back-to-back months of decline for the company. Nevertheless, it still leads overall.

In terms of the top smartphone platforms, Android still holds the lead with 53.3 percent of the market, an increase of 1 percent. Apple’s iOS accounts for 42.9 percent. Again, that’s a 0.7 percent decrease compared to last month.

With arguments of “peak iPhone” floating around, these numbers are somewhat interesting, but in the long run, minor marketshare fluctuations are nothing to worry too much about.

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Filed under: Apps, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: Apple, Apps, ComScore, marketshare

For more information about iOS Devices, Apple, and Apps continue reading at 9to5Mac.

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Summon your Tesla Model S using only your Apple Watch [Video]

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

apple watch summon model s

Last month Tesla released its latest ‘Autopilot’ update (v7.1), which we covered intensively on Electrek, but if you are not up-to-date with Tesla’s latest software, the Model S’ Autopilot now includes a new feature called ‘Summon’, which allows Tesla owners to remotely move their vehicle without anyone in it.

At the moment, it is primarily used to get the Model S in and out of a garage easily, but in the future, Tesla CEO Elon Musk says you will be able to summon your car from across the country and it will come meet you while charging at Tesla Superchargers along the way.

Yesterday, less than a month after the wide release of the Summon feature, iOS developer Allen Wong from Rego Apps updated his popular ‘Remote S for Tesla‘ app to allow Model S owners to use the Summon feature with the Apple Watch.

We reported on Wong’s app before, when he managed to start his Model S using Siri on his Apple Watch.

With the latest update to Remote S, not only does the Summon feature work on the Apple Watch — something not possible with Tesla’s official app — but Wong managed to get around the feature’s 39 feet range limitation.

A Tesla currently equipped with the Autopilot hardware needs to be within 39 feet of its final parking spot for the Summon feature to work. In the release note, Wong says that you do not have the same limitation when using the Remote S app, but a recent test shows that the keyfob still needs to be within range of the vehicle.

Watch Model S own Mark Schey try the feature:

You can get the Remote S for Tesla app on the App Store for $10.

Make sure to follow Electrek on your favorite social media to get our latest articles on Tesla Motors and the EV industry:  Twitter, Facebook or Google+

Filed under: Apple Watch Tagged: Apple, Apple watch, autopilot, Model S, remote s, Remote S for Tesla, summon, Tesla, Tesla Model S

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Notarize app turns your iPhone into a convenient, licensed notary using live video

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

Notarize iOS App (Featured Image)

For anyone who knows the pain of having to look for a public notary, you may be interested in the new Notarize app that just hit the App Store today. Users can actually get documents legally notarized conveniently from the iPhone. Here’s how it works:

Thanks to a law passed in 2011 by the state of Virginia, certified Virginian notaries can complete remote notarization using live video calls. Notarize takes advantage of this and other related laws to create a seamless notarization process. Without having to search for or wait in lines for public notaries, users can quickly notarize documents from anywhere with an iPhone and an Internet connection.

Here’s how Notarize explains it:

Notarize is the first on-demand remote, electronic notary service valid in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. In 2011, the Commonwealth of Virginia passed Senate Bill 827 and House Bill 2318, allowing appropriately certified Virginia notaries to complete remote notarization via live video call.

Furthermore, a document remotely notarized in Virginia is valid across state lines due to the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution and state laws that specifically address and accept out of state notarizations. Notarize leverages these and other laws to offer people and businesses the ability to legally notarize documents electronically, from anywhere.

Notarize simplifies the notarization process by allowing users to upload their own documents over email, cloud services like Dropbox, or any app that supports iOS document sharing. Each document notarization costs $25, and both public and private institutions will accept documents notarized out-of-state. Notarize even provides a contact email just in case they don’t.

Once the document has been uploaded, Notarize users prove their identity by taking a picture of a government issued photo ID. Then utilizing Confirm’s ID verification system, documents can be validated within seconds. After that, the users are connected over live video (similar to a FaceTime or Skype video call) to the notary agent where they are assisted the rest of the way.

Notarize is available for free in the App Store and is compatible with iPhones on iOS 8 and higher. Notary services through the application are available in all 50 states, and Notarize has set up a thorough FAQ as well.

Filed under: Apps Tagged: FaceTime, iOS, iOS 8.0, iPad, iPhone, Legal Documents, Notarize, Notary, Skype, video call, Virginia

For more information about Apps, iPhone, and iPad continue reading at 9to5Mac.

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9to5Toys Lunch Break: iPad Air $299, Beats Solo2 Wireless Headphones $230, 13-inch 256GB MacBook Air $1,000, more

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

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Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

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Apple iPad Air Wi-Fi 16GB $299 or 64GB $349 shipped (Reg. $399/$449)

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Beats by Dr. Dre Solo2 Wireless Headphones Active Collection: $230 (Reg. $300)

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13-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/256GB: $1,000 (Reg. $1,199)

11-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/256GB: $930 (Reg. $1,099)

13-inch Retina MacBook Pro 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB: $1,250 (Reg. $1,450)

15-inch Retina MacBook Pro 2.2GHz/16GB/256GB: $1,700 (Reg. $1,999)

ravpower-mfi-lightning-cables

RAVPower 2-pack of 3-ft. MFi Apple-Certified Lightning Cables for $8 Prime shipped (Reg. $15), more

Anker’s reinforced PowerLine MFi Lightning cables are extra tough & on sale: 6-ft $10 Prime shipped (Reg. $12), more

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Review: $13 GRDE Explorer Rugged 10,000mAh Solar dual USB Battery w/ 2 USB lamps: worth every penny

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Be a hero this Valentine’s Day w/ these best-selling Adult Coloring Books from $6

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

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Add two full-charges to an iPhone 6s with this Poweradd 5,200mAh Power Bank: $5 (Reg. $12)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

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Seagate 4TB Portable, Bus-powered USB 3 Hard Drive w/ 200GB Cloud: $120 shipped

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Bluetooth Headphones: JayBird BlueBuds X $58 (Orig. $170), MEE Audio Air-Fi $35 (Reg. $50), more

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Game pre-orders for Amazon Prime members –Zelda, Far Cry Primal, FFXV: $48 ea (Reg. $60)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

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Sony and Canon introduce new 4K digital cameras with two very different price tags

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Amazon Echo speaker can order your Super Bowl Dominoes Pizza, FireTVs get updates

Filed under: Tips and Tricks

For more information about Tips and Tricks continue reading at 9to5Mac.

What do you think? Discuss “9to5Toys Lunch Break: iPad Air $299, Beats Solo2 Wireless Headphones $230, 13-inch 256GB MacBook Air $1,000, more” with our community.

Hands-on with CarPlay on the new Chevy Volt’s 8-inch capacitive display [Video]

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

Chevy Volt CarPlay

Earlier this year at CES, Seth and I had the opportunity to test drive the new Chevy Volt hybrid (okay, I actually just held the camera in the back seat) which has one of the best CarPlay screen we’ve seen yet. Check out our hands-on experience with the Volt’s very nice display from our test drive below …

You can read more about the second-gen Chevy Volt at Electrek, but the takeaway for the purpose of this piece is that the quality of the display in the car can really make or break the CarPlay experience.

The Volt uses an 8-inch capacitive touch display, which is only slightly larger than an iPad mini and bigger than either of my aftermarket CarPlay displays. The bottom line is that bigger is better, and avoid resistive touch screens at all cost if possible when looking into CarPlay for yourself.

Check out our hands-on video with CarPlay in the new Chevy Volt below:

If you’re not in the market for a new Chevy Volt but want the best aftermarket CarPlay screen money can buy, I personally use and enjoy Pioneer’s AVIC-8100NEX ($1,199, reg. $1400) which features a 7-inch capacitive touch screen that also works with Android Auto if you pick up a hitchhiker.

Pioneer’s AppRadio 4 SPH-DA120 ($424, reg. $600) has a 6-inch capacitive touch screen, still features Bluetooth for non-CarPlay use, and is a better bargain if CarPlay is all you want. Alpine’s ILX-007 (new from $550) goes even further by dropping Bluetooth support to focus only on CarPlay, but personally I recommend opting for Bluetooth too as I use it when more convenient.

The CarPlay experience is mostly the same from display to display as it relies on projecting apps from the connected iPhone, but the way it looks and feels to use really does depend on the quality of in-dash display.

CarPlay itself is set to receive a welcomed upgrade when iOS 9.3 for iPhone comes out of beta. The new version brings the full Apple Music experience to the car with For You and New playlist and album recommendations as well as a more robust Maps app thanks to the added Nearby feature. See both in action in our hands-on video with that below:

You can read my initial review of CarPlay, what changed with CarPlay in iOS 9, and our running list of CarPlay apps here. And head over to Electrek to read more about the new Chevy Volt and see our test drive in action.

Filed under: CarPlay Tagged: CarPlay, chevy volt

For more information about CarPlay, CarPlay, and chevy volt continue reading at 9to5Mac.

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Bing Search for iPhone gets barcode scanner w/ price comparisons, deal finder feature, & 3D Touch

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

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Users of the Bing app for iPhone are getting some welcomed improvements today with the latest update bringing a new barcode scanner with price comparison functionality and a new deal finder feature.

With the barcode scanner, Bing notes on its blog that it will use scanned barcodes to automatically search its database and “return prices and customer ratings from major retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and others.”

For iPhone 6s and 6s+ users, the barcode scanner can quickly be accessed using new 3D Touch quick actions with a firm press of Bing app icon. Also available in quick actions is access to search and voice search (as pictured below). 

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For everyone else, it will be under the new Deals section that aggregates coupons and other discounts from around the web:

In addition to showing deals directly in search results (like when you search for a restaurant), we now make it easier to browse deals directly from the homepage of the Bing App for iPhone. This is a great companion when you’re shopping at a mall, or making dinner plans. We’ll automatically find the deals near you, and all you have to do is follow the instructions for how to redeem it from the deal/coupon provider.

And also included with version 6.3 of the Bing app, you’ll start to see weather data appearing in the “Today” feed, nearby gas stations including prices courtesy of GasBuddy, and popular dishes from participating restaurants.

Lastly, the update brings the ability to “pin your frequent and favorite bookmarks to the Today feed,” as Bing notes, “so you can navigate to your favorite sites faster.”

The updated Bing Search app for iPhone is available on the App Store now.

Filed under: Apps Tagged: Amazon, barcode scanner, Bing, coupons, deal finder, discounts, iPhone, price comparison, Shopping, update

For more information about Apps, iPhone, and update continue reading at 9to5Mac.

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iTunes, App Store, and other services experiencing outage preventing purchasing

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

Apple Services Down (Featured Image)

A list of App Store and iTunes services are currently down preventing users from processing downloads, making purchases or in some cases even streaming their music from iTunes in the Cloud. Apple’s system status currently (as of 10:52AM EST) lists App Store, Apple TV, iBooks Store, iTunes in the Cloud, iTunes Match, iTunes Store, Mac App Store, and the Volume Purchase Program as potentially being unavailable for some users.

The detailed timeline listed at the bottom of the page describes that in regards to all store services, some users are affected and have been since a little before 10AM EST. It also appears that multiple iCloud services also had some outage late last evening. We’ll continue to monitor the issue and update when they appear to be resolved. If you are experiencing any other issue not noted by the App Store being down, you may reach out to Apple through their support.

Filed under: General, iOS, iOS Devices, Mac Tagged: App Store, App Store down, iOS, iOS App Store, Mac App Store, outage

For more information about iOS Devices, iOS, and iOS continue reading at 9to5Mac.

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Opinion: Why a visible filesystem in iOS is key if the iPad Pro is to be a true PC replacement

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

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Apple has been talking about the post-PC era ever since the original iPad launch in 2010, with Steve Jobs suggesting that PCs would be the ‘trucks’ of the computing world while most people would be happy with ‘cars’ aka iPads.

Tim Cook picked up the post-PC baton the following year, and has more recently presented himself as proof of the idea and argued the point more aggressively following the launch of the iPad Pro.

I think if you’re looking at a PC, why would you buy a PC anymore? No really, why would you buy one? Yes, the iPad Pro is a replacement for a notebook or a desktop for many, many people. They will start using it and conclude they no longer need to use anything else, other than their phones.

It’s a stance I agree with … to some extent …

I’ve noted on several occasions that when non-tech friends ask for my advice on which laptop to buy, it’s not unusual for me to ask them what they want to do with it then end up recommending an iPad with keyboard. If all you want to do is email, web, video call and chat, an iPad is a perfectly capable device that offers a lot of advantages over a laptop.

An iPad is even easier to use than a Mac, is ultra-portable, offers a genuine 10-hour battery-life, provides the option of built-in mobile data – and the flexibility of switching between laptop mode with a keyboard and tablet mode without.

I’ve also argued that the old idea that iPads are for content consumption while Macs are for creation is outdated. A lot of us use iPads to create content. But that’s not the same as viewing it as a laptop replacement.

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Cook wasn’t claiming that an iPad – Pro or not – can replace a laptop for everyone, and he even stopped short of using the words ‘most people.’ My own conclusion when I tried the iPad Pro was that it does push further into laptop territory than other iPads, but it’s still not a complete substitute.

Powerful as the iPad Pro is, there are still a number of tasks that need the additional power offered by a Mac. Video, audio and photo editing are obvious examples: you can do them on an iPad, but it would be a poor choice of primary device. Software developers, too, need Macs.

But even if you need neither the power nor the specialist apps of a Mac, there’s still one area where I think the iPad falls down when comparing it to a Mac: the lack of a user-accessible file-system.

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Steve Jobs, of course, argued that a file-system was an outdated concept. Why should a user have to either know or care where their files were stored? They simply open the app and do whatever it is they need to do.

That works fine for simple tasks, but not for complex ones involving multiple apps. If you’re remodelling your home, for example, you’ll probably have photos that you’ve collected as inspiration. Web pages with products and ideas. Contractor quotes supplied in every file format imaginable. Costing spreadsheets. You may have created sketches in one app and floor plans in another. The various documents are likely to span at least half a dozen different apps, perhaps many more.

If you don’t have access to a file-system, this creates two problems. First, the pain of having to figure out which app contains the document you’re looking for. Did that quote from the electrician arrive as a Word document or a PDF? Did you save that cool idea for understair lighting as a photo or a webpage? Having to open up multiple apps in search of the one thing you need is very far removed indeed from a system that Just Works.

But there’s also the notion of the project being organized on our device the same way we think of it in our head. If you are tackling the project one room at a time, you may have a top-level folder called Home Remodelling and second-level folders for each room: Living-room, Kitchen, Bathroom and so on.

Alternatively, if you are approaching the project in several phases, your second-level folders might be Phase 1 Teardown, Phase 2 Construction, Phase 3 Decoration and so on. The ‘physical’ map of the project on your device should mirror your mental model of the project – and that requires a visible file-system.

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I do completely understand that iOS was designed around the KISS principle. If a user doesn’t need to see something, keep it hidden. For a great many things I do on my iPhone and iPad, that approach is perfect.

When I open up the Photos app to show to a friend that photo I took yesterday, I don’t need to know where on my device that photo is stored: I can just open the app and tap on the photo. If it was a while ago, the tags created by the app mostly do the job.

But it’s less easy to find that photo I took in Hong Kong ten years ago. And I’m not going to use an iPad for any kind of project – even one as simple as planning a vacation – and a large part of the reason is the lack of a visible file-system. If Apple really wants to present the iPad as a true alternative to a PC, it needs to finally allow iOS to have one.

That needn’t mean making the existing iOS UI any more complex than it is today. I don’t need access to a System folder or Library folder. I don’t need folders to be front-and-center on the homescreen. I’d be completely fine with Apple tucking a visible folder structure away inside an iOS Finder app. But, in my view, an iPad isn’t ever going to replace a Mac without it.

Do you agree? Or are you happy to tackle even complex projects without a visible file-system? Please take our poll, and share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

Photos: The Verge; Apple; WSJ.

Filed under: Opinion Tagged: Apple Inc, file system, iPad Pro, iPad v MacBook, iPad versus MacBook, iPad vs MacBook, Steve Jobs

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Funny Tweets & Social Media Examples From 17 Real Brands

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

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There are quite a few factors that go into what makes a brand “followable” in social media. Think about it from the follower’s perspective: Why do you choose to ‘Like’ or follow certain brands on social networks like Facebook and Twitter?

It could be because they share valuable, educational content that appeals to your interests and needs. Or, it could be that they give you access to exclusive deals, coupons, or other promotions. Or, maybe they’re just ridiculously funny.

Truthfully, the best brands to follow in social media should probably have a combination of all those characteristics. But I’d venture to say that many of you are following a brand simply for its entertainment value. (I know I am.) You know — the brands that really tickle your funny bone and sometimes even make your sides hurt from laughter. 

And while it may not seem like a funny update has any value, surely there’s value in showing off your personality and being a lovable brand, right?

So to help bring out your inner comedian, we’ve compiled a list of brands whose social media presence gives us the giggles. Check ’em out. 

Click here to download even more examples of brands doing awesome social media marketing. 

The Funniest Tweets & Social Media Examples From Funny Brands

1) Charmin

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

You mean the toilet paper company? Darn tootin’! Serving as the original inspiration for this post, Charmin’s Twitter presence is definitely a must-follow. Just check out the following series of tweets to see what we mean. Charmin is a great example of a brand whose humor aligns with the products it sells. And don’t you just love that #tweetfromtheseat hashtag?

 

Charmin Ultra Strong’s washcloth-like texture is great for keeping your “driveway” clean this winter.

Posted by
Charmin on 
Monday, January 11, 2016

2) Taco Bell

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

Taco Bell is known for using humor throughout their marketing and advertising, and their social media accounts are no different. From witty one-liners to clever photo updates, Taco Bell’s Facebook and Twitter presence is sure to make you crack a smile — even when they just tweet a whole bunch of taco emojis and call it a day.

 

Family portrait.

Posted by
Taco Bell on 
Thursday, January 14, 2016

3) Innocent Drinks

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

Innocent Drinks is one of my favorite brands to follow on Twitter and Facebook. They may be a smoothie and juice brand, but most of their social media posts aren’t about smoothies or drinks at all. Check out the examples below to see what I mean. We’ve always admired them for their consistently lovable branding. They’re silly, fun, clever, creative, and always stay true to their brand personality.

 

It’s Penguin Awareness Day today, so it’s important you’re aware which animals are penguins and which animals are not…

Posted by
innocent on 
Wednesday, January 20, 2016

 

beavers

Posted by
innocent on 
Saturday, January 30, 2016

“Beavers?” If you’re wondering what that’s about, then you aren’t alone. Here’s an explanation — which goes to show how clever their social strategy really is:

4) Old Spice

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

Old Spice is known for their funny — and often ridiculous — marketing content. And what better place to let their freak flag fly than on social media? Just take a look at their “About” descriptions on Twitter, as well as a few of the silly posts to Twitter and Facebook below. (My favorite might be their making fun of Twitter polls.)

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Thanks to Old Spice’s Hardest Working Collection, he was finally free of sweat’s tyrannical rule, cellphone reception… gravity… and any remote chance of making his dental appointment at 3pm. #smellegendary

Posted by
Old Spice on 
Saturday, January 9, 2016

5) JetBlue Airways

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

Exceptional customer service isn’t the only thing JetBlue does well on social media. They’re also a great example of a brand that sprinkles in just a little humor throughout its social presence. Not everything JetBlue posts is necessarily laugh-out-loud funny, but the brand does a great job of infusing some of its humorous personality into its updates, balancing informational content with lighthearted updates like the Facebook post you see below.

Santa, Scrooge and a gingerbread man walk into an airport. #StopUsIfYouveHeardThisOne #LetsPlayAirport

Posted by
JetBlue Airways on 
Monday, December 21, 2015

They’re even known for being humorous in their replies to customers’ tweets, when appropriate. Here’s an example:

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6) Mars Curiosity (NASA)

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

As in, the lunar rover. These NASA-run social media accounts feature sassy, first-person updates from the rover itself, who incorporates funny pop culture references and a bold attitude. And, oh yeah — its Twitter account has more than 2.2 million followers, and its Facebook page has over 1.1 million fans. Not too shabby, NASA. 

True Confession: I double dipped. Testing the second of three planned sand scoops at Mars’ Namib Dune. More info: http://go.nasa.gov/1JmdznB

Posted by
NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover on 
Thursday, January 21, 2016

7) DiGiorno Pizza

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

Remember that time in 2013 when DiGiorno Pizza live-tweeted NBC’s The Sound of Music and broke the internet? Here, let me jog your memory:

So. Random. DiGiorno Pizza is one of the funniest (and downright strangest) brands to follow on Twitter. Their tweets are usually about completely random topics, which somehow tie back to pizza, cheese, delivery pizza, and so on. While their Facebook page is a whole lot tamer, there’s also some good stuff in there. Their posts will have you thinking “…what?!” but laughing your butt off nonetheless.

8) A24

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

A24, the film studio that brought you Spring Breakers and The Bling Ring, has a refreshingly witty, edgy voice on its Twitter and Facebook pages that kind of sounds like your funniest friend posting his or her unfiltered musings. In fact, Zoe Beyer, the woman behind the Twitter account admitted she sometimes tweets things “with no regard for whether it’s relevant to anyone besides myself.” She says, “This is probably bad practice, but I think the film industry in particular can be so opaque, it is nice to know there are actual human personalities behind these companies. That’s why, sometimes, I will tweet about exotic pets or the NBA. The idea is just to keep it authentic.”

Their posts are a smattering of pop culture references and project promotions, which they manage to make really funny. Be warned, though: some of the language is NSFW.

 

⚠️ WARNING: May cause you to tear up the fucking dance floor

Posted by
A24 on 
Tuesday, January 19, 2016

9) Wendy’s

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

The key to social media success for the folks at Wendy’s? Simple, hilarious, and kind of … mindless content. Forbes describes their content best, I think: “Unbelievably dumb stuff that’s blow-milk-out-your-nose funny.” Whether they create a graphic depicting plain fries dreaming about loaded fries or they’re newsjacking #KissAGingerDay, Wendy’s has tweets and Facebook posts that’ll put a smile on your face.

 

PDA is perfectly acceptable today #KissAGingerDay

Posted by
Wendy’s on 
Tuesday, January 12, 2016

 

Found the perfect place for this delicious, hickory-smoked pulled pork.

Posted by
Wendy’s on 
Friday, September 25, 2015

10) Moosejaw Mountaineering

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

The folks at Moosejaw Mountaineering call themselves “the most fun outdoor retailer on the planet,” according to their Twitter description — and they aren’t lying. Their social media content is basically all funny stuff. Some is related to the outdoors, some isn’t. Like A24, some of their Facebook posts sound like your best friend telling you an unfiltered story, like the MC Hammer example below.

 

MC Hammer came to me in a dream last night and told me that too legit to quit was based on Kant’s categorical imperative. So there’s that.

Posted by
Moosejaw Mountaineering on 
Saturday, January 30, 2016

 

I get so hungry in the morning that I think something is wrong with me. Like I’m on Survivor and haven’t eaten for four…

Posted by
Moosejaw Mountaineering on 
Monday, January 11, 2016

11) Zendesk

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

It can be hard for B2B companies to find the balance between humor and professionalism on social media. But Zendesk is one of the B2B brands that’s really nailed it. The folks on their social team use humor to elevate their message, make their posts stand out from the crowd, and infuse some lighthearted fun into an otherwise (*furrows brow*) pretty serious B2B world.

 

The Multi-Step Zap is not a new dance move, but it can save your team loads of time. Zapier

Posted by
Zendesk on 
Monday, February 1, 2016

12) Whole Foods

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

Would you “Holla for Challah bread”? Whole Foods wants you to, and that’s just one of its witty little Facebook updates. Mainly sharing recipe and food ideas through its Facebook page and Twitter feed, Whole Foods adds a dash of humor that makes it a lot more fun to follow than your average recipe source. We love their cheeky #HealthYeah hashtag, too.

13) Netflix

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

Whether they’re poking fun at the characters in their TV shows or quoting one of their comedies, Netflix is always posting a myriad of funny social media posts to their Twitter and Facebook Pages. Most of them include short clips or GIFs of their shows, which serve as great visual reminders that we need to get watchin’.

14) IMPACT Branding & Design

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

Another B2B company to grace our list, HubSpot partner IMPACT Branding & Design definitely gets the value of comedy, offering a great balance of educational content and a few laughs every now and then on its Facebook page. While not every post from IMPACT is exactly a knee-slapper, it’s a good reminder that a little humor can go a long way toward achieving likability.

impact-facebook-post-halloween-costumes.png

15) Bissell

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

Bissell, the vacuum cleaner company (who would’ve thought?), knows how to crack a joke from time to time on their Facebook and Twitter pages. What’s great about Bissell’s humor is that it never sacrifices brand relevancy, as is evident by these smartly funny posts.

 

You know what tonight is! Let loose and embrace the mess. We’ll help you clean it up tomorrow.

Posted by
BISSELL on 
Thursday, December 31, 2015

16) Skittles

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

Skittles’ social sense of humor is apparently all about being silly and ridiculous. But it definitely brings a smile to your face, doesn’t it? Check out the examples below from Skittles’ Facebook page and Twitter feed. They do a great job of using custom graphics to stand out in your feed.

 

Eating Skittles? I support your choices.

Posted by
Skittles on 
Wednesday, January 27, 2016

17) KRAFT Mac & Cheese

See them on: Twitter | Facebook

Who knew elbow macaroni could be so funny? KRAFT Mac & Cheese’s social media presence features noodle families, pokes fun at themselves for being such a casual and easy meal, and other mac ‘n cheese humor. Oh, and we’re really, really glad this packaging idea was a joke.

 

We recommend serving Kraft Deluxe in dishware that reflects its premium taste. It’s almost as if Nambé designed the Butterfly Bowl with Kraft Deluxe in mind.

Posted by
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese on 
Sunday, November 8, 2015

What other brands can’t you help from following in social media, even for just a good laugh? Share with us in the comments.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2012 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.

 
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Apple Maps adds 5 new U.S. Flyover locations, 15 more international ones

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

flyover

Apple has today listed 20 new Flyover locations on its iOS 9 feature availability page, five of them in the USA, the rest overseas. The latest U.S. locations are:

  • Columbus, Ohio
  • Louisville, Kentucky
  • South Bend, Indiana
  • Springfield, Missouri
  • Tucson, Arizona …

The new international locations are:

  • Adelaide, Australia
  • Amiens, France
  • Berne, Switzerland
  • Bremen, Germany
  • Dresden, Germany
  • Eindhoven, Netherlands
  • Johannesburg, South Africa
  • La Rochelle, France
  • Middlesbrough, UK
  • Nantes, France
  • Salzburg, Austria
  • Taormina, Italy
  • Toulouse, France
  • Toyama, Japan
  • Virgin Islands

This brings the worldwide total to 240 places.

It sometimes takes a little time for Flyover updates to roll out to everyone. You’ll know it’s available when you search for a location and see the Flyover bar with its Start button.

Filed under: iOS Tagged: Apple Maps, Apple Maps 3D flyover, Apple Maps Flyover, flyover

For more information about iOS, Apple Maps, and flyover continue reading at 9to5Mac.

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How to Use Smart Content to Take Advertisements to the Next Level

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

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Every publisher wants to stand out from the crowd, but the days of one-size-fits-all content creation are over. The reason why? Content marketing is a double-edged sword. As companies realize that it works, they want to invest in it more—which means that there’s more information being published on the Internet than ever before.

Some media companies are responding and trying to outsmart the crowd by producing more content, generating more listicles, and writing more ‘quick wins’ and listicles. But keep in mind: many consumers view these actions as noise. The tech savvy ones, especially, will see more and just get annoyed. Their screening criteria is also becoming stricter: according to one stat, human beings have an attention spans worse than goldfish, according to Microsoft (seriously: check it out—it’s a cool study).

That’s why smart content is so important. It’s also a powerful value proposition for advertisers who are looking to reach the right audiences with the right messaging at the right time. The view counts and packaging options for ad placements that you already have are great, but personalization factors can really take your efforts to the next level. Here are 3 simple steps and pointers to guide you. 

And before you keep reading: not sure what ‘smart content’ means? Check out this definition here.

1) Start By Unifying and Segmenting Your Visitor Data

If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at the data you’re collecting. Create a wishlist of the information that you’d want in an ‘ideal marketing world.’ Ask yourself: what information do you need to make your best decisions? What do you have already? Then, take action to bridge the gap: work with your analytics and IT team to create a unified database. Work with your product managers to build data collection into the core product experience. Work smarter, not harder.

By collecting the data you need now (and planning your processes upfront), you’ll minimize the time you’ll need to make adjustments later. In other words, you’ll have a compelling value proposition to your advertisers much faster than your competitors. You’ll also, indirectly, deliver more value to your audiences. By creating more smart content, you’ll better appeal to their needs—delivering more tailored advertising content as a result.

It’s a win-win scenario for everyone. Audiences get great content. Advertisers get access to the right audiences. Media companies provide more value than ever before.

For more on creating a unified database, check out our free ebook: Your Database Sucks.

2) Create More Tailored CTAs

Content ultimately exists in a funnel, with one step leading to the next. Once you master the process of reaching the right audiences, the next steps will be to tailor your CTAs. By seeing the right messages, your audiences (and advertisers’ target customers) will see value propositions that are ideal for them. Again, you create a win-win-win situation in which all parties provide value to the business equation.

Not sure how to create more tailored CTAs? The following steps can help:

  • Interview your audiences to get a general sense of their needs
  • Before running any ad campaign, dig into your database to determine who would find the given advertiser relevant
  • Talk to your advertisers
  • Create win/win scenarios

See a pattern? As a connector, you need to study all sides of the equation so that you know where to best add value. Know what your audiences need, and you’ll come up with better CTAs.

It’s a cycle that great data from step 1 can help you repeat and refine. Bonus: use this information to make your ‘sales’ messaging more refined — drive leads and conversions for events, lead gen offers, webinars, and more.

For some impactful quick tips, take a look at this list of clickable calls to action.

3) Build Dedicated Email Campaigns

If you’re a frequent reader of the HubSpot blog, you know how powerful email marketing is. It’s the single-most direct way to reach customers 1:1. Not to mention, the success of your campaigns depend on the value proposition of your messaging.

Thanks to steps 1 and 2, you’ll have a better idea of what audiences want. Now, you can transform those insights to action and create your most impactful marketing campaigns yet.

Why not start with your lowest hanging opportunity, which is, in all likelihood, your email lists? Improve your email campaigns by the optimizations you’re making on other parts of your site. In other words, you can take the smart content that you’re generating for your email lists and tailor your messaging accordingly. What you’ll have is an impactful initiative with low-hanging value, thanks to your segmentation process from your prior steps.

More importantly, you’ll be able to iterate and make improvements almost immediately by watching the metrics that you’re already tracking in your email marketing and automation software. 

For a helpful guide to smart content in email marketing, check out this resource here.

Final Thoughts

Follow the steps above for smarter content campaigns that knock your fellow media companies out of the park. By building out the process above, you’ll create a cycle of constant improvement and value-add to your audiences and your advertisers. You’ll take your campaigns and content to the next level—all thanks to smart content.

free guide: why publishers need to think like marketers

What Tracking 13 Billion Email Opens Can Teach Us About the Current State of Email Engagement

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

Email_Engagement.jpg

Last year, we saw significant changes in marketing technology. Mobile and social search shifted marketer’s SEO efforts, and messaging apps started to introduce new ways for brands to connect with their audience. But one channel continued to hold the reputation of ‘ol reliable among marketing teams: email. 

Serving as one of the oldest digital mediums still in use, email is known for delivering the highest ROI among digital marketing channels. However, as the applications and devices people use to view emails continue to evolve, the prospect of optimizing for the inbox has become a bit more complicated.

In 2015, Litmus — a web-based email creation, testing, and analytics company — tracked over 13 billion email opens worldwide as part of its 2016 State of Email Report highlighting trends across all industries and verticals. Here’s where people are engaging with email most.

Be sure to check out the full State of Email Report for complete and detailed data.

The Current State of Email Engagement

Before we could determine how people were engaging with email, we needed to define what clients they were using. Here’s what we found:

Top_10_Email_Clients.png*Some email clients may be over- or under- represented due to automatic enablement of images and/or image blocking.

To provide color, Lauren Smith, content marketing manager at Litmus, explains what these numbers mean across webmail, desktop, and mobile environments. Smith says:

Webmail

In 2015, opens across all of the major webmail clients decreased. The fall in Gmail opens and subsequent rise of iPhone and Android opens may suggest users of the Gmail app are switching back to the native email apps on these phones.

It’s probable that this move toward mobile is also affecting Yahoo! Mail and Outlook.com opens. Subscribers are likely using those apps on their phones, rather than in the actual webmail client, which would be reported as a mobile open, rather than webmail.”

Desktop

While the rest of desktop opens remained relatively stagnant in 2015, Outlook opens decreased 33% and now represent only 6% of opens.

The popularity of Outlook overall is on the decline, with older versions of the desktop client — which has better HTML and CSS support — being phased out in favor of newer versions. Outlook 2016 for Windows was released in September 2015 and has already seen some adoption, picking up over 5% of Outlook opens. Outlook 2013 also saw a 50% gain over the year, whereas Outlook 2003 dropped 35%.”

Environment Growth

Digging deeper into the data, we also measured the past five years worth of data by environment in order to further clarify trends.

The results show the meteoric rise of mobile, which is almost entirely at the expense of desktop environments.

Mobile opens increased 17% to now represent 55% of email opens. Webmail opens decreased 13% to end the year with 26% of opens, and desktop opens decreased 17% for a year-end 19% of total opens.”

Environment_Growth.png

Mobile Usage Trends

As seen above, mobile dominates email engagement. Looking even further into this, here’s how mobile engagement trends break down over the course of 2015.

Mobile_Android_and_Iphone_Opens_Increase.png

Android opens increased 35% to represent 10% of opens, and iPhone opens rose from 27% to 33% of opens. Conversely, iPad opens decreased 5% over the course of the year and now only represent 12% of mobile email opens.

So while mobile continues to see increased engagement everywhere, marketers are left to wonder, what’s up with the iPad?

Smith adds, “iPad opens have been on a continuous decline over the past year. It’s probably no coincidence that the iPad’s slump to 12% of opens has accompanied a downturn in tablet sales. As of Q4 2014, Apple had sold 12.3 million iPads, while Q4 2015 figures report sales of 9.8 million — a 20% drop.

While lower-priced tablets from Microsoft and Google may have impacted iPad sales and open figures, it’s possible that other Apple products may be cannibalizing sales. For example, the dimensions of the iPhone 6 Plus may serve as a suitable tablet replacement — providing users with the ultimate ‘phablet.’”

What This Means for Marketers

As marketers, we tend to spend a disproportionate amount of time on optimization. We optimize for search engines to get found and for conversions to generate prospects, but when it comes time to engage with said prospects, optimization behavior breaks down.

We treat all subscribers — and their methods for reading email — as equal. But the apps and devices people use directly correlates to how they engage with your emails. Images and links break, designs render incorrectly, and as a result, we ultimately wind up wasting otherwise strong sales opportunities.

As an example, here are just some of the ways the top two email clients may introduce quirks that impact the effectiveness of your email.

iPhone (iOS)

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus feature 3D Touch, which adds pressure sensitivity to the latest iPhones and introduces two new interactions: peek and pop.

When scrolling through the inbox, users can now use a light press to “peek” at an email, which opens the email itself in a modal window. Using that same touch, they can then press harder to “pop” into the email itself and see the entire email, just like opening it normally.

Since “peeking” at an email loads the images contained within, peeks will count as opened emails. However, even though opens are registered, engagement could easily drop for campaigns if subscribers are just “peeking” at — and not reading — your campaigns.

If you’re seeing your engagement rates dropping, consider revamping your content, optimizing your inbox view, and ensuring your messages are mobile-friendly.

Gmail

Like most webmail clients, Gmail relies on a preprocessor to strip emails of anything that could be either a security concern or affect the rendering of the email client itself. This means that Gmail not only strips emails of any JavaScript, Flash, or object and embed tags, but it also goes one step further and strips the email of any style tags.

This understandably causes frustrations for email designers, who often use CSS in the style tag to manipulate the style of their campaigns, especially with responsive emails. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your main styles are all inline and that the email works well even without the style tag.

What’s Next?

Creating email can be hard. Optimizing for your audience, and the apps and devices they’re opening on, is the first step toward making it easier and more effective.

Where are the majority of your prospects and customers opening and engaging with email? Once you have a clear and detailed understanding of this, optimizing for their experience becomes much more direct.

Get the full State of Email Report for complete data around where people are opening and engaging with email most.

optimizing email marketing ebook

3 Social Media Engagement Techniques That Work

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

kl-social-media-engagment-560

Need some new social media marketing ideas? Looking for ways to jumpstart your engagement? Whether your goal is to spread awareness or grow your audience, better engagement is your key to success. In this article you’ll discover three ways to improve engagement for your social media accounts. #1: Personalize Your Approach Your audience is the greatest […]

This post 3 Social Media Engagement Techniques That Work first appeared on .
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Snow for Sale? How One Couple Built a Booming Side Business From Boston’s Biggest Blizzard [Podcast]

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

kyle-and-jessica-waring-ship-snow-yo.png

It was snowing. A lot. Boston was in the midst of a blizzard — the biggest one in recorded history.

Kyle and Jessica Waring were cooped up in their apartment, and getting a little stir-crazy. They needed to do something productive … but what?

Then, they landed on an idea. What if they sold snow from the blizzard outside and shipped it to anyone in the country? It’d be pretty funny — and could actually be a good business opportunity.

So, they started Ship Snow, Yo, and soon after, their business went viral. Orders were piling up. Famous media outlets were covering their business. And Kyle and Jessica were having an incredible time.

A year later, the fun hasn’t stopped. They’ve launched several other lines of business shipping foliage and coal — all while working their day jobs.

Check out this episode of The Growth Show to hear Kyle and Jessica’s story about launching Ship Snow, Yo, and the challenges they’ve faced along the way.

To listen to this episode in your browser, click the play button below, or click here to listen in your iTunes app.

Check out the latest recaps of The Growth Show episodes by clicking here.

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Apple Pay now accepted at 2M locations, rolling out to Chick-Fil-A & Zappos soon

by | Feb 4, 2016 |

Screen Shot 2016-02-03 at 11.40.58 PM

Bloomberg reports today that Apple’s mobile payments solution Apple Pay is now supported at 2 million locations around the world. In addition to revealing that 2 million locations now support the service, the report also says that Chick-Fil-A, Crate & Barrel, and Au Bon Pain will also start rolling out support for the service soon.

In the past, Chick-Fil-A has experimented with a QR-based solution for mobile payments, but that effort has ultimately flopped according to employees. The company also recently revamped its app, but it’s unclear if the app too will gain support for Apple Pay, or if the rollout is limited to physical locations.

Likewise, online retailer Zappos will soon be adding Apple Pay support to its iOS app. This means that users will soon be able to pay with Apple Pay when shopping with the Zappos app, as opposed to having to enter their card information directly into the Zappos app itself. The update is expected to rollout to the Zappos iOS app soon.

Last year, it was announced that Starbucks would expand Apple Pay support to all stores sometime in 2016 after starting an initial rollout last year. Furthermore, fast-food chain KFC and sit-down chain Chili’s are also expected to support Apple Pay this year. Finally, Dominos and Cinnabon are also rolling out Apple Pay support to their physical locations, as well.

Some retailers, however, have questioned the uptake of Apple Pay, but as the company continues to expand the service to prominent chains like Chick-Fil-A, it’s likely that the adoption rate among users will grow as they realize the service is supported in more and more locations.

Filed under: Apple Pay Tagged: Apple pay, Chick-Fil-A, retail, Zappos

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Day One 2 upgrades the journaling experience for both Mac and iOS [Giveaway]

by | Feb 3, 2016 |

Day One 2 (Featured Image)

The team at Bloom Built has today released the latest version of its journaling app Day One. Five since its original debut, with 40 free releases since then, Day One 2 sets the precedent for the direction of the new app. Albeit awkwardly titled, version 2 of Day One includes new overall features for both the iOS and Mac versions. Having been built from the ground up with data reliabilty and security in mind, Day One 2 lays the foundation for exciting new features to come in later versions.

General

Day One 2 comes with two major features for both the iOS and Mac: the ability to have multiple journals (up to ten with unique colors and names) and multiple photos (up to ten per journal entry). Allowing users to create multiple journals sets the stage for better journal organization. Each journal can be configured with a unique color, from a multitude of colors to select from. Multiple photos per journal entry ensures that each person can further capture their day or adventures all in one entry.

DayOne2-iPhone-02.jpg

Organization

Users can navigate through past journal entires in Day One 2 using the List, Photo, Map, and Calendar views. The Map view, new on iOS, shows users all their past entries nearby to their current location. This feature alone is something I’ll be excited to use whenever I travel. Being able to return to a location within a few years, and then read back on my previous thoughts will be quite interesting. On both platforms, but new to the Mac, the Photo view allows users to scroll through a visual layout of all their journal entries.

Adding on to that, Day One 2 provides a multitude of filters that gives users further methods to quickly find previous journal entries. All of these entries can be easily tagged, deleted, and reorganized in bulk.

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Day One Sync

Noting that it was “not the majority of user experience” but that they had “too many cases of data loss and duplication”, Day One 2 puts a heavy focus on syncing and data reliability. For users currently using the original Day One (now renamed to Day One Classic) their data is compatible with Day One 2 when used in conjunction with Day One Sync. Day One Sync is the only supported sync service in Day One 2. For users who still want other methods, they are able to back up and export data locally or to other shared cloud services like Dropbox. Bloom states that Day One Sync is fast, free, and security-wise is comparable to iCloud and Dropbox. Bloom’s most important security point here is that private-key encryption is to be expected in the next point release of Day One 2. For more info on Day One Sync, be sure to check out the official page available from Bloom.

With a roadmap laying out multiple other features (Audio Recording, an Activity Feed, and Night Mode amongst them), Day One 2 raises the bar for improving upon the journal writing experience.

Day One 2 is on sale at 50% off for the first week of its debut. For iOS it is currently on sale for $4.99 and is compatible with iPhones, iPads, and the Apple Watch. Day One 2 is also available for the Mac at the sale price of $19.99 and is compatible with El Capitan and higher. (If the links don’t work immediately, give it sometime as it propagates throughout the App Stores.)

The team at Bloom has also provided us with promo codes for 9to5Mac readers:

iOS

Mac

Filed under: Apps, iOS, Mac Tagged: Bloom Built, Day One, Day One 2, Day One App, Day One Classic, Day One Sync, Dropbox, icloud, journal, launch, private-key encryption, promo codes, release

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Apple Music for Android updated with ability to save music to SD cards for offline listening

by | Feb 3, 2016 |

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Apple has some good news for all of the Apple Music users on Android. The company has just released an update to Apple Music in the Google Play Store that allows users to download songs to an SD card so that they may store even more music for offline listening.

Showcasing one of Android’s greatest strengths in the storage space is definitely an interesting move by Apple. This potentially allows users to hold more music than the current iPhones’ maximum storage size of 128GB. With the prices of microSD cards coming down so quickly, it’s a great opportunity to take more music with you offline.

Today’s update also adds in functionality for viewing the full schedule for Beats 1 shows, and allows users to browse through their music using the Composer and Compilations sorting.

WHAT’S NEW

This update adds downloading songs to an SD card, so you can now keep more music offline. You can also:

• See the full schedule of Beats 1 shows, making it easy to tune in to your favorite ones.

• Browse My Music by Composers and Compilations, which help you find music your classical albums or movie soundtracks.

Apple Music is currently available for free as a beta in the Google Play Store and includes a free three-month trial period.

Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Android, Apple Music, Beats 1, Google Play

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