By Patrick Clark 2/25 1:17pm

App for That

(Screencap)

When Pigs Flirt: Christian Group Decries Bestiality in Geico Mobile App

So you’re an insurance company, and you’ve got a snazzy new smartphone app that does things like helps your customers call for a tow truck when their car breaks down. Also, you have a reputation for memorable TV pitchmen (cavemen, lizards, etc.). Then before you know it, you shoot a 30-second spot for your app in which a comely dame propositions a talking pig and you’ve got a bunch of pissed off Christian ladies on your hands. Read More

By Jessica Roy 2/19 9:05am

Going Mobile

(Photo: Mike Luckovich/Frugal Cafe)

‘Designated Texter’ Campaign Launches for Those Physically Incapable of Not Texting While Driving

Do you enjoy rolling the window down while driving to catch the breeze in your hair? Hooking your iPhone up to the car stereo so you can enjoy the complex musical stylings of 2 Chainz? What about prioritizing sending a text message over other people’s safety?

If so, you’re in luck: the “designated texter” campaign, launched in Florida, could help you send your undoubtedly very important text and not accidentally kill anybody in a car accident. It’s a win/win! Read More

By Kelly Faircloth 1/30 6:00pm

It's Zuck's World We're Just Living In It

(elitedaily.com)

Facebook Execs Stop Just Short of Tap Dancing in Celebration of Mobile Revenue

Doesn’t it seem the Facebook IPO was just yesterday? And yet here we are at the company’s third earnings release, which brings promising news. In fact, we’re a little surprised the Facebook execs on the earnings call didn’t punctuate their remarks with jazz hands.

That’s because, 23 percent of the company’s $1.33 billion in Q4 ad revenue came from mobile. That’s a jump from Q3, when it was about 14 percent. And it’s a big jump from last year, when it was basically zero. Overall ad revenue was also up 40 percent.

“Today there’s no argument — Facebook is a mobile company,” crowed Zuck in this afternoon’s earnings call. Read More

By Jessica Roy 11/08/12 9:21am

Going Mobile

(Photo: Twitter/swissmiss)

Verizon Waives Two Weeks of Voice and Text Charges for Sandy Victims

Anyone in the New York/New Jersey region knows how hard it was to make a call or send a text message in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy’s devastation. Simply dialing up your parents to let them know you were okay resulted in many a frustrating dropped call, “mobile network not available” message or weird busy signal. Not to mention that those who lost power were left without a way to charge their typically omnipresent communication devices. Read More

By Nitasha Tiku 10/24/12 7:30pm

Place Your Bets

Mr. Pincus (Photo: Wikipedia)

After Significant Layoffs, Zynga Officially Rolls the Dice on Real Money Gaming in 2013

After two big blows in succession–downgraded earnings forecasts, followed by 5 percent layoffs and the end of its studios in Boston, Japan, and the UK–Zynga’s third quarter earnings report exceeded the Street’s “rock bottom expectations.” That might explain why after hours trading is currently up 13.6 percent.

Zynga had predicted a net loss of $90 to $105 million for the third quarter, but only reported a net loss of $52.7 million. The company attributed part of that loss on a $95.5 million impairment charge on its acquisition of OMGPOP, the New York City-based makers of Draw Something. Zynga also said that a 28 percent sequential decrease in monthly unique payers (MUPs) from the second quarter (4.1 million) to the third quarter (3 million) as “largely driven by Draw Something.” Read More

By Jessica Roy 9/27/12 12:00pm

Going Mobile

Mr. Vilcsak and what we have to presume is a fake mustache. (Photo: Twitter)

As Rumors About a $2B Valuation Swirl, Airbnb Sees Mobile Traffic Double

Despite New York’s recent crackdown on illegal hoteliers–which has put the tech-friendly city at odds with successful travel startups–Airbnb has continued to grow at an impressive rate. The San Francisco-based room rental company is reportedly seeking a fresh $100M round at a valuation of $2-3B, an astronomical number given the company’s run-ins with local ordinances and apartment-ruining nightmares.

But despite those minor setbacks, Airbnb has continued to see a significant uptick in travelers who opt to use its services instead of sketchy hostels or expensive hotels. One of the ways in which the company has managed to secure market dominance is by building out a robust mobile experience that caters to the immediacy necessary to on-the-go planning. Read More

By Jessica Roy 8/28/12 8:43am

Going Mobile

Mr. Baptiste (jasonlbaptiste.com)

With Two New Execs and Lofty Expansion Plans, Onswipe’s on Its Way Up

The first sound we heard upon ringing the doorbell at the Onswipe offices just off of Union Square was the pitter-pattering of puppy footsteps. “Is that a dog?” we asked aloud to the well-dressed man who was also waiting to be let into the office. Sure enough, an Onswipe employee opened the door and a scruffy white dog excitedly greeted us.

Once we were in the loft-like offices, out came TechStars alum Jason Baptiste, Onswipe’s colorful founder, who after introducing himself made the dog (named Johnny) sit and shake. Johnny refused to do a spin though. “He’ll do anything if you have food,” acknowledged Mr. Baptiste, wearing a dapper grey suit and pink tie.

We were at Onswipe to discuss the company’s recent growth, which has been on an impressively upward swing since February. Onswipe’s staff has quadrupled to 25 in the last year, with plans to grow to 48 employees by year’s end. The company also recently added two new executive level positions: former VP of AOL Video Richard Bloom as its first COO, and former VP of sales at Jumptap Jared Hand as its first CRO. Read More

By Jessica Roy 7/11/12 12:09pm

App for That

(Photo: iTunes)

Need to Make a Hasty Getaway from a Terrible Date? There’s an App for That

We’ve all been there: stuck in the middle of a terrible first date with a boring or psychopathic or worse–luddite!–companion, with no way out. If you’re a terrible liar or none of your friends is available to make that fake emergency call to your cell, eHarmony is here to help. The Globe and Mail reports that the online dating service now has a mobile app in the iTunes store called “Bad Date Rescue” that will help you make your getaway, stat.

The whole system is surprisingly detailed. You can choose an interval of time at which to schedule the fake phone call, which purports to actually have a real voice on the other end. You can also specify which emergency you want to fake: your mom calling to say your sister is in labor, your neighbor to tell you your apartment is flooded or your boss to say there’s a work emergency. Read More

By Jessica Roy 7/11/12 11:14am

Going Mobile

No texting and driving for you! (Photo: Michael Nagle/Getty Images)

Governor Cuomo Introduces New Traffic Tracking Mobile App for When Google Maps Isn’t Sufficient

Betabeat has recently gotten into the habit of pulling up Google Maps’ traffic layer to see just how backed up the West Side Highway is when we stay long enough at the office to rationalize grabbing a cab back to Brooklyn. It usually works like a charm, and by using it we manage to avoid the all-red avenues, ratcheting down our fare.

But for those who prefer their traffic information state-sponsored, yesterday Governor Cuomo introduced a New York state mobile traffic app that can keep you up to date on jams in real time. Read More