Category Archives: Mobile Technology

7 Reasons Why We Love Mobile Event Apps (and you should, too!)

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Quick Summary

  • Yapp explains why mobile apps are valuable business tools for events and internal communication.
  • Real-time updates, personalized experiences, centralized information, social connectivity, and future-ready flexibility make apps more effective than scattered tools.
  • Organizations that want stronger event engagement or better employee communication should use this approach.

Mobile event applications have become an integral part of our daily lives.

Be it weather alerts, keeping up with social media, or updates from your favorite ecommerce platforms like Amazon, mobile apps offer an array of benefits, accessible from mobile devices, with the press of a button.

However, mobile apps are also growing in use for business needs such as customer engagement at a conference or event, or keeping your team members updated with features like in-app alerts. 

In this post, we’ll share some of the business use case benefits that make mobile apps indispensable.

The Benefits of Mobile Apps For Business

Here are several reasons why we love mobile event apps and why you should consider Yapp to create your next business app for an event or for employee communication needs.

1. Real-Time News and Updates

Mobile apps, particularly those with push notifications, ensure that you are always connected and updated and greatly improve the employee or customer experience (depending on who’s using your app).

Yapp takes this a step further by allowing you to send unlimited push notificationsto your event attendees or employees, keeping everyone up-to-date and engaged.

2. User Engagement and Personalized Experience

Apps have revolutionized the way we learn and interact. From sharing the upcoming list of speakers to sending critical team updates that empower employees to take action quickly, apps make it possible via their interactive content.

With Yapp, you can create a custom mobile app design (with no coding skills necessary!) that matches your brand or event theme, offering a personalized experience to your users. 

This increases user engagement and customer satisfaction, helping you to build stronger customer relationships or foster greater morale within your team.

3. Everything in One Place

Apps like Yapp aggregate all necessary information in one place, eliminating the need to hunt for content across different platforms, as well as paper waste that comes from printing materials as opposed to digitizing them.

Whether it’s sharing event schedules, uploading documents, sending critical team updates, or maintaining a list of attendees, Yapp’s easy to use editor takes all the complexity out of mobile app development and focuses on streamlining content access and interaction.

4. Location-Based Services

Thanks to GPS technology, apps can offer services based on the user’s location. Apps can harness this capability by allowing users to share locations to find venues or navigate a new area in town, fostering and improving the user experience.

5. Boosting Social Connectivity and Customer Base

Social media has transformed the way we connect. That’s why Yapp integrates social tools into its platform, enabling users to connect, share photos, and interact with others.

This enhances brand awareness and extends your customer base, ultimately driving customer loyalty as part of our overall marketing campaigns or operational improvement goals.

6. Constant Innovation

With new mobile applications appearing every day on app stores like Google Play and iOS App Store, being app-savvy puts you at the forefront of technological advancements.

That’s why at Yapp, we’ve made it our goal to continuously improve, providing new updates, features, and functions to provide the best user experience and meet the evolving business needs of our users.

7. Building for the Future

Apps are not just about the present; they’re about future possibilities.

As technology continues to evolve, apps will become even more integrated into our daily routines. With Yapp’s commitment to innovation, delivered via a platform that is straight-forward enough for anyone to use, you’re not just creating an app; you’re building for the future.

Level Up Your Internal Comms or Event Marketing Strategy with a Yapp Mobile App

Mobile apps are not just about convenience; they’re about creating personalized experiences, fostering customer engagement, and building brand loyalty.

As a leading mobile app development company, Yapp equips you with the tools you need to create a successful event or communication platform to drive improvement, innovation, and results for your bottom line.

Whether you’re a startup or an established business, it’s time to explore the advantages of mobile apps with Yapp if you haven’t already.

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Quick Summary

  • Yapp explains Apple’s Rule 4.2.6 changes and why they matter for event apps.
  • Understanding the policy shift helps organizers and app creators make better decisions about how to publish and manage event apps.
  • Teams concerned about App Store compliance and event app delivery will benefit most from this update.

In October 2017 we published a blog post about Apple’s recent announcement that it would aggressively enforce rule 4.2.6 for iOS submissions.

As a reminder the rule bans apps based on templates to live stand-alone on its app store. The rule wasn’t really aimed at event apps but to discourage copycat apps. That being said it did affect event app markers that offered a branded option to their customers. Back then the Event Managers Blog wrote that Apple’s decision would kill branded event apps as we knew them.

A lot has happened since then, some of our competitors that offer branded event apps haves scrambled to get their clients on boarded onto their non branded service and we did see a surge of interest in Yapp from customers who wanted to look at our container app model.

There are advantages in having your own branded app in the app store (easy to find, the advantage of needing your attendees to look for your conference by name etc) but there are also a lot of advantages to using the container model (ease of use, app live in minutes, no maintenance costs, a lot cheaper). A lot of time the main objection we face is “will a container app devalue my brand?” we have some of the top brands in the world using a container app model (Capital One, Ritz Carlton, Verizon) and they didn’t seem to take a hit.

In December 2017 Apple made a new change to their rule. The old rule read like this:
4.2.6 Apps created from a commercialized template or app generation service will be rejected.

The new one reads like this:
4.2.6 Apps created from a commercialized template or app generation service will be rejected unless they are submitted directly by the provider of the app’s content. These services should not submit apps on behalf of their clients and should offer tools that let their clients create customized, innovative apps that provide unique customer experiences.

This means that provider of branded apps will still be able to offer help and expertise in building the app, but that the app itself should be pushed into the Apple store by the business or organization behind the app. This implies that the company of the event organizer now needs to pay the Apple listing fee, deal with submission rejections, metadata, app store descriptions and customer support, feedback etc. Some companies might have the desire and resources to undertake this project but it probably isn’t worth it for most.

The decision of going for branded or not is ultimately the customers decision, we wanted to make sure that you had the most accurate information available before making a choice!

What the Tech?! Apple Music

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Headphones - Apple Music

Quick Summary

  • Yapp gives a quick look at Apple Music as part of its tech commentary series.
  • The post helps readers understand a current consumer tech topic in a simple, approachable way.
  • Readers who enjoy light tech explainers and trend coverage will benefit most from this piece.

Apple Music, n;

A new streaming music service from Apple, announced yesterday. Apple Music combines iTunes, Beats Radio, and social networking to create a one-stop music haven.

Apple Music’s main branch — streaming — is very similar to Spotify, but likely with a slightly different library (at least when it comes to the biggest and smallest of musical talent). When it’s released at the end of June, you can subscribe for $9.99 a month (which is the same as both Spotify and Google Play Music), and the first three months will be totally free. A kicker for the service is its family plan, which allows 6 users who are already linked in an iCloud family (sorry, college buds trying to save cash) to share access for only $5 more per month.

Besides streaming, Apple Music also has BeatsOne Radio, which will offer free and commercial free radio via real DJs for anyone who downloads, not just paying members, and Connect, a social network for artists. It will be available June 30 for all iOS devices as well as Windows devices. An Android version is in the works for the fall.

The announcement was the last at their Worldwide Developers Conference keynote, where iOS 9, OS X El Capitan, and updates for Apple Watch (does anyone own one of these yet?) were also presented.

There’s a lot to see and a lot to know, so if you’d like the full run-down of features, release dates, etc., read this list from Wired.

What the Tech?! Giphy

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Twin Peaks - Giphy

Quick Summary

  • Yapp explains what Giphy is and why it matters as part of its tech explainer series.
  • The post makes a trending digital product easier to understand in a quick, accessible format.
  • Readers interested in consumer tech and internet culture will benefit most from this overview.

Giphy, n;

A hugely popular search engine for animated images known as GIFs. The service integrates with popular communication services, making it dangerously easy to find and share GIFs (whether you need to or not.)

The Giphy database is full of the most popular GIFs, created or uploaded by users. GIFs are tagged and sometimes categorized, creating a searchable network of goofy moving images. Most recently, Giphy joined forces with Chrome, making it dangerously easy to insert a GIF into an email (via Gmail) to your friends, mom, or boss. Facebook Messenger, Slack, Groupme and WordPress all also use Giphy’s rabbit-hole GIF library to easily source fitting GIFs for your texts and posts. Giphy also has it’s own app for your endless searching pleasure.

If a picture is worth 1000 words, a GIF is worth even more (and a cat GIF is priceless). What are you favorite GIFs to send?

What the Tech?! Periscope App

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Periscope App

Quick Summary

  • Yapp explains Periscope and why live-streaming apps were gaining attention at the time.
  • The post offers a simple overview of a trending tech product in an easy-to-read format.
  • Readers who want quick takes on emerging consumer apps will benefit most from this piece.

Periscope App, n;

Live video app recently acquired by Twitter. Periscope, like the recently-popular Meerkat, streams live video from your phone to Twitter, where anyone can join in and watch.

Though Meerkat and Periscope are identical in their mission to create communities around live-streamed video, the apps function slightly differently. On Periscope, viewers can engage with the person filming by tapping to like, commenting, or catching a video within 24 hours of creation. Videos sync smoothly with Twitter feeds for easy discovery; Twitter made it more difficult for Meerkat videos to stream within a Twitter feed.

Periscope also has an in-app community that feels similar to that of YouTube stars. One user, Amanda Oleander, was featured in New York Magazine for her huge presence on Periscope. The app has the feel of Twitter, where followers and quick messages are touted above all.

We wrote about what a great tool Meerkat would be for events, and think Periscope could serve the same purpose. These apps are ushering in an interesting new way to share what’s happening; they’re also introducing some interesting piracy questions, as many users are streaming gated content like HBO’s Game of Thrones or last week’s big-dollar Pay-Per-View boxing match.
Both apps are only available for iOS, but Meerkat has an Android app in beta.

What the Tech?! Super App

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Check Out Super — Super App

Quick Summary

  • Yapp explains the idea of a super app and why that model matters in mobile technology.
  • The post breaks down a larger tech trend in a simple, readable way for general audiences.
  • Readers interested in mobile product trends will benefit most from this explainer.

Super, n;

A new social network from Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, that has users respond to text prompts on top of images, then share with big audiences or small. Super’s app a mashup of many popular social apps, including Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Whisper.

Getting started is really simple; once you set up your username, you can start posting Supers. Users tap either a compose or a lightbulb button and are presented with a list of prompts — things like “We Should,” “I Love,” “Check Out,” etc. From there, you share your thoughts and move on to adding a photo. This part is fun — the app auto-searches your statement for keywords it can search. The app brings up photos that might fit what you’re looking for, or you can add your own or keep browsing their selection.

Stone created the app to be fun, he said, and that it is. You can search friends to follow, see what’s going on by prompt, or see what’s happening nearby. It’s a creative way to share photos that adds a bit of pop-art to the Instagram-square trend. Super easily integrates with your other sharing services, too, like Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram so that you can spread your creations across your social world.

Super is available now on the Google Play
and iTunes stores for free.

What the Tech?! Project Fi

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Quick Summary

  • Yapp explains Project Fi and why Google’s mobile service experiment was notable.
  • The post offers a quick, approachable summary of a tech development that readers may have heard about but not fully understood.
  • Readers who want digestible consumer tech explainers will benefit most from this article.

Project Fi, n;

Google’s newest code-named venture, a wireless phone network. Like many other secret Google ventures (Project Loon, Project Ara), Project Fi seems to be aimed at developing smartphone markets; the service is rumored to offer pay-per-gigabite plans and refunds for unused data.

In March, Google confirmed that it would be launching a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service — meaning, they would resell wireless services from larger carriers in the same way that Boost Mobile, e.g., runs on Sprint’s network of cell towers. Price wise, Project Fi is on the level of smaller carriers like Boost, Cricket, and Virgin, but they hope to offer support for things that are currently only found on big carriers, like multi-line plans and data-relient devices.

There is no release date or in-depth detail about the new provider as it’s still in stealth mode. It’s suspected that more information will come at Google’s I/O conference in May. Should it become a reality, it could make a big dent in the mobile market.

What the Tech?! Meerkat App

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Meerkats - Meerkat App

Quick Summary

  • Yapp explains what the Meerkat app is and why it was getting attention in the tech world.
  • The post gives readers a simple overview of a trending live-streaming platform.
  • Readers interested in fast, approachable tech updates will benefit most from this piece.

Meerkat App, n;

Live streaming mobile app that sends feeds directly to Twitter. Meerkat‘s app lets anyone send a livestream of what’s happening — be it news or every day life — into the Twitter-verse for others to watch and follow. The app is free, but currently only available on iOS.

The videos are true livestreams — once you stop broadcasting, the video disappears forever. Unlike other popular video apps (Vine and Snapchat leading the pack), you can’t save or rebroadcast; the streams live in the moment and on Twitter. Your followers will see the video in a tweet that starts |LIVE NOW| and can easily catch your video and add their comments while watching.

After the app’s launch on Feb. 27, it quickly blew up, gaining almost 30,000 users in a week. It so far has a lot of traction with journalists and news organizations as a great tool for writers. See something happening and need a report ASAP? Snap a Meerkat video and stream it to your followers. But its uses don’t have to be breaking, like news; it could be a great tool for announcements, showcasing events, or promoting your own content.

Do You Need a Mobile App for That?

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Quick Summary

  • Yapp offers a quiz-style post that helps readers decide whether they need a mobile app.
  • The format makes it easier to connect common communication or event challenges with an app-based solution.
  • Organizations unsure whether an app is the right fit will benefit most from this interactive guide.

Debating between a mobile app from scratch, a mobile-optimized website, or a totally custom app? Take our mobile app quiz and see what we come up with!

 


What the Tech?! Project Loon

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Loons — Google Project Loon

Quick Summary

  • Yapp explains Project Loon and the idea of floating internet delivery as part of its tech explainer series.
  • The post turns a complex innovation into a simple overview for general readers.
  • Readers interested in big-picture tech ideas and emerging internet access models will benefit most from this article.

Project Loon, n;

An endeavor from Google to deliver Internet for the world through connected balloons. Project Loon, which began about four years ago and has been tested over New Zealand and California among other spots, wants to place “floating cell towers in the sky,” and provide connectivity to parts of the world that are living without.

The high-altitude balloons are made of polyethylene plastic and float above earth in the stratosphere — far enough to avoid contact with airplanes and birds, but close enough to pick up on cellular spectrums. They travel through wind patterns, directed by algorithms to areas in vital need of connectivity. Signals are passed through the balloons and “beamed” down to dark parts of the earth, like much of Africa. Google announced that its latest round of tests showed a balloon staying afloat, going around the world, and transmitting communications for up to 6 months. They are now working with carriers around the world to enable connectivity everywhere.

While a variety of free-Internet ventures have popped up (Facebook’s Internet.org and companies like FreedomPop), their impact hasn’t yet been shown. Privacy and blocking of content are also concerns, as the politics of different nations allow and disallow different things. Starting with giant tech companies (like Google an Facebook) that aren’t necessarily known for their privacy standards also makes some wary.

There’s no official launch date for the Loon project, but the creating team seems confident in it’s progress.