Gmail on iPhone, Android Improves, Modestly

I am baffled that Google hasn't yet created specific iPhone Applications for: Gmail, RSS Reader, GTalk, Docs, etc... It's not that Google is adverse to developing on the iPhone: their core Google App and Google Earth App are terrific... and wildly popular. So why are we left with glorified webpages / bookmarks for Google's other core services?

Today Google announced that they made significant changes to GMail on the iPhone and on Android (changes they are "thrilled" about).

I'm left totally unsatisfied. I want a true application that works much like Gmail does between online and offline modes. Integrate my contacts and calendar... and I would never have to use my phone's core applications. It would include search, enable customizations and eventually allow for push notifications (when iPhone 3.0 arrives). I will continue being greedy and ask for integrations with Google Chat, Tasks, RSS and Maps. If monetization is the issue, I would have no problem with in-app ads (as Google does with the current Google App). Furthermore, I would imagine that monetization is more efficient in the app than on the mobile webpages.

CNET agrees that a native application is better (and has eight reasons why)... so is anything in the works? My fear is that it would have been released by now. Perhaps iPhone 3.0 will be the motivator?!

Zynga Releases Mafia Wars iPhone App; Printing Money?

Zynga may well be one of the fastest growing companies that you've never heard of. And if you haven't heard of Zynga, you've probably interacted with one of its Facebook, iPhone or web apps. Lots of other developers and companies compete in their space... and many do very well. But Zynga has really mastered the UI. Today, they launched Mafia Wars for the iPhone (already a popular application on Facebook). In and of itself, this isn't news. There are remarkably similar games available... I even remember playing the same game on my TI-83 calculator in high school.

What is noteworthy is how terrific Zynga's artwork, user experience and development are. The game is gorgeous. The UI is exceptional. And this is how Zynga makes a not-so-unique game stand out.

It is also how Zynga makes other games and applications stand out: they get viral behavior and they understand how it translates into gaming applications. Scramble and Poker are not huge successes because the games are so differentiated - they are successful because Zynga taps into your social graph and masterfully layers in incentives.

And that is how Zynga supposedly now makes $50 million on virtual currency (tip @VCMike):

By building terrific games that are weaved into your social graph, Zynga attracts the users. That 'social stickiness' allows Zynga to profit from the users' willingness to upgrade, advance their characters, and differentiate from the masses.

Features vs. Business; Neuvasync & Google Sync

Last week, the back of my iPhone cracked and the good folks at the Apple Store were nice enough to replace it (although I do not understand why 'appointments' are required). Switching phones used to be an enormous (and frightening hassle) - juggling between contacts, photos, data, SIM cards, etc... but between iTunes and Google Sync, it took seconds to port everything to the new device. Previously, I was using a service called Neuvasync to manage the contacts and calendaring between my phone and GMail accounts. It worked perfectly (99.9% of the time) and, while it is a free service, the blog comments suggest similar sentiments to mine: it is a service I was willing to pay for - perhaps in the $20-$50 / year range. Considering Neuvasync's simplicity and the time it saved me, I would find value at any of those subscription prices.

But that all changed... today, I used Google Sync to manage my contacts, mail and calendaring (note: this service was launched in February by Google). It too worked perfectly and in a more secure environment (after all, one less set of passwords and data exchanges to give a third party). Furthermore, it is a product that we expected Google to deliver - particularly as Google's office components grow in popularity. And Google will always provide the service for free because, unlike Neuvasync, they are certain to derive revenue from it in downstream ways.

In one product launch, Google effectively rendered Neuvasync's entire offering as redundant. Even if Neuvasync's product were better, it would be difficult to compete.

Thus bringing us to an important point:

There is a difference between features (Neuvasync) and businesses (Google). Businesses can derive value and growth from features, but features must be amazingly differentiated and compelling to become businesses. Furthermore, businesses are better equipped to deliver resources and users against features... and without the same risk.

Microsoft's Latest Laptop Hunter, Giampaolo

First Microsoft had Lauren. Now they have Giampaolo, a "technically savvy" twenty-something looking for a computer that fits his $1,500 budget (higher than Lauren's $1,000 budget).

Because Giampaolo's budget is higher, he is actually able to choose between Macs and Windows-based laptops. And like Lauren, he is attracted to the Mac: "It is so sexy. But Macs to me are about aesthetics more than the computing power." This is a more roundabout way to say what Lauren said in the previous commercial: Macs are too expensive.

I love the commercials because they do a great job positioning value in a poor economy... while admitting (and jabbing) that Apple may be the "cooler", "sexier" brand.

Both points clearly aggravate Apple owners because these two Microsoft spots have garnered massive attention and caused quite among bloggers... which is exactly what Microsoft wants.

More at Technologizer, 9to5Mac and VentureBeat.

Current Takes to the Twittersphere: Twouble with Twitters

Q. "Who are they talking to?" A. "No one.... and everyone!"

Not in the Twittersphere yet? Let Current explain how it works and give you etiquette tips:

Feeling Ripped Off? Kodak AND Microsoft Attack

Microsoft made headlines with their "Lauren" commercials ("I'm just not cool enough to be a Mac person"):

Considering the economy, Microsoft hit Apple at a very sore, powerful point: pricing. Critics argued that the machine "Lauren" purchased (a $699 HP) doesn't compare to Apple's - and without mention of functionality, the commercial is neither accurate nor fair.

But in this economy, Microsoft got it right: the only thing that matters is price. Last night Kodak began airing their new ad campaign ("Feeling Ripped Off?") suggesting that Americans over-paid $5 Billion for ink in 2008. No mention of Kodak's quality. No mention of anything but pricing. The commercial's simplicity, the enormous numbers, and strong visuals make it powerful... in the same way that Lauren makes Microsoft seem like a smart buy:

IRS.gov: The Web's Hottest Property

Nearly 30 million monthly uniques according to Quantcast - placing IRS.gov as the 26th biggest website. The 30m uniques represents 10x growth since January 1st:

Those are very big numbers. But more interesting (and obvious!), if you extend the above chart to twelve months, you have the perfect (and most exaggerated) definition of seasonality. Not so obvious: IRS.gov continued to grow through April and peaked in June.

The Next Step in iPhone Gaming: Nintendo NES

At the break of the new year, I listed 20 predictions for Digital Media in 2009. The third prediction was: iPhone Gaming Will Progress Beyond Novelty

At the time of that article, the biggest application was iFart which, while not a traditional game, represented what one of three game types to successfully hit the iPhone:

1. Accelerometer based games (SGN is the king here) 2. Role playing games / storyline games (such as iMob and SGN's Agency Wars) 3. Novelty games (iFart, Beer Pong)

I find games like iMob and Agency Wars fascinating because they are perfect for the iPhone: always connected, progressing storylines and ideal for several short play sessions.

I also think that what SGN has built for with their accelerometer-based sports games is terrific - bringing together the Wii's form-factor with the connectivity of mobile (and now Facebook Connect).

But I want more. I find the current gaming offers interesting.... but mostly ephemeral. Nothing, for instance, I would shell out $9.99 or $29.99 for... after all, Playstation 3 games now run $59.99 - and I spend a lot more time with my iPhone.

The next generation of iPhone gaming needs to look back to the original Nintendo. Place the original track pad and A/B buttons on the iPod's touch screen... and use traditional gameplay navigations that have been a staple of controllers for ages:

Even though it is less sexy than developing against the iPhone's accelerometer, gameplay would be richer and longer-lasting. Super Monkey Ball is fun... but the novelty wears off soon there after - particularly when the controls aren't terrific.

Imagine connected, online equivalents of Super Mario 3 or Zelda that play on the iPhone and tap into Facebook Connect... it might not be sexy (and I might be dating myself) but it would be powerful. And with the creativity and horsepower developing against the iPhone - why can't the next Mario, Zelda and Metroid emerge?

Update: To be clear, I am not suggesting that the iPhone bring back Nintendo games (see comments); rather, the point was that Nintendo-inspired controls would introduce more compelling games on the iPhone.

Amazon Experiments with Customer Reviews, Also Launches Amazon Vine

I buy everything on Amazon and rely on their customer reviews more-so than their product descriptions, recommendations, etc. My Amazon experience is normally something like this: - visit Amazon.com with some intent / need, usually using the search box to begin - after sorting by bestselling and filtering for "Amazon Prime Only", I arrive at my product set - I then open up all potential products in individual tabs ... and compare based on customer reviews and pricing ... .... usually spending more time reading the negative reviews

Today, I noticed something strange though: Amazon has hid the reviews one click away. In their normal place, Amazon has a "Buy This Product and Related Accessories" module and the standard "Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed..." module. Not only did I find the navigation painful, I found it presumptuous to replace necessary product information with accessories (for a product that I do not yet know enough about):

I shop on Amazon because it is a better experience than anything else available - online or offline. Efficiency and content / information are a big part of that. Amazon has been known to routinely test page layouts and modules - my feedback on this one: I hope it is just that... a test.

Also relevant (in ironic timing), Amazon has launched a new customer reviewer program called "Amazon Vine". Note to Amazon: how do I become a part of this?!

What is Amazon Vine™? Amazon Vine™ is a program that enables a select group of Amazon customers to post opinions about new and pre-release items to help their fellow customers make educated purchase decisions. Customers are invited to become Amazon Vine™ Voices based on the trust they have earned in the Amazon community for writing accurate and insightful reviews. Amazon provides Amazon Vine™ members with free copies of products that have been submitted to the program by vendors. Amazon does not influence the opinions of Amazon Vine™ members, nor do we modify or edit their reviews.