Check out how active moms are in some of today’s hottest mobile and social trends.

The following chart displays growth since 2006 in all forms of mobile devices, with a notable decline in the once prevalent use of desktop computers. It should come as no surprise that gadget ownership is largely correlated with age, education, and income.

The study also concluded that nearly half of American adults (46%) are now smartphone owners, making this group the most prevalent in the adult population (18+). This increased adoption is widespread across “nearly every major demographic group,” with the exception of seniors (65+). The predominant group with smartphone adoption rates is young adults. Because smartphones are increasingly becoming widespread, many organizations are leveraging mobile strategies to reach previously under-penetrated markets.

The complete Pew Internet research study is located here.

In short, this study reinforces the movement we have seen in the marketplace to mobile devices. So the question then becomes how can organizations get ahead of this trend, and get back in touch with the expanding smartphone population. One clear answer is to make the most of a booming app industry. This research highlights the importance of mobility in American culture, and displays data providing a clear picture for organizations as to where their marketing efforts should be aimed. If you’re not already, you need to be mobile.

If you would like more information on how AVAI Mobile Solutions can help you go mobile with your very own high-quality application, please contact us for a demonstration.

The challenge is simply in having a means to update and replace your app’s content – without the hassle of an untimely app-store upgrade process or mounting cumbersome fees. Since we were developing mobile applications before there were Smartphones, AVAI Mobile Solutions understands the importance of providing real-time content. That’s why we introduced the AMP™ Platform.

The AMP™ Platform is a mobile content and communication management system (CCMS) that uses a simple web interface to view and edit all of the content for your mobile application. Every time your application is opened, it syncs with the CCMS to pull in the latest content.

Providing dynamic content and communications helps your app stay useful and relevant. Sure, you can have an app built that doesn’t do these things, but how long before people discover they just don’t need it anymore?

If you would like to see a demonstration of the AMP™ Platform or if you have any questions, please contact us at AVAI Mobile Solutions.

Augmented Reality takes a real-time view of the physical world, and then modifies this view with computer-generated images, text, or tags. Accordingly, a mobile device begins to function as a tool to enhance a user’s perception of reality, expanding a user’s knowledge and participation within a location.

Picture it; you’re standing amidst the National Mall. There are beautiful monuments all around you. You want to tour the park, but you don’t want to be bound by a tour guide or group. Luckily you have a smartphone at hand. With the touch of a button you can download AVAI Mobile’s National Mall application – an app that provides location-based mapping, site information, and upcoming events. But well-built apps have encompassed these features for years. Now with the touch of a button you can leverage the power of Augmented Reality. Simply hold up your device and look through the camera display. Remarkable. As you look through the lens, labels appear on screen identifying each site. Want more information? Easy. Just click on a specific flag for detailed material. You want a tour? Great! Follow recommended tours visiting suggested places of interest or create your own custom tour. Augmented Reality will turn your mobile device into your very own personal tour guide.

Think Augmented Reality might be something your organization can benefit from? Tell us a little more about your vision.

Although technology is quickly gravitating towards the intangible, debate it any way you want, it is impossible to escape some of the benefits tangibility provides. But why debate it? Why not incorporate both functions?

Introducing Quick Response Codes (commonly known as “QR Codes”). A QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode that links a physical medium with the capabilities of the internet. When read by a proper reader, such as a mobile smartphone, scanning a QR code will trigger actions like opening a website or downloading a file. You may have noticed QR codes in magazines, on billboards, or on products.  The possibilities with this technology are endless. When scanned by a smartphone, the user will immediately see details about an event or product, be redirected to a social media site, watch a video, or possibly receive an offer available for immediate use.

So go ahead and add a QR Code to your fliers, posters, advertisements, business cards, commercials, promotional t-shirts, or really anything tangible. It’s not hard to see why this trend is growing. Getting a QR code is easy, and users can even scan a QR Code without the hassle of leaving your mobile app. Don’t quarrel whether virtual or concrete mediums are the most effective for a campaign. Using a QR Code in your campaign and mobile app will link all types of mediums to guarantee reaching your target market!

To learn more about adding a QR code feature to your application, contact us.

It is estimated that nearly 60 percent of mobile users planned ahead to look at or use applications on their mobile device during the Super Bowl, according to a survey from Velti and Harris Interactive. “Adding an interactive component on smart phone or tablet both extends the time spent, gives consumers an opportunity to participate, and leverages a more cost-effective and measurable channel to continue the brand conversation,” commented David Hewitt of SapientNitro. Several companies like Chevy and Pepsi used mobile ad interaction techniques to take advantage of the growing mobile demographic – and it worked out well for them!

If you already have a mobile solution in place, you want to make sure that you are leveraging the power of your users’ devices and delivering content that promotes and engages. It doesn’t matter if you are in advertising, running a business, or planning an event – start building your mobile strategy now, so that it can support your efforts in the years to come.

Some things to consider:

1)     Your target audience. We’ve seen a jump in users’ preference of rich, native application content over the mobile optimized website. Not surprisingly, it’s the gaming and social networking applications that consume the largest pieces of the pie. What is the best way to ensure that your users are staying within your branded app? Utilize networking features like Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, and FriendFinder to ensure a richer experience for your audience.

2)   Taking advantage of advertising banners within the application. Over half of users say that they do not mind in-app ads as long as the application is free (Source: Flurry). Ad banners that sit toward the bottom of the screen are even less obtrusive and their presence will increase your revenue.

3)   Leveraging the full capability of your users’ devices. Interaction is imperative! Today’s smart phones have high-resolution cameras, QR scanning capability, SMS and GPS functionality. Are you incorporating the tools on the device into the native application to ensure a rich experience for the user?

If you’d like to learn more about how to ramp up your mobile strategy for 2012, contact us.