A couple of mobile/location links that cropped up in the past few days.
Facebook Launches Mobile Check-In Deals in Europe
ClickZ | Jack Marshall | Jan 31
Having launched in the U.S. in November, Facebook today unveiled its check-in deals product for the European market, featuring initial offers in the U.K. from major brands including Starbucks, Mazda, and retailer Argos.
The Facebook Deals platform – part of the social network’s Places product – allows users to register at physical locations using their mobile device in order to receive discounts and rewards, much like rival location-based service Foursquare.
Starting today, for example, the first 30,000 users to check in to a Starbucks location will receive a free coffee. Argos, meanwhile, will donate £1 to the Teenager Cancer Trust for every user who checks in at one of its stores. Automotive manufacturer Mazda is offering an impressive 20 percent discount on its MX-5 model from today through March 7 to users who register at certain dealerships.
Google focuses on mobile apps
Wall Street Journal | Amir Efrati | Jan 31
Google Inc. plans to hire dozens of software developers to create applications for smartphones and other mobile devices, people familiar with the matter said, a new strategy aimed partly at helping Google counter Apple Inc. in one of high tech’s hottest sectors. Read more.
Social media enlisted for struggling Christchurch shops
The Press | Sam Sachdeva | Jan 28
A Canterbury woman has started a social media campaign to support earthquake-affected businesses. Rolleston mother Rachel Dunlop said the project, 7point1squared, would use Twitter, Facebook and location services application Foursquare to promote Christchurch retailers who had lost trade after the earthquake and aftershocks.
Dunlop decided to organise the campaign after the Boxing Day aftershock, which caused further problems for inner-city retailers. ”I just thought, how can we get more people back into the city and help them out?” Dunlop said. She was collecting a list of quake-affected businesses for participants to visit, using suggestions from Twitter users, she said.
People would receive points for checking in at the stores using Foursquare, and could compete to make the most visits. Some businesses had given spot prizes to give away to people who visited the most stores.
All Evolving Newsroom
Location, location, location – Facebook mobile in UK, Four Square in Christchurch
A couple of mobile/location links that cropped up in the past few days.
Facebook Launches Mobile Check-In Deals in Europe
ClickZ | Jack Marshall | Jan 31
Having launched in the U.S. in November, Facebook today unveiled its check-in deals product for the European market, featuring initial offers in the U.K. from major brands including Starbucks, Mazda, and retailer Argos.
The Facebook Deals platform – part of the social network’s Places product – allows users to register at physical locations using their mobile device in order to receive discounts and rewards, much like rival location-based service Foursquare.
Starting today, for example, the first 30,000 users to check in to a Starbucks location will receive a free coffee. Argos, meanwhile, will donate £1 to the Teenager Cancer Trust for every user who checks in at one of its stores. Automotive manufacturer Mazda is offering an impressive 20 percent discount on its MX-5 model from today through March 7 to users who register at certain dealerships.
Google focuses on mobile apps
Wall Street Journal | Amir Efrati | Jan 31
Google Inc. plans to hire dozens of software developers to create applications for smartphones and other mobile devices, people familiar with the matter said, a new strategy aimed partly at helping Google counter Apple Inc. in one of high tech’s hottest sectors. Read more.
Social media enlisted for struggling Christchurch shops
The Press | Sam Sachdeva | Jan 28
A Canterbury woman has started a social media campaign to support earthquake-affected businesses. Rolleston mother Rachel Dunlop said the project, 7point1squared, would use Twitter, Facebook and location services application Foursquare to promote Christchurch retailers who had lost trade after the earthquake and aftershocks.
Dunlop decided to organise the campaign after the Boxing Day aftershock, which caused further problems for inner-city retailers. ”I just thought, how can we get more people back into the city and help them out?” Dunlop said. She was collecting a list of quake-affected businesses for participants to visit, using suggestions from Twitter users, she said.
People would receive points for checking in at the stores using Foursquare, and could compete to make the most visits. Some businesses had given spot prizes to give away to people who visited the most stores.