A New Wave: Mobile App Trends to Watch in 2016

2015 was undeniably one of the best years for the tech industry. Individuals turned a lot to their mobile devices for their day-to-day activities and transactions. When it comes to mobile applications, what can business owners, consumers, and tech fans expect in 2016?

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Focus on the consumer

New versions of existing mobile apps and soon-to-be-launched ones will provide users with a consumer-focused experience. Consumer-focused functions include user personalization, content-driven posts, and ad placements that reflect the consumer’s interests while considering the user’s app behavior. Such features will improve a company’s branding strategy by creating conversations with the consumer.

App analytics and user experience

Aside from focusing on their wants and need, providing consumers with visually-pleasing and active stats or visualizations will encourage users to rely on apps more. Upgraded UI and UX is a trend to watch in 2016.

Deep linking and ad targeting

Businesses will have their content more discoverable, thanks to this mobile app innovation. Google and Apple will allow mobile content to be found via search functions. Businesses can also tie up with other companies to utilize deep linking.

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Upgraded application security

In the previous years, very few applications have tight security measures against hackers and malware. In 2016, with the surge of mobile transactions, app developers are looking into upgrading security to cater to the user, while keeping the company’s reputation in mind.

Follow Taihwa Terry Ho on Twitter for the latest in mobile app trends.

More than the Money: Two Important Elements of an Investment Pitch

One of my close friends, Mac, called me the other day to help him review his business plan for a tech startup. Although I could easily help with a referral, I thought it would be easier and more practical to provide him advice when pitching to investors.

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As a venture capitalist who has heard many pitches, I have discovered two important elements that entrepreneurs need to take into account when seeking funding. And trust me, most of the time, it is not really about the money and how you can grow my investment through your “grand” idea.

Remember, investors get hundreds of pitches every year, and the reality is, they can’t spend all their time sifting through all the proposals to find that needle in the haystack. So as an investor, here are two important elements to incorporate in your investment pitch:

A good story. Most investors base their judgment on your ambition and your story. Craft your pitch as if you are creating a storyboard for a movie. If you think your business is the next Facebook or Twitter, be confident, bold, and go for it. Inspire them in any way you can.

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A strategy. A good story must be backed by a solid strategy. Never forget, business is business. As investors, we always try to envision the end of a story and what the future will look like for us as investors. You should show investors that your best interest is their success. If you want your pitch to stand out, make sure that you have a good story and strategy to win not only the approval but also the heart of your investors.

Hi! I am Taihwa Terry Ho, a capital investor by trade. Follow me on Facebook to learn more ideas on venture capital investing.

Understanding the Risks Involved in Mobile Apps

 As with everything else, mobile apps have their own risks. These challenges need to be recognized, not to dissuade people from developing them but for both investors and developers alike to understand the industry. This would mean more educated decisions and a deeper knowledge of how to work within the market.

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The mobile app industry is quite different from other industries in that it has grown incredibly fast over a short period. It has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon that has affected all other industries; and yet, when closely considered, it still relatively a child in terms of growth and potential. That said, people often fail to scrutinize the industry for the inherent risks and what can be done to mitigate them. Too many developers create apps without first considering these risks. For the new capital investor, this could also mean that apps may be supported without proper research.

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The main risk in mobile apps is security. The basic platform in mobile app development has been so refined that a person with an average amount of talent can create a rather basic app. These apps need not be ugly. In fact, the concept of the app may even have merits. Nevertheless, security is an often neglected area. So where the concept is acceptable, the integrity of the app may be questioned. This is highly important for an app that requires users to input sensitive or personal information. Both capital investors and developers need to acknowledge the necessity of a strong security measurement.

Even with sophisticated security barriers, there is still the risk of hacking. As the industry grows and develops, so does the criminal aspects of it. Again, these cautions are written not to discourage mobile app development but to impress the necessity of proper disclosure between an app developer and his or her capital investor.

Learn more about the mobile app industry by following Taihwa Terry Ho on Twitter.

Mobile trading: Best mobile apps for investors

Like driving, investing is best done with your eyes open. Luckily today, there are mobile apps designed to help investors make sound and reasonable decisions.

If you are planning to invest, here some of the best mobile apps that will surely boost your profits:

Acorns. One of the top choices for first-time investors, Acorns offers a simple and intelligent automatic investment system. Jeff Cruttenden, co-founder and COO of Acorns, describes the app as a unique application for both new and experienced investors who want a quick, easy, and automatic way to invest their money.

SigFig Investing. Listed as one of best personal investment apps for iPhone by iMore.com, SigFig Investing is an easy-to-use personal investment app that collates all your existing investment accounts. The app also shows the user’s current standing in the market and delivers breaking industry news that pertains to your investments. It supports over 100 different brokerages across the country.

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Stock Market Simulator. Compared to other apps, the Stock Market Simulator isn’t used as a decision-making tool for actual trading. Rather, it serves as a tool for first-time investors to learn how the stock market works without losing any actual money.

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Today, there are many mobile applications that can help you get a comprehensive view of the market. Using these apps, you can get personalized news and updates on companies in your portfolio for more effective and efficient investments decision.

Hi! I am Taihwa Terry Ho, a Silicon Valley-based a capital investor with deep interest in app development. Like my Facebook page for more news and features on tech, apps, and social media.

Sightseeing in style: Mobile apps for travel buffs

With the unstoppable advancement of technology, the art of traveling has changed dramatically in the past decade. Today, data are readily available in everyone’s pockets, and for travelers, this means not worrying about losing out on ideas whenever they reach their destinations.

Here are some of the best and most useful apps for travel enthusiasts:

• Google Maps – Carrying a physical map is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Google’s free app allows tourists to get directions and commute suggestions for their next stop. 

• CityMaps2Go – An offline map, this free app is for travelers without access to Wi-Fi zones. They only need to download the maps ahead of time, and they can go out and sightsee worry-free. 

Image source: Bloomberg.com

• XE Currency – Need to compute currencies on-the-go? This app is your friend! 

• Gogobot – A social travel app, Gogobot helps users find restaurants and hotels in the area. By using this app, the user can access to photos, information, and ratings that other users have uploaded about different establishments.

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• Instagram – With millions of users, Instagram is the perfect app for tourists who love documenting and sharing their explorations via photographs. Furthermore, by following travel bloggers on this platform, users can gather information about the next travel destination they should visit.

 Taihwa Terry Ho here, a capital investor based in Silicon Valley. I invest mainly in app development startups. If you enjoyed what you’ve read here, feel free to subscribe to my Twitter feed to receive more updates on the world of technology.

Vine: How Six-Second Videos Create Lasting Impact

Social media is a fickle beast in which no one can predict what would go viral from time to time. Though there’s no distinct measure to determine social media’s next big thing, the new generation of Vine auteurs is stretching six seconds to infinity as a way to make lasting impact and increase content virality amid the Internet’s unpredictable state.

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Skeptics may view Vine as another bastion of mundanity, but the social media app has the backing of most advertisers and users who see the potential in pushing the boundaries of creativity in the presence of constraints. Six seconds may not seem long enough to lay everything out on the table, but for brands and marketers that’s all they need to create something that the attention-deficient audience would loop multiple times and interact with.

Brands like General Electric and GAP are quick to seize the potential of the social media app to build awareness and push the brand at the top of the marketing funnel. Some of the campaigns are essentially animated GIFs and epic compilations of elements that dominate every platform of the Internet. Videos of cats and dogs tend to be among the most shareable items while sensational ones remain flexible enough to take on any new service. This viral component coupled with effective hashtag, aggregators, and easy-to-digest well-written message help make the video highly shareable.

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Filmmaker Orson Welles captured the very essence of stop-motion videos when he said that “the enemy of art is the absence of limitation.” If anything, the six-second limit of the video-sharing service compounds users to add new depth to every content, condensing what seemed to be an outcome of long-term marketing planning into few seconds of viewing pleasure that creates a chain reaction that grows exponentially across the social media landscape.

Taihwa Terry Ho, here, a capital investor looking for tech startups and app developers which show promise for the future of mobile devices. Follow me on Twitter for more news and features on tech, apps, and social media.

REPOST: Facebook unveils Anonymous Login for apps to improve user privacy

Security and privacy are crucial to establishing a fulfilling Facebook experience. Check out the following article to know what the social media giant has just recently launched to improve its security settings.

Users can choose to hide personal information from third-party apps. |
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Facebook in a move to further personalise user’s experience, has come out with two new features which allows people to have more control over their personal information. The social networking giant today announced -Anonymous Login and Facebook Login- on their official blog. While Anonymous Login will allow users to log into apps more privately, Facebook Login is aimed at providing its users with better privacy control settings. The announcement was made after some users complained of having to share their personal information with apps and wanted more control over the information received by apps.

“Anonymous Login lets people log in to apps so they don’t have to remember usernames and passwords, but it doesn’t share personal information from Facebook. People can decide later if they want to share any additional information, once they understand more about the apps,” said the Facebook blog.

Last year, people logged into apps and websites with Facebook Login over 10 billion times. This allowed them to log into the apps with the same usernames and passwords. The Anonymous Login is currently being tested and can be expect to be available soon.

Facebook also plans to roll out the new Facebook Login in the coming months. The new version of the login will allow users to choose what information they share with an app. The feature gives people an option of unchecking categories of information. “For example, if someone wants to share their email address with an app, but not their birthday, they can make that choice with a couple taps,” according to the blog.

The new Facebook Login also requires permission to post to Facebook wall. In order to keep a track of all the connected apps, Facebook has also modified it’s App Control Panel and has announced a newly designed dashboard where people can see a list of apps they use, manage specific permissions, or remove apps entirely. The redesigned app control panel is also expected to release soon.

As a technophile, I definitely want my social media accounts safe and secure. Follow me on Twitter for similar stories. Taihwa Terry Ho here.

Click to start fresh: How to spring-clean your mobile device

Winter is over, and the sun finally begins to ogle from the clouds. Soon, the crisp air of spring will arrive to summon not only day of cheers, but days perfect for cleaning your homes, offices, and other spaces. It's a good time to give your smartphones a thorough cleanup, too. Here's a brief guide to get you started:

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First things first, copy and store your files off of your phones. Both iOS (iPhoto, Image Capture) and Android (Windows Photo Gallery) have built-in applications to safeguard all items on your photo and video galleries. How about your contacts, call lists, music, and your current level or status of your favorite gaming app? You can either do file sharing from within iTunes or use third-party tools like DiskAid, Ecamm's PhoneView, or Macroplant's iExplorer, which allows restoring giant loads of data in a few clicks and swipes.

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Weed out unnecessary apps, files, and all other digital content that take up precious storage space. Mobile tools such as Clean Master removes spam content, speeds up the processor’s performance, and keeps existing data from viruses, system shutdowns, and other headaches. Likewise, CCleane and History Eraser give smartphones a thorough clean, sweeping off stray files, wiping cache data and empty folders, and deleting browser history and call logs.

Update your existing applications, or better yet, replace outdated apps with new, more responsive ones. Before shopping for new apps and upgrades, check if your apps remain active so that you will be spared from bugs and other issues the moment you decide to avail of the latest version of your operating system.

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Download apps that can keep your files and organized from hereon. CoBook and Contacts+ organize your phone and social media contacts and group them automatically based on the fields you have encoded. Attachments.me allows for easier search whenever you need to retrieve photos, documents, and other files you sent through Gmail.  

Seeing the promise that mobile technology holds, technophile and rising entrepreneur Taihwa Terry Ho has invested in the development of apps and similar capabilities. Follow him on Twitter to get tips on making the best use out of your gadgets and software.

These apps can save your life

Had she dismissed the numbness felt by her husband Bob in his right arm as mere fatigue, Melissa Ketterer might have lost him. Sensing he was unusually feeble at that time, Melissa reached for her smartphone and tapped on a health app called iTriage. She typed Bob's symptoms, and most of them came up as the red flags of a stroke. An urgent trip to the nearest hospital confirmed he was having one. Sharing her experience with CBS News, Melissa was very thankful with how the app allowed her to rush him to the ER just in time for doctors to dissolve a massive clot on his brain.

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Besides an extensive list of symptoms for a range of medical conditions, iTriage uses a wealth of medical data at everyone's fingertips. Among its other remarkable features is its ability to hook up to the governments' GPS satellite system to determine the nearest clinics and facilities for any needed treatment.

The last few years saw the rise of mobile software tools and services that not only provide fun and entertainment, but also improve the quality of life. Many of them are designed to save people from dying during medical emergencies, disasters, or by suicide.

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The First Aid app developed for the American Red Cross provides videos and written guides on performing quick response measures for bleeding, fractures, allergies, and a host of other potentially debilitating and life-threatening situations using a streamlined and straightforward interface.

For people dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts, MY3 lends a hand not only through its lists of warning signs and coping strategies, but also through a mechanism that allows users to identify a network of close contacts who will serve as their lifelines when feeling blue has turned for the worse.

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On the other hand, an app called SaveMePro, written by a 12-year-old boy, allows users in danger to send a distress text when the power button is tapped eight consecutive times. An upgrade for 99 cents activates a GPS tracking service that can be used for up to 72 hours from the first distress signal.

With these and other apps, a simple tap can be all you need to get yourself and your loved ones out of harm's way.  

Technophile and entrepreneur Taihwa Terry Ho invests in apps and other mobile capabilities that promote safety and wellbeing. Subscribe to this blog for more information and insight on app development.

App-lied science: How mobile phones can bring out your inner Einstein

Those who grew up watching "Dexter's Laboratory" might have dreamed of having a dark, vaulted room which they could fill with marvelous fantasy inventions. Now, reality has afforded us the imagination to own a massive chamber of scientific wonder lodged in every inch of the smartphone.

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Mobile devices, when equipped with the right tools, can make everything possible, and that includes helping scientists and researchers manage their studies from wherever they are. With support from tech investors, app developers have designed and created forward-looking apps that both scientists and students can use to effectively carry out their projects.

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Streamlining the data gathering process counts as a major advantage of using mobile apps. With the help of a smartphone's built-in camera, notepad, and voice recorder, and a reliable data management and stamping tool, scientists can capture images, record audio data, jot down observations from the field or the conference table, and neatly arrange them into files and folders with much ease using cloud management systems.

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Exploring scientific literature while on the go is also possible. A handful of research apps offers real-time access to abstracts and even the full text of both previous and recent studies. While scanning web-based databanks using smartphones can be more straining than using a desktop, apps give researchers an accessible option. Even without textbooks or journals within reach, they can get their knowledge fix the moment an idea pops up in between sips of coffee.

Other applications such as complex calculators and lab solvers even allow for calibrating data and performing SI unit conversions and other calculations beyond basic arithmetic. These features give researchers more time to focus on testing their hypothesis and less on figuring out Avogrado's number and other tedious scientific formulas.

Taihwa Terry Ho supports tech developments and startups that seek to improve the everyday lives of smartphone users. Visit this Facebook page to know more about her recent projects.