Google Hangouts [https://plus.google.com/+MikeDodd/posts/R1pixNfhsqq continues to push messaging integration]. Google released a new version of Hangouts, which continues to improve SMS integration with Hangouts messaging and calling, and prep that appears to [http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/04/22/apk-teardown-hangouts-2-1-hides-hints-of-google-voice-smsmms-backup-and-more/ include Google Voice functionality].<br />
'''Why we should care:''' Hangouts are related to Plus, but don't rely on it. Most Android users make use of Hangouts without Plus, which has been cited as a limiting factor for adoption of any Google messaging services aside from Mail. While Google adds some features through plus, they're continuing to expand the Hangouts footprint to add multiple services like SMS/MMS/IM/VideoConf that compete with Mozilla initiatives.
Shift to mobile likely [http://investor.google.com/earnings/2014/Q1_google_earnings.html continues to hurt Google's Cost Per Click numbers]. As discussed earlier, more searches are moving to mobile, which does not monetize search advertising as well as desktop. This drives down the cost per click, which is the amount advertisers pay on average per click-through.<br />
'''Why we should care:''' Search monetization on mobile is something that funds the project. Thinking of ways which may improve using search results without impacting the user negatively is something we may want to look at.
'''Notes'''
- * The OEM space for Android [http://www.techinasia.com/2013-list-new-asian-homegrown-smartphone-brands/ continues to expand- * [http://www.androidcentral.com/exclusive-games-just-latest-battleground-google-amazon-and-apple Gaming exclusives continuing to grown on mobile], it's like Xboxen and Playstations going up against a Dreamcast.- * [http://www.androidauthority.com/google-stock-camera-app-369256/ Google updates its stock Camera app]- * Dropbox [https://blog.dropbox.com/2014/04/introducing-carousel/ launches Carousel], a feature to integrate photo-sharing with storage, while naming Condoleezza Rice to its board, causing many to scratch their heads (or more) [http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/protests-continue-against-dropbox-after-appointing-condoleezza-rice-to-board/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 over privacy concerns] of such a move- * Nike likely [http://www.cnet.com/news/nike-fires-fuelband-engineers-will-stop-making-wearable-hardware/ exiting wearables HW development] to focus on software platform- * [http://forums.adobe.com/message/5665114 Adobe AIR comes to Intel-based Android devices], potentially validating Intel's entry into Android as finally reaching a point where other orgs start to care more... maybe.- * Showing the popularity of NFC, [http://www.nfcworld.com/2014/04/14/328788/gsma-reports-nfc-adoption-mwc-sim-trends-hce/ 12% of MWC attendees opted to use NFC]. Interesting, because [http://nfctimes.com/news/research-firm-forecasts-higher-nfc-phone-shipments-and-installed-base-devices more and more phones are shipping ] with a tech that no one seems to know how/want to use- * Alibaba is continuing to buy a number of companies, adding fuel to the speculation around its [http://www.cnbc.com/id/101587307 entry into mobile in the US] (Alibaba, for folks who don't know, is the #2 ecom player - some say #1 - in the world). Watch for them to make an announcement in the near future.- Wired speculates on how deconstructing/unbundling apps features are hard, [http://www.wired.com/2014/04/zuckerbergs-app-struggle/ using Facebook Messenger as an example]
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