Mobile/ProductPlanning/Notes-2014-10-14

Roadmap & Funnel update

Jenn

• Roadmap
• Suggested sites

Hot items

Everyone

• Changing Yahoo as default provider - beta readiness? (inc metrics, any new feedback for consideration)
  • Can we list the appropriate dashboards for watching? (I have difficulty deciphering the telemetry drop-downs)
    • We can run actual search provider use via FHR
    • Search suggestion usage?
    • ...
• [KR] Cross-product & services planning: Li is supportive of the initiative and we'll have a working group meeting to gain needed commitment (including Li) in Portland, and I expect several pre-meetings prior. More services bugs to come from me over the next couple of days
• Tablet refresh: targeting Fx36

Goals check in

Mark & Karen

• [ON TRACK] FxMobile: Ship new Search Activity for Android in Fx35.
• [ON TRACK] FxMobile: Establish a GTM plan for project 105 v1 release, including deployment, marketing and required Cloud Services resources.
• [ON TRACK] FxMobile: Agree on joint e.me Android launcher & lock screen plan for a Beta Launch in Q1, including fulfillment of all assets and UX flows as required
• [ON TRACK] FxMobile: Add required content server metrics for tracking Suggested Sites in Fx35
• [ON TRACK] FxMobile: Land a set of client-side password improvements (for FxAccounts) in Fx36

Insights

Worth a Read

• Samsung has issued guidance that its profits are likely to decline again due to continued downward pressure on its smartphone line. With $300-400 being the new sweet spot for performance-oriented Android phones, and multiple new entrants (and chipsets) in the space, Samsung will likely continue to cut costs and possibly development. At some point we should expect to see them move to a more "Nexus-like" default experience, as their software development efforts are not paying dividends. It's important to note that sales and profit dropoffs appear to be snowballing a little, and its unclear how Samsung will be able to differentiate.
• The Android 6 and 9 are expected to release this month, and a new ad campaign has leaked with some teasers to both devices and (possibly) Android L. There's a bunch of speculation what L will stand for, but we should probably see the new class of Nexus devices announced this week, and there's even more rumors that L will drop within the month. Lots of signs pointing to this, with multiple app and developer updates incorporating Google's Material Design. It's coming. Soon.

Notes

• Google also announced a new Nexus competitor to the Apple TV, which combines an Android TV device with a games console and some other stuff. Best part is that when it becomes obsolete, you can play hockey with it.
• Expect new iPads on Thursday, and possibly some retina upgrades (and maybe even a new mini). While the new tablets will be faster and have a couple new features (e.g. fingerprint reader and possibly Pay compatibility), tablet sales continue to fall amidst a refresh cycle that is much shorter than expected (iPad 2 is still the market leader in iPads), while notebook sales are regaining ground.
• Internet ad spend in the UK continues to increase, while anything other than Internet declines. This is a trend seen outside the UK as well, with the interesting bit being that as mobile increases, desktop does not decrease an equivalent amount, but other spend areas are in decline.
• Apple Pay is expected to launch this week following the Apple event on the 16th. Adoption of the service by users and merchants will be something to watch for.
• Google released a 64-bit Android L emulator last week. You'll need an x64-capable desktop for it to work.
• Microsoft releases a keyboard of sorts for Androi Wear. Interesting mainly because Microsoft, but also because it might make typing a text message on a wearable somewhat less painful than gouging your eyes out with a rusty spoon.
• The folks behind the "Blackphone" are also working on a tablet.
• iOS 8 adoption rates have slowed pretty dramatically, which wasn't unexpected given the size of the 4S's market share and iOS 8's performance there, as well as less-than-stellar response to a number of changes to iOS (like, you know, the Camera Roll).

Feedback

Rob

• Search survey being released: 1) How do people feel about the Google vs Yahoo search experience? 2) How do people feel about Search Activity?
• Sentiment report pending
• Keeping an eye out for release feedback
• No Feedback Report this week, haven't see anything abnormal

Marketing

Arcadio

• Firefox for Android Product page: https://www-demo1.allizom.org/en-US/firefox/android/
• Messaging focus: customization, privacy, Sync
• Google Play revamp underway
• Site and GP Launch date: October 29

Google Play

• Current Installs by Device: 30M
• Current Installs by Users: 26.5M
• Rating: 4.4

In-product Marketing Opportunity

• Providing agreement to vendor today as soon as finalizef by legal
• Will deliver required assets this week

Pocket Hits

• Doing that this week

Privacy Coach

• Discuss at today's meeting

Partner review

No notes - in-meeting updates from Mark & Karen

• In-product campaign
• Updating files
• Second screen

Roundtable