Category: App Everywhere

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App Everywhere B2B Apps Connected Car Mobile Apps Mobile Web news and press Push Notifications Radio

Press Release: Client Announcement

BINGHAM FARMS, Mich. – Sept. 20, 2018 – Leading custom application developer, jācapps, has built and now launched more than 100 audio apps for its newest client, Salem Media Group (Salem), one of the leading Christian and conservative content radio broadcasters in the U.S.
The 116 new apps, which are a complete upgrade, are available now in the Apple iTunes and Android Play stores as updates to the original versions.  Through an enhanced listening experience and expanded streaming reach to mobile devices, the new apps further broaden Salem’s network and ability to share meaningful digital content with its audiences.
The jācapps and Salem teams worked together to prepare the media group’s faith-based and conservative talk news audio content for mobile reach in 33 of the largest U.S. markets, including: Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. This includes mobile apps featuring some of Salem’s most popular, syndicated on-air personalities, such as: Dennis Prager, Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved, Mike Gallagher, Larry Elder and Eric Metaxas.
“We have a very loyal listener base, but we are competing not just with other radio stations or media providers, but with other digital content that is available to consumers anytime, anywhere,” said Rodney Whitaker, Salem’s director of digital operations. “We need solutions that make it as easy as possible for people to find, listen to and interact with us on their mobile devices, and jācapps has provided those with these new apps.”
“You no longer need a radio to listen to the radio,” said jācapps President Paul Jacobs.  “Listeners want their content on-demand, wherever they are, and the brands that support that content want to connect with consumers in meaningful ways.  Our job is to help clients, like Salem, create applications to make that all possible.”

About jācapps

jācapps is one of the largest mobile application development firms in metro Detroit. The company has developed more than 1,200 apps since its inception in 2008, by team members who are all Michigan-sourced.  jācapps developers go beyond common devices by delivering messages through the most used device in the world, as well as in the Connected Car, Tablets, Smart Speakers, Smart TVs, Streaming Devices, Wearables and whatever comes next.  More information is available at https://jacapps.com/.

About Salem Media Group

Salem Media Group is America’s leading multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content, with media properties comprising radio, digital media and book and newsletter publishing.  Each day Salem serves a loyal and dedicated audience of listeners and readers numbering in the millions nationally.  With its unique programming focus, Salem provides compelling content, fresh commentary and relevant information from some of the most respected figures across the Christian and conservative media landscape.
Click here to read more
If you are interested in us, the apps we’ve built, or a product of your own, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030

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Alexa Amazon Echo App Everywhere B2B Apps Mobile Apps news and press Smart Home

Digital Summit Detroit

Digital Summit Detroit 2018 kicks off for a two-day digital marketing gathering on Wednesday September 12th, and jācapps will be there to talk mobile strategy, and to mix with hundreds of other leaders in the digital space. We are looking forward to this opportunity to hear brilliant speakers, meet the best of Detroit’s digital industry and pick up some cool event swag! In addition to the event’s productive networking, jācapps will be exhibiting with examples of our most recent apps and some swag of our own!
There will be over 50 sessions and workshops that will provide info about the latest digital trends plus lots of practical, game-changing ideas to apply to your marketing strategy!
Additionally, there will be over 45 digital marketing sessions in mission-critical topic areas that include: Social, Email, Data & Analytics, Brand Storytelling, Search, Conversion & Engagement, UX & Design, Mobile, Strategy, B2B Marketing and B2C Marketing. As you can see digital and mobile are some of the hottest marketing topics this year.
You will get the opportunity to learn directly from the brands and leaders who you believe make the largest impact on today’s world economy now and in the future! Some of the brilliant speakers include; Chelsea Handler, Scott Dikkers, Cailin Lavallee, Andrew Malcom, Rob Lawson, Kraig Hansen, Amber Lewis, Nick Skislak and many more! Along with the learning experience, you’ll get insight from BuzzFeed, Waze, Discover, Jaguar, Salesforce, and many more!
Not only will you gain great content from the different sessions, you will also have the chance to engage in professional networking! There will be hundreds of professional marketers, strategists, designers, and more to connect and chat with.There is a countless amount of opportunities here that may lead into inspiration, partnerships and/or business deals that you will leave with after ONLY two days at Digital Summit Detroit!
We’re excited for our second year at DSD! If you are attending, let’s set up a meeting to talk about your mobile strategy! Stop by our booth between sessions for a chance for a chance to win a free smart speaker!
Get your tickets here!

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Alexa Amazon Echo App Everywhere B2B Apps Connected Car Google Home Mobile Apps Smart Home Smart TVs Voice Commands

Tech 248 Recap & Key Takeaways

On Tuesday, July 31st we hosted our first in house event, partnering with Tech248! We offered networking and refreshments while our executives gave brief updates on 2018’s mobile trends.  We couldn’t be more excited to see over 80 local business people attend our first event!
In case you missed it… here’s a little recap of the presentations and their key takeaways!

Apps For Business

Our COO, Bob Kernen gave an incredible presentation about apps for business. Bob refers to apps as a dynamic business tool. “We tend to think of apps as consumers – apps are these little tools people use to get us through our day. In reality, they are the most valuable real estate a marketer can have, and most importantly… ALL companies can participate.”
An app is self-contained piece of software that is designed to serve a discreet function and work on a specific type or types of devices. It leverages the power of your smartphone or tablet, way beyond the ability of a mobile browser. Mobile apps can be designed to help facilitate instant communication with customers.
App features an include: 

  • Real-time updates on product availability
  • Ability to request a quote or place an order
  • Provide login, video, and PDF sessions for education
  • Host an ultra-categorized, user-friendly product catalogue
  • Connect users with particular departments or teams instantly
  • And more!

With that being said…“There’s an app for that!” Did you know 81% of American adults use a smartphone… and mobile usage has surpassed desktop usage!

Media Consumption Trends

Our President, Paul Jacobs, gave great insight about the Media Trends in 2018. Paul touches on the results from Techsurvey 2018.

  1. We can definitely see a generational shift when it comes to media, as shown survey results, we see millennials and boomers both have the highest population dealing with media consumption.
  2. Here is the 2018 media pyramid representing media consumption, devices used, and trends between millennials and boomers: 
  3. In 2018, Techsurvey proves that audio streaming is still on the rise, and is quite balanced between male and female consumers. If your business has audio content to put out there – keep doing it!
  4. Lastly, in-car audio provides many different sources for content. The AM/FM radio is still standard but audiobooks, podcasts, streaming providers, and XM satellite are all sources for content and advertising if your business is trying to reach consumers on the go.

Now how do we here at jācapps relate to that? jācapps App Everywhere® provides solutions that encourage communication across all devices. We incorporate your brand through mobile phones, the connected car, smart TVs, smart speakers, tablets, and wearables.

Smart Speaker Update

Our Director of Business Development, Sari Zalesin, gave a great presentation about smart speakers! If you don’t know already… Alexa dominates the smart speaker space! Looking at smart speaker owners, 75% own Amazon Alexa only, 19% own Google Home only, and 6% own both Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
When it comes to business, Amazon Alexa skills need a strategy behind them. Creating “skills” is easy, but voice is actually something much larger! Voice is actually a whole new user interface, and more and more devices will be controlled by the human voice. With that being said, consider your business and how you might interact with users through voice. What content do you want delivered, and to whom? Do you have news, announcements, or recurring content? Or are you focusing on set database questions and answers?
Amazon Alexa has skills for all different industries, some of the hot industry skills around the US include; Healthcare, Automotive, and Food & Beverage.
Here are some great examples from her presentation: 

  • Healthcare –
    • Carolinas HealthCare created an Alexa skill where consumers can simply ask “Alexa, what is the nearest Carolinas urgent care or hospital?”
  • Automotive –
    • Ford and FCA partnered with Amazon to connect their cars to Alexa voice control for commands relating to appointments, trip management, and engine starting.
  • Food & Beverage –
    • TGI Friday’s created a skill allowing fans to place orders and make reservations with Alexa voice technology.

Overall, smart speakers are here to stay! Every business needs a voice strategy!

Thank you to all of the attendees and we hope to see you at future events!
We would also love to thank Farmington Brewing Company and Plum Market for catering with the best refreshments! The beer and food were a hit…we look forward to working with both companies for future events!
If you are interest in us, the apps we’ve built, or a product of your own, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or (248) 353-9030

Categories
Alexa Amazon Echo App Everywhere B2B Apps Connected Car Google Home Mobile Apps Smart Home Smart TVs Voice Commands

Tech 248 Recap & Key Takeaways

On Tuesday, July 31st we hosted our first in house event, partnering with Tech248! We offered networking and refreshments while our executives gave brief updates on 2018’s mobile trends.  We couldn’t be more excited to see over 80 local business people attend our first event!

In case you missed it… here’s a little recap of the presentations and their key takeaways!

Apps For Business

Our COO, Bob Kernen gave an incredible presentation about apps for business. Bob refers to apps as a dynamic business tool. “We tend to think of apps as consumers – apps are these little tools people use to get us through our day. In reality, they are the most valuable real estate a marketer can have, and most importantly… ALL companies can participate.”

An app is self-contained piece of software that is designed to serve a discreet function and work on a specific type or types of devices. It leverages the power of your smartphone or tablet, way beyond the ability of a mobile browser. Mobile apps can be designed to help facilitate instant communication with customers.

App features an include: 

  • Real-time updates on product availability
  • Ability to request a quote or place an order
  • Provide login, video, and PDF sessions for education
  • Host an ultra-categorized, user-friendly product catalogue
  • Connect users with particular departments or teams instantly
  • And more!

With that being said…“There’s an app for that!” Did you know 81% of American adults use a smartphone… and mobile usage has surpassed desktop usage!

Media Consumption Trends

Our President, Paul Jacobs, gave great insight about the Media Trends in 2018. Paul touches on the results from Techsurvey 2018.

  1. We can definitely see a generational shift when it comes to media, as shown survey results, we see millennials and boomers both have the highest population dealing with media consumption.
  2. Here is the 2018 media pyramid representing media consumption, devices used, and trends between millennials and boomers: 
  3. In 2018, Techsurvey proves that audio streaming is still on the rise, and is quite balanced between male and female consumers. If your business has audio content to put out there – keep doing it!
  4. Lastly, in-car audio provides many different sources for content. The AM/FM radio is still standard but audiobooks, podcasts, streaming providers, and XM satellite are all sources for content and advertising if your business is trying to reach consumers on the go.

Now how do we here at jācapps relate to that? jācapps App Everywhere® provides solutions that encourage communication across all devices. We incorporate your brand through mobile phones, the connected car, smart TVs, smart speakers, tablets, and wearables.

Smart Speaker Update

Our Director of Business Development, Sari Zalesin, gave a great presentation about smart speakers! If you don’t know already… Alexa dominates the smart speaker space! Looking at smart speaker owners, 75% own Amazon Alexa only, 19% own Google Home only, and 6% own both Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

When it comes to business, Amazon Alexa skills need a strategy behind them. Creating “skills” is easy, but voice is actually something much larger! Voice is actually a whole new user interface, and more and more devices will be controlled by the human voice. With that being said, consider your business and how you might interact with users through voice. What content do you want delivered, and to whom? Do you have news, announcements, or recurring content? Or are you focusing on set database questions and answers?

Amazon Alexa has skills for all different industries, some of the hot industry skills around the US include; Healthcare, Automotive, and Food & Beverage.

Here are some great examples from her presentation: 

  • Healthcare –
    • Carolinas HealthCare created an Alexa skill where consumers can simply ask “Alexa, what is the nearest Carolinas urgent care or hospital?”
  • Automotive –
    • Ford and FCA partnered with Amazon to connect their cars to Alexa voice control for commands relating to appointments, trip management, and engine starting.
  • Food & Beverage –
    • TGI Friday’s created a skill allowing fans to place orders and make reservations with Alexa voice technology.

Overall, smart speakers are here to stay! Every business needs a voice strategy!

Thank you to all of the attendees and we hope to see you at future events!

We would also love to thank Farmington Brewing Company and Plum Market for catering with the best refreshments! The beer and food were a hit…we look forward to working with both companies for future events!

If you are interest in us, the apps we’ve built, or a product of your own, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or (248) 353-9030

Categories
Android Auto App Everywhere Apple CarPlay B2B Apps Connected Car Mobile Apps Mobile Web Radio Smart Home Smart TVs

Mobile Developer Aims for Growth As It Serves New Industries

Recently, Bob Kernen and Paul Jacobs spoke with Crain’s Detroit Business about investments, growth, and the mobile revolution. In great summary, we are ready to hit some goals this year! Being in the emerging mobile application sector, we topped $1 million revenue in 2017, and we expect that to double this year!!
Alright, so let’s check out what we shared with Crain’s, and how we plan to reach these goals!
We are a software company founded by former WRIF 101.1 FM Program Director Fred Jacob. He is helping companies create efficiencies through mobile applications. Jacobs started the tech firm out of a storage close in his Jacobs Media Strategies offices in Bingham Farms months after Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple Inc. launched its App Store in 2008.
We started out with four employees building apps for radio clients including WRIF, WDET 101.9 FM, Michigan Radio and WMGC 105.1 FM to stream radio content to listeners.
“Smartphones have been the transformative device of our lifetime. It creates an unbelievable way to connect businesses to their customers, such as through push notifications,” COO Bob Kernen said. “The average person has about 30 apps on their phone. Once a company can get an app on a customer’s phone, it can become the best marketing tool for them.”

Realizing that other businesses and organizations could benefit from the mobile industry that has now reached nearly every corner of society, we began diversifying our client base in 2013.
Our company picked up a private investor in 2016 to help grow its staff to nine and moved into a new headquarters across the street from the old Jacobs Media at 30300 Telegraph Road, Bingham Farms. jācapps has a six-year lease with Bloomfield Hills-based JFK Investments Co. LLC.
Our workforce grew to 22 in 2017, warranting a $70,000 investment to tear down a wall and nearly double the space to 7,500 square feet this past March.
“We saw the opportunity to become a full-fledged mobile software provider,” Paul Jacobs, Fred’s brother, said. Paul, who also worked for WRIF as a salesman, is now president of the software company. “We broadened out our skill set and found growth in construction, health care, wellness and other businesses that realized that they needed a mobile strategy.”


Since then our company has taken on clients in Partha Nandi, M.D., of the medical TV show “Ask Dr. Nandi,” and Ireland-based building material supplier CRH plc, including two of its subsidiaries in Canton Township-based Cadillac Asphalt LLC and Monroe-based Stoneco of Michigan. Cadillac Asphalt has contracts to rebuild some of the crumbling roads in metro Detroit, including the 696 freeway.
“In the case of Stoneco and Cadillac, what’s important is communication to their customers and employees” for process efficiency, Paul Jacobs said. “Our clients at Stoneco told us if we can get the message out to contractors, they could come pick up more loads and that makes all the world to their business. These are tools that are all about creating efficiencies for the people on the move.”
Because software is constantly changing, Jacobs said the firm is continually investing to keep up with the times as operating systems are constantly changing and new technologies emerge. One of those investments include building an analytics department to allow customers to better utilize their apps.
We are also working with Dearborn-based Ford Motor Co. to build programs for mobility and focusing on other products including smart TVs and smart watches, Jacobs said.
Last year, we saw 30 percent growth, topping $1 million in revenue, Jacobs said. He expects to double revenue this year as the company capitalizes on investments made over the past two years.
Lastly, we would love to thank Crain’s Detroit Business for the support! Click here to read more about how we plan to double our growth this year!
If you are interest in us, the apps we’ve built, or a product of your own, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or (248) 353-9030

Categories
App Everywhere Mobile Apps

Users Now Spend More than 2 Hours per Day with Mobile Apps

functions of a smartphone at hand

Users are spending more time in apps than ever before. In fact, a recent report from App Annie shows that users in the US averaged more than two hours and 15 minutes per day using apps. This amounts to over one month out of the entire year. In 2015, this number was below two hours – further proving the dominance of mobile apps and their ability to keep users engaged.
app everywhere mobile apps
If that doesn’t convince you of the sheer dominance apps have assumed, consider this. People use about 10 different apps every day, making them part of their daily habit – like brushing their teeth or eating dinner. This is because users rely on apps from many different categories, and with different tempos, from daily to weekly to even monthly. Some of the largest categories by average apps used are utilities and tools, productivity, social networking, and communication.
app everywhere mobile apps
It’s easy to understand why those categories lead the way. People want to get their tasks done conveniently and efficiently, and they also want to stay connected with their family and friends. From paying bills and checking account balances while in line at the coffee shop to catching up with friends who live in another state, mobile apps allow them to do just that.
At jācapps, we understand that mobile users are, indeed, mobile. People use apps on the treadmill at the gym, in the car on their way to and from work, in the supermarket, and even in their homes with devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home. From tablets, wearables, smart TVs, connected cars, and smart homes, apps are literally everywhere we go – and there’s no signs of slowing down.
That’s the reason why we stand behind our App Everywhere® strategy. With so much time being spent with apps, connecting with your audience wherever they are is essential to maintaining and growing your brand. Focusing on the end user and putting them first will help your app become a part of their daily lifestyle. To capture mobile users where they spend most of their time, you should think about how your brand can go one step beyond the competition and improve the customer experience.
If you’d like our expert input on your mobile strategy, click here to contact us today. You can also call 248-353-9030 or email sales@jacapps.com to set up some time to talk.

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Android Auto App Everywhere Apple CarPlay Connected Car

Ford Talks Importance of the Connected Car

Inside Radio recently featured an interview with our friend, Scott Burnell from Ford, where he speaks about the importance of the Connected Car.  jācapps has been a preferred development partner of Ford for the past 5 years and was also one of the first app development companies to work with the Connected Car.  It’s exciting to see stations recognizing the opportunities this brings to radio and podcasters.
See full article here.

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App Everywhere Mobile Apps

4 Essentials Needed to Build You a Great Mobile App

mobile app
Checkboxes on smartphone screen. Hand hold smartphone, finger touch screen. Checkboxes and checkmark. Modern concept for web banners, web sites, infographics. Creative flat design vector illustration

The appeal of having a mobile app for your business is obvious. Just ask any smartphone user what some of their favorite apps are and I’m sure the list will go on and on. Now ask them what their favorite mobile website is and you’ll probably hear crickets chirping. It’s no secret why having an app can help grow your business. But we thought you should know of some essentials needed before we can start.

Here are 4 things you need before we can build your brand the next great app.

  1. Apple Developer Account

One of the first things you’ll need to secure is a developer account from Apple. This account costs $99 USD per year and there is also an enterprise version which costs $299 USD annually. Users can post questions and share their thoughts with fellow developers and Apple engineers, submit bug reports and request enhancements, as well as receive personalized help by contacting Apple directly.
To set one up, and for more information, visit developer.apple.com.

  1. UDIDs (iPhone only)

A Unique Device Identifier, or UDID, is a sequence of 40 numbers and letters specific to each device. To find out what your UDID is, visit whatsmyudid.com (using Safari on your iPhone) then follow the prompts.
Here’s an example of what a UDID looks like: 2b6f0cc904d137be2e1730235f5664094b831186

  1. Images and artwork

To get started, we’ll need images and artwork specific to both iOS and Android devices, along with ones that can be used for both. For iOS, we’ll need one for the App Store listing along with one for an icon image (what appears on the user’s screen next to their other apps). For Android, we ask for a store listing image as well as a feature graphic. A header image is required for both iOS and Android. Sizes and examples can be viewed in the image below.
mobile app

  1. Feed and Stream Links

Your news and social media feeds are not only essential to keeping your audience engaged. They’re necessary for us to get started as well. This includes your RSS and/or XML feed(s). If you’re unsure how to provide us with these feeds, we are more than happy to help guide you through the process to get exactly what we are looking for.
OPTIONAL: Google Developer Account
Upon registration, there is a one-time fee of $25 USD. With this account, users can access development tools, manage their store presence, track app performance from their Android device, and receive help with publishing, security, and much more. Additional information can be found here.
Note: If you choose not to set up your own Google Developer Account we will build the app in our own account.
To sign up, visit Google Play then follow the prompts.
Click here to contact us today. You can also call 248-353-9030 or email sales@jacapps.com to set up some time to talk.

Categories
App Everywhere Mobile Apps

Users Now Spend More than 2 Hours per Day with Apps

app everywhere mobile apps
Mobile applications funnel linked to smart phone in hand concept vector illustration

Users are spending more time in apps than ever before. In fact, a recent report from App Annie shows that users in the US averaged more than two hours and 15 minutes per day using apps. This amounts to over one month out of the entire year. In 2015, this number was below two hours – further proving the dominance of mobile apps and their ability to keep users engaged.
app everywhere mobile apps
If that doesn’t convince you of the sheer dominance apps have assumed, consider this. People use about 10 different apps every day, making them part of their daily habit – like brushing their teeth or eating dinner. This is because users rely on apps from many different categories, and with different tempos, from daily to weekly to even monthly. Some of the largest categories by average apps used are utilities and tools, productivity, social networking, and communication.
app everywhere mobile apps
It’s easy to understand why those categories lead the way. People want to get their tasks done conveniently and efficiently, and they also want to stay connected with their family and friends. From paying bills and checking account balances while in line at the coffee shop to catching up with friends who live in another state, mobile apps allow them to do just that.
At jācapps, we understand that mobile users are, indeed, mobile. People use apps on the treadmill at the gym, in the car on their way to and from work, in the supermarket, and even in their homes with devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home. From tablets, wearables, smart TVs, connected cars, and smart homes, apps are literally everywhere we go – and there’s no signs of slowing down.
That’s the reason why we stand behind our App Everywhere® strategy. With so much time being spent with apps, connecting with your audience wherever they are is essential to maintaining and growing your brand. Focusing on the end user and putting them first will help your app become a part of their daily lifestyle. To capture mobile users where they spend most of their time, you should think about how your brand can go one step beyond the competition and improve the customer experience.
If you’d like our expert input on your mobile strategy, click here to contact us today. You can also call 248-353-9030 or email sales@jacapps.com to set up some time to talk.

Categories
App Everywhere Connected Car Smart Home

Voice Commands in the Car and Home Present Many Opportunities

voice command car home opportunities
Side view of cute little girl in cute dress screaming into loudspeaker, standing on gray background

Last week, I mentioned Matt Hartman’s suggestion that voice provides the lowest friction interface between consumers and them getting what they want. This is especially true in the car where voice commands cut back on distracted driving. Controlling the infotainment system in your car makes the driving experience much safer in the long run, and adds value to the overall driving experience.

We understand the power of voice.

jācapps has been in the voice game for a while now. For the past four years we’ve been coding apps to work with Ford’s Sync system, and it’s why we debuted SonicAi, our new company that develops “skills” for voice-command devices, or “smart speakers.” We understand the power of voice and how it has the potential to change the way people listen to radio, podcasts, audiobooks, etc. in their cars and homes.
voice command car home opportunities
Matthew DeBord, Business Insider senior correspondent, offers his review of Apple CarPlay here. In his review, he mentions how natural it feels to speak to Siri, the iPhone’s virtual assistant, in the car. We believe this holds true in the home as well. That’s why our team has been hard at work developing new “skills” for voice-command devices like Amazon Echo. As more and more devices become voice controlled, the opportunity grows for brands to make themselves easily accessible to their audiences.
At jācapps, we can help you sort through the connected car, as well as the smart home, so your brand is easy to find everywhere. That is the whole idea behind our App Everywhere® program.
Click here to reach out today, give us a call at 248-353-9030, or email sales@jacapps.com.