Categories
App Everywhere Mobile Apps news and press Push Notifications

3 March Madness Bracket Apps That Will Keep You on Top!

March Madness can be some people’s favorite time of the year! It allows them to connect with family and friends and cheer on their favorite basketball teams! With march madness starting we think it would be fun to share with a few of our favorite bracket apps that easily keep you engaged with the games!

Here are 3 March Madness bracket that’s that will keep you engaged:
  1. CBS Sports

CBS Sports app allows you to create your own bracket or create a bracket with your friends and family! During the games, the CBS app will send you notifications on how your bracket is doing. But wait, that’s not all, the CBS app also allows you to go in and look up scores, rankings, stats, watch the games live, and more. The CBS app creates the ultimate March Madness experience.
Download the CBS app here: Android and iOS
 

  1. ESPN Tournament Challenge

ESPN Tournament Challenge app allows you to create a free bracket app to stay in tune with your family and friends. There are push notifications that keep you informed on how your teams are doing. This app is completely free! But there’s more… this app also allows you to enter to win different prizes!
Download the ESPN Tournament Challenge app here: Android and iOS
 

  1. NCAA March Madness Live

Not only is NCAA March Madness live one of the best apps to watch the basketball games on, but it also has a great system for your brackets! It allows you to play with friends and family or you can even play against celebrities!! This app goes far beyond just brackets, it brings you live game streams, behind-the-scene videos, highlights, and also allows you to opt-in to push notifications to stay on top of scores when you can’t tune into the game!
Download NCAA March Madness Live app here: Android and iOS
 
Mobile has made life easier for you to stay engaged with your family, friends, and co-workers! Check out these cool March Madness apps to stay in up to date with your basketball teams!
As always, we’d love to talk mobile with you! Contact our sales team to set up a conversation to learn more about your brand’s mobile strategy! Contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030

Categories
App Everywhere Mobile Apps news and press Push Notifications Radio

7 Basketball Apps That Are Nothing But Net

Are you a basketball fan that loves to stay up to date on your favorite teams?! With March Madness coming right around the corner, we thought it would be fun to share our choices for the best apps to keep us on top of the games when we are on the go!
 

Here are 7 mobile apps you should be using this March Madness season:

 

  1. NCAA March Madness Live

Not sure what television station your basketball game is on? No problem! NCAA March Madness Live has every game available to watch! This app goes far beyond just live game streams, it offers behind-the-scene videos, highlights, and also allows you to opt-in to push notifications to stay on top of scores when you can’t tune into the game!
Download NCAA March Madness Live: Android and iOS

  1. CBS Sports

CBS Sports app can do it all! No matter where you are are what you are looking for, CBS Sports app has you covered! This app offers you breaking news, blogs, game coverage, and sending you to the right place to catch your favorite games!
Download CBS Sports: Android and iOS

  1. Fanatic

Are you away from friends and family and looking to watch the game with people?! Don’t worry, Fanatic app has the answer for you! This app allows you to comment and connect with people while watching the game! What’s better than being able to connect with your fellow fans and cheer on your favorite teams?!
Download Fanatic: Android and iOS

  1. Thuuz

Getting stressed out because there are so many games going on and you are unsure on which ones to watch?! Thuuz has the answer for you! This app rates games on a scale from 0-100 and tells you whether a game is worth watching. Additionally, you can have the app track your favorite teams and players and it will notify you when its time to tune in!
Download Thuuz: Android and iOS

  1. WatchESPN

ESPN being one of the top sports stations has all the latest news and updates for you! Nothings better than being on the go and being able to log in to ESPN and get the latest news, highlights, scores, and more. ESPN app is a must have for the 2019 March Madness season!
Download WatchESPN: Android and iOS

  1. TuneIn Radio

Are you on the road and can’t watch your favorite basketball games?! No problem, TuneIn Radio has the answer for you! This app allows you to listen in to your favorite live game broadcasters! TuneIn Radio helps you not miss a second of the game!
Download TuneIn Radio: Android and iOS

  1. theScore

Are looking for more than just watching the game? theScore app gives you in-depth information and deep stats for serious basketball followers! Stay in the loop with by opting-in to push notifications to get all the updates on scores, big plays, injury reports, and more!
Download theScore: Android and iOS
 
As always, we’d love to talk mobile with you! Contact our sales team to set up a conversation to learn more about your brand’s mobile strategy! Contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030

Categories
B2B Apps Mobile Apps news and press Push Notifications

Why Do You Need Push Notifications?

Push notifications can make a huge impact on your company’s success. But first, before we get into why you need push notifications, you may ask, what exactly is a push notification?
Push notifications, also know as push messages are a brief message or alert that is sent to a user’s notification panel through a mobile app and allows you to reach a large audience at one time. Push notifications are a great marketing tool that enhances your mobile app because it allows you to engage with your users in real time.That said, there are many reasons why you need push notifications.
 

Here are the top 4 reasons:

1.Push notifications enhance the user experience
Aside from using push notifications as a marketing tool, push notifications can be used to improve your user experience. This can be as simple to sending messages to notify your users about news, sports and weather alerts, contests and programming events.
2. Push notifications increase engagement, acquisition, and retention
Push notifications as a marketing tool have one of the highest open rates. Since push notifications don’t happen as often people are more likely to opt-in. Sending out the right number and highly relevant messages increases your customer engagement.
3. Push notifications allow you to notify your users based on topics
Topic based messages help you decided when to send certain messages. Since you don’t want to slam your users with too many notifications, topics help decides when to send certain messages.
4. Push notifications allow you to create targeted messages to your users
To create successful push notifications, you have to make sure that each notification speaks to your audiences. It’s easy to send targeted push messages because with permission your app will have access to your user’s profile.
We offer push notifications that are affordable, easy to use, and give you what you need without having to pay for a lot of features you don’t need. In the past year, other push messaging providers have really cranked up their prices, making this important function unaffordable for many.  We can provide you with a great system that’s not only affordable but designed with broadcasters in mind.
If you want more information about jācapps’ push messaging system, contact Sari Zalesin at Sari@jacapps.com

Categories
App Everywhere B2B Apps Mobile Apps Push Notifications

Join us at NAB!

Connect with us at the NAB Show, Where Content Comes to Life in Las Vegas, NV, April 6-11, 2019!
NAB is the ultimate event for media, entertainment, and technology professionals looking for new and innovative ways to create, manage, deliver and monetize content on any platform. The NAB Show is the best place to be to learn all the new ins and outs about media, entertainment, and technology.
Our jācapps and Jacobs Media teams attend every year, and one thing our teams have noticed is that one of the best things that NAB does is bring together the entire media world. This includes professionals from all different industries, including; advertising, app development, artificial intelligence, audio, augmented reality, broadcast, cable, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, digital video, digital signage, eLearning esports, film, game development, government and military, houses of worship, in-vehicle entertainment, IOT, IT, live events, mixed reality, mobile, online video, podcasting, post-production, radio, retail, social media, sports, streaming, system integration, television, virtual reality, 5G, and more! Six full days of the opportunity to get your hands on the latest technology, but thats not all…
We would love to meet one-on-one with you to discuss your companies mobile and digital strategy!
Contact us at sales@jacapps.com or call us at 248-353-9030 to schedule a meeting and take your business to the next level in the mobile and digital world!
We can’t wait to see you at NAB this year!!

Categories
B2B Apps Mobile Apps news and press Podcasting Push Notifications Radio

New Comedy App Announcement: The Bob & Tom Show

Laugh Your App Off With New Comedy App for “The BOB & TOM Show”, Bringing the Funny to Your Fingertips

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, February 26, 2019 — The BOB & TOM Show , a favorite of millions and one of the longest-running and highest-rated radio programs in America, announces the launch of its new comedy app, created by award-winning mobile strategy and development company jācapps. The BOB & TOM Show app offers BOB & TOM fans the ease of listening to the show on their local station, as well as one-touch access to the BOB & TOM Comedy Channel, called “BOB & TOM 24/7”.  “BOB & TOM 24/7” features The BOB & TOM Show live every weekday morning, plus classic highlights, bits, songs and segments from the show’s rich archive of digital audio content. “BOB & TOM 24/7” also lets listeners replay the latest BOB & TOM Show.

The new app is loaded with listener-driven features that bring the funny to listeners’ fingertips, enabling them to easily join and become a BOB & TOM VIP and giving them access to The BOB & TOM Show Podcast and to The BOB & TOM Show Comedy Archives, a treasure trove of laughs from the packed BOB & TOM Show vault. The BOB & TOM Show app also allows BOB & TOM fans to watch the program live each weekday morning via a multi-camera, live video simulcast that adds another dimension to The BOB & TOM Show experience.

John Kesler, Chief Operating Officer, The BOB & TOM Show, said: “jācapps created a custom app that is simple to use, elegant looking, and a way for our fans to interact with the show, while enjoying an affiliate’s stream.”

Fred Jacobs, President, jācapps and Jacobs Media Strategies, said: “It’s a rare brand like BOB & TOM that has so much deep, rich content – perfect for a premium mobile experience. Working with their outstanding digital team, we’re excited about this new app. Now their listeners can enjoy the show any time and anywhere, and never have to worry about missing anything.”

The BOB & TOM Show is exclusively distributed by Westwood One and airs live weekday mornings from 6am-10am Eastern on 103 stations across the U.S. and on the American Forces Network worldwide. Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, The BOB & TOM Show features comedy, news, sports, lifestyle content, and interviews with today’s top actors, celebrities and newsmakers. The show is America’s leading media outlet for the best and developing comedians on the circuit, and also features live performances from musicians from all genres of music.

 

About The BOB & TOM Show

The BOB & TOM Show is a hilarious blend of comedy, talk, news, and sports and is one of the longest-running and highest-rated radio programs in America, airing live weekday mornings from 6am-10am ET. Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, The BOB & TOM Show is a favorite of millions and features news, sports, lifestyle content, and interviews with today’s top actors, celebrities and newsmakers. The show is also America’s leading media outlet for the best and developing comedians on the circuit. More than just a comedy show, The BOB & TOM Show also features live performances from musicians from all genres of music. The BOB & TOM Show is now heard on over 100 radio stations from coast to coast and the American Forces Network worldwide, in addition to The BOB & TOM Show podcast. Parodies, songs, bits, and more are produced by a large staff of writers, musicians, performers and misfits. In addition, The BOB & TOM Show has released more than 60 comedy albums, CDs and DVDs, and expanded its brand with popular live comedy show tours. For more information about The BOB & TOM Show, visit: www.bobandtominfo.com or contact Todd Alan at talan@westwoodone.com or at 212.735.1107.

 

Download the new The Bob & Tom Show app through iTunes or Google Play!

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

Categories
B2B Apps Mobile Apps news and press Podcasting Push Notifications Radio

New Comedy App Announcement: The Bob & Tom Show

Laugh Your App Off With New Comedy App for “The BOB & TOM Show”, Bringing the Funny to Your Fingertips
INDIANAPOLIS, IN, February 26, 2019 — The BOB & TOM Show , a favorite of millions and one of the longest-running and highest-rated radio programs in America, announces the launch of its new comedy app, created by award-winning mobile strategy and development company jācapps. The BOB & TOM Show app offers BOB & TOM fans the ease of listening to the show on their local station, as well as one-touch access to the BOB & TOM Comedy Channel, called “BOB & TOM 24/7”.  “BOB & TOM 24/7” features The BOB & TOM Show live every weekday morning, plus classic highlights, bits, songs and segments from the show’s rich archive of digital audio content. “BOB & TOM 24/7” also lets listeners replay the latest BOB & TOM Show.
The new app is loaded with listener-driven features that bring the funny to listeners’ fingertips, enabling them to easily join and become a BOB & TOM VIP and giving them access to The BOB & TOM Show Podcast and to The BOB & TOM Show Comedy Archives, a treasure trove of laughs from the packed BOB & TOM Show vault. The BOB & TOM Show app also allows BOB & TOM fans to watch the program live each weekday morning via a multi-camera, live video simulcast that adds another dimension to The BOB & TOM Show experience.
John Kesler, Chief Operating Officer, The BOB & TOM Show, said: “jācapps created a custom app that is simple to use, elegant looking, and a way for our fans to interact with the show, while enjoying an affiliate’s stream.”
Fred Jacobs, President, jācapps and Jacobs Media Strategies, said: “It’s a rare brand like BOB & TOM that has so much deep, rich content – perfect for a premium mobile experience. Working with their outstanding digital team, we’re excited about this new app. Now their listeners can enjoy the show any time and anywhere, and never have to worry about missing anything.”
The BOB & TOM Show is exclusively distributed by Westwood One and airs live weekday mornings from 6am-10am Eastern on 103 stations across the U.S. and on the American Forces Network worldwide. Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, The BOB & TOM Show features comedy, news, sports, lifestyle content, and interviews with today’s top actors, celebrities and newsmakers. The show is America’s leading media outlet for the best and developing comedians on the circuit, and also features live performances from musicians from all genres of music.
 
About The BOB & TOM Show
The BOB & TOM Show is a hilarious blend of comedy, talk, news, and sports and is one of the longest-running and highest-rated radio programs in America, airing live weekday mornings from 6am-10am ET. Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, The BOB & TOM Show is a favorite of millions and features news, sports, lifestyle content, and interviews with today’s top actors, celebrities and newsmakers. The show is also America’s leading media outlet for the best and developing comedians on the circuit. More than just a comedy show, The BOB & TOM Show also features live performances from musicians from all genres of music. The BOB & TOM Show is now heard on over 100 radio stations from coast to coast and the American Forces Network worldwide, in addition to The BOB & TOM Show podcast. Parodies, songs, bits, and more are produced by a large staff of writers, musicians, performers and misfits. In addition, The BOB & TOM Show has released more than 60 comedy albums, CDs and DVDs, and expanded its brand with popular live comedy show tours. For more information about The BOB & TOM Show, visit: www.bobandtominfo.com or contact Todd Alan at talan@westwoodone.com or at 212.735.1107.
 
Download the new The Bob & Tom Show app through iTunes or Google Play!

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
Categories
Alexa Amazon Echo B2B Apps Construction Mobile Apps Mobile Web Push Notifications

Connect with us at the CAM Tradeshow 2019!

Michigan Construction & Design Tradeshow 2019 hosted by CAM kicks off for a one-day conference on Tuesday, February 5th, and jācapps will be there to present and talk to you about taking your construction company mobile. In addition to the event’s productive networking, jācapps will hosting a workshop from 9:15am – 10:15am in one of the boardrooms!
Register today for our hour workshop where our COO, Bob Kernen will be discussing how construction businesses can leverage the ubiquity of smartphones to make their projects more efficient and profitable!

 

Construction In The Mobile World

Mobile apps are building the future and we are looking forward to this opportunity to meet local construction company owners, contractors, suppliers, architects, engineers and others to help take your companies mobile.
In the construction industry, where so many people do their jobs outside of a traditional office, whether it is training a mobile workforce, strengthening your safety procedures, and/or tracking your materials, mobile can make life a lot easier for communication and management. Mobile apps enhance communication, productivity, and transform bottom-line goals into reality across your project lifecycle. 
Here’s how:

  • Real-time logistics updates
  • Improved staff accountability
  • Easy, accurate document retrieval

But that’s not all, mobile construction apps have unlimited uses, such as:

  • Project management and productivity
  • Daily reporting and time entry
  • On-site photography and video
  • Safety trainings and monitoring

Mobile is the ultimate high-tech hand tool giving your projects a strong foundation. These are just a few of the ways our mobile solutions have helped clients succeed. We help clients differentiate themselves with complete custom solutions.
 
Don’t forget to register for our workshop and stop by booth 308 to learn more about how mobile strategy can impact your business! You will also get the chance to enter to win a FREE Amazon Alexa Echo Dot!
We look forward to seeing you at CAM’s Tradeshow 2019!
Register Here
If you are interested in expanding a mobile presence to support your business, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030
 

Categories
App Everywhere Food & Beverage Mobile Apps Mobile Web Push Notifications

How Mobile Apps Have Changed the Restaurant Industry

Each and every day more and more restaurants are using mobile apps to streamline delivery and add value to their brand. Thanks to mobile, people have a new way to interact with getting their food. Whether users are on the go or ordering from home, everything they could ever need is right at the tips of their fingers.
So, what exactly can restaurant mobile apps do? Here are some features of restaurant mobile apps that have forever changed the restaurant industry:
 
Food On-Demand

  • On-demand food delivery features have become popular as more consumers either don’t have time or prefer not to cook at home. While these services lead to fewer customers in the physical location, the ease of ordering online makes up the difference in additional orders.

 
Advanced Booking & Reservations

  • Reservation features aim to reduce the amount of time that customers have to wait when dining out. These apps put customers in line, so they can arrive later and still be seated at the same time as if they had arrived earlier.

 
Ratings & Reviews

  • For better or for worse, review features make a serious impact on restaurants. Allowing people to submit reviews may attract more customers to your business. Your restaurant will not only become better known, but also allow you to showcase your service, food, beverages, and atmosphere.
  • This also allows for restaurants to make changes to their business in order to meet customer needs.

 
Discounts

  • Having a discount feature to your app makes it easier for customers to dine on a budget. These features work with restaurants to bring in new business by offering discounts on products in the establishment. Certain deals can be selective, which allows customers to use different items and choose their discounts.

The restaurant industry has been forever changed by mobile apps. Restaurant apps adding value to the food-buying process and will continue to benefit restaurants and their customers.
jācapps custom restaurant apps can support these efforts and so much more. If you are interested in expanding a mobile presence to support your business, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030

Categories
Android Auto App Everywhere Apple CarPlay Connected Car Mobile Web Push Notifications

How Apps Can Boost Auto Dealer Revenue

Buying a vehicle is a high-risk investment that used to include a large amount of on-foot research, visiting dealerships, consulting with sales reps even before the difficult and complex  purchase experience. But what if all the necessary information needed to purchase a car was in one spot … right in your hand? 74% of American adults own a smartphone so the best way to improve the auto dealer experience is through mobile apps.
 
APP USERS SPEND MORE
A study by DME Automotive showed that vehicle buyers who use a branded app were 73% more likely to buy from the dealership. But it doesn’t stop there … even after making a purchase, research shows that 25% more service appointments were booked compared to shoppers without an app. We can also see that these app users are spending more money than non-app users when purchasing a vehicle — 7% more according to a study commissioned by cars.com
 
EMPOWER MOBILE USER CUSTOMERS WITH KNOWLEDGE
Did you know that, auto buyers who use mobile are 72% more likely to repeat visits to the dealership?  Customers use apps to seek out competitive inventory, pricing, dealer information and payment options.
Mobile apps have changed the way dealerships are exceeding the expectations of car buyers who do online research before coming into the dealerships. But, according to a study by Google and Ipsos, 90% of smartphone users are not absolutely certain of which specific brand they want to buy when they begin looking for information online.
Although, the basic principles of buying/selling a car have not changed, mobile users have access to learn more about inventory, prices, reviews, etc. before going into the dealerships. This can help save customers time and money by being more prepared a knowledgeable when it comes to purchasing a car.
 
IMPROVING SALES THROUGH FOLLOW-UPS
Following up with your customers after the day of the sale is just as important as the actual sale. Mobile apps allow you to keep your customers engaged at every stage of the purchase process.
Doing follow-up during the decision-making process can improve the chances that the customer will return to the dealership. And follow-ups after the sale have been proven to increase customer loyalty and can increase referrals.
 
BOOST REVENUE THROUGH SERVICING
The service department generates the dealership’s highest profit margins. Dealership-branded mobile apps allow dealerships to bring customers back again and again. Also, customers who use the dealership mobile apps are 25% more likely to make service appointments over customers who do not download the dealer’s app.
According to study results for DMEautomotive, car owners are spending more money on servicing their vehicles than ever before. Dealers without an app are missing out on a huge opportunity to generate more revenue through the service department.
Here are some examples of what dealer-branded apps can enable customers to:

  • View service hours
  • Book service appointments in minutes
  • Pay repair orders
  • Consult with dealer staff on services through chat functionality
  • Save phone call, text, and email history
  • Update service profiles with every visit.

 
Overall, mobile offers your dealership a chance to engage with your customers and turn them into brand loyalists who will always refer your business to others. 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

Categories
App Everywhere Awards B2B Apps Connected Car Mobile Apps Mobile Web Podcasting Push Notifications Radio Wearables

Recap of Small Talk with Mark Lee Interviewing our President Paul Jacobs

Recently, our very own Paul Jacobs was on Small Talk with Mark Lee. Small Talk comes from the Lee Group, MI LLC – Integrated Marketing Solutions. Lee helps companies develop branding and re-branding strategies to produce positive relationships with consumers, which bring measurable results. Lee was interested in jācapps and had the chance to see what our mobile app development company is all about.
After hearing the background about our company, Lee had a few questions about us. Let’s take a look at some of the key takeaways from the interview:
 

What is the biggest hesitation for a business when creating an app?

Paul responded that, “a lot of businesses have lack of knowledge about what mobile apps truly are. Our approach is to explain to our clients that you aren’t buying a piece of software – you are buying a mobile solution. It is important to find out what exactly the client needs, what problem they are having and work with them to create a solution. This is where you build trust with the clients and work with them as a consultant.”


Why does a business need an app?

Jacobs expands on the idea about smartphones are within everyone’s reach. “It is right in their purse or right in their pockets – everyone is carrying one. Therefore, the opportunity to be able to communicate to your consumers or business to business is huge.
Another key reason a business needs an app has to do with push messaging. If your user opts in to push messaging it allows the company to efficiently push messages out to those users. These messages can include sales, something that is new that your users need to check out, reminders, and so much more. Push notifications enhance two-way communication and is a powerful business tool.”


What criteria do I need to use to select a mobile app development company?

Paul says, “It is important that your company work with a developer who has full end-to-end for design, testing, new development ideas, etc. Someone who really understands everything, including getting the app into the app store.
You also want to consider the type of developers within that company. You want your developers to be flexible, treat you like a partner and not a client, and you want to be provided with case studies to see what their previous results have been.”


What is the process of creating an app?

Our process consists of four steps; discover, design, develop and deploy.
Discover – this is where your app takes shape. We draw inspiration from our conversations with you to brainstorm ideas and discuss the requirements needed for development.
Design – once a concept has been approved, we combine skills and strategy to make sure your apps look great and are easy to use. Our progress will be presented to you in the form of a specification document.
Develop – after you’ve approved the specification document, our in-house development team gets to work. This phase culminates with rigorous QA testing.
Deploy – we submit your apps to their respective stores! But we don’t stop there. We keep a lookout for issues and help you navigate new devices and OS versions as they become available.


What is the timeframe for app development?

The timeframe will differ from app to app but the average is from 10-12 weeks from beginning to end. Six to eight weeks of this time is for development. Additionally, our clients are able to download this app before the app goes live so they can tweak and test it before it is published. However, even when the app is finished it can still be adjusted.


Looking to 2019 and the next 5 years – what is the next big idea?

Jacobs explained that the next big idea is voice activated apps. “Right now you have to touch your screens for everything, but soon you will be able to talk to your phone. For example without hitting the app you can just say ‘play stream’ and your music will play.
Another thing that we have here at jācapps is called App Everywhere. Apps are not just on your phones, they are on connected cars, smart TVs, smart speakers, tablets, wearables – and soon there will be more apps created for these devices. Overall, apps are moving beyond just the mobile phone.”
To hear more of the interview with Mark Lee and Paul Jacobs – Listen to the interview here.
jācapps custom apps can support these efforts and so much more. If you are interested in creating a mobile presence to support your business, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030