Content about Smartphones

BOSTON — Nearly 75% of smartphone-owning consumers would switch brands if they were offered real-time mobile promotions delivered to their smartphones while shopping in a grocery or drug store aisle, according to a new survey.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Concord Keystone has introduced a new portable battery pack designed for Android smartphones and Apple products, including iPhones and iPods.

BOSTON — A survey sponsored by in-store commerce provider AisleBuyer found that nearly 40% of smartphone-carrying shoppers have abandoned their in-store purchases because of long lines, while 21% will abandon their purchases if there are no registers open.

SAN FRANCISCO — Three-of-every-4 consumers using smartphones and tablets respond to a call to action after seeing a location-specific message, according to the "Mobile Audience Insights Report" issued by JiWire on Wednesday.

NEW YORK — An Apple a day also may help keep the doctor away. iHealth Lab is expanding its offerings that can dock with Apple’s family of products, namely the iPhone, iPod and iPad. The company earlier this year launched its iHealth BP3 blood-pressure monitoring system and added its iHealth Digital Scale to its brand mix last October. Technophiles were exposed to the new products thanks to distribution through Best Buy and merchandising in Walmart’s electronics section through the holidays. 


LAS VEGAS — Kodak is debuting its latest products, including two new cameras, at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, despite rumors that the company will be seeking bankruptcy protection.

For those of us in the healthcare and wellness business, we realize our industry is changing and evolving quickly, mostly out of pure necessity.  The healthcare industry is overburdened, over budget and in need of an overhaul.  But the potential for our healthcare and wellness system is incredible for all audiences it touches — from consumers to medical professions to healthcare and wellness marketers. Throughout this past year familiar themes rang clear across our industry, giving us insights into what will play vital roles for healthcare in our future.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — For those who doubt that consumers and their smartphones are inseparable when it comes to shopping, think again. Mobile advertising company Verve Wireless conducted research and found that more than half of consumers are using their smartphones when shopping. The timing of the news is especially critical given the holiday shopping season is upon us and, clearly, holiday 2011 is shaping up to be the “tipping point” for mobile commerce.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Looking to stay on the cutting edge of mobile commerce, CVS/pharmacy has made the entire CVS.com catalog available to shoppers through its mobile site (m.cvs.com), so CVS/pharmacy customers easily can browse, order and buy products anywhere, anytime from their smartphones.

In addition, the CVS Photo mobile site features fully-optimized print ordering and purchasing with easy checkout.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle last month launched an app for users of Android devices that's tied to the grocer's loyalty program. So far, the app has been downloaded as many as 5,000 times.

The app enables shoppers to peruse the weekly ad circular on their mobile phones or computers. The grocer's eOffers (digital coupons) can be added to the customer's Giant Eagle Advantage Card.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy Friday announced enhanced shopping and prescription refill functionality for its mobile site, located at m.CVS.com, as well as iPhone and Android apps, enabling shoppers to use mobile devices to manage their ExtraCare Rewards accounts, scan and send prescription refills, and order photo prints from CVS Photo Centers.

Customers accessing CVS/pharmacy's mobile website can now take advantage of several features of the ExtraCare Rewards Program. This new functionality lets shoppers:

WORTHINGTON, Ohio — According to a survey released last week, 61.7% of mobile users said they plan to use their smartphone or tablet for holiday shopping this year.