This Week in Mobile: Week 47, November 2015

Hot Tech: Apple, Facebook, Google, Tesla

Industry News

Tim Cook: Apple won’t create ‘converged’ MacBook and iPad — Independent.ie

ARM and x86 are converging. Microsoft has proven that there is a market for convergence devices like the Surface. It is only a matter of time that iOS supports a PC-like user experience. The only difference is that Apple will re-think how we interact vs. simply shrinking OSX. I am calling Tim Cook’s bluff.

The Auto Industry Won’t Create The Future — Backchannel — Medium

Today’s cars are designed by suppliers. Automakers lack engineering and innovation leadership. The 2015 Cadillac Escalade integrates over 20 “features” from other suppliers. This leads to designing for the lowest common denominator. Tesla, Apple and other vertical auto-makers are in a prime position to disrupt this space.

Google Gets Surprise Ally in Mobile-App Search Push: Facebook

After achieving 1 billion users, Facebook is looking for new ways to drive traffic to their app. Google Search straight to in-app Facebook content. This is good news for deep linking, and another nail in the coffin for the “mobile web.”

Google can now stream apps to your phone

Google is re-thinking their mobile search business. The average install life of an app is 1 day. Streaming an app from a search link (deep link) gets very interesting — preview the app before you make the commitment to go all in on the download.

This is Facebook TV.

Facebook is testing a new video player experience in the News Feed. The focus is on discovery. Switching between videos is seamless because the player will remember where you left off. This could be the future of internet video.

Interesting Apps

The Making of Gyroscope Running — Gyroscope Innovations — Medium

In a world dominated by Strava, Nike & Runtastic, “filters for running” is an interesting use case. Gyroscope integrates with your favorite running apps and lets you share photos with running stats overlaid. Looks fun.

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