Venture Capital and Mobile Apps: This is No Small Business.

Venture Capital and Mobile Apps: This is No Small Business.

Author: Eric Everson, MBA, MSIT-SE – MyMobiSafe.com

As the app-driven mobile industry is heating up the sharks of the venture capital market smell the blood in the water! Since last week’s Mobile World Congress event, one of the hottest items on the board room table in the weeks/months ahead for venture capital is sinking their teeth into a piece of the mobile app market.

Venture capitalists are beginning to realize that while there are still many hobbyists in this market, there are just as many young fresh companies that are positioning for market leadership for the app-driven mobile future. Some of these companies are building their own portfolio of lucrative apps while generating additional revenue by building apps for other companies that want to get in on this wave of “App Mania.”

Other companies, like my own MyMobiSafe.com for example, are taking a broader view of the market and are not concentrating on a single Mobile Operating System (MOPS) platform, which is ultimately where the REAL money in this industry stands to be earned. The greatest challenge that App Developers face is that to keep even a single product viable in this market, they must at minimum develop a version of their App for the iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry MOPS’. Compared to developing software for the computer industry, this multiplies the cost of bringing a single mobile product to market, which is not the kind of business model that is quick to attract venture capitalist.

On the other hand, as we have done with MyMobiSafe Verified Services, we have positioned in this market with a minimal upfront cost structure and have introduced an industry recognized product that is equally viable across all mobile platforms; our brand is quickly becoming recognized as the mark of quality across all App distribution portals. As veterans in this industry, we learned the hard lessons of trying to develop for every single MOPS and have leveraged our core strengths as a result to streamline our MyMobiSafe Verified Services business. Just for the record, despite some of the venture capital rumors we have read about MyMobiSafe.com, we have also managed to self-fund our venture; yet we look forward to exploring opportunities with the right venture partner.

In this market, there are still many hobbyists that are making thousands of dollars in extra money by building Apps, yet there are also many companies that are positioning to emerge as the next $100 Million goliath in this space. It is the companies that operate seamlessly across all mobile platforms that stand to generate the most wealth in this industry. As any wireless industry analyst would agree, the history of MOPS platforms has always been one of many islands and has never been known for integrated compatibility. Thus it is the firms that position to embrace the broadest spectrum of this market that are the most attractive to investors.

Will the next Microsoft emerge from this market? It is not likely, but there are certainly companies within this market that stand to change the future and are sure to generate a hefty balance sheet in the process… not to mention might create some attractive merger, acquisition, and potential initial public offering opportunities along the way. What is nice about this market is that with already over 3 billion App Store downloads, this is a market where a small business can grow into a big business very quickly!

Twam: The Reality of Twitter Spam

Twam: The Reality of Twitter Spam

Author: Eric Everson, MBA, MSIT-SE

Twitter has become a global phenomenon and there is no doubt that everyone from small businesses to the world’s largest corporations have taken notice. While it can be fun to get the latest tweets from your friends and family, getting the up to the minute scoop from companies using Twitter to advertise might not be exactly what you signed on for.

Twam – the new buzz word for “Twitter spam”, coined by Airwide Solutions, is growing in popularity. In fact a recent study indicates that already over ten percent of all Twitter traffic has become “twam” that for many of us is hitting our mobile handsets at an unwelcoming rate. This week the Mobile World Congress event is in full swing in Barcelona, Spain and there is one company taking a pretty major stand against twam.

As far as my research indicates, the phrase “twam” was coined by Airwide Solutions, which interestingly is also the same company that claims to have sent the world’s first text message. How befitting that text messaging is becoming the new wave of tweeting. This very company is giving demos at the Mobile World Congress event that certainly should not be missed. If you want to learn how to really block this surge of twam, it is my humble opinion, that this company has the answers that the industry is looking for.

Though many handsets are being introduced into the market with improved processing capabilities, the overwhelming number of legacy handsets in use today far exceeds the iPhones and Droids of the world. With that realization, it is easy to recognize what a popular role SMS (text messaging) is playing as the world continues to embrace and enjoy using Twitter. What has been fascinating to me lately is the number of people that are tweeting on behalf of the companies they support. MyMobiSafe.com for example does not even have an established twitter account, yet tweets keep getting generated about our new MyMobiSafe Verified services. As a business owner I am fascinated by this, it’s like free marketing just because people identify with your brand.

On the other hand, I realize that even though I have not sent a single twitter message about my company, these tweets might be somebody’s twam. We are entering new territory here where sharing something exciting about an innovative company is contributing to the rising occurrence of twam. It makes me ask, is it really twam or simply the digital version of word of mouth? From introducing new parental controls to manage this kind of content to putting filters in place, the service providers must certainly take notice of this rising new phenomenon too. Until they do however, feel free to tweet about my company too, we love that so many people want to help us spread the word!

Malicious Mobile Code: What You Need to Know.

Malicious Mobile Code: What You Need to Know.

Author: Eric Everson, MBA, MSIT-SE

The thought of someone hacking into your mobile phone to steal your personal data added to the growing number of mobile threats sounds bad enough, then you come across the industry term “Malicious Mobile Code” and it makes downloading any new mobile app a scary process.

So it sounds like scary stuff, but what is Malicious Mobile Code (MMC) REALLY? If you follow my journal, you know that I’m always knuckle-deep in this kind of stuff, and as a result I’ve lost many good computers and mobile handsets along the way. As threatening as the words may sound, MMC is really an industry catchall phrase that refers to any code that can hinder the operation of a mobile application or device.

Building software is kind of like building a house of cards in that each layer depends on the next to function properly. In software (just as in the house of cards) if you remove or otherwise tamper with a key component it can often corrupt the entire structure. MMC most often attempts to do this very thing by injecting faulty code into a key operating component of your mobile software or Mobile Operating System (MOPS).

Though mobile devices are steadily becoming more sophisticated with added computing power, the reality is that MOPS remain highly vulnerable to such MMC attacks. This is why third-party mobile security software is becoming so important to have on your mobile device. Many of the mobile security solutions on the market today block the MMC similar to antivirus software for a computer.

Additionally, the demand for mobile app-driven handsets is significantly on the rise which is putting many users at greater risk. Often consumers on the most popular app retail portals assume that anything they download to their handsets should be safe. Despite best efforts however, many risky apps from those with harmful embedded source code to those masquerading as legitimate financial services apps are making their way to unsuspecting mobile users.

This issue has created new demand for services like MyMobiSafe Verified, the first service of its kind that offers a formal review and validation of new mobile apps across every platform (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, Java, Orange, and all others). By creating an environment where developers and the mobile community alike are looking for the confidence of the MyMobiSafe Verified mark, this creates a significant hurdle for unwanted Malicious Mobile Code in the market.

MMC can range from the simplest corrupt code to the worst mobile viruses, yet the phrase and acronym remains as an industry catch all. As a software engineer and one with substantial frontline experience with this kind of code, my words of wisdom are to be cautious of anything that you are loading onto your handset. If it is free, remember that old adage that suggests “nothing good comes free.” In too many cases of mobile apps free means that there is something else behind the curtains. Start looking for verified apps before you buy them as they will often display a recognizable logo. Finally, remember that not all MMC is created equal, in many cases damage is not permanent and can often be repaired by a professional.

About the Author: Eric Everson is a leader in mobile technologies and is the founder of the U.S.-based MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with consulting related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com. To learn more about MyMobiSafe Verification simply visit the website email: GetVerifed@MyMobiSafe.com.

Is Your App Verified?

Malicious Mobile Apps a Growing Concern

Malicious Mobile Apps a Growing Concern

Author: Eric Everson, MBA, MSIT-SE

The phrase “mobile security” does not usually mean much to anyone, until of course they encounter their first mobile attack. For a growing number of App Store and Android Market customers, this is a growing fear that is becoming all too real.

Already in 2010, mobile apps via both the App Store and Android Market, owned by Apple Inc (NASDAQ: APPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) respectively, have experienced a rise in malicious mobile apps. Often consumers on these popular portals and others like them assume that anything they download to their handsets should be safe. Despite best efforts however, many risky apps from those with harmful embedded source code to those masquerading as legitimate financial services apps are making their way to mobile users.

This rise in mobile threats comes at a time of industry vulnerability as popular app-driven handsets like the Apple iPhone and Motorola Droid are in very high demand. As the app markets are poised for substantial growth in the years ahead, tackling these security issues must remain at the forefront of priorities for industry experts. To combat this problem head-on, MyMobiSafe.com recently launched MyMobiSafe Verified, a service which offers the industry’s first universal verification credentials for app developers. Demand for the MyMobiSafe Verified logo is quickly growing amongst app developers and those shopping for new apps.

App verification is becoming the leading opportunity for legitimate app developers to demonstrate the integrity of their apps in a crowded marketplace that is becoming increasingly at risk from malicious apps. From imposter financial apps to free gaming apps that are phishing for information on handsets, the mobile community is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of such verified services like MyMobiSafe Verified.

As upwards of 10,000 new apps are submitted to these popular app retailers each week, the sheer volume is exposing significant handset-level vulnerabilities. Additionally the growing popularity of the unregulated mobile banking and mobile financial services is attracting an increasing number of hackers into the mobile community.

About the Author: Eric Everson is a leader in mobile technologies and is the founder of the U.S.-based MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with consulting related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com. To get started or to learn more about MyMobiSafe Verification simply email: GetVerifed@MyMobiSafe.com.

iPad on Lockdown: Apple Faces a Twist of Intellectual Property Law

iPad on Lockdown: Apple Faces a Twist of Intellectual Property Law

Author: Eric Everson, MyMobiSafe.com

Imagine that you have this great product idea and a catchy brand name for it too. As managers, we have all been there at some point or another. Grandiose ideas of being patted on the back and welcomed into the inner circle of the executive leadership team come to mind as you envision all the profit your company is going to earn with this revolutionary new product… then the USPTO (US Patent and Trademark Office) snaps you back to reality as you discover that it’s already been done before!

As a U.S. Company, this is the epiphany that Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) either failed to acknowledge or figured they had the treasury and legal muscle to flex. As it turns out the iPad, is not a new product in the world of technology, in fact as even some of us more techy types may remember, it was Fujitsu that actually introduced the first iPad. Don’t just take my word for it, just look it up for yourself at USPTO.gov (Hint: start with US Patent: 7,228,469).

How accurate does this sound? “Portable information device, … portable information device, and computer product” If that sounds like one of Steve Jobs’ lines for promoting the new Apple iPad, think again as that text was literally copied verbatim from the Fujitsu owned US Patent: 7,228,469. It would seem that Apple Inc has stepped into the ring with Fujitsu, which is a leading Japan-based company with a beefy balance sheet and domestic access to the legal system that should certainly make Steve Jobs and team consider their next moves carefully.

As I understand it Apple has until February 28, 2010 to decide to fight for the name at the USPTO. The new Apple iPad has iPhone app developers frantic as their current content will lose significant resolution when displayed in full screen on the iPad. Apple released a new SDK exclusive to the iPad this week, which has many developers contemplating if they should invest the time in redeveloping and transferring their product to the iPad.

While the future may bring about a balance where app content can be shared from iPad to iPhone (and back) with ease, in the interim we are granting a specialized MyMobiSafe Verified package that covers content unique multiplatform apps. This will allow app developers to earn their MyMobiSafe Verification for either their iPhone App or their iPad app and use the same credentials at no added cost.

Apple is no stranger to big lawsuits and legal action, but for now, it seems this twist of intellectual property law has plans for the Apple iPad on lockdown.

About the Author: Eric Everson is a leader in mobile technologies and is the founder of the U.S.-based MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with consulting related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com. To get started with your MyMobiSafe Verification simply email: GetVerifed@MyMobiSafe.com.