Plastic Mobile’s Bagel Wednesday Mobile News: Has someone cracked the Quantum Computing Code?

In Today’s Plastic Mobile Bagel Wednesday session, one of our Android developers was brimming with mobile news. His tastiest treat was some intel that IBM has cracked the quantum computing code. Apparently we are on the cusp of designing an actual quantum computer prototype. Whoa.

According to yesterday’s tech news, IBM has revealed that scientists at the Watson Research Center have made significant advances that could potentially lead to an actual quantum computer. Matthias Steffen, who oversees Big Blue’s experimental quantum computing group, told Wired magazine, ”What this means is that we can really start thinking about much larger systems, putting several of these quantum bits together and performing much larger error correction.”

And this is where things get a little too high tech and hectic for this writer’s digital comprehension. Instead, I’ve brought the source of this post, our Android developer, to briefly explain how quantum computing works:

AD explaining to me what QC can do: “Essentially, what quantum computing allows us to do is move past our current bit rate to hold two qubits of information (for quantum computing, it’s 0 and 1, but let’s call it yes and no). So, instead of just being able to have yes&no, with quantum computing, we can have the two variations to the power of two; yes&no, yes&yes, no&no and no&yes. This allows us to exponentially increase the processing speed of computers and moves us past classical computing and into the mystical realm of quantum mechanics.”

Amazing.

This is amazing on two levels:

1. because it is so cool, and

2. because I actually understand it!

Thank you AD.

So, the hot news for today is that the breakthrough that IBM has made has the potential to revolutionize our entire digital epoch, rocketing us into the future and who knows what plethora of possibilities.

Have more news on quantum computing? Tweet us @plasticmobile.

Congratulations are in order as Research In Motion’s Blackberry App World has finally reached 1 billion downloads last week. For those who don’t follow tech news, RIM has been struggling for the past several months (understatement). Approximately three years ago, RIM shares were trading at $150.00 apiece; currently they are trading at roughly $26.00.

Shareholders must be ripping their hair out!

Although we are happy for RIM, we cannot side track from the fact that it took about two years to accomplish this whereas, Apple’s app store has a total of 15 billion downloads to date and hit it’s 1^st billion in just nine months. Google’s Android has a total of 4.5 billion downloads to date.

In the latest shareholders meeting, RIM confirmed that it is planning on releasing seven new phones in the upcoming months. SEVEN? RIM hasn’t stated what new smartphones they will be launching but they are most likely to be upgraded models. The two most talked-about Blackberries to be released are the Bold 9900 and the Torch 2 (9860), as for the other five, we will just have to wait and see.  Also, RIM announced that the new Blackberry OS 7 would be the OS running on the Bold 9900.

We are thrilled to see the new operating system but rumor has it that current blackberry users would not be able to upgrade to OS 7. Let us hope that this is just a rumor.

But could this be the beginning of a comeback or the coming of Rimageddon?

Most will agree with the latter, it’s just too difficult to stay optimistic! Just a couple of days ago, RIM announced they plan to lay off 2,000 employees, which is equivalent to approximately 11% of their workforce. The intended purpose for this is to help RIM achieve higher growth, realign strategic objectives, and restructure senior management. These lay-offs will allow RIM to reduce costs and supposedly, introduce products to the market in a more timely manner (i.e. faster).

The next couple of months should be exciting.

Good or bad move by RIM?

Good luck RIM, you’ll need it.

Mobile phones are using millions of people throughout the world everyday!

They have changed our lives; nobody can deny this. Mobile is no longer just the most convenient tool of communication, or the best invention of 21st century; it is a part of our fibre! And with this trend, who can be happier than the digital marketers right now? Well, probably no one. While digital marketers are joyfully embracing mobile phone’s popularity, they need to take a moment to understand how they need to take full advantage of this space at the current moment and more importantly for the exciting years to come.

Dear Digital Marketer

Your app has to compete with many apps, all screaming for attention in competitive app stores, right? So, how are you going to make sure that your app is going to beat them all? How are you going to make sure your app is going to win people’s heart? Well, If you want to win the battle, here are some basic hints that many tend to overlook while being all excited about the current mobile app boom.

Be the first, OR the best!

If possible, be the pioneer of an app category; if not, then aim to become the best in that app category. Add value to the existing app by adding an extra ordinary spin & come up with not only a better, but THE best app in your category.

Futuristic view
Anticipate future trends, predict potential needs, and create your app based on it.

Don’t be a  stingy scrooge
If possible, invest and spend on a well developed application and a  sound marketing & promotion plan, go big in terms of your launch. Whether this means traditional media or social strategies, put the effort to get the word out.

Be in the loop
Watch out for competitors, evaluate what they’re doing right, what they’re doing wrong, what is it that they are not doing, and what is it that you can do better than them.

Love at the first sight
Your landing screen is so very important. Have a likable landing screen; try your best to attract your audiences at first glance.

One of its kind APP
Your app needs to be exceptional & unique, or you should say goodbye to app marketing for good. Innovate, plan excellently, and build something magnificent.

à la mode
Know the trend, be chic, be hip, be modish if you want your app to be unbeaten.

Take it easy!
While trying to create something unique, don’t forget to make it easy to use. Complications are very quick and easy way to say goodbye to your user for good.

Go for a test drive!
Make sure you’ll have all your friends, family member’s, co-workers, ex’s, neighbors, frienemies, and enemies, try your app before you launch it. Ask for their feedback, find out about the parts that confuse the user and take advantage of  enhancing your app.

Fish for compliment
The more people you get to talk about your app, the more successful you’ll get marketing it. Remember, the more discussions = more exposure = more sales!

Social media is your BFF
Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, these are your marketing department’s team members! Benefit from the ease of sharing info on your app through these mediums.

Continuing education
Constantly read tech news, blogs, attend seminars, tech events, and review other apps to learn what’s happening out there. Keep your knowledge up to date.

In the end, think of anything unique that will make your app stand taller than the competitors. Start strong & launch big.

For more tips on how to make and market a great application, contact us.