Rewarded video monetization soars in U.S. mobile apps

Video ads that reward app users or gamers for viewing increased significantly as a form of monetization for mobile apps in the U.S., according to a new report (here's last year's report) by mobile ad monetization firm Appodeal.

These "rewarded videos" saw a significant increase in the past year when it comes to generating a high effective cost per mille (eCPM), the effective cost for every thousand ad impressions, Appodeal said in its second annual In-App Ad Monetization Performance Index.

The report identifies the top-performing ad networks for mobile ads. In the U.S., the top rewarded video ad networks were Unity Ads, AppLovin, and Tapjoy.

Mobile app developers and publishers are starting to rely on ads more to generate income, but to do it right, they need the right ad monetization strategies, Appodeal said. That includes investing in a variety of types of ads such as rewarded videos, banners, and interstitials.

Rewarded videos are user-initiated ads where users can earn in-app rewards in exchange for viewing a video ad.

Rewarded video debuted a mere few years ago, but Appodeal said it has quickly become popular in the ad tech market. New offerings by major players like Google AdMob and Facebook contributed significantly to eCPM growth; however, the inability to serve rewarded videos more frequently is one key barrier as it limits revenue potential.

Overall, interstitials generated the most revenue in all regions (except iOS in South America). Since these full-screen ads can come in the form of a static image, video, or interactive rich media (that is, playable ads), interstitials can be quite flexible as a happy medium between banner ads (with low eCPMs, but high frequency), and rewarded video (with high eCPMs, but low frequency).

Despite being one of the oldest ad formats and having the lowest eCPMs, banners continued to be an important and reliable monetizing ad format thanks to its superior availability of ads and ability to be served frequently or even continuously.

As a result, this format represented about at least a quarter of monetization power share across most regions. In South America, it even made up more than half of the revenue on iOS.

The eCPM trend reports of each ad format can serve as a revenue planning tool. For example, some ad formats' eCPMs are trending up in certain regions, while some are trending down. Publishers can use this information to make better forecast of what eCPMs they can expect to earn.

Hellenic introduces mobile banking units

"Mobile banking vehicles are innovative in their design and built on European safety standards and meet all of these specifications to provide customer service and customer experience while demonstrating respect for the environment," the bank announced.

The MBUs are powered by solar energy and other innovative technologies making them energy sufficient for up to 15 hours.

They will offer exactly the same services as a regular bank branch such as money withdrawals, deposits, payments and loan applications.

The vehicle includes ATMs, cash registers and seats and has built-in air conditioning, adaptive lighting, and a lift to facilitate access for the elderly and disabled.

The banking unit was created because the bank understands that it is not always easy to access banking services, especially for the residents of remote areas, Hellenic Bank’s statement said.

The first unit will cover 12 communities. On Monday it travels to Kofinou, Ayios Dhometios, Choirokoitia, and Kalo Chorio, on Tuesday to Vrisoulles and Frenaros, on Wednesday to Xylotymbou and Dasaki, on Thursday to Liopetri and Xylophagou and on Friday it serves customers in Parekklisia and Germasogeia.

"Mobile banking vehicles are innovative in their design and built on European safety standards and meet all of these specifications to provide customer service and customer experience while demonstrating respect for the environment," the bank announced.

The MBUs are powered by solar energy and other innovative technologies making them energy sufficient for up to 15 hours.

They will offer exactly the same services as a regular bank branch such as money withdrawals, deposits, payments and loan applications.

The vehicle includes ATMs, cash registers and seats and has built-in air conditioning, adaptive lighting, and a lift to facilitate access for the elderly and disabled.

The banking unit was created because the bank understands that it is not always easy to access banking services, especially for the residents of remote areas, Hellenic Bank’s statement said.

The first unit will cover 12 communities. On Monday it travels to Kofinou, Ayios Dhometios, Choirokoitia, and Kalo Chorio, on Tuesday to Vrisoulles and Frenaros, on Wednesday to Xylotymbou and Dasaki, on Thursday to Liopetri and Xylophagou and on Friday it serves customers in Parekklisia and Germasogeia.

Stephen Malkmus webchat – post your questions now

Coming to fame in the early 90s as co-founder and lead singer of the band Pavement, Stephen Malkmus, 52, has since become an icon of American indie rock. Over Pavement’s five albums, Malkmus’s often eccentric wordplay and off-kilter compositions won them a devoted following. They even prompted the Fall’s Mark E Smith to call them a "rip off" of his band, one that did not "have an original idea in their heads".

After the group disbanded in 1999, Malkmus collaborated with Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore on their project Kim’s Bedroom, as well as writing music for film and TV, including tracks for Todd Haynes’ unconventional biopic of Bob Dylan, I’m Not There. He also fronts the enduring Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – their seventh album, Sparkle Hard, was released in May.

As he tours the UK with the Jicks, Malkmus is joining us to answer your questions about his life and music, in a live webchat from 12.15pm BST on Thursday 25 October – post them in the comments below and he’ll take on as many as possible.

The Deuce recap: season two, episode three – 'It’s not racism, it’s economics'

CC opens up a carboot and takes out his pimp cane. He is at the airport, taking his first flight. "Will I need my coat in the plane?" he asks Lori, who is playfully teasing him about his naivety and lack of understanding about time zones. "We go back in time? I don't play that shit," he says after being told about the three-hour difference between his native New York and Los Angeles, the emerging hotbed of porn that the couple are due to visit for an adult awards show.

This exchange shows CC at his most vulnerable; ignorant and easily out of his comfort zone. But Lori is able to make him accept his weaknesses without lashing out at her, for now. Could that change once the pair get an audience on the west coast? We won't find out, as CC decides to opt out once Lori reminds him of the fact that some planes do actually crash. "Bring back that gold for us," he says, optimistically.

When Lori lands in LA, she finds herself in a plush hotel suite: it's like an Alex Prager photograph, with powder-blue hues and gilded furnishings. As she looks out on the Hollywood hills, the question lingers: why would she ever go back? She meets Candy and Harvey at the awards, and he delivers a zinger: "Fear of flying," he says about CC. "That's appropriate." On the east coast, Abby has begun organising a legalise prostitution campaign with former sex workers and the ACLU.

Back on the deuce, Paul and his partner are trying to convince Vincent to stump up $20,000 to bankroll their supper club. He is keen, but is not quite so into their idea of circumventing the mob and doing it on their own. "Rudy still gets his nut on the original bar," says Paul, who sounds about as naive as CC. "But this new one: it's ours." Vincent agrees, against his better judgment. Leon has a welcome home party at the cafe. Rodney turns up, drunk and disorderly, and looking as if he is well and truly on the slide.

Railway police to introduce mobile app for passengers

The Government Railway Police (GRP) would soon introduce a mobile application for train passengers. With the help of the railway ministry, the GRP is developing the mobile app. Passengers can download the app and lodge their complaints in the app. The complaint will reach the GRP police personnel travelling in the same train and ensure they respond immediately.
Speaking at an awareness programme on 'safe journey' for train passengers in the city on Tuesday, additional director general of police (ADGP-railways) C Sylendra Babu said a private company is developing the app and it will be introduced soon for the passengers.

The GRP, Coimbatore, organized the awareness programme. The commuters were requested not to travel on footboards and not to board a moving train. Students of the visual communication department of Rathinam College at Eachanari performed a street play to create awareness among the passengers.
Sylendra Babu said 2,300 people died in the last one year in the state due to carelessness while travelling in train or committing suicide by jumping in front of trains. While 10% of the people committed suicide by jumping in front of trains, 85% died due to careless journey. Remaining 5% were natural deaths.
"85% of deaths can be avoided if people are careful while travelling in trains. They should not travel on the footboards and should not board a moving train. If people avoid such carelessness, we can save the lives of train passengers. So, we conducted the awareness programme for the commuters. Such programmes will be conducted across the state," said Sylendra Babu.
He said passengers travelling in trains can download the app and upload the information in the app if they are facing any troubles in the train. Immediately, the message will be sent to the respective policemen who are on duty in the train. Senior police officials will also monitor the message and instruct the policemen on duty to act.

Mobile phone warning signs take to the road

A new deterrent sign is to be trialled in an attempt to caution motorists who are using their phones whilst driving.

A roadside system that detects if a mobile phone is in use in a passing vehicle is being piloted in a UK first.

Despite being unable to pick up whether the driver is using the phone, it is hoped it will act as a deterrent to people making calls behind the wheel.

The technology picks up the phone signal in the vehicle and activates a roadside warning sign of a mobile with a red line through it.

Being initially tested in Norfolk, the system cannot record footage.

However, it is designed to pick up whether the phone is being used hands-free or via a vehicle's Bluetooth system and as a result will not trigger the sign.

Chris Spinks, of Westcotec the firm behind it and former head of roads policing in Norfolk, said: "So many people, by force of habit, can't resist using their phone.

"The system cannot differentiate between a driver and the passengers on a bus, for example, but this goes some way towards remotely warning drivers that they can be detected using their phone."

The signs are in place in four locations in Norfolk before being moved on to new sites within the county in a month's time.

How does the system work?

Using a directional antenna, the detector picks up radio waves emitted from a phone handset, and measures the signal strength and length of activation.

When a signal is detected of a duration and signal strength sufficient to activate the system, the detector triggers the sign.

The detector is able to distinguish Bluetooth connections which, when picked up, will prevent the trigger activation.

Peter Williams, RAC road safety spokesperson, said: "While this new signage is no replacement for a uniformed police officer catching someone in the act, it could be enough to make some drivers think twice - and that has to be a positive step forward.

"So ironically, just as technology has enabled the problem of drivers using mobile phones illegally, it can also be a big part of the solution in getting people to stop."

Statistics from the devices will be shared with Norfolk Police, the county council said.

The council said that enabling the system to record specific number plates could be a "future development" with it.

Insp Jonathan Chapman, of Norfolk Roads Policing unit, said: "Any scheme which prevents this kind of behaviour is welcomed.

"Using a mobile phone at the wheel is one of the fatal four road offences which can have devastating consequences if it causes a fatal or serious collision."

Mobile phone thief caught within hours in Dubai

An African man, who stole a mobile phone from a shop while posing as buyer, was nabbed by the Dubai Police within hours of the incident, while he was eyeing his next target. The mobile thief was referred to the Dubai Public Prosecution. 

On being informed that there had been a theft in a mobile shop on Al Mutaina Road, the cops leapt into action and rushed to the site. They found a swelling crowd outside the shop.

The complainant told the police that a Nigerian man entered his shop and asked him for a mobile phone. He got him distracted by requesting him to show more handsets. During the process, he stole a mobile phone worth Dh2,500. The complainant said it was only after the suspect left the shop that he discovered the theft.

Police sounded an alert to other mobile phone shops after the incident and issued description of the suspect. The same day around midnight, the African was spotted roaming outside some mobile phone shops. The cops were informed, who reached the place immediately and arrested him.

Why Just Having Your Phone Near You Messes With Your Brain

Arianna Huffington and her team at wellness company Thrive Global might’ve been onto something when they put a $100 mini “Phone Bed” up for sale designed to separate people from their devices while they sleep.
                                                 

A recent study by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin, the University of California, San Diego and Disney Research sought to determine how just having your smartphone near you, even if you aren’t looking at it or using it, can affect you cognitively.

The researchers asked some participants to turn off their phone’s sound and vibration notifications, and some to power off their phones. They then divided the participants, asking some to place their phones in front of them, face-down, others to stow their phones in their pockets or bags and others yet to keep them in another room during the experiments. The participants who performed best on the tasks were of the latter group, followed by the ones who stowed their devices. The worst performers were the ones whose phones were on their desks during the tasks.

As for why this happens, the researchers explain that “humans learn to automatically pay attention to things that are habitually relevant to them, even when they are focused on a different task.” This is why your ears perk up when you hear someone say your name across the room, for example, even while you’re in the middle of a conversation with someone else. When you try to ignore the pull of your smartphone, you’re expending effort to suppress this urge, which is a distraction that makes you think less effectively.

There’s plenty of anecdotal and scientific evidence to prove that smartphones are detrimental to our health and well being. They’re anxiety inducing, cause car accidents and distract us from work and social bonding. But that doesn’t mean they’re inherently bad. Smartphones, of course, add efficiency, convenience and connectivity to our lives.

The first Android Go phone is here

Last spring, Google said it was taking another shot at reworking Android to keep it running fast and smooth on lower-end devices. The initiative was called Android Go, and the very first phone running it — technically, “Android Oreo (Go Edition)” — is being announced today by Alcatel. It’s called the Alcatel 1X, and, well, it’s not all that much to get excited about.
                                                 

That’s partly because the 1X is a low-end phone, which means it has to impress on value rather than specs and flourishes. But it’s also because, in our initial hands on with the phone, the operating system didn’t run all that smoothly, despite Google’s optimizations. Stay tuned as we’ll have more impressions on Android Go throughout the week, but Alcatel hasn’t given us a thrilling first look.

The first unit of the 1X that I tried out was so sluggish as to feel broken. The app drawer stuttered every time it was flung open, the camera couldn’t hold an image, and I somehow watched the dialer render from low to high res after it opened. I didn’t know that was possible.

I tried out a second unit of the 1X just to see if all was the same, and for some reason, that unit was working much better, despite there being no apparent hardware differences — there was still stuttering all over the interface, but the phone was at least fairly quick about getting through it. The experience wasn’t exactly good, but it at least didn’t feel broken.

Sleepless kids linked to night time mobile phone use

Parents should consider setting clear boundaries for their teenager’s mobile phone use — especially at bedtime — to give their child the best start to the new school year, a WA expert says.
                                                   

Former schoolteacher Lynette Vernon, a lead researcher with Murdoch University’s school of psychology and exercise science, said teachers were increasingly dealing with tired students in the classroom.

Dr Vernon’s world-first study as part of her PhD found late-night phone use was directly linked to problems with coping skills, depressed moods, lower self-esteem and aggressiveness in students.

Dr Vernon said with school holidays winding down, it was an ideal time for parents to discuss with their child how they were using their device and rules they could put in place.

“I would negotiate, it shouldn’t come to 10 o’clock at night and the phone goes off and they are not knowing why,” she said. “If they are teenagers in particular it will end up causing a lot of friction. It is best to have a conversation around the table about everyone’s digital media use and think about good habits to get a good night’s sleep as you get back to school.”

Dr Vernon said an option was to ban devices from bedrooms.

An Australian Psychological Society survey late last year found teenagers spent 3.3 hours a day on social media, with some logging on to their favourite sites as many as 50 times a day.

It found almost 80 per cent of Australian teenagers had “high mobile phone involvement” which involves using a phone for no particular purpose or being unable to reduce use.

Dr Vernon said parents could gauge if mobile phone and social media use was becoming problematic by asking their child questions, including whether they became moody or irritable when they could not have access.