Author Archive: Matt

More Pixels and More Mobile Than Ever!

In graphics, pixels are everything. More pixels give us sharper images and make the images on a screen look more lifelike.

Here’s a refresher about pixels: the word itself stands for picture element, and a pixel is a single point within a graphic image. On colour monitors, each pixel consists of three dots in the primary colors (red, blue, green) making colour images a bit fuzzy. High-definition display screens pack pixels very tightly, until you can no longer see individual ones, providing sharper images and less blur.

Pixels are key to display qualities. People want high-quality display monitors. More than ever, they want them on their mobile devices as well.

People Watch More Video on Tablets

It makes sense to crank up tablet display quality. More people are watching video on tablets, according to Broadcast, which reported this more than doubled between June 2012 and 2013. In 2013, the British video provider Ooyala found that more than one-quarter of all video were viewed on a mobile device by the close of 2013. People now watch long-form video content (video running for at least 10 minutes) equally on tablets and laptops, and 53% of all tablet use is spent watching video.

Video stream is replacing television. Across the pond, Mashable says that it’s the Millenial generation (those who reached adulthood around 2000) who are watching video online. Thirty-four percent prefer viewing this way, rather than traditional television. Ten percent of this group doesn’t even watch broadcast TV at all, instead accessing the networks’ streams. (British TV also offers online streaming.) Forty-four percent said they like watching on mobile devices because it lets them decide when, and where, to watch a show.

Why are tablets popular for watching videos?

Television still offers the best high-definition quality, but tablets are fast catching up. Why are they popular? Marketing Pilgrim say’s it because they are mobile. With a tablet, you can watch video anywhere. It also allows people to browse for programs and apparently fosters intimacy, too: Business Intelligence reports that more people stream TV and video on their tablets in the bedroom than watch live TV there.

Lightweight, 4G tablets should appeal to Millenials everywhere. The latest ones feature 1920 x 1200 pixel displays ( 323 pixels per inch, or PPI) on 7-inch screens, (the standard is 1280 X 800) and weigh around 300g (.66 lbs) with 4G technology. Nexus 7, offered by T-mobile, Google, and Asus, offer these specs. Plenty of other larger and heavier tablets also have these speeds and resolutions.

4G Service Providers

4G is available everywhere although service is still spotty outside of major cities. The number of 4G services offered in the UK tripled in 2013 when Vodaphone and O2 invaded EE’s territory; EE, however, has the largest 4G network. Tesco and Three Mobile have joined since then. Check here to see if you have 4G coverage in your postcode.

Online Gaming Technology Trends For 2014

Like virtually all aspects of daily life, modern technology has redefined recreation by enabling the creation of online gaming venues. eCasino platforms afford easy access to the best of all possible worlds.  Besides obvious perks of convenience and privacy, odds of hitting bigger jackpots at Euro Palace casino are much higher and more frequent.

Other fringe benefits begin even before the first spin or draw is taken with hefty sign-on bonuses worth up to thousands of dollars. Moreover, constant entry into free-play tournaments and games are standing orders of every day at eCasinos like W888.

Of course, very well is never good enough for e-vendors.  Instead, they constantly view to gain the lead with improved editions and entirely new additions to existing product lines.

Below is a sneak preview of five major online gaming technology trends for 2014.

Fiber Internet

Popular expert consensus holds that fiber Internet technology will set a new standard of true high speed online gaming in 2014 and 2015.  Fiber optic accessibility transmits data via light rays so fast it turns copper DSL cables dinosaur relics of a distant past.  Even better news is no need for special devices or apps to access exponential speed.  This capability could also allow web-based games that are 100% guaranteed for fairness and fast-paced play.

Second Screen

Recent close of 2013 4Q commenced the opening season of Second Screen technology.  Its main attraction is full access to advanced functions without distraction of disrupted play.  Instead of constant mouse clicking to switch HD maps and inventory lists, players could access those items via interactive second screens.

eSports

Variously called “competitive online gaming,” eSports technology has recently gained tremendous popularity.  Its growing visibility is most often given credit to a global focus that brings gamers across the world entering their w88 login for going into direct contact for virtual combat.  Many commentators express firm belief in eSports as the next format of multi-casino online tournaments with huge cash prizes. Platforms like slot gacor maxwin offer a diverse range of games and betting options for those seeking excitement beyond eSports competitions.

Virtual Reality

Largely driven by enormous popularity of Facebook’s recently acquired Oculus Rift platform, virtual reality is likely to make a long-awaited appearance by year’s end.  VR players don specially designed goggles to get an overall effect of direct participation from perspectives inside the game. This means saying goodbye to screens as barriers to final frontier of online gaming with physical presence from remote distances.

Augmented Reality

A very close second runner-up and relative of VR, augmented reality allows solitary interaction with customized interfaces to suit players’ wildest imaginations.  This surreal experience is enabled by artificial intelligence for truly interactive engagement by manipulating integrated electronic controls.  Combined with exponentially enhanced motion sensing technology, net effects like pushing virtual buttons or being dealt real cards by live dealers could be possible.

Final observations of 2014 online gaming innovations

Regardless of whether players use a desktop PC, laptop, Smartphone, iPad or tablet for remote access to hot gaming action, one reality cannot be denied.  Great things lie just ahead that make it very worthwhile to keep close tabs with vigilant watch of virtual gaming venues.  After all, if early birds get the biggest worms, it’s a safe bet that newest players get the best perks.

Website Trends That Improve Your ROI

Facebook is king when it comes to user engagement and return on investment. Brand engagement on the social networking site continues to grow, up 438 percent in 2012, notes Econsultancy. Along with having an engaging, consistent social presence, your business must catch up with website trends to boost your ROI.

These four website trends will not only improve the user experience, they will improve your ROI by making it easier for users to convert. They work best with a clean, fresh website design. If your website has a clunky or stale design, or it does not match your branding, start from scratch to have the best chance of increasing your return on investment. Implement these trends and use analytics to regularly track your progress and refine your approach.

Conversion optimization

Conversion optimization boosts your ROI by making it easier to convert the traffic your website already captures instead of focusing on driving more traffic to your website. Paid conversion optimization tools include Crazy Egg (which offers a 30-day free trial and plans from $9) or Optimizely (which offers a 30-day free trial and pricing plans from $17 per month). Google Analytics offers some free conversion optimization tools that can help you get started.

Bounce prevention

Similar to conversion optimization, this trend targets the traffic you already get. Bounce prevention measures intend to stop the user who visits your site from leaving and forgetting about you. They might include remarketing ads that target users who have left, or targeting users with a pop up offering a free ebook download or an opt-in newsletter option. You’ll get direct feedback on how effective many of your bounce prevention measures are by seeing how many users opt in.

Tell your story

Your website should tell your story in a clear and compelling manner to really engage the user. You can look for inspirations by looking at storybrand website examples to know how to portray your story in your site. Elements that help you tell your story include clear writing, crisp images, engaging videos, and a rich social media promotion strategy that continuously puts your message out there. You don’t have to be a professional photographer or videographer to do this. Take advantage of resources like Shutterstock, a stock photo database where you can purchase images for your website, and freelance marketplaces like Elance or oDesk to connect to freelance writers, videographers, or web marketers.

Focus on perceived value

Increasingly, it isn’t just about putting your product out there but about finding ways to demonstrate value. Blog regularly about ways to use your product (or service), create tutorial videos, or use targeted email marketing to show value. If you create shareable content that will demonstrate perceived value, you’ll also gain an organic traffic boost when users share your content. Social shares will continue to be an extremely important, relevant way to increase your return on investment. Getting out in front and being active in promoting your brand socially can benefit your ROI.