Apple I- Phone

Survey shows Apple offers most-satisfying mobile shopping experience

By Josh Ong

Published: 03:00 AM EST (12:00 AM PST)

Respondents to a new survey gave Apple the highest satisfaction scores for its mobile commerce experience, with online retailer Amazon coming in second.

The study from ForeSee (via VentureBeat) collected responses from 3,000 visitors to apps and mobile sites for the top 40 U.S. retailers' websites based on revenue. Apple received the top score of 85 for its mobile experience, faring better than its own Web experience, which scored 83.

Amazon was a close second with a satisfaction score of 84. Dell came in third with a score of 78, and Netflix and eBay tied for fourth with 77.

As the adoption of smartphones increases, more consumers are using them to access retailer websites,? said Larry Freed, President and CEO of the analytics firm. ?More and more, there is expectation that companies will address the mobile environment in ways that are effective and user-friendly. Mobile commerce is still relatively new and there is a lot of room for innovation and improvement."

Respondents generally ranked their mobile commerce experiences as less satisfactory than Web experiences, though Apple was a rare exception.

?The gap between mobile experience and web experience is an opportunity for retailers as much as it is a liability. We know consumer expectations will only continue to grow, and right now Amazon and Apple are setting a very high bar,? he continued.

Credit: ForeSee

The survey also found that 34 percent of online shoppers use their mobile phones to research purchases. 15 percent of respondents said they made purchases directly from their phone, up from 11 percent last year.

19 percent of shoppers said they used their mobile phones to compare prices while shopping in a store. Amazon sparked a controversy last month when it began offering discounts for items to customers who used its Price Check shopping app to check prices while at a physical store.

An earlier report from ForeSee released late last month found Apple to be the top computers and electronics retailer and the second overall in terms of customer satisfaction.

A separate study revealed that iOS users account for the majority of mobile e-commerce transactions. Retail analysis firm RichRelevance noted a whopping 92 percent of online non-desktop sales last December as having been made from iOS devices.

*Instant 3% AppleInsider Reader Discount Applied When Adding Items To Your Cart

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LG partners with Reliance to offer new plans on Reliance 3G for both prepaid and postpaid customers on purchase of LG Optimus 3D. These plans offer Free Voice, SMS, 3G Data and VAS services like Mobile TV pack. The LG Optimus 3D was launched in India last month. This offer is also available in 2G circles.

Prepaid plans

Postpaid plans

Monthly Charges after discounts (Rs)

Both these prepaid and postpaid offers are valid for 24 months from activation. This offer is available only for GSM customers or port in customers in the Reliance 3G and 2G circles wherever applicable. You can purchase these handsets from the retail outlets or from the Reliance stores and activate these plans later.

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Airtel now offers Double Data Benefit on select 3G plans. All the Standard 3G packs now offer double data on recharge for both the Prepaid and Postpaid users. The Rs. 101, Rs. 201, Rs. 451 and Rs. 751 packs now offer 200MB, 500MB, 1200MB and 4GB (pre-paid) / 5GB (post-paid).

They have also added some new sachet packs. You can SMS 3G to 121 or call 12134 to know about 3G plans in your circle.

The recharge amount for the plans differ based on the region, head on to Airtel 3G Tariff Page to check the details for your circle. Double benefit offer is valid for limited period only (3 months) from 19th September 2011. So, Hurry!

Update: This offer is available in select circles only. Check the Airtel 3G Tariff Page if the offer is available in your circle.

Thanks Shivaranjan !

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Idea has launched 3G video calling booth in Malapuram, Kerala that would offer ISD video calls to any 3G enabled phones across the world. People can visit Idea kiosk at IMT Mobile, Dubai Souk, behind Kottakkal bus stand, Kottakkal to make International video calls. Apart from ISD, people can also make STD and local video calls to any 3G mobile phones with front facing camera.

As a promotional offer they offer free ISD Video calling from the booth on 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of September 2011. This video calling booth is first of its kind in Kerala, and they would launch more booths in other locations of Kerala soon. Idea now has 1250 3G cell sites in Kerala offering 3G services like Video Conferencing, Idea Mall Application Store, Mobile TV, Video on Demand, apart from high-speed Internet Browsing.

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Samsung Apps has received a new update for Bada phones. The new version includes improved user interface, updated purchasing options and a personalised App recommendation service. Samsung is also celebrating their 2nd birthday of Samsung Apps by offering 30 popular paid Bada apps for free. Samsung Apps is now available in 121 countries and offers 40,000 applications. Samsung Apps for Galaxy devices is available in China, Korea, UK and Australia.

Features in the new version of Samsung Apps for Bada

New user interface with new elements such as Smart and My PageNew purchasing options include “Try’n Play” and “Rent’n Play would let users rent an app on trial basis without payingSmart mode recommends apps based on current usage trends and the user’s favorite apps and interestsWish List lets the users Save a list of applications and access it later

They have also added new seller page as well as a promoted App tab for the developers to promote their app and also view and reply to customer comments. The 30 paid apps include some of the popular apps such as Fruit Ninja and Plants vs. Zombies that are available for free for Wave phones.

The new version of the Samsung Apps would be available for Samsung Wave smartphones running on the new bada 2.0 OS, and rolled out globally on Samsung Galaxy devices towards the end of the year.

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BSNL has announced that they will offer mobile coverage for the pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir. This would allow the prepaid and postpaid BSNL and MTNL customers across India to keep in touch with others throughout the Yatra.

The annual Amarnath Yatra commences on the 29th of June, which is next week and ends on 13th August 2011. Registration for the Yatra started from 10th May. Every year over 3 Lakh pilgrims visit the Amarnath Temple an this year over 2.25 lakh pilgrims have registered already for the Yatra.

The mobile towers in the Base Camps of Baltal, Domail & Chandanwari has started operating since this May to help the para military forces, SASB and LANGAR organizers. Now, the routes of Baltal and Pehalgam including Sheshnag, Panchatarini  and the Holy Cave has complete network coverage throughout the Yatra.

BSNL has also made arrangements to offer new prepaid connections for the Yatris at the registration point / base camp. They just need to provide a passport size photograph, address and ID proof to get a new connection.

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Tata Docomo has launched a new offer wherein users can watch Live Cricket through MobileTV on their 3G Enabled handset. The offer is applicable in circles where Tata Docomo has launched 3G services. You can watch up to 10 hrs of live cricket during the India – New Zealand one day series

Users will be moved to the Rs30 Weekly plan only after the completion of Free 10 Hours or on 11th Dec (whichever is earlier).The customer can unsubscribe from this Free offer before the completion of 10 Free hours or 11th Dec, and in this scenario, customer will not be charged for the weekly subscription.To download the Mobile TV app and avail the offer, users have send TV to 53333 (Toll Free).

If you don’t want to be charged, make sure you cancel the subscription before Dec 11th.

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