De door Emakina.NL ontwikkelde brandsite voor schoonmaakconcern Hago is door de schoonmaak- branche uitgeroepen tot beste website. Het onderzoek is gedaan onder facility managers die zich online oriënteren naar een schoonmaakbedrijf. Hago dankt de eerste positie in de ranglijst vooral aan de goede vindbaarheid van de website. Hago.nl wordt door 57,5% van de respondenten gevonden, en is daarmee met afstand de best vindbare website van de branche. De website maakt vervolgens een goede eerste indruk; ruim 91% van de bezoekers vindt het de moeite waard om na het bekijken van de hoofdpagina verder te klikken. 10% van de respondenten wijst Hago.nl uiteindelijk aan als favoriete website.

The first beta-release of Zingle for Blackberry is available for testing. Point your Blackberry browser to http://blog.zingle.biz/Zingle.jad. Zingle will install automatically. If you have installed a previous version on Zingle for Blackberry always uninstall it before installing a new version. Notice about this release This is a low-design low-graphics version which run on all blackberry [...]

Que vous cherchiez à vous faire de nouveaux amis, trouver l’âme sœur pour un jour ou pour la vie, devenez membre actif de rendez-vous.be avec PingPing. http://www.rendez-vous.be

We are close to the release date of Zingle for Android 1.0. If you can’t wait you can already download the latest beta-build by pointing your web-browser on your Android to http://blog.zingle.biz/Zingle.apk . Before you install the new version please make sure you remove/un-install the previous Zingle for Android application. Improvements in this build: Faster [...]

Microsoft dominated the 90’s with its Windows operating system. Google and its high-performance search engine have been the flagships of the 2000’s. The next decade will probably be a ménage à trois. While Google may continue to dominate the foreground, two other protagonists are now vying with it for the lead role: Apple and Facebook. Three players with the same ambition: to become the indispensable platform for access to the contents and services of the Internet. Brice Le Blevennec, CVO Each member of the trio is trying to reach this objective using a different philosophy. Google has become the high priest of an open and anarchic Internet, with no barriers at any of its multiple entry points: browser, smartphone, soon Google TV. For its part, Apple is aiming at creating a more controlled experience, which will include hardware (Mac, iPod, iPhones, iPad, Apple TV) and software and also the distribution and payment platform. With regard to Facebook, the global social network is striving to make itself into a veritable “web operating system” which provides the user with the necessary tools to interact with his/her entourage. Three different visions of Internet and three different development environments. Google is an ardent promoter of the so-called “free” development standards of HTML 5 and Flash, which they have even integrated with Chrome, their browser. Google makes numerous development technologies available, such as GWT, Native Client, GAE. But Google can literally make any web site impossible to find which, to gain a better position, infringes Google’s regulations. To develop Android, Google provides an open-source framework and free tools but maintains control of certain key parts of Android. Although Apple is the origin of HTML5 and supports the Flash plugin on its computers, in the case of mobile applications, Apple imposes the use of particular languages and frameworks and does not hesitate to reject those that it considers to be obsolete, as is shown by the elimination of Flash from the iPhone and iPad. Furthermore, the mobile world provides a good illustration of this major difference between two rivals: while Android, the Google operating system for the mobile world, is open to all applications without any entry filter, Apple carefully validates each application available on AppStore to make sure of its quality, safety and compliance with certain ethical standards (with all the ambiguities implied in this last criterion). With regard to Facebook, while in a semi-free context developers may create applications on it using a proprietary framework, the social network reserves the right at all times to suppress applications which infringe its rules of good behaviour, themselves constantly changing. For the brands this battle between the three giants has meant two major developments. Firstly, the Web is no longer the one and only destination of Internauts. It is therefore necessary to offer one’s brand and message in three distinct worlds, each with its own specific characteristics. Secondly, the cost of interactive marketing may very well be reduced by this competition: the environments developed by Apple and Facebook are fertile ground for the word-of-mouth approach and the viral effect. Once an application proposes an innovative or relevant service, rumour and viral mechanisms take care of the rest with regard to propagation. Search advertising and display advertising campaigns become superfluous. Consequences for agencies: agencies will have to (learn to) master these three platforms, in terms of development and design but also of strategic planning. In the future it will mean guaranteeing an optimal user experience, integrated with the brand or service whatever the point of contact: today the computer and mobile phone, tomorrow touch screens and interactive televisions. A fine challenge which, once again, is destined to transform the business of all those dealing with the interactive media. Brice Le Blévennec

Emakina announces the launch of Emakina/Agency, a new team that will focus on strengthening the brand management skills of the agency. Emakina is a full-service Digital Native Agency that wants to build brand experiences that get the attention of consumers and incite them to interact with brands via a multitude of touchpoints (sites, applications, e-mail, social networks, television, radio,…). The brands of today are the synthesis of all these experiences. To meet this objective, a multidisciplinary and experienced team was put together. They are called Emakina/Agency. Strategic planners, planners, analysts, creative people and brand keepers will develop innovative brand experiences and make sure these experiences are coherently executed throughout all different communication channels. Emakina/Agency will work in different fields: concepts, strategic brand advice, brand positioning, strategic planning, develop brand stories, create long-term dialogues with consumers etcetera. Each brand will be managed by a brand keeper who will guide the client throughout all new media, will support him in his tactical choices and allow him to focus on his strategic objectives. More information in our French and Dutch press release.

Design is Dead’s KIDsite for deFilharmonie keeps on hitting the jackpot! After scoring an “Official Honoree” distinction at the latest Webby Awards, the childfriendly website now won a “Best in Class” award and the maximum jury score at the recent Interactive Media Awards. With a score of 500 points out of 500, the jury made it quite clear that this educational and entertaining kids site about classical music stood out in the categories “arts & culture”, “kids” and “music”. Let’s keep those trophees coming!

De internationale jury van de IMA bekroonde Yunomi met maar liefst 480 van de in totaal 500 te winnen punten, waarmee Yunomi de ‘Best in Class Award’ won in de categorie ‘Community’. Deze prijs werd eerder toegekend aan Facebook. In het continu veranderende medialandschap wordt het steeds moeilijker om een duurzame relatie met de doelgroep op te bouwen. Daarom introduceerde Unilever Benelux een multi-brand community platform waarmee op basis van relatiemarketing wordt gebouwd aan trouwe klantrelaties in de Benelux. Emakina ontwikkelde dit multi-nationale platform door en voor vrouwen: elke vrouw kan zelf haar steentje bijdragen. Het belangrijkste onderdeel van Yunomi is de online community waar vrouwen ontroerende, interessante en inspirerende  verhalen kunnen lezen of zelf schrijven. Ze kunnen er ook persoonlijke ervaringen, recepten en praktische tips uitwisselen. Uniek aan Yunomi is dat de leden worden beloond voor hun deelname: door actief te zijn (artikels schrijven, reacties posten,…) sparen ze Nomi’s die ze elk kwartaal kunnen inwisselen voor een leuke prijs. In de dagelijkse rubriek ‘Vrouw van de dag’ deelt een lid haar persoonlijk verhaal met alle Yunomi-leden uit Nederland of België. De Interactive Media Awards worden elk jaar in de Verenigde Staten georganiseerd en bekronen de meest creatieve internetcampagnes ter wereld.

Zingle which is already available for Facebook, iPhone and Android will soon support Blackberry devices. The first beta-version is ready and being tested at this very moment. Although it’s a low design-version the good side is that it can run on almost any Blackberry device. Zingle for Blackberry  will be enable the user to find singles nearby, browse the profiles and write and receive instant messages to all Zingle members. Other functionalities available on iPhone will be added in future releases. On low-end devices there can be some issues with gps where the user has to be outside for the device to work properly. On newer and high-end Blackberry devices this issue doesn’t appear. We are currently fixing the GPS usage so the users will also be able to use Zingle based on the latest known location. After a rigorous testing we will release the Blackberry version 0.1. If you want to help us beta-testing the app send us an e-mail to support@zingle.eu. Zingle for Blackberry is expected to be released in 2 weeks.

Emakina has made the communication campaign for the next MIXX Awards 2010. It is a humorous campaign based on Internet scams. The campaign consists of the visuals of 3 personalities of the Belgian web. Each character has special make-up and is disguised in order to bribe the jury, using Internet scam techniques that must help them to win the precious trophy. You may recognize some of their techniques, such as scam 419 (the so-called Nigerian scam), the Russian girl who wants to become your partner or the hoax of the little sick girl who needs your help. An original concept to remind us that only the quality of the campaigns will succeed in seducing the jury.

Zingle for iPhone 1.2 has some interesting and innovative new features. The release-date for the 1.2 is expected for September 10th, depending on approval of the application update by Apple iTunes. If you want to have a preview faster send your UID to alex@zingle.eu and we’ll send you the application you can simply drop on your iTunes. New feature: Featured Screen We’ve added a Featured screen where you can see a list of the singles you like and also a list of all the singles your friends like. Your friends most probably have the same taste as you. So now you can view that list and improve your chances in finding mr/mrs Right. Improved: Full Inbox syncronisation between Facebook and iPhone Now your full inbox is downloaded to your iPhone. That way you can easily check new messages and find messages you send and received before Zingle on Facebook. New feature: Navigate to the previous and next single by swipe When you are on a profile you can easily swipe your finger up and down or tap once at the top or bottom to go to the next or previous profile. New feature: Get notified when you get messages on other dating sites (Beta) If you have a Meetic or Match account you will be notified on Zingle when you have a new message. Currently we support Match and Meetic. But support for more dating services will be available in 1.3. Improved: My Zingle screen My Zingle now contains icon-based menu so you can easily change and update your profile and change Zingle settings. New feature: Places (Beta) Zingle now enables you to import your favourite places from Foursquare and Facebook. You can also add places on Zingle. You will be able to find singles who visit places you visit and to be notified when someone you like visited a place you are near.

Yunomi has just won the highest award at the recent Interactive Media Awards. By attributing a dazzling 480 points in 500, the international jury of the IMA awarded the Yunomi platform with a ‘Best in Class Award’ in the category ‘Community’. This online community, created and updated daily by Emakina, allows users to consult practical articles, share personal experiences and discover new recipes to save time or to be more efficient in their professional lives. Every day a member is put in the spotlight and gets an opportunity to share her experiences with the other visitors. For each type of interaction with the site, visitors receive loyalty points that can then be exchanged for product vouchers or gifts.

Last week Facebook released support for places. Although Foursquare has been offering similar service Facebook will make it mainstream. Facebook may solve the check-in fatigue, an important back-draw of Foursquare. It enables users to check-in when they post a message or photo at the place, instead of checking in. Places will become as easy and straightforward as posting a status or photo. At Zingle we believe that places are an important parameter of the users identity and profile. People who visit the same restaurants, clubs, shops, … usually have similar interests and could be better matches for each other. The Zingle Matching vision Zingle already imported the likes and interests and other profile data from Facebook and music interests from iLike. Unlike the long psychological questionnaires by Parship, Meetic Affinity, Plentyoffisch, Be2 and others Zingle has a different vision to matching. In the Facebook era the user gives out so much information about what he likes, what he listens to, where he eats, travels, what type of car he drives, … .Therefore instead of asking the user to fill in questionnaires Zingle imports as much information about a user from Facebook and other sources as possible to create a very complete dating profile. Places? Check-in fatigue? Zingle members will just have to connect their Zingle account with Facebook places and Foursquare to activate the dating by places feature.  Places will automatically be imported and synced with Facebook and Foursquare. The users won’t need to check-in. Places will be available as of version 1.2 for iPhone, which will be released shortly.

Although we started developing a Zingle for iPhone first we still felt we needed a version for Android as well. I am an Android-fan. But being a start-up one has to focus so we first decided to have a stable iPhone client before moving into other technologies. Almost exactly 2 weeks after we started, the first generic Zingle version for Android is ready. We are testing it at the moment and preparing it for release later next week. The current version doesn’t yet have all the functionalities of the iPhone app, but it will fast follow. We’re working round the clock:-). But if you have an Android phone you can download the Zingle app here or point your Android phone to http://blog.zingle.biz/Zingle.apk. If you find a bug drop me an e-mail to alex@zingle.eu. Fot those who don’t have an Android we have a small video-demo. Enjoy.

Becel bestaat dit jaar 50 jaar. Vanaf 1960 is het merk al actief met initiatieven en producten om Nederlanders bewust te maken van het belang van goede voeding en een gezonde levensstijl. Wij kennen Becel al jaren en werken met veel plezier samen aan mooie projecten, waaronder deze bijzondere verjaardag. We laten de kans daarom ook niet aan ons voorbij gaan om ze op deze plek nog even in het zonnetje te zetten. Gefeliciteerd Becel!

Match and Meetic  apparently both use the same database and technology. We discovered this while developing the Zingle API for Match and Meetic.  The technology behind both sites is very similar and we could easily connect to Match using Zingle for Meetic’s API. You can even login on Match using a Meetic account. Although both technologies are similar Meetic protects it’s data a lot better than Match. But still the protection isn’t as fanatical as Plentyoffish. It’s quite refreshing to see that even dating companies use similar approaches to technology as the car industry.  The dating technology will change dramatically in the coming months as Zingle ‘s technology will mature. The Zingle API will soon support both Meetic and Match.

Une arrivée ou un départ en Gare SNCF de Paris Est que 5 clients de voyages-sncf.com n'oublieront pas de si tôt !

Brice suggested yesterday that we should start a blog for Zingle. A place where we share our thoughts, ideas and visions about dating technology with our peers (and why not help our esteemed competitors with some ideas:-) ). Although I was reluctant at first. It’s not like I have the luxury of having spare time and having a hard time finding things to do. My days (and some of my nights) are now constantly filled with developing and working on the next killer application. So it’s not really easy to find the time to sit down and write something. But then again writing is a great way to unwind after a busy workday/night. So here you are. From now on you’ll find some inside info on one of the most innovative mobile dating companies around. You’ll read about personal thoughts and our vision on dating technology. And because we are not the only kids on the block we’ll also discuss our competitors and the dating business in general. Please remember that this is a blog and ideas, visions and writings are of a personal nature and do not necessarily represent the vision of the company Zingle. If you find a typo, send me an e-mail to alex@zingle.eu and I’ll probably swear a few times, take a coffee or red-bull, and fix the typo. Thank God for caffeine. Thank you for visiting, The Zingle Team

In juni hebben we voor Kluwer een succesvolle game seeding campagne gedaan. Via verschillende social media kanalen hebben we de ‘wie-zei-wat-quiz’ aangejaagd en voor Kluwer een bredere doelgroep bereikt. Met trots kunnen we nu vertellen dat we op korte termijn meer met Kluwer gaan doen op social media terrein.

ContactOffice is a single application comprising interconnected tools; in that respect, we thought that the search feature, which was tool-specific, could be fully redesigned, and we’ve just done it:

Search available in all tools: you could already perform searches in Messages, Documents and Contacts. We added Calendars, Forums, Wikis, Notes and Bookmarks. In addition, a single search field is immediately available in the menu bar of all tools. The “Search” menu item is therefore not necessary anymore and has been removed.

Search in all tools in a single operation: the powerful “Global search” is a unique feature in online suites. Just enter a name, subject, tag, etc. and see corresponding e-mails, meetings, documents, etc. appear instantly.

Search result details can be accessed directly, by double-clicking on them. They can also be opened in context (an event in the corresponding calendar week for instance), using the contextual menu.

By default, you search in your private data, but selecting the “Include group data” option will extend the search to all the data available in the groups you belong to.

Search by tag: just enter the tag name in the Global Search, or “category: business” to search all items with the “business” tag. You can add a star () after at least 4 characters to search for all words starting with these 4 characters. For instance, “cont” could display results based on words such as “contactoffice”, “contract”, “contractor”, etc. Recent searches can be recalled easily by selecting them in the pull-down menu on the right. Advanced search: you can still perform advanced searches by selecting “Advanced search” from the Search menu when you are in Messages, Documents or Calendars. The available search fields will depend on the selected tool.

Limitations:

Regarding Messages, the Global search will search in e-mail attachments as well. However, in a transition phase, the Messages-specific search will not search in e-mail attachments. The search feature is not available to free accounts. Password-protected Documents cannot be searched. OpenOffice files (.odt, etc.) content cannot be searched yet.