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Parents groups take concerns about YouTube Kids to the FTC
There are plenty of rules about what you can and can't do on kids' tv, but not a lot of those rules automatically carry over to the internet. That's why a posse of advocacy groups is asking the FTC to investigate if YouTube's kids-only service is breaking laws on unfair and deceptive marketing. According to a report by the San Jose Mercury, these groups believe that YouTube Kids also contravenes FCC rules about advertising to young children that have been in place since the '70s.
McDonald's to offer wireless charging in more than 50 UK restaurants
A small bleep echoes from your smartphone as the battery indicator turns red. Not headed to the office and no portable battery to hand? It's going to be a long day. Just as public Wi-Fi has become the norm, McDonald's is hoping Qi wireless charging will tempt more customers through its golden arches. After a small pilot in some of its UK stores, the fast food giant has signed a deal with Aircharge to bring 600 chargers into more than 50 of its restaurants.
McDonald's is bringing touchscreen ordering to the US
It turns out that people aren't eating as many McHamburgers as they used to, which is a big problem if your business is all about slinging meat. So McDonald's is hoping the novelty of its "Create Your Taste" ordering kiosks will lure some customers back in. The machines will be installed in 2,000 of its US outlets by the end of 2015. Instead of just walking up to the counter and ordering, users will be given the option to McCustomize their McMeal on a touchscreen. That includes everything from choosing chicken over beef, skipping the fatty mayo or picking sweet potato fries. Unfortunately, the privilege of being able to order a Big Mac minus special sauce on a ciabatta without getting the stink eye will cost you a premium, both in terms of prep time and cash.
Apple Pay is helping re-ignite another round of Burger Wars
When Apple announced that Apple Pay would be accepted by McDonalds locations across the land Burger King must have been feeling pretty left out. So much so, in fact, that the well known eatery chain went and got itself a new significant other in the form of PayPal. The payment giant revealed today during the Money2020 conference in Las Vegas that it is teaming up with the second largest burger brand in the world to launch a new mobile payment service. The deal is a bold response to the announced partnership between Apple and McDonalds, and it will be interesting to see how it pans out. With McDonalds being the biggest fast food chain in the world, not to mention Apple already feeling upbeat about Apple Pay's adoption after just the first couple of weeks, Burger King and PayPal will surely have their work cut out for them when the mobile payment option launches early in 2015.
McDonald's CIO says decision to support Apple Pay was "not difficult"
With Apple Pay set to go operational across 220,000 merchant locations today, McDonald's CIO Deborah Hall-Lefevre recently explained why the ubiquitous fast food chain was so willing to be an Apple Pay partner at launch. In a recent interview with CIO, Hall-Lefevre articulated that because thousands of McDonald's locations already have NFC enabled POS terminals, supporting Apple Pay didn't involve any upgrade costs. Further, Hall-Lefevre relayed that McDonald's took a close look at the security mechanisms governing Apple Pay and came away impressed. McDonald's tested Apple Pay at its Point of Sale (PoS) lab in Oak Brook, Ill., and the results earned a green light. "We've done full end-to-end testing that included folks from McDonald's and Apple," Hall-Lefevre says. "We've closed the loop and feel very confident." ... McDonald's is so confident in Apple's security that it is not using any safeguards beyond those provided by Apple and the rest of the financial payments network. "Apple Pay transactions will be handled like any other cashless transaction," Hall-Lefevre says. As a result, Hall-Lefevre said that getting the higher-ups at McDonald's to throw their support behind Apple Pay was "not difficult." Following the release of iOS 8.1, iPhone 6 toting McDonald's customers will be able to use Apple Pay in-store and at drive-through locations as well, the latter being accomplished by what can only be referred to as a POS machine on a stick.
McDonald's plans to release global mobile ordering app, digital music program
McDonald's is taking on a new strategy to get us to eat more of its artery cloggers -- one that involves ramping up its digital efforts. Golden Arches has just hired its first ever U.S. vice president of digital (former Ticketmaster exec Julia Vander Ploeg) and, at the same time, posted a bunch of relevant job opportunities. By the looks of it, the company wants to form a team of professionals under Vander Ploeg to be able to reach its goals, including offering "a variety of digital music and entertainment experiences" (as stated in its posting for a product director for music and entertainment) to its patrons. McDonald's is also looking for people to improve its mobile website, develop games and, more importantly, release a global mobile ordering app that customers can use anywhere they are. Sadly, the company hasn't elaborated on what its plans are at this point in time. And since you're not the only one wondering if McDonald's aims to release games and downloadable music in the future, we'll keep an eye out for more details.
Apple's iPhone business is as big as McDonald's and Coke combined
It's no secret that the bulk of Apple's revenue comes from the iPhone. During the company's most recent quarter, for example, 53% of its $37.4 billion in quarterly revenue came from its iconic smartphone. For as much as people like to talk about Apple having peaked, the company has a penchant for printing out boatloads of money quarter after quarter. While companies like Amazon can generate nearly $20 billion in quarterly revenue and still lose money, Apple's margins and overall profits remain extremely healthy. Critics have long demanded Apple lower prices to increase market share, but Apple has stayed the course, realizing that market share for the sake of market share alone is a fool's errand. Although the iPhone doesn't account for the majority of smartphone sales total, it can generate cold hard cash like nothing else. Providing some further context as to just how important and profitable the iPhone is to Apple, Jordan Weissmann of Slate put together this handy chart which compares how the iPhone, as its own business, compares to a number of blue chip companies. Revenue wise, we see that Apple's iPhone business makes as much money as McDonalds and Coca-Cola combined. All the more impressive is that Apple's margins over the last 10 years have remained relatively and incredibly steady. Very stable long-term gross margins. Painful contrast to rest of the industry. pic.twitter.com/XMNu7sM9xI - Benedict Evans (@BenedictEvans) July 22, 2014
Mario Kart 8 takes a turn for McDonalds Happy Meals
If you're willing to eat McDonalds in exchange for gaming-themed desk accessories, a Mario Kart 8 pack will soon reach its Happy Meal finish line. The final turn makes for a pretty long drift through, so we'll need to wait for How To Train Your Dragon 2's toy set to finish up before we can start taping MK8 figurines in gravity-defying places at our workplaces. The miniature roster will consist of Yoshi, Peach, DK, Toad, Mario, Bowser and the mild-mannered Luigi, but you can also channel Mario while weaving through commuter traffic by wearing a visor reminiscent of his iconic cap. Unfortunately, it probably won't help you drive on the walls of buildings on your way to work, but it'll almost certainly establish your status as the coolest adult stuck in a gridlock. [Image: McDonalds]
McDonald's partners with Kobo to give UK kids free e-books
Forget race cars and Disney princesses. Kids in the UK are getting something a little more digital with their McDonald's Happy Meal: an e-book. The golden arches is partnering with Kobo to include a download code for one of Enid Blyton's Secret Seven children's mystery books with every meal purchased between now and June 3rd as part of its annual "Happy Readers" program. Over the past two years, the annual initiative has passed out millions of books, and is touted as quite a success (although we're not quite sure how "happy" we'd be about getting an e-book rather than a toy). However, this is the first time Ronald has gotten a digital retailer like Kobo in on the action. Enthusiastic kids who still want to fill the bookshelf in their room can also snag a £1 coupon with their meal to pick up a traditional copy of the books. If only the child detectives could forever solve the mystery of what's actually in McDonald's chicken nuggets. Image credit: Steve Daniels
Pokemon are back in Happy Meals with new X, Y collection
Pokemon and McDonald's are joining forces again for the fast food chain's latest batch of bonus NEC - that's Non-Edible Content. Going by the McDonald's website, the next bunch of Happy Meals comes with one of 12 Pokemon X and Y toys and what looks like a card for the Trading Card Game. Each of the toys have "McPlay Power", meaning you can Mcscan them with MciPhones to unlock various Mcgoodies. The Poke-toys arrive hot on the heels of the Skylanders selection, which ended its run earlier this month. [Image: McDonald's]
McDonald's offers eight exclusive Skylanders toys with Happy Meals
Starting this Friday, McDonald's will bundle exclusive Skylanders Swap Force figurines with Happy Meal purchases, in the restaurant's latest ploy to keep kids occupied while they stuff their faces with Chicken McNuggets. Featured characters include Chompy, Eruptor, Free Ranger, Freeze Blade, Magna Charge, Prism Break, Rattle Shake and Wash Buckler. Eligible purchases also include coupons giving $10 off of the multiplatform Skylanders Swap Force Starter Pack and $1 off individual character figures. The week-long promotion extends through April 4. Bear in mind, however, that Happy Meals-bundled characters are just toys, and won't summon in-game Skylanders like retail figures will. Still, if you've ever wanted a Chompy figure to display alongside your Skylanders collection, you'll want to hop in your car on Friday and order up some Happy Meals. Hint: tell the drive-thru guy that you have eight kids waiting at home for their dinner if you're trying to order a full set. He might not believe you, but he probably won't feel like you're worth an argument. [Image: Activision/McDonald's]
Big names -- McDonald's, Pepsi, Nissan, Proctor & Gamble -- sign on for iTunes Radio ads
With iTunes Radio set to hit the ground running once Apple releases iOS 7 to the masses sometime this fall, Apple has been busy signing up number of big-name advertisers to help bankroll the company's first foray into internet radio. According to AdAge, some of the advertisers already on board the iTunes Radio train include McDonald's, Pepsi, Proctor & Gamble, Nissan and others. The report relays that: The deals range from the high single-digit millions of dollars to tens of millions of dollars and include a 12-month advertising campaign to run within the streaming music service for each of the participating brands. In addition to basking in all the publicity that comes with a heavily-anticipated Apple product launch, the launch partners get exclusivity within their respective industries through the end of 2013. Come January 2014, however, ads on iTunes Radio will become widely available, provided an advertiser agrees to the minimum buy-in of around $1 million, according to sources briefed on the product. Advertisements on iTunes Radio will reportedly take on three forms; audio ads, video ads and interactive ads. As for how often advertisements will rear their ugly, but necessary heads, AdAge notes that audio ads will be played once every 15 minutes while video ads will be served about once every hour. While not available yet, the report states that advertisers will soon have the ability to target ads to specific iOS devices, a welcome option for advertisers looking to calibrate ads in an effort to maximize effectiveness and impact. For instance, it stands to reason that an iOS user with a newly minted iPhone 5S may have more expendable income than a user with an old iPhone 4, or the rumored lower-cost iPhone. Ads on iTunes Radio, however, will not be exclusive to mobile devices. Note that any device running iTunes Radio, including desktop devices and the Apple TV, will be subject to ads. Also of note is that some advertisers may be given the option to assemble, or perhaps "sponsor" is a more apt descriptor, their own playlists that will feature fewer advertisements than the five ads per hour described above. "These branded stations will not be labeled with a brand name," AdAge reports, "but will likely involve a short ad saying that brand was sponsoring a user's block of free listening." If you're interested in the nitty gritty of Apple's advertising efforts vis a vis iTunes Radio, the full post from AdAge is chock-full of interesting information and worth checking out in its entirety. While Apple's previous advertising efforts -- I'm looking at you iAds -- haven't exactly met Apple's expectations, the inherent interest in streaming internet radio suggests that Apple's foray into the music space will be worthwhile. After all, Pandora, though one of the more popular iOS apps, still has to be proactively downloaded by iOS users. iTunes Radio, on the other hand, will be integrated into the iOS Music app right out of the gate, giving it an extremely large built-in userbase right from the get-go. Lastly, consumers who sign up for iTunes Match will be able to experience iTunes Radio completely ad-free.
Sony nominates three new board members, looks for fresh perspective
While Sony has been improving its bank balance as of late, most of that turnaround has come through job cuts and office sales -- the company needs new strategies to thrive in the long run. Accordingly, the firm has nominated three new board directors with experience outside of its core electronics divisions. Tim Schaaff (at right) is a relative insider with his board position at media-focused Sony Network Entertainment, but the same can't be said for his two peers. Eikoh Harada (left) has been turning around McDonald's Japan as its CEO, while Joichi Ito (center) is well-known for his roles as the director of MIT's Media Lab and the founder of Digital Garage. Both Harada and Schaaff also worked at Apple several years ago, giving them experience at one of Sony's main rivals. Provided the three become board members at a shareholder meeting on June 20th, they could bring new thinking to a company frequently accused of clinging to business as usual.
McDonald's releases McPlay app: 'Hey kids, this is advertising'
McDonald's has awkwardly tried to enter the App Store marketplace with an app it calls "McPlay," available for free on the App Store right now. I wouldn't recommend a download (personally, I've boycotted the golden arches for almost a decade now), but it is fascinating to see the fast-food giant not quite understand how to do iOS-style marketing. The app is just one game at the moment, asking players to throw a ball into a Happy Meal box. And McDonald's is obviously being as careful as it possibly can with this one. Not only is the app all about gathering nutritious food for kids, but there's a "for parents" nutrition section, and as you can see in the screenshot above, the app proudly proclaims, "Hey kids, this is advertising!" Funny. I think there is room for McDonald's on the App Store -- big brands like Starbucks and Walmart have seen some interesting success by integrating iPhones into their marketing plans. But this is just plain goofy, and it shows that the biggest fast-food chain in the world wasn't quite sure what to do with its first iOS entry. Better luck next time, McD's. [via App Advice]
Angry Birds invade McDonalds in China
McDonalds is partnering with Rovio for a bit of corporate synergy – in China. Playing Angry Birds inside Chinese McDonalds restaurants will unlock special in-game power-ups and "hidden game modes" available exclusively in the fast-food establishment. In addition, patrons will have the opportunity to vote on the location to be home to a real Angry Birds slingshot across the Golden Arches sign.If you've read this far, you definitely want to hear the Angry Birds sing the McDonalds "I'm Lovin' It" song. You'll find that in the video above.
More on Angry Birds Star Wars, and location-based McD's promo in China
Rovio revealed a little while ago that a Star Wars-related Angry Birds release would be out for iOS on November 8, but since then the company has been posting various teaser videos combining the old Star Wars movies with the frustrated fowl. Leia is unimpressed with a Stormtrooper pig, the Death Star looks a little more branded and the Millenium Falcon is, well, just watch it and enjoy. I have to say I wasn't all that excited to see that Rovio was borrowing the Star Wars universe for its games. But considering all of the good will that George Lucas' setting has lost anyway, as long as the game is done with as much easygoing charm as these teasers, it might be alright. In other big Angry Birds tie-in news, Rovio has teamed up with McDonald's in China to provide some exclusive location-based content. A version of the game, only playable when near a participating restaurant in China, will feature the pigs protecting McDonald's food from the hungry birds, along with special powerups and levels. There is a TV ad floating around that combines the two brands. Rovio is obviously partnering up with some of the biggest brands in the world in an effort to push its already popular game even more towards the mainstream.
Daily Update for October 10, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
McDonald's lets customers use iPads
At a McDonald's restaurant in Virginia Beach, Va., customers are getting more than service with a smile. According to a report in The Virginian Pilot, they are also getting access to a free iPad that they can use to browse the web while they down their burger and fries. The iPad-equipped franchise is located at Lynnhaven Parkway and operated by long-time McDonald's employee Hugh Fard. He told The Virginian Pilot that he decided to install the iPads after hearing about the idea from several French colleagues. A French company supplies the iPads and is responsible for their maintenance as well as replacing them if they are stolen. Four tables are equipped with iPads, which are installed in docks that securely attach the tablet to the table. Customers who get the high-tech seats can easily eat and check Facebook at the same time. "It's a great idea to stay relevant, especially to a new generation," said Fard, "People like to multitask, so why not provide that element for them?" This program to bring high-tech to fast food was initiated by Fard and is not a new company policy. McDonald's is interested in the pilot program, though, and will watch how the program performs over the next few months. I will say this -- it's an interesting idea, but one that will surely test the limits of the iPad's fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating. [Via Engadget and CNET]
Virginia Beach McDonald's adds free iPad use to its menu, McRib still seasonal
In an age of grab and go eating, it seems somewhat odd that a fast food restaurant would feature an attraction that causes its patrons to drop anchor and stay. However, the house with well over one billion served is doing just that. A Virginia Beach McDonald's has leveraged the popularity of another Big Mac maker, by stocking its location with free to use iPads. Yes, the tablets are mounted on tables, but after polishing off a hearty array of Mcfixings, you're likely to be bolted to your seat as well. Franchise owner Hugh Fard got the idea while attending the annual worldwide McDonald's convention in Florida. While it's great to see major eateries incorporating the use of new technology, we can only wonder just how greasy shiny those fancy Retina displays will be after spending a day under the golden arches.
Sony patent wants to make advertising more interactive
We all know adverts are a necessary evil, which is why different companies are trying to make them more personalized, more engaging or just plain get rid of them. In a recently granted patent, Sony outlines its ideas for next-gen advertising on network-connected devices -- essentially to make it more interactive. Many of the instructional diagrams involve PS3 accessories in the home setting, but the focus isn't just on adverts as mini-games, which itself is nothing new. Other suggestions for keeping your interest include in-ad purchasing, casting votes or selecting the genre of commercials. To speed up, or get ads off your screen, Sony would have you performing small tasks or -- more sinisterly -- shouting brand names when prompted. Whether such immersive advertising will ever be employed is anyone's guess, but we're sure you're smart enough to know they're just tricks. So who's up for a McDonald's then?
