The Concept in Detail

To satisfy the customer need I have come up with an iPhone application that pleases a wide range of people in terms of age and preferences. The app is linked to a website version of the application from which users can perform the same actions from the computer as from the iPhone. The website for the application is used to widen the app’s appeal.

The application covers two objectives: advertising parties and events and making it easier for iPhone users to find them with the help of their device.
It is thought that age can be an impediment regarding technology consumption. That, however, is not the case. An example of booming success is found in social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

There are more than 200 million active users currently accessing Facebook through their mobile devices. People that use Facebook on their mobile devices are twice as active on Facebook than non-mobile users. Facebook. Available at: http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics. [Accessed 18/11/10].

Anyone who has spotted conference delegates tapping Twitter updates into their mobiles will know that social media is an increasingly common feature of live events. Henderson, N., 2010 Conference & Incentive Travel.

Another market that has shown great success is smartphones like Apple’s iPhone, confirmed by Palenchar:

DALLAS — AT&T activated a record number of iPhones and other integrated 3G devices in its fiscal third quarter, with iPhone activations hitting 3.2 million and integrated-device activations hitting 4.3 million. Palenchar, J., 2009 AT&T Q3 ¡Phone Sales Break Record, TWICE: This Week in Consumer Electronics Vol. 24 Issue 22, (p4-12, 2p)

The first purpose of the application is making advertising simple and effective. The host would have to pay a fee when advertising and anyone should be able to submit parties, even marking them private (in which case, only certain people can view the post), as long as the announcement meets certain conditions. The app should be linked to a social network, such as Facebook, so that the consumer can connect with friends and find them easily when they want to tell them about the party. The host can submit his or her contact details such as phone number, email. Information about the party or event can be also submitted, such as type of party or event (e.g. Halloween party, tea party, sport match, concert etc.), age range, number of people attending, dress code.

An additional method to promote the application is taking photos during the events and parties which were advertised via the app. The next step is uploading them onto the website where anyone can see them. Here is an opportunity for potential new customers that find certain types of events tempting. For this process, a team of photographers are required in order to take pictures of the guests. This, of course, is a charged service for the host. The attendees get their pictures taken for free. Downloading the photos, on the other hand, requires paying a small amount of money for the users. They cannot download for free due to copyright infringements, thus ensuring security that no other person apart from those who were present at the event can keep their photos.

The second feature of the app implies checking ticket availability and on-line booking (if applicable) via iPhone. One issue might occur when tickets that have already been paid for have been forgotten or lost by the attendee. However, with the phone app, the user gets a text message confirming their purchase backed with a code used to gain access to the event or party. If they decide they don't want to attend, they can cancel the tickets online or by sending a free text via the application to the host and get part of their money back. With regards to bookings, attendees might outnumber the venue occupancy. For that reason tickets would be issued on a first come first served basis.

Another feature is the ability to view details regarding the venue, such as photos which can be uploaded directly from the iPhone via the application onto the website. Users can also view what type of food and drinks are served so that they can check if a certain drink is available or if there is a vegetarian option on the menu. Entertaining can be provided and easily fulfilled when knowing the basic details about them, therefore centred on the activity that takes place on the different socialising sites mentioned, a series of weekly events will be recommended to the user.
The combination of multiple technologies has only encouraged people from all generations to successfully interact with one another through networking.