Anyone who owns a smartphone, be it a sleek Apple iPhone or a fully customizable Android device, knows that mobile applications are what brings the “cool” factor to these devices. From small applications that tell the weather or current stock prices, to highly addictive gaming experiences which can suck up hours of your social life, apps are all the rage with smartphone users. This app experience is not just a passing fad, but has become a powerful revenue generating machine for Apple and Google with app downloads crossing the 25 billion and 10 billion mark for these companies, respectively….

As the madness of the holiday season dies down and the New Year gains pace, retailers will renew the cycle of offering new attractions to entice shoppers into parting with their hard-earned cash in exchange for physical and digital goodies. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="169" caption="Oxfam online shop advert (Photo credit: net_efekt)"][/caption] From New Year’s Eve to Valentine’s Day, there is no lack of opportunities for shoppers to indulge in shopping mania. And now, a large number of users are moving to the online world, where they can window-shop and buy goods from within…