Christmas Day 2012 was a bonanza day for the mobile industry as more smartphones, tablets and Kindle-type mobile devices were activated than on any other day in history.

A report from Flurry Analytics claims that activations on 25th December rose to more than 17.4 million, a 332 percent increase from the former December baseline of 4 million per day and 2.5 times greater than Christmas 2011 figures.

This was the first year in which tablet activations outstripped smartphones, at a rate of 51 percent to 49 percent.

“The big winners were Apple iPads, Apple iPad Minis and Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7-in tablets,” the Flurry report stated. “In particular, Amazon had a very strong performance in the tablet category, growing by several thousand percent over its baseline of tablet activations over the earlier part of December.”

The volume of devices activated on Christmas Day had an impact on app downloads also. In total 328 million apps were downloaded on the day with 1.76 billion apps bought from Google Play and Apple during the Christmas week. This was up 65 percent on the weekly average for December 2012.

According to Flurry’s vice president, Peter Farago, one billion app downloads a week will become the norm in 2013. He said: “Following a year where Google and Apple drove unprecedented adoption of mobile devices, Facebook declared itself a “mobile” company, and Amazon and Microsoft both made significant investments into mobile computing, we look forward to continued record-breaking adoption of smart devices and applications.”

For more information on the global mobile industry don’t miss out on your chance to attend the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2013, February 25-28 in Barcelona. For the best in accommodation, arranged transportation, restaurant recommendations, and anything else you can think of to make your stay in Barcelona one to remember, look no further than EAS, the travel agent you can trust. With our expert local knowledge we can source rooms in the best hotels, find you the most centrally located apartments, organise airport transfers and other transportation needs, and even arrange yacht and aircraft charters. Click on this link for more information.

Netflix is looking to make acquisitions following its move to raise $400 million in new debt, the company said last week.

The online video service will use $225 million to refund $200 million of existing notes at lower interest rates. The rest will be used for corporate spending including capital expenditures, investments, working capital and potential acquisitions.

This money could also be used for more original programming if the company’s own political drama “House of Cards” proves to be successful. The series stars Kevin Spacey who plays a US Congressman bent on revenge after being passed over for the position of Secretary of State and cost a reported $100 million for two seasons. The Netflix difference, however, is that subscribers can watch all 13 episodes of the first series at once without having to suffer the usual week long suspense which comes with other network series.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, Netflix added 2.05 million streaming users in the US alone, meaning they now have 33 million streaming users worldwide. These strong results were mostly due to record numbers of consumers activating electronic devices such as tablets and smart TVs during the Christmas season.

This news led Netflix’s shares to surge to new heights two weeks ago as its stock climbed $43.60 to $146.86, the biggest single day gain since the firm went public more than a decade ago.  Despite this, Netflix’s video-licensing bills are piling up. By December 2012 the firm owed $5.6 billion during the next five years and many analysts are questioning whether such high share prices are justified.

For more information on Netflix and other leading companies in the world of entertainment content head down to MIPCOM 2013, Cannes, 7-10 October. If you’re looking for accommodation then book with EAS now. With our expert knowledge of Cannes we’ll find you the best hotels, rented apartments and even luxury yachts right in the heart of the city. We can also organise nightly entertainment, take care of your transportation needs and reserve you tables at the best restaurants. Click on this link to fill in our request form.

Over the past 10 years the student housing sector has grown to become a global real estate class that is now attracting attention from investors, developers and private operators, according to the latest research from property consultants Jones Lang LaSalle.

The firm’s Global Student Housing Report reveals that the student housing market is now worth more than $200 billion, while the number of students globally is expected to rise from 165 million today to 263 million by 2025, further increasing the need for new housing.

Transactions in the world’s biggest student housing markets, the UK and the US exceeded $3 billion and $2 billion respectively in 2012, over double the numbers seen in 2011.

This new demand has in part been caused by the rapid increase in the number of middle class international students from key Asian countries such as China and India. Over half of all international students now come from Asia, followed by Europe, Africa and South America. This sudden increase in demand has resulted in an undersupply of student housing.

The market for student housing is now outpacing other forms of commercial real estate with typical returns of between 11 -15 percent thanks to enrolments rising at a higher rate than supply. In addition, the sector has proved to be counter-cyclical in nature, with the number of international students growing during the global economic downturn.

The report pinpoints emerging markets in mainland Europe and Australia as key regions for growth. In Australia between 2002-2011 international enrolments into higher education almost doubled with 67 percent coming from Asian countries alone, making this and the wider Asia Pacific region areas of future growth and investment potential.

And the returns in this sector are attracting more than just the traditional developer/operators investors. The most active players of late looking to add these assets to their portfolios have been equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and investment managers.

For more information on growing sectors of the property and construction industry head down to MIPIM 2013, March 12-15 at he Palais des Festivals, Cannes. For the best hotel rooms, rented apartments and even private yachts look to EAS for all your accommodation needs. We can also help you with restaurant bookings, nightly entertainment and all your transportation requirements. Click on this link to fill in our request form.

Investors should look to Brazil, Thailand and the USA in 2013, as the three countries will boast the fastest growing property markets according to real estate agent Crystal Investment and Real Estate.

Recession hit markets in Florida, Cleveland. Detroit and Atlanta in the US, and the emerging markets of Brazil and Pattaya, Thailand were singled out in a report by the real estate consultant as the most promising areas globally for rental returns and property price increases.

With regards to the US property market, the firm’s managing director Luke Smith said: “Due to the existing well developed and immense infrastructure in the US, which will help in the recovery of these areas, the distressed markets in these US states offer safe and tangible investments. Here it is a question of when and not if these markets will improve again.

He was equally positive about emerging markets in Brazil and Thailand, both of which have seen vast increases in tourist numbers and investment in recent years.

“Property prices in Brazil are still significantly cheaper than Western Europe and we believe the country will continue to offer great opportunities for investors for the next few years,” Smith said. “In Thailand the government is removing the red tape to enable foreign nationals to own property and invest in the east side for the first time.”

In addition, the Thai government has released plans for $72 billion of infrastructure projects over the next five years. The development work, which will include new roads and railways linking the country’s main hubs, is designed to increase tourism and further investment in the country.

Lee Chettoe, sales manager at Knight Knox International said: “The Thai condo market is booming at the moment. The increase in demand for property, particularly in the Jomtien Beach and Pattaya regions, has led to us taking on an additional six new projects this year alone, all of which have been extremely well received by our investors.”

“Over the past 12 months we have also noticed that investors are broadening their horizons and starting to look more further afield than the traditionally popular regions in Pattaya, towards the more tranquil area of Bang Saray; either looking to retire or for a more peaceful holiday destination,” Chettoe added.

For more information on global property markets in 2013 head down to MIPIM 2013, where the movers and shakers of the property world meet in Cannes. Here at EAS we can promise you the best hotel rooms, the most sought-after rented apartments and even the odd luxury yacht or two. We’ll also take care of your entertainment and transport needs. With our expert knowledge you can be sure your stay will be one you don’t forget. Click on this link to fill in our request form.

In a bid to curb record property price rises Hong Kong’s government has announced it will supply land for the construction of 3,000 new apartments in the coming quarter.

Asia’s financial powerhouse has seen house prices explode in 2012, with record rises of 20 percent over the last 12 months. Earlier this week the government revealed plans to tender six plots of residential land for the creation of 3,000 apartments.

Hong Kong has done much over the past couple of years to curb its red-hot property market, which has outpriced many local residents. Measures have included increasing stamp duty for short-term transactions, taxing international buyers and increasing land supply.

Paul Chan, Hong Kong’s secretary for development stressed the government’s desire to increase the supply of housing saying that it had already sold 18 sites for 5,100 apartments in the first three quarters of the current fiscal year.

The latest move by the Hong Kong government follows stern advice from the International Monetary Fund that Hong Kong could be in the midst of a property bubble and needs to do more to calm the situation. The fund noted that half of the outstanding loans in the city are currently from the property sector, but added that the probability of a price correction large enough to generate major macroeconomic and financial consequences is “fairly low” in the short term.

Two of the six plots, which are to be supplied in the final quarter, are to be reserved for the apartments of local residents. “Given that land resources is a scarce commodity in Hong Kong, the priority is to always give the top priority to Hong Kong citizens,” Chan said.

For more information on the world’s real estate markets make sure you don’t miss out on the chance to mix with the movers and shakers of the global property and construction industries at MIPIM 2013 in Cannes. If you’re after the best hotel rooms, rented apartments and even luxury, private yachts in the heart of the city, look to EAS for all your accommodation needs. We can also help you with restaurant bookings, nightly entertainment and will organise all your transportation requirements. Click on this link to fill in our request form.

Yet more good news for the US housing and construction industries as home building, prices and sales all trended upwards during 2012 according to a market report by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The institution has also predicted a rise of 5 percent in the value of homes in 2013 and believes that both new home and existing home sales will continue to trend upwards in 2013. Over the past year new home sales have risen 17 percent and home building is sitting at its highest level since the middle of 2008.

The report also highlights a 3 percent annual growth in home prices up to October 2012. This is significant as it is the first annual gain post recession. However, it is important to note that the recovery is highly fragmented with some cities seeing rising prices whilst others continue to see declines.

Phoenix, which was one of the cities hardest hit by the recession, has recorded 20 percent gains, while cities that saw less extreme price declines such as New York and Chicago are, as yet struggling to record any significant price growth.

“We are cautiously optimistic about the state of the housing market. Indeed, encouraging signs are emerging such as rising home values, construction activity and sales. Demand is being supported by sustained, albeit modest, job growth and record affordability, and reflects increasing consumer confidence and household spending,” the report says.

There are, however, still headwinds that the housing market in the US must overcome the report adds. Home values are still almost a third lower than their pre-recession peak. The number of households whose mortgage is greater in value than their home now stands at 10.8 million, while home sales, existing and new, remain 30 percent and 70 percent below their pre-recession peaks respectively.

Other downsides include weak credit growth and the fragile labour market, which are the largest obstacles to a sustainable recovery. “Although the housing market has ploughed along in spite of the weak macro environment, this can only be sustained for so long without support from stronger job growth and improved lending conditions,” the report adds.

To see the actual state of the US housing and construction markets as well as other global markets and the latest international construction projects head down to MIPIM 2013, Cannes, 12-15 March. For the city’s best hotels, rented apartments and villas look no further than EAS, the local travel agent you can rely on. We have rooms in the most centrally located hotels, beach apartments with sea views, penthouses and even luxury loft apartments. We also offer yacht charters for those after something a little bit different and can organise all your transportation, dining and entertainment needs. Click on this link to fill in our request form.

In a further attempt to provide more housing and bring down the cost of homes, government officials in Hong Kong have revealed they are exploring the idea of building an artificial island outside Victoria Harbour.

The proposal is one of 10 new measures the government is hoping to implement as a way of increasing land supply in the crowded city by 18 percent over five years. At present the plan would reclaim six square kilometres of land outside the harbour. The government is looking at an area in the waters between Hong Kong and Lantau Islands to see if the idea is feasible.

Other measures hoping to be introduced by the government include plans to build a new satellite town in the New Territories North. In the short to medium-term 3 square kilometres of land will be made available for housing with enough space for 129,000 units. The government has also hinted at lifting building restrictions in the Pok Fu Lam district.

Hong Kong’s chief executive Chun-Ying Y Leung who is the brains behind the plans said: “To respond more flexibly to society’s needs for land the government is determined to develop new land extensively to build up an abundant land reserve that can more than meet the short-term demand. That way, the reserve can be used to meet future demand in a timely manner.”

However not everyone thinks the ambitious plans will be completed in the time frame needed. Property advisor Nicholas Brooke who regularly advises Leung sees a number of hurdles that will need to be overcome. He said: “If you look at the plan that he’s mapped out, with every site that he wants to address, it faces challenges either with infrastructure planning or modifications, so the potential for slippage is quite high. Supply could remain tight even longer than in the short or medium-term.”

House prices in Hong Kong are expected to rise by five percent this year and any correction in prices will not be seen until the supply of housing increases or interest rates go up in the US, as the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar. That means that a correction won’t likely take place until 2015.

For more information on construction projects in Hong Kong head down to MIPIM 2013, March 12-15 at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes. Here at EAS we can promise you the best hotel rooms, the most sought-after rented apartments and even the odd luxury yacht or two. With our expert knowledge we’ll make sure your stay will be one you don’t forget. Click on this link to fill in our request form.