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Trendspotting: Mobile 2009-2020 Predictions

Influencers On Mobile 2009 2020 Predictions By Trendsspotting

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iMedia Connection: Putting your website design in context

Adapting your website for the wireless age is about more than formatting -- it's about meeting the unique demands of your mobile users. Here's what marketers need to know.
 

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iPhone Firmware Update 2.1 | Bug Fixes and More

On Friday, Apple released its latest firmware update for the iPhone. Here is a recent article that details a few of the added features included in the update to go along the bug fixes promised.

Macworld | iPhone Central | First Look: iPhone 2.1.

 

Microblogging | A Lifestyle for Some

Do you know anyone like Amanda Mooney? With the popularity of Twitter, and other microblogging services and social networks, it appears there may be millions. But how do you decide which service(s) to use or find the time to monitor and maintain them all?  For me it comes down to two basic questions:

1. Where are my family, friends, and colleagues?
2. What services work for me?

Basically, the microblogging service or social network has to allow for quick and easy use. This includes being able to utilize text messaging, mobile and internet (which most, if not all provide). Mobile web is becoming more important to me as I find that I interact on these services a majority of the time using my phone.

At this time, I am only using Facebook, Twitter (I know it is down a lot) and BrightKite on a consistent basis. These three services meet my above criteria - a vast majority of my family, friends and colleagues are there. Plus, all three are easy to use (at least the way I use them) with the ability to access and update either on the web, mobile web or text.

Yeah, I have accounts with a number of the other services (Pownce, Friendfeed, Plurk) but they do not meet my above criteria to warrant consistent use. At least not at this time...

How do you determine which service is right for you?

Read the Newsweek article: Microblogging: Twitter and Other Blogging Tools

Rethinking Purchase of iPhone 3G

Upon announcement of the iPhone 3G a couple of weeks ago, it was a forgone conclusion that I was springing for a new mobile phone. As time has elapsed since then, the impulse factor has essentially worn off and more reflection has been allowed. Do I really need or care if I have an iPhone?

I wonder how many other people are reconsidering an iPhone 3G purchase? Giving a month lag time for the availability of the iPhone 3G may actually work against Apple in this case.

What will the iPhone 3G provide that I don't already have (other than being able to say I have an iPhone)?

For productivity purposes, the iPhone 3G won't really add any efficiencies for me. As I utilize Microsoft tools (excluding Exchange), I will have to work through iTunes to sync up with my Outlook. Not a huge deal, but not optimal. I will also lose my mobile Word, Excel and PowerPoint capabilities. Okay, I admit I don't use them often. Okay, probably only once in the last year. Not the point.

Plus, do I really care if it has GPS? I don't get lost.

However, I really like the iPhone's Visual Voicemail feature (huge), the enhanced web browsing with Safari, and the other features provided with the touchscreen that enhance the user experience.

Interestingly, I faced these same questions last year and decided against the iPhone. So what changed? Is it simply that the iPhone now has 3G, as the other new features on the iPhone aren't that compelling to me? Or is it a better appreciation for the user experience of the iPhone, which may lead to better efficiency? Or both?

So, will I be at an Apple Store or AT&T Store on July 11, 2008 picking up a new iPhone? Yes. Although I still have another couple of weeks to decide. And I haven't even gotten into the AT&T phone and data plan issue.

Any thoughts on what I should do?

Minorities and Mobile Access to Data and Information

Pew/Internet has released a report that finds 62% of all Americans participate in mobile digital activities. Here is a statistic I found interesting:

Against the average of 52% of internet users who have used a laptop or handheld to connect to the internet wirelessly away from home or work:

• 65% of English-speaking Hispanic internet users have done this
• 54% of African American internet users have done this
• 49% of white internet users have done this

The survey encompassed mobile/PDA and laptop computers. I would like to see the statistics for mobile/PDA only.

Read the report: PDF Report.
Read more: Pew Internet: Mobile Access to Data and Information

iTunes | Number Two U.S. Music Retailer

 

We all knew that Apple's iTunes ruled the digital music downloads. But No. 2 music retailer overall, that is pretty amazing. All I can say is that is a lot of DRM music.

Yeah, I know iTunes has DRM-free music now. But that is only recently. What appears to really help iTunes ranking is the decline in the sales of CDs. With AmazonMP3 (which led to my abandonment of CDs) and iTunes now with a wider selection of DRM-free music, CDs may go the way cassette (or more recently - HD-DVD).

Given the entrenchment of iTunes and the popularity of the iPod, iTunes could very well be the No. 1 music retailer by this time next year.

Read More: MobileCrunch

Steve Jobs Debuts the MacBook Air @ MacWorld

Introducing the Apple MacBook Air. Steve Jobs unveiled what is labeled "the world's thinnest notebook."

It is interesting for us here at Viaspire as we are contemplating a change from PC to Mac. In fact, we have had a number of discussions relative to sub-notebooks. The MacBook Air definitely opens up further conversation for us.

Of course, we will have to explore it a little further to see if it would fit our needs and desires. But, intriguing and stylish nonetheless.

Check out the Apple - MacBook Air.
View the Ad.
Take the Guided Tour.

iPhone 1.1.3 Firmware Update- Real or Fake?

Bleeding Edge TV provides a video to backup their report and photos of the impending iPhone 1.1.3 firmware update. Rumor has it that MacWorld is the target date for its release.

Read more and view video: Bleeding Edge TV 195: iPhone 1.1.3 Firmware Feature Walkthrough | Bleeding Edge TV.

Teens Primed for Mobile Social Networks

More than six in 10 teens have mobile phones, according to a December 2006 study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project titled "Teens and Social Media."

Read more at eMarketer: Teens Primed for Mobile Social Networks - eMarketer.