At a TIE-DC event this week, I watched a Microsoft employee compare it’s mobile platform to Apple’s. Pretty crazy, huh? But it just goes to show you how important mobile is becoming to the Internet and social media.
More and more social networks and internet services are creating mobile versions. Consider m.twitter.com, mobile Facebook, and mobile Google.
As a former wireless reporter and someone who has published an analyst report on the diffusion of wireless Internet technologies, I cannot tell you how thrilling this is. The dream of broadband mobile environment is within our finger tips. I know what an explosive catalyst this technology will be for our world.
Recently on Facebook, I asked some of my friends which technologies they thought would impact us most. Many thought mobile broadband was key.
Chris Abraham: My business partner, Mark Harrison, mocks me from Berlin, where HSDPA/UMTS technology is ubiquitous. At 6-15 mbps, these modems and devices change everything. Look to Japan for ideas for potential. Micropayments, etc…
Jane Quigley: I think the wider adoption of microformats and mobile broadband connectivity is key to the next step of social platforms.
Chris Parandian: web 3.0 is the mobile internet and it has huge potential. more spectrum for service providers and devices that allow consumers to connect via 3G, Wi-Fi or Wi-Max is a recipe for success…
Others saw variants or different technologies as leading disruptors…
Jonathan Trenn: I agree with the broadband part, but I’d say it is broadband overall. Not just mobile. We’re not there yet.
Doug Haslam: Multimedia collaboration, offline editing capabilities. ok that’s 2.
Chris Edwards: A technology that has yet to be invented, frankly. That’s not a cop out. I think that the growth curve right now is pretty steady in a normal pattern. The game will change when something even more accessible comes along to encourage greater participation.
However the crystal ball bounces, it sure is an exciting time. What do you think?