The Evolution of the G | Light Reading (via Light Reading)
Wireless operator marketing has left many confused about what the “G” on their smartphone actually means. Now, with 5G looming on the horizon, it’s even more important to understand not just how we got to 4G, but what it means for everyday use and Star…
Looking for a different browser to use on your mobile phone instead of the preinstalled Internet browser? Unlike the three mentioned here previously, these four alternatives offer helpful tools for finding what you want on the Web quickly on your mobile phone.[Read More]
Mobile friendly websites are becoming more and more in demand these days, owing to the growing numbers of smartphone users. Research studies show that about 60% to 80% of internet users are now checking websites and opening their emails through their mobile devices. If you don’t want to miss an opportunity to make your website known to as many internet users as possible, then making your website mobile friendly should be your goal at this point. Here are 20 ways to make your website nice and mobile friendly to your visitors.[Read More]
Ruder Finn, an independent PR company published some interesting findings of their new study – Mobile Intent Index. The study measures, well mobile phone users’ intent for accessing the Internet via their mobile devices.
According to the report, the average time spent by Americans on the mobile Internet is 2.7 hours. And what do they do during those times? To socialize, manage their personal finances and push their advocacy.
Contrary to what we may have believed all along, mobile phone users do not access the Internet via mobile phones for educational purposes or for creative expression. The study also found out that usage by gender and age differ. That is men access the mobile web to “escape” while women to “make others laugh.” Now that seems rather vague, right?
Another interesting finding of the report is the fact that immediacy is the major factor why users access the Internet via mobile.
“Our survey data shows that people use their mobile phones out of necessity for instant access to the Web whether it’s to conduct business with the most recent information or advocate on the spot on issues of pressing concern and breaking news,” said Marty McGough, director of Ruder Finn Insights
The study also highlights the fact that mobile phone apps are continously increasing with 61% of the respondents saying that they have downloaded an application at least once per month, and 36% of the respondents saying that they have downloaded applications from social networking sites at least once per month.
As a mobile connector, mobile phone access is used primarily to:
Interesting findings, right? So, which of these connectivity features do you do on your mobile phone?
At its recently concluded developer forum in China, Intel showcased to the world its new processor architecture – Atom (formerly called Silverthorne). And to go with this new processor and chip-set are a slew of devices that fill the (also newly) created niche of devices halfway between a high end cell phone and an ultra-mobile PC. Called Mobile Internet Devices, Intel envisions these devices as the ideal solutions for people with the need to access the internet but are constrained by the limited display area and battery life of mobile phones.
At the heart of these devices is the new Atom processor based on Intel’s 45 nm process and small power usage.
In order to work within a small device, Intel developed the Atom chips with a TDP—an internal Intel term that measures the total amount of heat a chip has to dissipate—of between 2.4 and 0.65 watts. By using low-watt processors, Intel is giving up some performance but also hoping to offer between 4 to 6 hours of battery life with the first generation of MIDs, said Anand Chandrasekhar, senior vice president of Intel’s Ultra Mobility Group.
The processor comes with a new platform called Centrino Atom platform and Intel is targeting it at the $10 billion market it is predicting for there devices. The announcements have also received their share of skepticism with many considering it nothing more that ‘Intel-esque’ marketing for a new brand of devices.
An excerpt from ZDNet
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Admittedly, I look at some of these MIDs and drool. They look great. They combine the Sony PSP with the iPhone and deliver what could be a great experience. Better yet, you’re tethered to the Internet.
But I’m also at the point where the laptop bag is getting crowded. What device gets voted off the island? And at what price? I found it telling that the iPhone is squeezing out the laptop for some folks. Simply put, there is a substitution effect for these new device categories.
There is a video clip of a prototype MID device at Wired (courtesy JKKMobile). Intel has joined hands with several equipment makers to form the Mobile Internet Device Innovation Alliance and will be targeting the $500 price range for these devices. The devices will have support for Vista or Linux.
Whether or not the the MID is over-hyped, it is a fact that there is an immense need for devices that will provide users on the move access to internet, have long battery life, cost reasonable and provide a wide enough screen for easy usability. But will it be a radical mobile phone interface (like the iPhone’s) or will it be the MID that reigns is to be seen.