HOOKED ON MOBILE

If you have a smartphone, video is certainly nothing new. Most smartphones offer the possibility to play local video or over the internet. The promise of faster connections seems to be around the corner, but we know already than in places like Japan (the mobile test bed of the world) superfast connections have made possible TV Channels on the mobile phones. It is not surprise that advertisers are eager to recycle their Ad spots and get them mobile, but that is not the answer for a medium that is so personal, intimate, contextual and with a high level of expectancy of relevant content. We’ve learned our lessons from the internet and we know that the 30 sec spot will not work.

Click-to-Call or CTC is a model that started first on the internet and then evolved into a more literal use of its name, meaning click to make a call. While browsing the net on your mobile phone you can see how phone numbers are higlighted (like a link), upon clicking the number will be automatically dialed.

In an industry dominated by SMS campaigns, MMS, shrunken banners mimicking the ones on internet, ring tones and some other primitive forms of marketing gave the mobile phone the reputation of been the underachiever of the media world. Undeniably, the introduction of the iPhone changed the way we think about mobile phones, the way we interact with them and what we expect from our devices. We are now living what is been called by some the “Post iPhone era” and every new smartphone that comes out in the market is expected to be better or at least have the same functionalities. While innovative and cool, advertisers are worried that an offer that can’t be streamlined and sold by the pound is unlikely to happen with this current innovative climate. Just like the early days of the internet a lot of experimenting is going on, but defined formats are not well established yet.

There was a gathering last night (11th May) for the Mobile Monday chapter Munich. In a traditional Bavarian style setting, the guest panel opened up with their views about developing for platforms like Symbian, Nokia and iPhone. They expose the pros and cons for developing apps. Right after, the demo night started with a total of 9 presenters from places like Vienna, Poland and some Munich companies.

Yup, it is official Apple is working together with Adobe to bring the flash player to the iPhone (finally!).

On the 27th of this month, Samsung unveiled it’s new Google Android-based I7500. This new smartphone makes the electronic giant Samsung the second largest company to roll out a mobile device with an open source operating system.

Next May 11th will be the demo night from the Mobile Monday Munich Chapter. The demonstration will include new apps for the iPhone, the Android, Ovi, Symbian and Java-based phones. On the second part of the event there will be unannounced presenters which will also demo other applications.

Etiam velit sem, commodo sed, lacinia nec, pharetra et, risus. Ut quis augue. Nulla leo dui, rutrum nec, bibendum ut, vulputate eu, neque. Ut tincidunt sollicitudin nisi. Phasellus non odio. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Ut et odio eget dui posuere viverra. Aenean mollis, sapien eget ullamcorper ullamcorper, eros quam fermentum turpis, in placerat sapien lectus non nunc. Cras sed tortor. Maecenas vel massa vitae velit consectetur dapibus.

The best way to find a toilet anywhere in the world… or so they say.