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Written by Kat
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Thursday, 14 February 2008 12:59 |
 Did you know that the first text message was sent in 1992 and an estimated 70% of mobile phone users currently send text messages? Industry experts estimate that text messaging grew more than 130 percent between 2006 and 2007. I don’t know about you but I’ve had relationships rise and fall entirely through a series of text messaging. Nowadays, our mobile devices are becoming a necessary tool for self-expression and connection with others. I know I can call you or email you with my latest to-dos and greatest happening but now I must text you!!! It’s only fair for everyone involved.
With the 2008 Mobile World Congress well underway in Barcelona, there are several new ideas in motion but the hottest buzz word of this year’s event seems to be convergence.
The mobile industry is rallying into action with new technology and devices, responding to the desire for our “real-time” lives and our online lives to coalesce. The mobile phone, perhaps more than any other gadget, has the potential to realize the dream of the truly converged device with multiple uses. The future looks towards a streamlining of social activity on the net with mobile devices with real time streaming of photos taken on the phone, and the merging of video, audio and photos with networked friends. Among the many topics covered were mobile broadband, music & video on phones, mobile GPS, mobile web technology, and phone as fashion accessory as Apple’s success with the iPhone has paved the way for vendors to re-think designs.
Announcements of note:
- Microsoft announced acquisition of Danger, a Silicon Valley software company that specializes in mobile Web services and features a well-regarded user interface. Danger is best known for Sidekick
- Nokia, the world's largest handset maker, announced two new services delivering the Web to their cell phones, allowing users to manage, share and store their personal media. With the social networking market in mind, Nokia introduced the N78, which comes loaded with Nokia's new music service, mapping/navigation and a camera, all meant to let users constantly share updates and photos about themselves.
- Sony Ericsson announced a premium handset to capture the Web convergence market, with its new high-end W980, the first model in the Walkman line that users can play without opening the clamshell.
- With TV and video in mind, Samsung showed off its new F490, a video-centric phone with a 3-inch by 2-inch screen, which is larger than the average cell-phone screen. Samsung also introduced a new music-playing phone, the F400. Both Samsung and Sony Ericsson said their new music phones offer enhanced sound quality. Sony Ericsson is using a proprietary Sony technology, and Samsung is partnered with Bang & Olufson.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 May 2008 15:49 )
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