Mobile
"Statistics say there are more mobile phones in the world than PCs and more mobile phones in the U.S. than landlines...there are roughly 34 million at least occasional mobile Web users in the U.S. today and more than 140 million people who use text messaging."
Greg Sterling, Principal, Sterling Market Intelligence
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Mobile Internet Is For Real
By: Greg Sterling, Principal, Sterling Market Intelligence &
Senior Analyst, Local Mobile Search
The "mobile Internet" is finally for real. Statistics say there are more mobile phones in the world than PCs and more mobile phones in the U.S. than landlines. After years of hype, the category is showing signs of real usage as there are roughly 34 million at least occasional mobile Web users in the U.S. today and more than 140 million people who use text messaging. There are also a range of free "voice search" offerings that build on the legacy of directory assistance and show promise for mainstream adoption.
One of the most important mobile content categories – if not the most important – is local. People want "on the go" access to maps and directions, places to stay, shop and eat, and things to do. In addition, they want to be able to communicate and share that information with others. These interests and needs form the basis for the concept of "local mobile search." However, as complex as local search is today, local mobile search is that much more challenging.
The central task of local mobile search and mobile content delivery is masking the complexity of all the moving parts and getting the user experience to drive adoption. The imperative is to make it simple for ordinary people to access the content they want, when they want it, on the go. There are a host of companies now engaged in solving those problems, in an accelerating race for the spoils of the mobile Internet.
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