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It boggles my mind every time I read an article online about a new iPhone application.  Especially the ones that are being created by the big brands/companies.

This morning I read an article about the Starbucks app that allows Starbucks customers to load/reload their Starbucks card via mobile credit card payments.  The app also lets these customers pay for the transaction by having the cashier scan a barcode (see image below) directly off of the iPhone or iPod Touch.

Barcode when scanning at a Starbucks location (image: mobilemarketerdaily.com)

Now what boggles my mind the most is, what about ALL of the other Starbucks customers with mobile devices?  Is there an app for them, too?  Especially all of the morning commuters with BlackBerrys or Android devices that too enjoy their daily Starbucks cup of coffee.

Now, I am aware that they can’t please everyone all at once, but, when brands and companies think of  the “mobile web” they instantly think of developing an application for the iPhone/iPod Touch…and sadly, they just end up getting lost in the clutter.

I believe companies need to step out of their comfort zone and broaden the reach of these apps to more mobile devices.  I know these iPhone apps are flashy and cool, but what about the rest of the world who doesn’t own iPhone or iPod Touch?

What do you think?  Have these brands and companies taken the easy road to getting themselves on the mobile web?  Leave a comment!

Even before its highly anticipated release last week, there was much talk about Apple’s tablet.  Since then the iPad has people in the mobile web industry talking.

Will the iPad browser be considered regular PC web or mobile web?  It has “desktop-like capabilities” but runs the iPhone OS…so, does that mean we will be viewing the PC or mobile web?

Will the iPad replace the need for a smartphone? Will it get rid of the desire to use a computer at all?

An article on pcworld.com states that people won’t have a use for either their iPhones or PCs.  This new tablet, the iPad, will takeover for both. But, I’m not so convinced…

I believe that people will continue to use their iPhones. Why? Because you can’t use your tablet as a phone. And why would you want to, even if you could? It’s huge!

So, will people get rid of their fancy smartphones to go back to a cheaper basic phone?  No, I can’t see this happening either.  In my opinion, there will always be a use for a smartphone because the iPad is too big to fit in a pocket and too small to carry around like a laptop. And that’s where your smartphone comes in.  It fits in a pocket and goes everywhere you go.  So unless you have a big purse or bag that you will be carrying the iPad in every day, I don’t think the new tablet will be replacing smartphones any time soon.

The other question: is there no longer a place for PCs?  I don’t believe this either.  People will still want a bigger screen if they can have one.  I just can’t see the world using only tablet computers, when they can have a big screen/desktop, keyboard and mouse.  It may come down to personal preference, but for now, I think PCs will still be used.

So, what’s the answer?  Will the iPad be considered mobile or PC web-based?  I’m leaning towards mobile because it runs on the iPhone operating system, it’s wireless, and it’s an “on-the-go” device, like a cell phone.  Though, I don’t see it replacing smartphones any time soon.

Do you have any thoughts about how the iPad will impact the mobile web and PC web?

We’ve all heard the hype around 2010 being the “year of mobile.”  That said, you would have thought the much anticipated release of the new Google phone, Nexus One, would have been a tremendous success…..well, not so much.

The first week Google sold about 20,000 phones. Maybe that sounds like a hefty amount, though, last June when Apple released its iPhone 3GS they sold a whopping 250,000. There’s just no comparison. So we wonder, why didn’t it do as well as everyone may have expected (including Google)?  Well I have a few theories…

First off, unless you go with a T-Mobile Plan, the cost will cost you $530. That’s some serious cash to drop on a phone.  Obviously, there are those people that can and are willing to pay good money for the phone they want. But I can’t imagine that many people are.

Secondly, it’s competing with the iPhone. Most people associate the Apple brand with one word: quality.   So why look any further?  The people that want the iPhone, in my opinion, are not going to be persuaded to purchase anything less than the iPhone.

Another reason I think may be playing a big role in the lack of success of the Nexus One is that you can’t see or play around the phone before you buy it. You have to order it online.  I could never buy a phone I couldn’t play around with first.  Being able to buy it exclusively online can really only be hurting Google.

Last but not least, my final reason: Google’s customer service doesn’t have the best reputation. And in comparison to Apple’s customer service, with roughly 300 stores worldwide, it’s hard to compete. Apple makes it so convenient to get help. Just walk up the the “Genius bar” and see a genius. It’s just that simple.

So maybe the first week wasn’t as successful as all of us may have expected, but we’ll have to see what the future holds for Google and the Nexus One.

Sources: blog.flurry.com, google.com/phone

Today Mobilemarketer.com had an article about the decrease in prices of phones and the increase in sales of phones.  SmartPhones have become so popular.  It’s unlikely to go out in public without seeing a handful of people with BlackBerrys, iPhones or some other high-tech devices.

Mobilemarketer stated that 6 out of every 10 people have a SmartPhone.  And I think that number is only going to increase.  If you don’t pay attention to which phones the people around you have, start to…

I’m a BlackBerry user myself but two years ago I used to think of a BlackBerry user as corporate and affluent.  Which definitely still rings true; but, today these phones have become main stream.  It’s trendy now to have a BlackBerry or iPhone.  You will begin to notice many younger people, college-age especially, have BlackBerrys or iPhones.  These phones have many features and capabilities that have become almost essential to a younger, tech-savvy, teen or twenty-something.  Being able to use their social networking sites, download applications and surf the internet, all on the go, have made it so easy for this demographic to adopt.

Mobilemarketer went on to discuss that carriers push smartphone sales because it’s how they make money.  The data plans that are necessary with every SmartPhone is how carriers drive their sales.  Though, they worry that many people are nervous about adopting these data plans.  Committing to such an expensive plan may make some people turn to T-Mobile’s new deal…

I think it’s interesting and kind of cool that T-Mobile is coming out with a pre-paid BlackBerry,  called the “Complete Plan.”  And that it definitely is.  I think this will absolutely expand the number of SmartPhone users. It’s an alternative for people who want a SmartPhone, but don’t want a binding two-year contract.  With this new plan, the first month is free with a purchase of the SmartPhone (about $60) and then months after can be as low as $50.00/month.  How cool is that?!

I think it is so crazy how SmartPhones have taken off and become so popular so quickly, especially with such a young audience.  With technology only moving forward, I cannot wait to see what the next few years hold with mobile devices…They just keep getting smarter (pun intended!!)

Sources: mobilemarketer.com, t-mobile.com