I figured RIM (BlackBerry) would be in the lead with Apple following.  I was not expecting to see such a loss by Microsoft but I do believe with their new Windows Mobile 7 coming out, they’ll be able to gain back customers.

comScore Smartphone Market Share as of Jan. 2010

I was sort of shocked that Android had a 4.3% growth since October.  I know that there are many Android phones currently available, with more to come soon; but, I guess I got the impression that Android phones weren’t selling all that well.  That just doesn’t seem to be the case though from this data.  Within just 3 months, they saw a huge amount of growth and that’s awesome. I hope the future of Android  can bring more competition to both RIM and Apple.

What do you think the future holds for Android??

Both Yahoo and Microsoft claim that when everything is finalized and up and running it will be a better overall experience for consumers.

So, how will they work together?

• They will use the combind search ad inventory from Yahoo, Microsoft and partners.
• Microsoft will be acquiring an exclusive license to certain Yahoo search technologies.
• Microsoft will manage the technology platforms (Bing and adCenter.)
• Yahoo will exclusively support high volume advertisers, SEO and SEM agencies, resellers and their clients. While Microsoft will support self-service advertisers.  And Microsoft adCenter will be the platform for all search campaigns.

What does this mean for Google?

I’m not sure if Google will ever lose it’s #1 spot as the best search engine.  When people want to get quick, instant information they “google it.”   Not only is it where they choose to search (over Yahoo and Bing) but Google has become an every day term in the English language.

Don’t know something?  Just “google it!”

I am definitely interested to see how this alliance turns out.  But I can’t see Google hurting any time soon.

Sources: Searchalliance.com, mobilemarketer.com

Many leading auto insurance companies like Allstate, State Farm, Geico and Travellers are buying pay per click ads through google, which are being displayed on mobile devices like the iPhone.

All of the ads that we saw drove users to standard web landing pages like the one above from State Farm. We believe that this is a poor user experience for the potential customer and probably a waste of money for the advertiser.

We recommend instead that the advertiser uses a mobile optimized landing page and mobile analytics so that they have the best chance of converting the visitor into a great lead.

Many mobile devices (Treo, BlackBerry, iPhone) have attempted to converge previous devices like phones, organizers, video game systems, and cameras. Typically these devices fall short on many fronts. I like my iPhone, but I still use our digital camera for photos and I am tempted to get a Blackberry for email. My favorite device right now is my mini digital camcorder. It performs one function and it does that very well.

The iPad looks like a great device, however, I don’t think that it will replace anything that I own. Instead it will become my new browsing-while-sitting-on-the-couch device.

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?

Neilsen conducted a study of people surfing the web via their mobile phones.  Neilsen states that there were 42.6 million mobile web users in July 2008, and in July 2009 there were 56.9 million. They saw a 34% increase year-over-year.

The graph also shows a growth in the women on the mobile web.  It is said to be ‘dominated by men,’ but here we see a bigger increase in female usage than men.  43% of female growth compared to 26% growth for men in the year-over-year category.

I believe we can expect to see another big leap in number of mobile users by July 2010.

One thing I found really interesting from this graph was the 67% growth ages 65+ saw in the last year. This may just be proof that we will be able to reach this demographic on mobile pretty soon.

What do you think the future holds for mobile?

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

Companies all over the world are learning how right now it is vital to get into this rapidly growing industry.  People may think of the mobile web as just a “tiny web.”  A tiny version to the regular PC web, but on a scaled down smaller screen. But the reality of it is, it’s so far from the PC web.  It really is a completely different medium.  Just because you know what works on the PC web, doesn’t mean you can translate it straight over to the mobile web.  Things on the PC web can be a lot more complex because people view the webpages on a much bigger screen.  On the mobile web, things have to be kept much simpler to keep consumers interested. Though this is not stopping companies from jumping to mobile…

There are many different ways to go about getting your brand out onto the mobile web.  Some of the most popular types are: SMS campaign strategy, coupons/bar codes, click to call, mobile websites, and applications.

There are so many different industries that you see every day in mobile internet news starting to make their mobile marks.  Anywhere from television shows to healthcare providers to convenience stores.

Some brands that have recently announced that they have made efforts to go mobile are: Ford, Toyota, Best Buy, Procter & Gamble, UnitedHealthcare, Continental Airlines, 7-Eleven Inc. convenience stores, Home Depot, Auntie Anne’s, Coors Light, and many, many others.

A recent article I read stated that roughly two hundred 7-Eleven Inc. convenience stores were advertising to local residents in the SanDiego area to text FAST (or in Spanish, RAPIDO) to 72579.  In response they will receive a bar code that will give them one free drink of four popular drinks that are found at 7-Eleven stores.  Then when they either go online to 7-Eleven’s website or go to the their local 7-Eleven store, they can redeem their coupon to see which of the 4 drinks they received. They are testing this campaign to see how their customers will respond to the texting and then the redemption process of the coupons.

I can’t imagine that this campaign wouldn’t be successful.  Who doesn’t like free stuff?  I wish it was at 7-Eleven’s nationwide…I’d be redeeming my coupon for a free drink today!

Another brand that recently announced mobile efforts was UnitedHealthcare.  This healthcare provider has an application for iPhone 3G & 3GS.  It uses the phone’s GPS to locate local doctors (of all types) and facilities near by.  This is definitely cool if for example, you move and want to check to see what facilities and doctors accept your health insurance.  Or maybe you moved and haven’t thought about finding a new doctor and now you’re sick and need one ASAP. Because we all know, when you need to go to the doctor’s, the last thing you want to do is to have to make 25 phone calls before you find a facility/doctor that will take your insurance. So this is definitely convenient in so many ways.

It’s great to see so many popular brands taking mobile initiatives.  2010 is seen to be the year where many people are upgrading to SmartPhone devices.  Mobilemarketer.com reported that, “Nielsen estimates that 150 million U.S. consumers will carry SmartPhones by 2011.”

Not only is the industry looking bright for 2010, but in the many more years to come.  Technology definitely has a long way to go before people leave their PC’s and isolate themselves to the mobile web, but you never know… the future of mobile has many opportunities for growth.

Sources: mediapost.com, mobilemarketer.com, mobilecommercedaily.com, neilsen.com

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

I couldn’t have agreed more with the things that this article states.  In my opinion, it may seem as though, only young teens and young adults surf the web, but in reality, there are so many different aged people using their mobile phones to access the web.

The future is only bright for mobile marketing.  It is said to be one of the fastest growing industries in marketing right now and 2010 looks promising from everything that we are seeing.  ComScore , an internet marketing research company, stated that the mobile web audience was 63 million Americans back in January, 2009 and we predict that this has grown at least 20% during the past year.   They also stated that they have seen an increasing amount of mobile web usage grow from being an occasional activity to a daily activity. We think this proves how rapidly the mobile web in growing!

Though most might think that the mobile web is a lot like the PC web. It’s not!  They are vastly different and there are many reasons for this. One example is an obvious one.  The screens are smaller on mobile devices!  Everything can be very detailed and complex on the PC web, but the mobile web things need to be much simpler.

Mobile Marketer also stated that the economy surprisingly isn’t effecting the mobile web from expanding quickly.  You’d think that consumers aren’t spending the money, but that really just isn’t the case.  People are still making the move into mobile. People are still out purchasing new SmartPhones, iPhones and other expensive devices! Including making the monthly data plan payments.

The mobile web is becoming increasingly popular and as far as marketing on the mobile web, this is the time to get into it.  There is so much potential and mobilemarketer.com says, “Smart marketers and agencies will think like smart fishermen: fish where the fish are. Consumers have already moved to mobile, and are staying there for a long time.” And later they also mentioned how important it is for companies to start looking into mobile because in 2010 these companies may find themselves losing customers to competitors that made early mobile efforts.

So, all in all if you aren’t on mobile…rethink your reasoning and make the move!

Sources: mobilemarketer.com, Mobile Outlook 2009, comScore.com