Bendable Media

A guest post by Andrew Crestodina,  Strategic Director, Orbit Media Studios Inc.

As usual, times are changing.  But there is one change that is about to reach its inflection point: mobile computing.  New research shows we’re about to reach critical mass on several mega-trends.  So as a follow up to our post on Mobile Marketing 101, here’s an update on 3 mobile milestones coming up…

Tipping point one: Most phones are smartphones

You may have already heard people mumbling excuses for their old flip-phone, or defending the Motorola Razr in their pocket. (“Hey, it’s a great phone!”)  But these conventional phones (aka “dumb phones”) will likely be in the minority some time next year.

Tipping point two: More smartphones than computers

Looking at the global market, a more staggering trend is that sometime in the next few years, laptops and desktops will be in the minority.  By the end of 2012, the world will be buying more smartphones than personal computers combined!

Tipping point three: Can the networks handle it?

The third tipping point isn’t statistical, it’s an actual tipping over of the networks.

As millions of new bandwidth-hungry smartphones land in people’s hands, can the wireless networks handle it?  Not so easily.  It’s beginning to look as if these already-strained wireless networks are going to tip over under the massive load. Consider this:

• iPhone uses 10 to 15 times more bandwidth than conventional phones
• 3 million new iPhone users just signed up
• The new Droid X uses 5 times the bandwidth as similar smart phones

The networks are scrambling to keep up with this demand.  It’s made more challenging because the cellular networks were originally built to handle voice traffic, not data.

“We can’t all watch HDTV on our mobile phones”
– Glenn Fleishman, Wi-Fi Networking News

The real tipping point here will be on your cell phone bill.  Expect to pay more for your data plan, as the carriers spend billions to upgrade their networks to keep up with all the smart new phones.

Bottom line

As marketers, let’s read the writing on the wall and consider mobile websites in our marketing mix.

As network users, expect load-time and pricing issues as networks meet the big needs of small screens.

As phone owners, let’s enjoy the fun and productivity we get out of the little computers in our pockets.

Related Posts, Bendable Gadgets:

• Apple, Google dominate smartphone market; others hurting
• Is there a BlackBerry in your future? Why?
• The iPhone 4 debuts today but year belongs to Google