Mobile business

[Internet Gift Store]

I see a lot of press as for the future business growth to be in the mobile services sector. Pundits seem to be saying that the mobile web is the next big thing as phones and speeds get better.

Is this true?
Should I be worried?

Do I need to re-develop my ecommerce business to be compatible with mobile phone browsers?

I can see the potential. I just have a hard time picturing the reality of people shopping on their mobiles - the way they do at their PC. But then again, people were saying the same thing 10 years ago about online shopping...

IGS

[Parin]

Was WAP (the 1st incarnation of mobile internet) not meant to be the next big thing 10 years ago?
By now it should have developed into something credible, which personally I dont think it has. Dont get me wrong, its moved forward but there are still some glaring issues:
1. Relaibility, although we are being touted mobile broadband speeds, in my experience speeds are rarely sustainable.
2. Cost, many consumers still do not see the benifit of paying the extra for mobile data access.
I would say its an option that should be kept in mind, but should not dictate your strategy.

[Parin]

I dont know if this is relevant but I've just finished a rollout (at work) of ******* Q1's. These units are categorised as UMPC's (Ultra Mobile PC). They run windows XP tablet edition and can be accessed either via the units touch screen or through plugging in exterinal input devices (keyboard /mouse).

Anyhow to cut a long story short, our staff are using the units to access a web app. The after much testing the app had to be installed locally on the units with a web server as the mobile data access was too slow and erratic (15 users dotted across the UK but in and round major cities). Once our users find an internet connection ( mostly when they get home) they then synch the app with our server.

[Bob]

Yep. I agree there are still too many issues for mobile and the mobile web. I think the biggest issue is USABILITY. People really ignore the glaringly obvious here. I have an MDA Vario II with ********. On paper it's great; largest screen, windows mobile, real keyboard, HSDPA Internet connection with near broadband speed. The best use I get out if is when I hook it up to my laptop and use it as a modem.

The problems are (which common across all mobile devices);

1. The screen is still too small.
2. The keyboard is too small for my clumsy fat fingers

I don't see these two basic issues being resolved with technology today.

Don't get me wrong as I do think there will be some "killer applications" for mobile going forward in the same way that texting was the initial killer app. I will write a seperate post on what I think the next big thing is for mobile...