The World is Going Mobile Whether you Like it or Not

Just like the headline reads, the world is going mobile, and we’re only at the beginning of it all. I recently read somewhere that 80% of mobile users check their social networking status before turning off the lights in the their bed at night, and it’s the first thing they do when they wake up. When you’re on public transit how many people do you see using a mobile device? In our quest to consume more information, mobile devices help to fill the gap between us and the information that we’re looking for, it doesn’t matter if it’s a movie, a train schedule or your Facebook feed.

Enter the mobile device with it xG or WiFi Connection.

As Apple, RIM and others continue to grow their App Stores, while more and more people start using their mobile as their primary internet connection, mobile devicesa re going to out pace PC’s in sales within the next 2-3 years. So what does that mean for anybody involved in software development? “Anybody” being basically everyone, if you use software and send feedback to the provider you’re part of the process. It means that there’s a massive need for more and better mobile software.

I know, I know, pretty obvious right? Maybe not, the Mobile Internet and Mobile Marketing channels have been described as being in the same state as the Internet was back in 1994. Lass than 25% of businesses are engaged in Mobile Marketing. The big question is “WHY”? Could it be the time or the money involved, or is it the collective lack of understanding of the potential that exists in directly marketing to a persons mobile?

In 10 years (2020) will we even have PC’s or will they have been replaced by their mobile counter parts and have a wireless connection to different I/O devices. I see my mobile as a way to learn more about what’s going on in my city, connect with my social circle and do business.

Take Polar Mobile, they’ve grown exponentially over the last year, and there are others joining the game everyday. I’ve worked on mobile development projects with price tags that are in the mid 6 digits range and it doesn’t look like things are slowing down anytime soon as mobile devices are estimated to outnumber people at least 2-1 in most places in the world today. Don’t believe me? Search “Mobile devices outnumber people“.

This may concern some people, after reading some of the headlines about where our collective priorities lie. But I’m not here to start a political debate about the number of people with mobile devices that don’t have access to toilets or clean water in the 3rd world or what day in the future the mobile devices will become sentient and try to eliminate or enslave the human race. I’m just amazed at how our need to connect on different levels and find a sense of belonging in the universe has translated into the birth of the mobile web. Anyway you look at it, we’re in the golden age of opportunity and mobile is the new wild west.