What Happens When All Data is Mobile

Wednesday, 09. 2. 2009  –  Category: Dial611

Just a few years ago, smartphones barely existed in the wireless industry.  Research in Motion’s Blackberry was a leader in the space, but its product was focused on business clients who wanted to stay in touch while out of the office.  Flash forward to the present day, and even the casual mobile user has expanded their use beyond simply making phone calls.  Texts, e-mail, downloads and web surfing services have all grown tremendously.

With the introduction of user friendly devices like the iPhone and the Palm Pre, and the expansion of Research in Motion into more personal devices, children and parents alike are now seeing smartphones as more of a need than a want.  This means more connectivity, more applications and more data at everyone’s fingertips.

But the smartphone market is not quite a standard yet.  According to Nielsen, as of April 2009 there were more than 6 million active iPhone users in the United States.  While impressive, the CTIA estimates that there are 262,700,000 wireless users in the United States.  That means that iPhone users account for only 2% of the U.S. market, with smartphones in general accounting for only 19% of all wireless users in the U.S.

With booming international markets like China already having hundreds of millions of mobile Internet users, and growing at 30% per year, the smartphone revolution is definitely in motion.  In the United States, too, the trend is clearly moving towards users accessing data on their phones.  A well wired and fully mobile population around the globe is quickly becoming a reality.

So what happens when the world’s information is at one’s fingertips?  When everyone is available for comment?  When data spreads faster than the flu?

Stopping the False Information
There are many examples in this new data world of false information running wild.  Incorrect pronouncements of celebrity deaths show up every day online.  Supposed movie spoilers leaked out.  Possible business deals reported as fact.  Personal lies spread to ruin someone’s reputation.  As the explosion of Twitter has shown everyone, real-time data has never been more real.  With more access available on mobile devices, it is likely that the trend will continue to get larger before it gets better.  It may mean your life, no matter your status, has never been more public.

Changing the Dynamic of Expertise
What happens when, with an internet connection, all the information in the world is common knowledge?  How will it affect those of us who consider ourselves experts in our home, office or community?  Wikipedia is a great example of how easy access to information changes behavior.  What used to be a laborious process of research can now be a quick search on a website.  How does this change the model of expertise?  Does it level the playing field, or undervalue specific knowledge?  It definitely creates more questions than answers at this time.

The Effects on Our Health
Mobile devices, for obvious reasons, are never going to be large in size.  This means small screens and tight keyboards, neither of which is ideal for our bodies.  Therefore, it stands to reason that mobile-related injuries are surely not too far behind.  Already, studies are showing increased hand, wrist and eye problems due to our computer usage.  Video game system users are showing similar ailments.  The issue is complicated even further when you consider that many people are likely users of multiple devices.

Read Part II:  The Danger of Being Too Connected

Read Part III: Needing Credible Sources in the New Data World

David Fleming works for CornerWorld Corporation, parent company of Dial611.

Tags: applications, cell phone, China, CTIA, data plan, David Fleming, e-mail, internet, iPhone, Nielsen, smartphone, texting, Twitter, websites