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My principal interest in mobile applications is to push the boundaries of innovation to create uniquely mobile experiences. I hope my blogs excite and challenge developers to think 'outside the box'.

Looking backwards and forwards

coultonp | 02 January, 2008 12:59

On this day last year I posted a blog about predicting the main mobile trends for 2007 and suggested a few ideas with the help of a few comments from the community. I thought I would start my year in a reflective mood (must be my age) and see how we did. Location based services have certainly come to the fore (although I am not sure if anyone is actually making any money) but I think we can have a point for that one. Flat rate data tariffs becoming the norm hasn’t come about as widespread as I thought (certainly not in the UK) so I think we only get half for that. The emergence of social sites on mobile is coming about although as yet presence is not really part of the equation so I don’t think we get anything there. Finally the increase in Flashlite content, which has grown but not as much as I expected so might get half a point for that one. Overall this gives us a hit rate of about 50% which is what the article I originally discussed predicted so perhaps no surprises there and shows the dominance of a not so educated guessWink. In regard to this year I will say:

  • ‘Green’ will replace ‘Open’ as this year’s mobile black
  • Widgets will become a force in mobile content
  • Ad driven content will continue to increase (widgets no doubt being seen as having huge potetial)
  • NFC use will start to accelerate and public awareness will grow

Ok so if I’m able to do this again next year we will see how it goes and if anyone wants to add to my rather simple list then please add a comment.

BTW a happy new year to the mobile community in general and lets hope it’s a much fun as last year Laughing

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Comments

New things to come

bogdan.galiceanu | 03/01/2008, 08:58

I'd like to add a large (though not exactly exponential) growth in touchscreen devices, with the S60 Touch line-up probably coming this year. Also I can foresee a continuation of developing experimental and pioneering applications in correaltion with users' feedback. Hope everyone has a great year!

Predictions

Steve | 03/01/2008, 10:33

It is a brave thing to try to predict the future in any IT field - and Mobile is particularly hard. However - one thing I think you have missed is the introduction of N-GAGE. This will really impact the market as a new generation of games hits the streets. I would also bet on mobile virtual communities - as extensions of existing services - or with new "spaces" - starting to emerge.

Steve

Paul Coulton | 03/01/2008, 12:02

Perhaps more foolish than brave. I think the N-Gage will be very interesting my only worry is that a lot of the general public I talk to still think it’s a device which may dilute the message. It will be interesting to see how it goes and as someone with a love of the mobile games industry it will be one I follow closely.

Bogdan

| 03/01/2008, 12:05

I did think of adding touch but I think that a more general expansion of a range of UI is likely and I can see a lot of innovation possibilities in the accelerometers myself .
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