Mobile Working Experiences
The realities of remote working
Thursday 31 January 2008, 4:01 PM
More rumours of Gphone (with Dell as partner)
That reknowned commentator on technology (?!) Marketing Week has published the following story on rumours that Google is set to announce at 3GSM a partnership with Dell to launch a Gphone.
The story lacks detail but it does raise the interesting prospect of a tie-up with Dell. Seems an unlikely partnership to me, Dell has been shy of any first mover initiatives in the past preferring to make money during market maturity. However, it may have been the relative failure of the Dell PDA product that has galvanised them into more proactive development in the mobile arena
I am far from convinced - much of the hype around Google's entry into the mobile handset sector seems to be hopeful rather than informed - but has anyone heard anything to substantiate this?
Story (for what it is worth!) can be found via the following link...
http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=59407&d=254&h=260&f=3
Friday 18 January 2008, 12:05 PM
Mobile email backlash?
Speaking to other users of mobile email devices that have been provided by their employer, I have come across more than a few cases of users who have decided to disable the mobile email functionality or even return the device to their boss. Generally these are not users who were clamouring for email on the move, rather they are users who were 'offered' a new company-supplied phone with email by their boss - claiming it would allow them to manage email more effectively. Subsequently they have found that rather than put them in control, they start to feel compelled to respond to emails more rapidly and at any time of day and night...
The sense seems to be that as more and more employees in companies start using mobile email it exponentially increases the volume of emails in circulation - and particularly outside office hours. HR depts and managers may broadly advocate a responsible approach to email use but all it takes is one or two users to start an email conversation (cc:ing others in..) and suddenly important work dialogue starts to take place outside working hours. There can be a sense that someone is 'missing out' if they do not get involved... It is certainly 'easier' and 'less intrusive' to send round an email at 10pm at night rather than call individuals - but should it be acceptable?
When Blackberries first appeared - the first wave of users seemed to be the senior managers who had a genuine need and who showed workaholic tendancies anyway. Now there are 12m blackberries (not including WM devices) in circulation worldwide and the % of employees using them is starting to creep up from perhaps, 5%, to 10%, 15% and further, what does that mean for business communications? More companies are also trying to manage the proliferation of SIMs by switching to offering staff a single device for voice and email rather than give the option of a phone and email device.
Personally, I am happy to use mobile email, I feel more reassured to know that I am not missing out on an important communication but I can see why some people could become obsessed by that little flashing light in the top corner of their BB.
Has anyone else noticed any kind of backlash to mobile email?
Any other views on whether a more responsible corporate attitude is required? or should users just apply common sense to how they make use of these devices?
Friday 7 December 2007, 1:01 PM
Mobile Manufacturers - Obsessed by cool?
Love it or hate it - Apple have certainly upped the ante in the race to be cool amongst mobile phones. Copycat (or better!) products from LG, HTC, Samsung and others seem to illustrate that the vendors are all focussing their efforts on developing smarter and cooler phones. Even Blackberry are looking at the consumer market with serious intent...
However as the phones get smarter and cooler they seem to be prone to be more complex and fragile. Are the manufacturers missing a trick in their R&D?
I have the dubious pleasure of sitting in on a lot of focus groups with mobile users and I am always surprised at how many users want and need a phone that is robust. For example - many still treasure their Nokia 6310s and go all nostalgic when they talk about its reliability. Even more importantly - many people who work in manual businesses need a phone that is robust so that it can survive the workplace. A garage mechanic who was given a free upgrade to an XDA by his supplier ruefully commented that it didn't look or work nearly as well when it had been dropped in a puddle of engine oil....
Many years ago - Panasonic launched their Toughbook range of laptops, at the time laptops were getting smaller, lighter and funkier -so a collective eyebrow was duly raised. They are now established as THE laptop to use for on the road engineers or anyone who needs the a robust machine - and they command a premium price!
I noticed that JCB have recently launched a toughphone in conjunction with a small mobile manufacturer- what a great brand extension! I only wonder why one of the manufacturers did not spot it first... which got me thinking whether they are all obsessed with style and reaching the hallowed top right corner of Charles and Rupert's Axis of Awesome!
Do you have a favourite phone from the past? Any views on the on-going reliability of new phones? Would you buy a rubberized phone capable of withstanding a few serious knocks and scrapes?
Tuesday 27 November 2007, 2:47 PM
Blackberry to go consumer?
Very interesting to read on zdnet that Blackberry are launching a touch screen device in '08 signalling a renewed interest in the consumer market and potentially hotting up the iPhone race.
Of course, the Pearl was launched with a campaign also targeted at extending usage into the lucrative consumer space (remember the 'it would be a shame to use it just for business...' ads?). I may be mistaken but has anyone seen hordes of young, consumer-type users proudly showing off their BBs?
This leads me to question the wisdom of trying to launch another product to this market...
At its core - Blackberry is an excellent business device - it provides push email plus all the organiser functions a business person needs. It has the potential of offering mobilised applications as well (when these materialise). But let's face it - it has never been a sexy device, the early models were chunky and often worn in a frankly worrying belt holder. The later models are better but still lack any obvious coolness (except for the core function). Finally the brand- to me this is a classic business brand, up there with the Thinkpad, Tumi luggage, Mont Blanc, British Airways and hell, even the Economist.
Am I being unfair on Blackberry? I am sure there are examples of brands who manage to maintain a profitable business and consumer presence. However as the mobile email market reaches a critical phase of comeptition why mess with such a successful business model? Business users do have different needs from mobile devices, a quality keyboard, good battery life and robust design and OS. That is why I am not sure the iPhone has great business potential outside creative, media types who already use Powerbooks. Any expansion into consumer markets would need very careful management....
Am I mis-reading the approach? are there loads of consumers waiting for a BB?
Wednesday 21 November 2007, 11:17 PM
Upbeat Arun - with insight on mobile future and even the iPhone!
Earlier this week - the FT published a long interview with Arun Sarin, CEO of Vodafone. There are some interesting insights into the future of mobile services and into Arun's outlook.
Vodafone, like other operators, have their sights firmly fixed on growing revenues from data services - already 20% of their revenues are generated from data and this proportion is expected to grow. Arun went further to stress the importance of advertising revenues as a component of this growth, recognising that Vodafone needs to mine new revenue streams.
The future of mobile pricing was also discussed, over the next 5-10 years we can expect to see a gradual shift to 'all you can eat' flat rate mobile voice tariffs similar to those already in place for mobile data. Arun admits the reality of this type of pricing despite the difficulties in applying a level playing field to such varied usage levels.
Interesting that Arun does not see any risk to Vodafone being reduced to a pipe, or conduit for mobile services as with the fixed line providers. He pinpoints location as the key USP held by the mobile suppliers - handset companies and other tech vendors can launch new services but will never be able to link this to the individual location of a user - so we can expect to see Vodafone pushing more location based services.
Good to see Arun being realistic about the Mobile Internet - sure he wants people to use Vodafone Live! but his second priority is to enable the Mobile Internet, wherever users will roam.
Finally, Arun can't resist taking a swipe at the iPhone. Admitting that he owns an iPhone he is far from impressed - in areas without wireless access he describes the usage experience as very limited. Could be seen as sour grapes because Vodafone missed out on the iPhone deal, but he is quick to promote the value of the Nokia - Vodafone tie up and does not rule out more partnerships with content and service providers.... watch this space....
Under Arun's stewardship, Vodafone has been turned around from a difficult time with a lot of shareholder pressure and even rumours of it being a takeover candidate. Now the share price is at 3 year highs, they are weighing up other acquisitions and Arun is even finding time to join us his son surfing or playing golf...
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