Forecast: 82M Location-based Mobile Social Networkers by 2013
By Jason Ankeny
Location-based mobile social networking sites will top the 82 million subscriber mark by 2013 according to a new forecast released by market analysis firm ABI Research, which cites the availability of multimedia-centric GPS handsets as well as licensing agreements with carriers and handsets manufacturers as catalysts behind the growth. ABI anticipates mobile social networking will emerge as a key driver of location-based services uptake, promising a unifying framework for a number of mobile applications including friend finders, local search and geo-tagging.
ABI also notes the growth of location-enabled instant messaging applications such as Palringo Local and Nokia Chat. The study predicts that while a wide range of coexisting business models will initially drive location-based mobile social networking, advertising-based models will win out due by capitalizing on the possibilities of local search- and content-driven social context."While growth will be mainly driven by the availability of multimedia-centric GPS handsets, other mobile form factors will also become important", said ABI Research director Dominique Bonte in a prepared statement.
"Mobile Internet Devices with built-in GPS receivers have been announced, with location-based social networking site GyPSii supporting Moblin-based Intel Atom processor-powered MIDs. Connected PNDs and outdoor GPS solutions are other obvious candidates for location-based networking. Nissan Carwings' in-car telematics solution allows the sharing and ranking of fuel consumption in Japan." [ABI Research]
CE Vendors Offering Internet Connectivity Must Get the Usage Model Right
The trend towards cramming ever more functions into mobile phones is forcing consumer electronics vendors to explore new capabilities in their devices in order to stay relevant to consumers in a “connected age.” Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) combining specialized functions (camera, media player, navigation etc.) with wireless Internet access seem likely to succeed and consumers increasingly expect their electronics to connect to the Internet. But makers of these products have only a window in which to build devices and business models that users will adopt.
“CE manufacturers try to stay relevant in the face of phones that perform multiple functions ‘well enough’,” says ABI Research director Kevin Burden. “Mobile Internet Devices promise to deliver that relevance, but consumers aren’t clamoring for these new devices yet. That means CE vendors must get the user experience and the economic model right from the start. If consumers are not hooked by a compelling experience right away, they’ll stick with what they’ve got.”
Creating a functional product with an intuitive interface may be the easy part. Internet access means service delivery, and the user’s ongoing relationships with the vendor and service provider are equally important. “CE manufacturers realize the importance of a service infrastructure to the long-term use of mobile devices,” says Burden. “The lessons of Apple’s iPod/iPhone/iTunes integration and the RIM’s back-end infrastructure are not lost on them. What’s the best model for multiple device ownership? Consumers want one service plan and one bill for all their connected devices.”
Amazon’s Kindle is proving a new model for devices without up-front service costs. Another example is Openwave Systems’ recently announced Passport service, which allows operators to offer on-demand Internet access to casual mobile data users. Whatever options are developed, says Burden, vendors and operators need to find new ways of delivering connectivity without forcing users to buy another service plan. [ABI Research]
Bluetooth Will Quickly Become a Critical Feature of Mobile Internet Devices
The market for Mobile Internet Devices – the new class of Internet-connected products offering “always-on” Web browsing, photography and video, navigation, games, social networking and voice communications – is forecast to grow at a spectacular compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 167% over the next five years.
That impressive growth will be paralleled by the penetration of several wireless technologies that are integral to the MID’s functions: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and eventually ultra-wideband (UWB).
“All Mobile Internet Devices will feature Wi-Fi from the start,” says ABI Research senior analyst Douglas McEuen. “That is the essential form of wireless connectivity that no MID will be without. But in addition, ABI Research expects to see Bluetooth reach a 95% penetration rate by the end of 2008.”
While many MIDs will include voice capabilities, they are larger than mobile phones, and for convenience some users will carry a low-cost phone as well. However many consumers still want an all-in-one device, and the handset/headset configuration enabled by Bluetooth will meet their needs. That will be one of the main rationales for its early adoption in MIDs.
More enhanced forms of connectivity are in the pipeline too. The first to reach the market will be “Bluetooth over 802.11,” also known as AMP (Alternate MAC PHY). It involves a software addition that will allow the device’s Bluetooth circuits to “piggyback” on its much faster Wi-Fi connection when it is necessary to transmit large amounts of data.
By 2011, ultra-wideband (UWB) will be added to the mix. “Ultra-wideband offers an ‘on steroids’ version of Bluetooth,” says McEuen, “Today it is just a wireless USB replacement, but the chips are getting smaller and more powerful and they are aiming for the portable device market. In a few years, it can be really useful in the MID market.” [ABI Research]
Conmio and TietoEnator to Build a Mobile Internet Service for Finnish Mobile Operators
Conmio Ltd, a leading provider of software solutions for mobile content services, today announced that they are working with Finland’s fastest growing mobile operator DNA to provide mobile Internet services for DNA’s subscribers. Delivered jointly by Conmio and TietoEnator, the dna Tasku service is built on Conmio ManaGate, a content management and publishing solution that automates mobile publishing of media content.
dna Tasku provides for DNA subscribers a context aware mobile Internet service, which the user can easily personalize according to their liking. The service is usable by all Internet enabled mobile phones.
Available at wap.dnafinland.fi, dna Tasku offers users rich mobile content such as music, images and news. Conmio ManaGate matches and optimizes the content to suit every mobile device. ManaGate is designed to integrate with all editorial, publishing and business systems and applications, weaving the mobile channel into existing business processes. No software tailoring is required. In addition, users are able to personalize the service according to their own needs by selecting what content they wish to view and use.
“We wanted to build a system that is both a platform and device independent as well as easy to use, and would fit seamlessly with our existing technologies. Not forgetting, for example, the capabilities to foster new business by supporting mobile advertising. Our customers have long been asking for a mobile web service, and we wanted to provide them a solution that is based on their and not the technology’s needs. Therefore Conmio’s ManaGate was the best solution for us,” said Ms Heidi Lagerström, Product Manager, Value-added Services, DNA.
“The mobile Internet is now a reality, and the competition for users is heating up. Speed and ease of use are the key. Content must be easily deliverable to any mobile device and users must be able to access it and personalize it without difficulty to ensure a smooth, personal user experience,” commented Mr Tero Hämäläinen, CEO, Conmio.
“The mobile Internet and mobile advertising are important strategic areas for TietoEnator’s Digital Media business. We focus on new solutions and services in this area, and it is important for us to find the right solutions and to collaborate with innovative partners,” said Mr Hannu Arvelo, Director, Digital Media, TietoEnator.
Conmio's ManaGate is a content management and publishing solution that automates mobile publishing of media content. Based on instant identification of the user, the device, and the content used, ManaGate matches and optimizes the content to best suit each individual user.
ManaGate provides device-specific recognition, content filtering and context-aware mobile services for mobile users worldwide. Used by hundreds of millions of mobile users every month around the globe, Conmio's ManaGate powers the mobile services of New York Times, Nokia and Blyk, among others. Conmio works with leading technology partners including Anygraaf, Leiki and TietoEnator.
Built by Conmio, The New York Times mobile news and real estate services won the Webby Awards 2008 in the news services, classifieds and listings and updates categories. The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet. /PR
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