Mobile is the future
November 3, 2009 3 CommentsJust when no one thought technology could move forward any quicker Apple launched the iPhone. The effect of the iPhone on how we live can already been seen. It is crazy for me to think now that I looked online at Google Maps and printed out directions to where I was going. That’s almost as insane as me carrying an A-Z about all the time. Now I just happily type the destination into Google Maps on my phone, which tells me exactly where I am and guides me to where I need to go.
If I’m going to a party or a gig that I have been invited to on Facebook I don’t even need to remember the address, I can arrive at the nearest tube, vaguely in the vicinity and Facebook will conveniently link the address on the event page to Google Maps.
I’m off to see a new client and I never bothered to write down their telephone number, but I’m running late (not going to get lost because of Google Maps) so I simply visit their website and there is their number.
In fact, I never need to remember anything ever again. Aeroplane tickets are sent via email – on my phone. Train tickets – email me a number to use at the station to pick them up. Event tickets – soon to be bar code on my phone. Voucher coupons for my supermarket shopping – barcode on my phone. The possibilities are endless.
The most important point I’m trying to make is that my phone is now the centre of my entire existence. And thanks to apps (applications to download onto your phone) people are adding functionality to my phone everyday. This, plus the ridiculously easy to use interface, makes the iPhone probably the most useful item I have ever owned, by miles.
This is why we need to all take notice of how businesses can tap into this emerging market. How can marketers use this information to connect with consumers? By integrating mobile into every campaign and moving it to the centre of all of our thinking.
For further reading see:
Mobile Platform Status Report
Mary Meeker on the iPhone and Mobile Marketing
Totally agree with you, since I’ve had my iPhone ive been a lot more productive and I dont think I could ever go back to a standard phone again as i use so much every day, be it maps, music, internet, blogging and so on.
A lot of businesses are already taking advantage of the smartphone, one example being the “We will rock you” Musical, an interactive game released for free is a bit of fun but gets the brand accross and will probably draw people to see the show. The cost getting involved is minute, so should be attractive for a lot of businesses.
Cheers Ben. It’s like the Carlsberg app where you had to down a pint of virtual beer, brilliant!
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