Do Not Forget the Feature Phone In Your Mobile Strategy

The mobile technology may be revolutionizing the way consumers behave online. Smartphones may be selling briskly all over the world. A new era in digital communication and commerce is dawning.

There is no doubt that consumers today are more mobile. In some countries, the number of mobile device may be at par with the nation's population. This phone density has never happened to the telephone. The reason is that mobile infrastructure is more cost effective than a land line structure.

In the Philippines, getting a mobile phone is easier than getting a land line. This despite the telephone's head start of almost a century. Well, that's what innovations are for any way. And mobile technology has really benefited so many people.

With the advent of this new technology comes the way people live with it. The growth of mobile devices is staggering that it has created a new era. The PC era has really ended.

Western nations are leading the way with how to create opportunities with this new phenomenon. Apple store recently awarded its 50th Billion downloader of its apps. Fifty billion downloads, Wow! You can just imagine how much business there is in mobile apps. Thus, many companies are riding to this extravaganza. Mobile commerce is included in their marketing strategies now.

This may be true in the western side of the world and in some industrialized countries in Asia. But how about those in the developing world?

In a recent article by BBC News, use of feature phone in developing countries is still quite a number to reckon with. They are still part of the demography any marketer has to consider. And the functionality of the smart phones like payment gateways are not preferred by the users of these kind of phones. It is to be expected, any technology in its beginning has to consider the behavior and acceptance of the consumer. It will take time for everyone to adjust or adopt to changes. This is not new. Always this must be included in every marketer's consideration.

Based on the graph provided by BBC News it will still take about four to five years before smart phones will be at par with feature phones. Still, even though these users may belong to a demographic group that is not a marketer's preference, still they are consumers your company has to reach out to.

Do I Need Expensive Devices for My Computing Needs?

Recently, my attention was caught by an article about what device you prefer to work with. Nowadays, with the advent of so many computing devices including the so-called smartphones, it has become harder to decide. Especially if you will consider the price factor.

However, it only boils down on whatever your needs are. I myself has learned to use two devices for my computing needs. Both are of mobile category but not the expensive types - I'm using a wifi capable myPhone QW28 with java installed. With it I can also access my email and social network sites on the go just as you can access them with an expensive smartphone. I also use it as my eBook reader.

I keep my needs as simple as possible - my IT related work on systems and database; my personal needs - writing, photo processing and social connectivity. Wherever I may be.

I have started my transition to cloud computing, that is all my files, contacts, calendars and everything else, I have been uploading them to my Google account. I do not want to buy a desktop/server to store all my files as they are expensive. Besides, maintaining two or more computers is a tedious job.

Google has almost everything you need - word processing, spreadsheet and even presentation. Attending seminars and conferences, I use the Google Notebook for my notes. Most of these venues have wifi facilities.

Connectivity nowadays is not a problem anymore - wifi is almost available anywhere you go, and if it is not, there is the GSM which you can use through your phone or a usb type broadband device which you can attach to your notebook or netbook.

I use my phone a lot now to connect and access my files in the clouds whenever I'm on the go. It is more convenient than toting your notebook or netbook along every time. Another advantage of cloud computing is I don't have to use a flash disk to transfer files. I really am not a fan of these devices as they tend to be easily infected by viruses that can harm any of my computing device. If you need to transfer any files, just access your files from the clouds and download or forward them to anyone. It is a lot safer. Google's security is mostly commendable so you do not have to worry about viruses and hackers.

With this infrastructure available, why would you need expensive devices or very large capacity hard disks for your computer? How your device can connect to the clouds and its capability to process your files are the only factors you have to consider if you are buying a device. Cost is not a hindrance anymore to be able to be productive or to satisfy your needs for computing.

No, I don't need expensive smartphones or computers.