The Buzz Bin

It appears that more and more people around the world are turning to their mobile phones for a catch-all device. Whether or not it’s due to the iPhone craze or an increase in cell phone functionality overall, it seems that the U.S. is finally starting to catch up to the rest of the world in regards to a demand for mobile Internet.

What’s It Good For?

From Internet browsing (Google seems to be hot and catering to the iPhone) to some of the many social networking sites (Facebook mobile anyone?) to picture sharing and instant messaging; more and more people are turning to their mobile phone and using it, literally, as a desktop PC.

The trend is already huge in Japan (and other technologically advanced countries, like India) with 90% of all Japanese carrying a mobile phone and four out of every 10 of them using it to surf the Internet.  In addition, an estimated 40% of bloggers in Japan use their mobile phones to post!

Most U.S. banks now offer mobile banking services and a research report last year states that most online dating sites are geared to go mobile with an increase from 40 million to 260 million by 2012. Even the demand for mobile photo-sharing is causing companies like PhotoBucket to rethink their service offerings in order to stay in the competition. And, where would we be without the ability to update Twitter on a mobile phone?

Not only can you conduct business (e-mail, open documents) and errands (bill paying) with mobile Internet, but it really reaches to bridge together people and online connections with the ability to socialize through multiple mediums. Some might argue that the “virtual” world gets in the way of “real world” interaction and relationships, but for most people I believe it can serve to enhance communication with others.

What Does This Mean?

In an Internet era where information is flowing faster and across  more channels than ever, it makes sense that people are going to want their information to be at their fingertips, no matter where they are. It serves good business, good networking, and good relationship building.

Although there are still many questions (and even ethics) to consider with the explosion of mobile Internet usage, it’s clear to me that people are ready for the next step of the Internet, and that is the broad and open world of mobile. Mobile web may have reached its tipping point, which means companies, advertisers and consumers alike are going to have to work together to dictate what they want and what they are willing to pay for. A new era has indeed begun.

(Photo Credit Flickr)