Molecularist

Mike keeps tracking this topic and keeps coming up with more and more proof. We are active creators of content, not passive consumers of content We use our content for ourselves and to communicate with (conversational content).

Link: TheFeature :: So We Do Use Our Phones To Communicate.

With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that studies are showing people still mainly use their phones for communication purposes, including voice calls and text messaging. When it comes to specific content on the phone not for communications purposes, it’s mostly for self-created content for the user: taking photos or using personal information management tools. Broadcast content consumption comes in with only about 6% of phone usage — well behind the other two uses.

Another interesting tid-bit from Ovum’s report (Next-generation devices: the impact of convergence) got me thinking – that mobile devices are starting to over-serve the user. Indeed, most folks I know who use any device only use a small fraction of the device’s functions, mostly because they are satisfied with what they do know of the features and aren’t seeking more. In our (power techno-weenie) eyes, we think it’s ignorance. I’ve learned that it’s just that there is no compelling desire to search further into the device’s features.

But, here’s the kicker – Ovum thought of these features in terms of price. Say that there are 5-10 € of unused features on every phone out there. That’s about, oh, 5 billion € of unused features.

So, next time you read a Russ Beattie post on all the features and apps he uses on his phone, remind yourself – he’s not just not the average user, he’s way off the curve on typical use (see some comments of mine here).

Will devices focus on single features or keep growing multiple mega-features? Are we over-served by mobile devices? How will that affect new device sales that manufacturers depend upon? Should we just make simpler devices instead of ovewhelming users with new features every few weeks?

I recently read a report from Ovum titled – Next-generation devices: the impact of convergence. It’s a really good overview of mobile devices in general and where they need to pay attention to succeed in the next few years.

One issue that is dear to my heart is the issue of folks wanting to have and use their content on multiple devices. Basically, it’s a ‘play shifting’ that one sees when one has a CD at home to listen to, but also want to use it on the road on a mobile device, or on one’s laptop.

As expected, Ovum pointed out the importance of synchronization and personal content management. Right now we have iTunes or Lifeblog managing subsets of our media and content. Ovum didn’t seem confident that things will improve, partly due to complexity and lack of standardization, but also due to media providers leery of their stuff living in so many different places.

How many media managers will we end up with? Already I split my life between Lifeblog on my work PC and iTunes on my home Mac. Will I have to make choices based on my preferred platform rather than my preferred mobile device?

Link: Next-generation devices: the impact of convergence.

Now is a good time to pause and take a look across the whole device landscape from the consumers’ perspective – and that is the purpose of this report. We highlight some product opportunity areas that emerge from the analysis, and also some areas of technology that do not seem to be getting enough attention.

This report looks at:

• the impact of consumer behaviour on devices
• the emergence of certain devices as hubs
• the effects of content going digital
• the opportunity areas and technologies needed to support the opportunities
• the possible evolution of device form factors.