More on tweens that are going to be the mobile-savvy 20 year olds that will eat up more sophisticated, interesting mobile solutions.

Sections clipped from Wireless Week:

…

NOP World Technology’s syndicated research study mKids, which tracks teen cell phone ownership and usage in the top 25 U.S. markets, found that cell phone ownership among 12- to 14-year-olds increased from 13 percent in February 2002 to 40 percent in December 2004. In addition, these youngsters are loyal customers: 93 percent of tweens say they have a high level of satisfaction with their carriers.

…

INCOME AND INFLUENCE Rogers says kids are interested in multifunction phones. The mKids Survey found that 71 percent of teens and tweens want wireless phones that convert to MP3 players and 70 percent want camera-phones. But as any parent knows, what teens want doesn’t necessarily jive with what their parents will purchase.

…

However, Josh Dhaliwal, CEO of Wireless World Forum, a knowledge share network and business development forum for telecommunications executives and author of the mobile Youth survey, says companies shouldn’t underestimate the power of tweens and their ability to persuade their parents to make purchases. “If we were to say that young people between ages 10 to 12 don’t have money to spend so they aren’t a marketable consumer base, why would anyone make toys?”

Kids this age also have disposable income, although it is probably less than their older counterparts in the teen market, those aged 14 to 19. “You have to look at two things–how much money does this group have to spend directly? And what is the amount of spending that they influence?” Dhaliwal says.

…

CUSTOMIZED CONTENT Enterprising mobile entertainment firms also are turning their attention to the tween market and are developing mobile content specifically for this age group. Although parents may purchase mobile phones for their tweens to make voice calls, these companies believe that parents will pony up some cash for fun data services such as ringtones, wallpapers or games. Wireless World Forum estimates that data average revenue per user (ARPU) for children between the ages of 10 and 14 will reach $1.53 in 2005 and will grow to $3.13 in 2007.

B.Y.O.A. - (Bring Your Own Apps)

The next Mobile Monday L.A. will be this Monday
June 27th at the Arsenal in Santa Monica.

Network with fellow mmLA’ers Enjoy drinks on the patio
and come check out the latest in mobile technology and gear.
Bring your favorite mobile applications or come check out others’.

We will start the evening with introductions from attendees,
and then a mixer to view the mobile apps up-close and
personal.

This free mobile summer social should be a lot of fun,
and there is a DJ at the Arsenal from 9pm - 2am, so
stay late if you wish.

Location:
Monday, June 27th 7-10 pm
Arsenal Bar
12008 W. Pico Blvd. @ Bundy
West Los Angeles/Santa Monica

See you there!

Sorrent Releases Additional Findings from Mobile Entertainment Research; Unlike Video Games , Mobile Gaming Proves to be Gender Neutral

…

• Both men and women (66 percent of men and 68 percent of women) play games at least once a day .
• More than a third (34 percent) of both men and women play games more than three times per day .
• Both men and women typically play games at home; however more women (68 percent) are playing games at home compared to men (60 percent) .
• Men are slightly more likely (37 percent) to typically play games in the workplace than women (31 percent) –More than 60 percent of both men and women play for more than 10 minutes at a time, including a subset who play for more than 20 minutes and as much as two hours at a time .
• More than 70 percent of both men and women share mobile gameplay on their phones with friends or family members, however men are slightly less likely (68 percent) to do so compared to women (74 percent) . Some common beliefs were upheld in the study: While both genders show equal affinity for retro, casino, strategy/RPG, board and trivia games , men tend to show a stronger preference for sports (41 percent of men versus 20 percent of women) and action/adventure games (39 percent of men versus 26 percent of women), and women tend to show a stronger preference for classic (40 percent of women versus 33 percent of men) and puzzles games than men (64 percent of women versus 55 percent of men). .

Teen and Tweens As initially reported, Sorrent’s research found that tweens and teens are a leading indicator of the future of mobile entertainment. The results demonstrated that tweens and teens are using their mobile gaming experience as a primary vehicle for social interaction. As compared to other age groups, they are: .

• Significantly more likely to allow siblings to play games on their mobile phone and equally likely to allow their mom to share the gaming experience .
• Much more likely to engage in mobile gaming at home, in the car and at school
• Less concerned about the voice plan when considering a phone to purchase and significantly more concerned with 3D capability for games .
• Much more likely to have higher expectations of mobile entertainment, including the ability to play with and compete against others . Methodology .

For this study, U30 executed 754 Web-based surveys aimed at profiling the mobile consumer population in the United States. Respondents were evenly split across men and women and ranged in age from 10-35 years. …

The tweens and teens have their heads in the right place here! Obviously, 3D games take precedence over a decent phone plan

These teens will be turning into 20 year olds asking for cooler, more sophisticated mobile applications - and that’s a good thing.

I’m surprised I haven’t heard more about this. It’s an audio SMS that they say is cross-carrier. At this point, I haven’t seen it offered on any carrier in the US, but am I wrong?

From Businesswire:

HeyAnita’s RMS solution redefines mobile messaging,” said Stephen Wellman, of FierceWireless. “Despite all the industry noise about next-generation data services, voice and simple texting continue to drive the large majority of operator revenues. HeyAnita’s RMS technology leverages operator’s existing voice and SMS network investments to simultaneously deliver end-user value and a new source of mobile messaging revenue.”

The award winning RMS solution, which provides users with seamless voice messaging, similar to text messaging but without the text, works across mobile operator networks without requiring special handsets or handset software. Key attributes include:

–Speaking messages instead of typing — eliminating the need to 3-tap type on the phone keypad.

–Simple to use; does not require users to purchase special phones or download any software.

–RMS can be seamlessly sent across mobile operator networks.

–Anyone can receive and reply to an RMS; even if they are not subscribers to the RMS service.

–Communicate by voice without the need to engage in live phone conversations.

–Incorporates emotion, ensuring that message context is properly conveyed.

–Message is delivered directly to the recipient; not deposited in their voicemail box. One click of a button allows them to hear the RMS and reply back immediately.

–Works internationally.

–Allows the same message to efficiently be sent to one or many people.

–Non-intrusive…recipient is notified in the same manner as receiving a text message.

I can see myself sending off a quick one of these, if it’s really as easy as they say it is. It’s sort of like a blend of PTT and SMS - similar to if PTT had voicemail.

This gives me an idea. What if you had an interface where you selected a contact first, then hit a button to snap a picture and record a 5 second audio clip through the speakerphone mic at the same time? It then sends both off through MMS. I think that would seriously reduce the cumbersome task of composing an MMS.

From an eWeek Article:

Google has introduced a new service for Blogger.com that enables users to create new blogs and post images and text via mobile devices. A consumer using Verizon, AT&T, Cingular, Sprint or T-Mobile can send an e-mail or MMS to go@blogger.com, which instantly creates a new Weblog containing the information sent to Blogger. Google will then email the URL and a claim code back to the user, allowing him or her to view and manage the new blog. ; 328

Google has introduced a new service for Blogger.com that enables users to create new blogs and post images and text via mobile devices. A consumer using Verizon, AT&T, Cingular, Sprint or T-Mobile can send an e-mail or MMS to go@blogger.com, which instantly creates a new Weblog containing the information sent to Blogger. Google will then email the URL and a claim code back to the user, allowing him or her to view and manage the new blog.
The initial page will be a generic-looking site and users will be required to enter the claim codes, which will then allow them to change the templates, blog names, and colors, edit previous posts and activate other features. One such feature will apply to users who want to add mobile posts to an existing blog.

The Blogger Mobile site offers a word of warning to users who have a blog address which does not contain blogspot.com–any mobile posts made before making the switch will not be moved over automatically.

“So, if you plan on publishing mobile posts to your non-blogspot.com hosted blog, we recommend you to claim and switch early, thus avoiding a potential nuisance,” the site says.

The service will be available free of charge, other than the cost accrued from sending messages and emails from a cell phone, PDA, etc.

Has anyone tried this service? It’s interesting in that it allows someone to decide to start a blog while mobile - quite a low barrier to entry. The word-of-mouth effect could be enhanced with this feature - where someone who is using blogger can spread to a friend by having them email a picture or text right on the spot. They then have a reminder in the form of a link waiting in their inbox the next time they sit down at their computer.

This press release is a little dated, so I think the price stated here is no more, since Orb has made their service free. Is this collaboration still going on? If so, it’s a great facilitator for setting up Orb streaming from your house.

Partnership Provides Digitally Connected Home With Even More Personal Networking Flexibility; Spontaneous Access to Live TV, Music, Video, Photos Anywhere in the World
NETGEAR(R), Inc. , a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, and Orb Networks, Inc., a leading developer of streaming media software and services, today announced at CES 2005 they are teaming to deliver a breakthrough service that provides a simple way for consumers to view, hear and control all kinds of their
digital content from virtually any Internet-enabled device, any wherein the world. Using NETGEAR’s line of wireless home networking solutions and Orb’s service, customers can stream their live television, music, videos, photos and other digital content to any device that can connect to the Internet such as a cell phone, PDA, or notebook from everywhere they are connected.
NETGEAR already enables consumers to bring digital content beyond their PCs to play wirelessly on stereos and televisions in their living rooms or anywhere else on the home network by utilizing the Wireless Digital Music Player (MP101) and the Wireless Digital Media Player(MP115). By teaming with Orb Networks, customers will now be able to enjoy their digital content beyond the home network, and play it on any Internet-enabled device, anywhere in the world.
Orb Networks’ subscription-based media software will be included on CDs shipped with NETGEAR’s routers to complete this digital connection for the consumer. In addition, consumers will be able to download the software from the Internet, with availability expected in early2005. All the user needs to do is install the software, and within minutes they will be able to stream their digital home media to their Internet-enabled devices across the globe. Orb’s service is available starting at just $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year for the first user. Additional users per account (up to five) start at $3.99 per month/per user or $29.99 per year/per user.

As 3G networks come into their own, having my entire home mp3 collection streamed to me remotely via Orb can finally become a reality. But the main Orb feature I’ve been wanting to try is streaming of my home TV remotely. What I’d really like is to be able to control my Comcast DVR from my laptop while away. Since I travel for work relatively frequently, I’d probably wind up using this a lot - instead of coming home to 10 recordings of The Daily Show I can enjoy them on the road.

Here is a recent Engadget interview with the CEO of Orb. I think they have a bright future if they partner correctly and carriers keep improving networks.

Another entry into the quest to deliver music directly to your phone. Personally, I don’t want separate music libraries - I want one repository of music that I can transfer to any device I’d like, and maybe even be able to stream it. Orb is on the right track with this.

I’d be more excited to get XM or Sirius in my phone - maybe streamed from the internet.

Anyway, here’s the press from Businesswire (6/15/2005):

Ericsson, (NASDAQ:ERICY) the world’s leading telecommunications supplier and Napster, the biggest brand in digital music, announced today a global partnership to offer the first complete, fully integrated digital music service available for mobile operators.; The service will carry the universally known Napster brand and combine elements of Napster’s popular PC offering and Ericsson’s personalized music service, currently utilized by more mobile operators than any other in the world. . The Napster and Ericsson business model accommodates mobile operator participation in all revenue streams. The service is scheduled to go live in Europe during the next 12 months and will initially be offered to operators in selected markets in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and North America. . Chris Gorog, Napster’s Chairman and CEO says: “Ericsson’s world- leading wireless and telecommunications solutions experience, along with their exceptional client base, make them the ideal partner to deepen Napster’s presence in the global mobile arena.” . “Ericsson and Napster are uniquely suited to offer mobile operators a simple, cohesive and personalized digital music experience for their consumers,” he adds. . The new service will support coordinated wireless and PC downloading of digital music in both subscription and a la carte models, and phone-based initiation will ensure convenient and easy music library access for both mobile and PC usage. . The service scales to current handset models and networks but can also accommodate next-generation technology for newer handsets on higher-speed networks and is designed to work on mobile phones from all major manufacturers that support content protected by digital rights management. . The flexible platform delivers a complete digital music solution under one brand via a consistent user interface and with billing consolidated by mobile operators. . Carl-Henric Svanberg, President and CEO of Ericsson, agrees with Gorog’s statement: “With Napster we are uniquely positioned to deliver the easy to use, complete suite of music offerings our customers are asking for.” . “We gain access to the biggest digital music brand in the world and exposure to the largest music catalog available, which will not only increase our customer’s consumer offerings and revenues but substantially strengthen their own brand image as well,” he says. . Napster’s brand, catalog, label relationships, programming, PC and portable offerings will be combined with Ericsson’s operator relationships, wireless development, integration, hosting, deployment and support and IPX charging system. . The service will allow mobile operators to seize growth opportunities for personalized digital entertainment on the mobile phone and PC and will also encompass ring tones, master tones, images, wallpaper and video content. . Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world. . Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/press . About Napster . Napster, the biggest brand in digital music, is a subscription service that enables fans to freely sample the world’s largest and most diverse online collection of music and move an unlimited amount of songs to compatible MP3 players. Napster (www.napster.com) members have access to songs from all major labels and hundreds of independents and have more ways to discover, share and acquire new music and old favorites with community features like the ability to email tracks to friends and browse other members’ collections. Napster also offers Napster Light, a “lighter” version of the service for those who just want to purchase songs and albums a la carte. Napster is currently available in the United States, Canada and the U.K. and is headquartered in Los Angeles with sales offices in New York, London and Frankfurt. . Read more at: www.napster.com

From Nokia’s press release here, you can see that Nokia is developing a Series 60 web browser based on Apple’s WebCore and JavaScriptCore.

Series 60 has always had relatively (emphasis on relatively) decent browsers compared to other devices, so this news isn’t earth shattering. What I’d really like to see is a mobile web standard incorporating formal alternatives to desktop elements such as frames, layers, and client-side scripting. If something like this is implemented across most devices, we’d finally have an alternative deployment mechanism for interactive mobile services.

Right now, to truly make a network-consuming mobile app convenient, it either needs to be simple enough to interface through SMS, or needs be written as an application (J2ME, BREW or native). The mobile web is so limited - especially without client-side scripting - that it is not a viable interface mechanism for most purposes.

So how about it? WAP 3.0?

Pretty slick - Yahoo is using text messages to implement a push email solution on handhelds. It would be even slicker if text message overage charges weren’t sweet sweet money to carriers. So for now, they are making the push optional so you don’t tear your wallet a new one.

I found this here on PalmInfoCenter.

Now that Microsoft is in the push game with push integrated into Exchange Server, and Goodlink is still pushing forward, RIM might find themselves with little more than a huge installed base to keep them going. I gotta say though, RIM’s BES and desktop setup software really kept the corporate IT person in mind with its batch configuration options, settings locking, solid encryption and all that. We’ll see how the others do.

A nice commentary by Walt Mossberg on how carriers are limiting innovation here.

Thanks to Ruby for the pointer.