Mobile Interfaces

The habits of the next generation are becoming increasing clear. Mobile computing is how it will be done. The desktop computer has, as Sam Ruby observed, turned into an iPod dock. Yeah, MySpace is “popular”, but the minutes used per day per person is actually pretty low according to surveys (and we know all surveys are true).

When the iPod goes wireless, will the desktop be necessary?

If a mobile MySpace existed, would kids even use computers?

While the former is a foregone conclusion, the latter is a loaded question. Does social browsing lend itself to the mobile platform? Is having an always-on internet connected mobile device sufficient? The entry-level screen for a desktop is now a 19″ LCD. Is the 1.9″ TFT suitable? What about 2.4″? Does it matter? Do kids want a mobile MySpace? Has anyone asked or taken a survey? :-)

Regardless, i believe kids (even the older kind) want basic search and retrieval on the mobile. My wife wants it. She tries to use it and finds the current SMS to Google interface very clumsy. I’ve been out with friends who say, “i’ll look that up when i get home.” Even i’ve said it. Why not look it up now? Having immediate access to information is becoming increasingly valuable to even the casual computer user.

With the Apple iPhone coming December and the Sony Mylo next month, it appears the mobile landscape may have some new landmarks. No need to lug the laptop into the coffee shop to check mail and chat if you got a Mylo. Why curse T9 when you can use a full keyboard to chat with folks?

With wireless growing in the urban culture, WiFi-only tools actually have a place now. Actually, i have a lot of WiFi coverage between my home and work….though not all of it meant to be public. If one can use a Mylo as a media player for travel and to browse/chat in coffee shops and at home, then i think it will be reasonably popular.

Being able to present information to 2″ screen users is important. Sure they can scroll thru a 2MB home page, but why? Is that flash app. usable to them? Is it friendly to the available data rates?

Seems that wireless data plans are becoming increasing popular. Can they get to your data? Can they get to our data? Do they want to? Never mind, that’s another post.