IPhone

As mobile penetration increases and sophisticated handheld platforms mature and develop it’s extremely interesting to study the impact of trends in consuming published content, and how printed media is adapting to changing times.

As we went to press this week, we awaited the imminent release of a long-awaited new iPad device from Apple. This will join existing published content consuming devices available in the UK which include Apple’s own iPhone, the Sony eReader and the Amazon Kindle in vying for the eyes of readers worldwide. Read more…

When searching for the best Top 5 applications (apps) for the iPhone, I often found reviews based on the personal preferences of their author and how well the apps were addressing particular user needs. This made me want to have a different perspective by creating my own Top Apps list based on how well apps use the iPhone capabilities to meet user requirements. For example, which app best used the new digital compass feature of the iPhone. Read more…

According to the Metro, Natwest has recently released an iPhone application.

At first glance and without having tested it myself (as I don’t bank with Natwest), it looks destined for success. The first point to stress is that the app is free, which comes as a pleasant surprise as it is a new service offered by the bank. iPhone users won’t question whether the app is good value for money as they can easily try it out at no cost and discard it if not satisfied. In terms of the functionality, the app gives users access to a light version of their online banking. Read more…

Top ten reasons what I love my iPhone:

1. Technology driven: It is a great piece of technology and a step forward in terms of mobile. I love the touch screen, video quality, weight and build.

2. User friendly: It worked straight out of the box. All of it including Bluetooth, WI-Fi, calling, camera, browser, Google Maps, everything. This compares very favorably with the Nokia’s and LG’s of my past which all required configuration, unlocking from my network, upgrading of firmware etc. Read more…

It has been 14 years since I first surfed the web using a PC, so it is no surprise that it is increasingly rare for us to observe novice users of the Internet (yes, while they do exist, they are becoming fewer in number, and are less likely to volunteer to take part in research involving Internet use than more experienced Internet users). However, the same cannot be said for mobile Internet users. Read more…

Since the advent of the internet, the ways in which people choose to communicate have changed dramatically. With the evolution of social media, these changes have accelerated even faster. Read more…

Not one to follow the hype or emerging trend, I was still intrigued by why anyone would queue from 5.30am to buy something, namely the new iPhone which launched last week in the UK. On catching up with my brother-in-law last weekend, an avid iPhone user (and essentially all things Apple), I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. He proudly pulled out his phone and handed it to me, initially I was amazed he would trust his new prised possession in my hands, what if I ‘broke’ something by pressing the wrong button? It would seem that it’s not possible. Read more…

By Mark Gristock

2007: The year we all went social networking crazy. The year that the corporate takeover came back into fashion, and when shoddy research became the accepted norm.

Many of us have struggled with how to turn social networking and the proliferation of rich media into business advantage this year. I’ve consistently wrestled with the blog problem for most of it. The challenge can best be likened to the retirement of Tim Henman – when you are busy, you don’t have time to keep updating a blog and the interesting things you could say are often confidential. Once you’ve got time on your hands, nothing interesting actually happens and nobody cares what you have to say any more.

You can’t have a discussion about Web 2.0 without talking about Facebook and its new advertising system. Personally I don’t have any interest in how anyone rates me, or what products I like, but then I’m not 16. On the other hand, the people at Facebook seem genuinely pleased with themselves, so I’m sure they understand their audience much better than I do.

This year, the iPhone and Skype mobile arrived and promised to change the way we use mobile. I struggle to see how either innovation will help people to look where they’re going when they’re misspelling every third word, but at least the new options are more attractive and cheaper.

I’ve been to a great number of events and conferences this year, and if I could have one wish for 2008 it’s this. If you are invited to be a keynote speaker, it’s not an excuse to not prepare a presentation, or to take a great deal of time revealing how surprisingly dull your company actually is. Many of your audience have travelled a long way to hear your thoughts. The least you could do is actually have some.

Finally, I was listening to Radio 5 at the weekend, and the hot story was the return of Mrs. Canoe. The report went something like this: “Let’s go to the journalist that’s covering the story. David – what’s the latest?” “Well, according to the Daily Mirror Website…” Proof, if proof be needed, that if you hear it on the Internet it must be true.

And on that note, I’m off to buy a kitten in a jamjar for my mother. I’m sure she’ll be pleased.