My iPhone Fixation?
First off, it may seem like I am fixated on the iPhone and issues around it not supporting MMS and other forms of mobile messaging such as Mobile IM. It's not because I think the iPhone is a bad phone -- on the contrary -- I find it innovative and a welcome refreshment from the standard "flip phone" or "brick" that is pervasive in the mobile landscape today. In fact, I believe that the touch screen will become more and more popular as a form of mobile handset interfaces. My primary issue with the Apple iPhone is that it, for whatever reason, is "breaking" a very successful, global messaging ecosystem that my company plays a major role in propogating. My belief, is that this was simply an oversite on the part of Apple product / engineering that will be remedied in time. Perhaps, they were not aware of the overall impact of MMS in key markets such as the United States. A couple of recent articles in Wireless Week illustrate what is now being perceived as a strong market: MMS Starts To Take Off and Finding MMS.
So, you can see my frustration the iPhone, being that I am the head of messaging products at one of the largest mobile messaging service providers in the world. Still, I remain optimistic about this handset eventually support of all forms of mobile messaging -- not just text and email (and if you read some of my previous blogs, you can see how email is not a substitute for MMS).
On a recent trip to Hong Kong and Macau, I had the opportunity to purchase a couple of new GSM handsets -- one for me and one for my wife. We have now joined the growing number of mobile subscribers who now utilize a full touch-screen handset. I bought an LG Prada (LG KE850) for my bride and an HTC Touch for myself. After a couple of weeks living with these, we do like them. For both, our only real complaint is that they are tri-band (not supporting GSM 850, which is somewhat prevalent in the USA). One handset is on AT&T and the other is on T-Mobile. (however, I do confess knowing this before buying, but the "deal" in Asia was quite good, indeed -- quite a bit better than I would have been able to accomplish via some Internet site). So far, our coverage has been as equivalent to what we had on our previous handsets.
Both phones were our first use of touch-screen handsets and it does take some getting used to. For example, one night, while playing with the LG Prada, we dialed the voicemail box. Of course, you must press "1" for this, press "2" for that, etc. We had forgotten how to turn on the keypad, so the numbers could be entered. After some fiddling, we managed to turn on the keypad, but not before the voicemail prompts "complained." On my HTC Touch, I have several times, accidentally hung up while trying to answer a call. But these are just trials with learning a new type of interface. We are past those issues now, and for the most part, I think we are going to like our new phones. I especially like the features of my HTC Touch. It was easy (as these are unlocked and not officially supported by AT&T and T-Mobile) to set up the data network and MMS access for these. I even now use Sybase Onebridge (our enterprise email -- a Blackberry competitor) with great success on my HTC Touch.
And guess what -- both are what is known in the industry as "iPhone Killers" -- mobile handsets with similar capabilities to the Apple iPhone -- most notably the touch screen. In reality, the LG Prada was released some time prior to the Apple iPhone. Of course, both support a full complement of mobile messaging.
At some point in the next few months, I'll post a user-review of both handsets, after we have had a chance to use them over a longer period of time. Rumors are that both of these currently unavailable to USA users GSM handsets may get some US operator support next year.
Finally, while shopping around for mobile phones in Hong Kong, it was quite interesting to see Apple iPhones (new, in the box -- don't know if these were "unlocked" or not) on virtually every shelf of these street level electronic and mobile phone stores. I pity the multitude of issues that any of these buyers are going to have, unless they are very savvy handset "gurus." If you do find yourself shopping for electronics or mobile phones in Hong Kong, make sure the price is marked and that you get what you think you are paying for. Or better yet, go with a local colleague or friend.
Mobility Crystall Ball!
As we are gradually coming to the latter part of 2007, so I thought it was about time that I charged up and dusted down my mobility crystal ball!.
Here's what I believe will occur over the next year...
(More...)
iPhone Followup
As it is now the middle of November, the iPhone has now been launched (without MMS, of course) in the UK and Germany. Additionally, China Mobile announced at this week's GSM Asia Congress in Macau that they are in negotiations with Apple over bringing the iPhone to China. In fact, the sales figures are estimated around 23 million units, during the first year.
In a piece on CNN, anchor Adrian Finighan advises readers against rushing out to buy this very popular handset (iPhone Commentary: CNN).
Another serious issue with the iPhone for users who roam outside of their home network (such as Americans to Europe), is that they incur astronomical data roaming fees. Apparently, many don't realize that the iPhone is continually connecting to the EDGE data network to download, check for email and download visual voicemail. Consequently, users are getting hit with bills -- some exceeding $3000.00. The blogs and news organizations are full of stories. The solution is to use free WiFi, utilize an unlimited data plan from their operator, and disable the EDGE network. For more information on this, simply Google "iphone roaming charges."
Having now "played with" an iPhone, there are a lot of things that I like about it. An educated user should be able to overcome the roaming issues by disabling the EDGE capabiity; however, a frequent business traveler may find that the iPhone may not be the best mobile phone to use when outside their home country, due to these and other issues. I do expect that Apple will be updating existing iPhones with software updates that should alleviate many of the deficencies, such as no MMS, that have been pointed out. MMS usage in the US continues to grow rapidly with several age groups in the 25-35% usage range (of active subscribers -- an M:Metrics statistic). Overall, we now have approximately 20% of the USA subscriber base now sending at least one MMS each month.
Databases without Firewalls?
This morning while doing my morning ritual - drinking my coffee and reading news sites first thing - I stumbled across a ComputerWorld article discussing database servers and how many "lack a firewall". It's presented as a huge problem, and some news sites that have linked to the article are making a big big deal out of it. But is it? Read on for my thoughts:
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