Mobile + Internet = Mobile Internet

This is a part of the discussion which I had initiated at Barcamp3.

Before we move on to the Mobile Internet, we first understand

  1. The need for the mobile
  2. The need for the Internet …and then…
  3. The need for the Mobile Internet

1.The need for the mobile

The mobile was created as an evolution of the need to communicate. This started with the telephone, where the need is

To communicate, at a premium

This is evident by the huge amounts of money which people, especially Indians, are willing to splurge on, just to hear the voices of their loved ones!

Another fact, is the popularity of the mobile phone, which even though it is not free, is today in almost everyone’s pocket.

2.The need for the Internet …and then…

The Internet was created, as a free information repository. It then evolved, through the emergence of various social networking (or Web2.0) endeavours, to a people repository, where it was possible to make contact with groups of people, based on various objects of interest, for free.

So, today, the need for the internet, is

A Free People/Information repository

3.The need for the Mobile Internet

Hence, in retrospect, the Mobile Internet may be considered as:

  • Finding people, information or places, which match with the object of interest. This requirement, being an internet-based requirement, should be provided at a cost which is free.
  • Connecting with these people or places. This requirement, being a mobile-based requirement, can be provided at a premium.

Possible Use-cases:

  1. Finding People
  2. Finding Information
  3. Finding Places

Finding People

The user first finds the contact detail for the concerned person, through the internet. Then using different types of contact, the person is contacted. The contact details, are then stored on the phone for future reference.

Finding Information

The user looks for information in specific contexts, and if the source is usable, this source is stored on the phone, for future reference.

Finding Places

The user looks for certain places, and if useful, stores the information regarding reaching and contacting this place, on the phone, for future reference.

P.S. While applications to serve various functions in these use-cases exist, there is no one application, which will serve all these use-cases, fully.

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