Cell Phones more than just phones

July 25, 2006 at 1:43 pm | Posted in Mobile Communications | Leave a comment

I found a few blogs and articles on cell phones and mobile communications particularly interesting this week.  These articles demonstrated the incredible ways mobile communication devices are changing the world around us.  The first blog that caught my attention was about Quick Response (QR) codes.  I did not know what a QR code was until I read the article.  Basically, QR codes connect you directly to an internet address without the need for a keyboard.  A mobile phone can read the code, similar to the way a cashier scans a bar code, and automatically connect to a website.  That site may have specific advertisements or promotions for consumers who used the QR code. Northwest Airlines is currently running an ad campaign in Japan based on QR code.  The codes are used on billboard signs, essentially providing a link between print and online media.  People passing by the sign can take a picture of the code on their mobile phones that read the code and connect to the site.  It’s an amazing new concept to me.  A code that provides the link between print and online media is huge – not just for the advertising industry.  It could be beneficial to all kinds of industry; for example, tourism.  Imagine visiting a city and being guided on a tour by QR codes.  On your own time and without a tour group to check in with, you could use your mobile phone to read codes located throughout the city, providing information on everything from the history of the city to where to go for lunch.  It will be exciting to see how this develops, particularly in the U.S. where popular mobile phones, as far as I know, are not yet equipped with QR readers.

Another article I found interesting was from November 2005 about the first ever text message referendum in Britain.  The idea was to encourage political participation, particularly among young people who favored that type of communication.  This is another example of mobile communication devices being used to form smart mobs.  Rheingold gave the example in Smart Mobs of “People Power II” in Manilla.  Another example of SMS used in political matters was the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, mentioned in the article.  The referendum in the Welsh campaign did not have legal status, but it did give people the opportunity to let their voices be heard.  A smart mob holds tremendous power, as Rheingold discussed in Smart Mobs.  I wonder when we will see something similar to these campaigns in the U.S.  Perhaps we already have.  American Idol uses mobile phones and text messaging to let people vote, and has shown tremendous success.  I would say it is an example of a smart mob in action.

A recent PEW research study on technology and media use in the U.S. described cell phones as “the communications swiss army knife.”  I think this is a good description.  We no longer use cell phones to simply call a friend or family member.  According to the study, 35% of cell phones owners use their phones to send and receive text messages.  An additional 13% would like to be able to.  Users are taking pictures, playing games, accessing and searching the internet, sending and receiving email, instant messaging, playing music, recording video, accessing maps, and watching TV programs – all on their phones.  With the younger demographic growing up using mobile phones and all their capabilities, it appears use will to continue to grow and expand.  I recently read an article stating cell phones have had the most impact on the world in the last 25 years than any other technology.  I think this is a valid argument.  Mobile communication devices have influenced politics (examples above), created celebrities (American Idol), changed the television and entertainment industries, and eliminated in many areas the use of landlines.  There is no doubt mobile phones will be a big part of our lives in the future, if not already.