Smart Phones, lead by the latest iPhone 3G launch, have moved beyond the bane of just business and government users now. The iPhone and BlackBerry Curve have made massive strides into the consumer markets. Looking through the available apps for the iPhone, this becomes crystal clear. Most notable are all the Social Media apps for the iPhone.
Key to market adoption and use of any technology are the underlying applications. The applications must provide a clear value proposition and deliver a benefit that is either qualitative or quantitative. BlackBerry has proven this with it’s email capability (still far better than the iPhone.) Now it’s iPhone’s turn with Social Media and Web browsing far superior to BlackBerry or even a Windows Mobile Device.
From your iPhone or Touch you can access all the major Social Networks, post entries to your blog and micro-blog and share photos or websites. People are using them, and this is just the beginning. If those in the Social Media business were evangelizing the need for business and government to join in the conversation taking place, then this may be the most compelling reason so far. As a peer of mine, Carmen Pirie has said “the conversation is going on with or without you…so you might as well help shape it.” Astute words.
The Key Point of Difference - Access & Availability
Prior to Smart Phones, a person had to fire up their laptop in a connected location or sit at their PC at home or work. This creates a barrier to usage patterns since the individual must take a pre-planned path before being able to share their thoughts or opinions; access and availability were a primary issue. Not anymore.
Our estimation is that this will lead to;
- More but shorter conversations on isses or “micro-conversations”
- Rapid changes in a story or conversation thread, making it harder to “shape”
- Increased speed of public opinion in Social Media on major issues
- Significant challenges for PR agencies and firms in crisis situations
- Increased viral spread of both positive and negative issues
- A change in societal behaviour and communication patterns
- Potentially new opportunities for Traditional Media (if they move fast)
Likely, these are just the surface of the changes that will occur. The adoption of the devices is clear, Social Media continues to grow in consumer use. What other changes do you think might occur? Could this impact government as well as business? How about localization of Social Media?