That being said, there's nothing like people getting it. And for that, I'm kind of happy that we can have these rants and push things forward.

That being said, there's nothing like people getting it. And for that, I'm kind of happy that we can have these rants and push things forward.

Now try doing the same thing in Chelmsford, UK (an example of a provincial town with a few nearby cinemas).

Yes, it would have taken longer over EDGE, or on a crappy browser, but this isn't bad.

Ewan, we're going to chat soon

I tried lots of apps with an S60 phone and unlimited data plan and basically found none of them compelling enough or integrated enough to make me want to keep using them.

I see two problems:
1) Operator control
2) Integration of the software on a phone

The operators have spent so much money that I just can't see them letting go very much.

1) I think it was mentionned that for MobileMe Apple are installing kits at the Telcos. How else does a developer send a notification to wake up a phone so that it doesn't need a permanent battery sapping 3G link?

How are developers going to get reasonably cheap access to location info? (this might get solved when every phone has a GPS)

Will operators become more open with IMS systems? I doubt it.

Without these types of services the applications you can offer are more limited.

2) I hope that Android manages to show what can be achieved when add on apps are first class citizens. I don't think that dumb data pipes to the internet are enough for a properly open system. Something like Opera mini shows what a great job a reformatting proxy can do but it doesn't integrate with the rest of the system. The google mail app is quick and usable but it doesn't do proper push mail.

There may be some shining examples of great apps but it just doesn't make a compelling system at present.

Let me put it this way – java on mobiles: a common platform with a well- known specification and minimal requirements. OpenGL ES. 1.1: a common platform for all mobiles, with or without 3d acelleration, with a well known and open specification from one end to the other. Both platforms are well used, there are numerous development tools for either, and it doesn't require licensing to use them. AJAX – mobile web 2.0: ability to deploy xml- specified applications with server- side and client side deployment, finally making the operators unecessary for the actual operation of the applications. The handset makers (or independent developers) might only have to create small interpreters in various visual shapes to display the “apps”.

Result: nothing. Result: mobile operators claim exclusivity on deployment. Result: mobile operators spend insane amounts of money on making their own device- specific standard that no one else can use. Result: Apple launches “Apple shop” and claims they invented widgets. Nokia will follow soon with their own widgets – that are both INCOMPATIBLE WITH ANY OTHER ***ING PLATFORM! Result: SHITE!

Personally I've had an appalling experience with T-Mobile data, across different handsets and locations countrywide, and despite various technicians examining my account. One let slip that this wasn't an unusual experience. Sometimes (maybe a quarter to a third) it's great – instant connection, fast. Around half my attempts at any sort of internet connection, using different apps on both mobile and PC (with phone as modem) fail to even connect on T-Mobile. The other quarter of attempts work well for a few seconds then slow down, pause inexplicably for minutes, or just drop the connection. Having worked with network infrastructure previously, I know all the hallmarks of weak, underpowered, just-can't-cope infrastructure and back-end servers at T-Mobile when I see them.

The other psychology issue is the users – they don't realise what they can get, what is out there. And when they do, they fear data costs. So, flat rate data is essential, and we're slowly getting there. The rest is well probably everybody's fault. Or everyone could make improvements to increase consumer awareness – phone makers, OS makers, sales outlets (although mobile phone sales staff are INCREDIBLY ignorant of just about everything), and software vendors themselves. Clearly more responsibility lies with people with money to market better. Kudos to Nokia for example for plastering Maps 2.0 posters everywhere I went recently.

I agree with the other comments – things will brighten, and probably quite rapidly. We have mainly Apple, and secondly Google to thank for that. Major gold stars for iPhone and Android on that front.