Archive | Opinion

Bad news: Almost everyone at MWC had an iPhone!

By Ewan on March 7, 2012 in Opinion

[Note: This post was originally published as the main editorial in the Mobile Industry Review newsletter. Would you like to receive it in your inbox now-and-again? It's free to subscribe.] Bad news. Or, is it good news? Let me know what you think… I arrived into Barcelona as the city bathed in glorious, glorious sunshine. [...]

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Informa’s Dave McQueen on Sony’s new handset range

By Ewan on February 26, 2012 in Opinion

Here’s a viewpoint from Dave McQueen, Informa’s Principal Telecoms Analyst, on Sony’s new handset range, the bulk of which chimes with my own perspective. Over to Dave: – – – – – Whilst Sony Ericsson devices were still being ranged last month at CES in Las Vegas, the company has now gone it alone at [...]

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Barcelona: You can shove your “transport system” up your jumper!

By Ewan on February 24, 2012 in Opinion

I just spoke to the highly helpful Abigail in the GSMA press office who confirms that there’s no news yet regarding this bus and metro strike that’s due to take place next week whilst Mobile World Congress is in full swing. The current GSMA update is here and I expect that we’ll have an announcement [...]

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Bentley Walker satellite broadband internet: Any good?

By Ewan on February 23, 2012 in Devices, Opinion

I was rushing through Waterloo Station the other evening when my attention was caught by this giant poster from Bentley Walker, providers of satellite broadband internet services. Given the amount of folk arriving and departing into Waterloo from the Western ‘home counties’, I think this is good placement. I know quite a few folk in [...]

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The Digital Native divide: How difficult is it to send photos to Granny?

By Ewan on February 23, 2012 in Opinion

What constitutes a Digital Native? It used to be ‘us lot’ didn’t it? Anyone working in and around the technology space. A few years ago, you could probably have defined the term as ‘anyone who knows how to properly use a Nokia N95′. Because if you spent enough time learning how Symbian worked, you probably [...]

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Have operators missed the OTT boat with RCS?

By Ewan on February 22, 2012 in Operators, Opinion

Just before we begin this article, I should point out some definitions just in case you’re not fully on board with them: OTT = “over the top” — that is, services that run on your data connection and have nothing whatsoever to do with the mobile operator. RCS = “Rich Communication Services” — services that [...]

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11 Questions with the GSMA’s marketing chief, Michael O’Hara

By Ewan on February 22, 2012 in Opinion

I had a quick chat this morning with the GSMA’s Chief Marketing Officer, Michael O’Hara. I wanted to find out how things are going ahead of their flagship event next week. Right, let’s get started. My questions are in bold. – – – – – 1. Mobile World Congress (“MWC”) is next week. How stressed [...]

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MWC: I just can’t wait for App Planet!

By jan on February 14, 2012 in Opinion

Hello it’s Jan Macijewski here. Many of you may have met me at some of the Mobile Industry Review events last year. For a long time I’ve been one of the chaps in the background helping provide perspective and insight as part of the Mobile Industry Review Advisory Board. This, if you haven’t come across [...]

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Is Nokia’s rehabilitation in the Western Media complete?

By Ewan on February 13, 2012 in Opinion

Was it this time last year that Nokia was burning? I had to check through the Mobile Industry Review archives just to be sure! What a difference a year makes in the mobile industry, eh? This time last year the market was reacting to the news that Nokia had dumped it’s “burning platform” and moved [...]

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Mobile coupons: Don’t discount for the sake of it

By Ewan on February 8, 2012 in Opinion

I’ve delighted to bring you this contribution from Theresa Wabler, Marketing Director at incentive solutions firm, Parago. Theresa explores a phenomenon that I’ve been watching closely — that is, discounting for the sake of it. Or, discounting where there’s no specific reason to do so. A perfect example is the oft quoted mobile marketing nirvana [...]

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The Best Buy Mobile Innovators Superbowl videos

By Ewan on February 6, 2012 in Opinion

You’ve no doubt been hearing all about the Best Buy mobile innovators video series of advertisements they ran during last night’s Super Bowl. I’ve put them all here in one place for you to watch, just in case you were hunting for them. Super work Best Buy! – – – – – Square Mobile: The [...]

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Get me the best retail guy around! Wait? You say he’s from Dixons?

By Ewan on January 31, 2012 in News, Opinion

Dixons? The retail chain store in the UK? The dated, dusty and generally dreadful technology store? Oh dear. Let’s be clear, Dixons Travel is pretty excellent. I’ve bought quite a lot from them over the years — indeed I even picked up a £1,400 laptop once on a semi-whim. Dixons Travel shops at Heathrow tend [...]

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