The iPhone 3G! This was bound to appear somewhere, and so I thought it’s best to get it out of the way sooner, rather than later. Personally, I’m not a fan; and from what I’ve read, seen and heard accounts of, it hasn’t been all too great for Apple too. However, as much as I insist that it’s a pile of rubbish (feel free to beg to differ); it sold once again in its thousands.

Apple has conquered another market, and whether it’s because they found monopolising the MP3 market too easy, they’ve certainly made a statement. And even though the 3G came out way back in June/July the device still makes a regular appearance here on MIR. I do not doubt for a second that Apple have something lurking up their well-tailored sleeves, and if the rumours of an iPhone Nano are anything to go by… Then 2009 will be dominated with more Apples than your doctor can prescribe!

Secondly, Blyk! Hmm, well, me and Ricky between have more than enough to say on Blyk. For me, I was so hopeful that Blyk could be that turning point, especially here in the UK – where we ever so often fall behind in the world of technology and thought – and I was so disheartened with what eventually happened with them, it still annoys me now.

It can’t all be bad, and as much as I say I don’t like them and that their bound to fail… They haven’t yet. In fact, Blyk is over one year old now, and it still seems to be maintaining momentum. I think in 2009 we’ll either start to see how incredibly flawed Blyk’s aims and business model is; or dare I say it, it still surviving and the European expansion working out for the better for the company.

For me also, as I’ve begun to really take note and interest in the world of the Mobile Phone, I’ve seen certainly more usability on the rise, and a better use of SMS and mobile communications from businesses and services.

The “Knife Crime” Crime Stoppers text in service has to be, for me one of the single best things I have come across. It’s been implemented correctly in schools (well, at least in my school), without making itself appear too formal, and scary to use. And it’s using basic innovation, which as I know I have repeated many-a-time over the past few months; is severely lacking.

Slowly though, I’m beginning to see more and more use of mobile communications, for example my local hospital texting me when I have an upcoming appointment so I can’t forget; or my School using a system to ensure parents know if you’re not in school – when say you’re meant to be.

Hopefully over the next twelve months more of this good thinking and logic will be applied to other aspects of our general lives; and maybe with that, we might even get some more innovation out of that… And surely, that can only be a good thing?

Finally, my favourite mobile application… Well this has to go to MusicStation, which is available to Vodafone users. When I was first introduced to it by Ewan, I’ll admit I was majorly sceptical; I’m a music lover in every sense of the word. I don’t like the idea of being sold half-hearted 96kps versions of a song, or only having a minute and pointless library of music to download from; and this is all I expected to get.

I was wrong, and I loved the service. I haven’t yet seen it used by anyone I know on Vodafone, in fact, I’m not even sure if any of my friends are even aware of what they can get on their mobiles for a small fee per month; but if they did, then I do not doubt that it would be highly used by all of them.

Nokia I suppose are heading out in a similar direction, although I can’t comment on how the “Comes with Music” service works; I don’t doubt for a second that music services like the ones Vodafone and Nokia are offering are going to stop or end here.

—

I look forward to the next year, and I look forward to the new technologies developing, and being released, and being pleasantly surprised as I have been this year. I also see that as much optimism that I have, one cannot forget the looming “recession” and what impact will that have? I dare not speculate, but for more than one reason I’m pretty sure next year will be interesting and something to look forward to!

Anyway, I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Samantha.
samantha@mobileindustryreview.com

MIR Show contributors Dan Lane and Ben Smith explain in the video below:

This year we’re doing it again, only this time, we’re changing the format slightly.

First of all, we’re putting in a few Top 10s. (Our top handsets of 2008, for example, our top 10 applications of 2008 and the like).

Instead of printing out selected articles verbatim, we’re changing that around too. You’ll certainly see one or two articles printed in full — although I’m not too sure about printing the rants. There’s something rather challenging about giving your mother an Annual filled with selected ‘It’s F8king SHIT!!!’ comments all over the place.

We’ll be including a commentary for each month including quotes and discussions about the coverage on that particular month.

We’re still deciding exactly what service we’ll use for hosting and publishing the book.

If you’ve got any suggestions for what we should include in this year’s Annual, please let me know — either by mail or below.

Last year a few people were indignant and bordering on the annoyed because I negated to inform them about the possibility of advertising within the annual. So if you’d like to discuss that, drop me a note — ewan@mobileindustryreview.com.

I’m reasonably confident that we’ll be offering the option to download a PDF copy of the Annual as well as buy a physical one. I’ll keep you updated on that — and the Annual launch party

We also wish we had the following and I make no promises about being able to include them. Ever.

* A foreword from Stephen Fry on his best mobile device of 2008
* A summary on the best and worst of industry developments from Mr Operator
* Bill Gates on Why Windows Mobile Doesn’t Quite Work Yet and Why 2009 Will Be The Year of Microsoft-Mobile
* An op-ed from Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan (inc pictures) on why the Blackberry is messaging device of choice for the hot-n-loaded set

You never know…

It’s time for the Mobile Industry Review 2008 Awards (formerly known as the SMS Text News Awards — before we changed our name).

It took us a long time. Months, in fact. Regular meetings, arguments, distractions, testing, pondering… but it’s here.

Yesterday the MIR Show team headed down to a swanky hotel in London to film the results… only to be rather impressed with the beautiful summer day. So we took to the Gardens at Temple, overlooking the Thames and delivered the results in glorious sunshine. (It’s rare to get a day like this in London — especially in October. It’s normally soggy rain, rain followed by rain.)

There’s a few contentious results. Even during filming, there were still discussions and rumenations. However I’m pleased to publish them.

We’ll have a full list up online shortly including links to all the nominees and winners.

CATEGORIES, NOMINEES AND WINNERS:
(winners are indicated in red)

Best Marketing Campaign ( 01:33 )
Strongbow (Flirtomatic)
CityAM & Mippin
Cassidy

Best Mobile Instant Messenger ( 02:19 )
Palringo
IM+
Agile Messenger
Goggle Talk on Blackberry
Trutap

Best Mobile Related Corporate Social Responsibility Story ( 03:04 )
Orange Rock Corps
Nokia for environmental friendly mobile charges
Stand By What You Say – Spinvox

Best Public Relations Campaign ( 04:33 )
LG Blog
WOMWorld
Texperts
3MobileBuzz

Best Gadget ( 05:21 )
Loc8r (from glasto): GPS thing
Proporta mobile charger
Flip camera

Mobile Industry Hero ( 06:29 )
Steve Jobs of Apple
Google Founders
Jyri Armstrong
Jay Fenton

Mobile Industry Villain ( 07:43 )
Ofcom
The phrase ‘unlimited’
Vodafone porting
PhonePayPlus
Carphone Warehouse (for iPhone 3G launch)

Best Mobile Blogger ( 09:20 )
All About Symbian (AAS)
S60 Nokia Blog
Boy Genius
Stephen Fry
The Outsider

Most Innovative UK Operator ( 10:20 )
Vodafone
3 UK
Blyk

Best Mobile Application ( 11:23 )
Shozu
Shazam
Yap
Google Maps
Qik
NewsGator
JoikuSpot
Handy Taskman

Best Mobile Handset ( 12:37 )
iPhone 3G
Nokia N95 8GB
Blackberry Pearl
Nokia N71
Nokia N82

Best Use of SMS ( 14:22 )
Paypal
Crimestoppers
Virgin Vie
Texamundo
AddisonLee
Clickatell FNB

Best Public Use of Mobile ( 15:25 )
Mediaburst SOS Response
Vodafone and UN
Orange RockCore

Best Value Product ( 16:58 )
Google Maps
3 PAYG Broadband
Clickatell
Spinvox Memo (it’s FREE)
Mippin – it’s FREE
Goosync

Best Use of Mobile ( 18:00 )
ShopQwik
Lastminute Fonefood
Halifax Brooding Society

Best Mobile Service ( 19:08 )
Momail
Spinvox
DeviceAnywhere
Shazam
Text answer services combined with Textperts and AQA
Skyfire

Best Mobile Industry Review Reader ( 20:32 )
Kip Hakes
Mike42
Terence Eden
Dan’s Stalker
Stefan

If you’re interested in billing then you might want to attend Next Generation Billing 2008 in Budapest.

I’ll be taking part in a discussion on developing a customer-centric approach to billing.

Next Generation Billing 2008
24 – 26 November 2008,
Corinthia Grand Royal Hotel, Budapest

You can find out more details here.