[ Direct MP3 download - 34MB ]

In our first episode of 2012 we wonder what this year might hold for mobile and offer some predictions:

• Ewan thinks this will be the year m-commerce goes big.
• Rafe thinks this is the year the smartphone market gets really competitive.
• Ben thinks this is the year operators start running additional services ‘over the top’ of their existing network to differentiate.

There are lots of ways to follow or subscribe to the Podcast using iTunes and other popular services.

I have to say, it’s rather cool. You can immediately start broadcasting your own ‘radio show’ live, which is then archived and presented as a podcast.

This is me playing with Spreaker’s console…

I thought I’d try out the iPhone app by describing the mobile commerce experience I had at my local tapas restaurant, Don Fernando.

Care to listen? Woop:

[ Direct MP3 download - 31MB]

This week the team re-cap a round-table discussion we were invited to, discussing the challenges and possible solutions for handset manufacturers in the future:

• Ewan notes Apple’s increasing ‘mind-share dominance’ which exists quite separate to their market share.
• Rafe longs for beautiful hardware and innovation in material sciences.
• Ben notes it’s the networks preventing people from painlessly operating several handsets, switching according to occasion.

This is our last episode of 2011. Thanks for listening! We’ll be back in January.

There are lots of ways to follow or subscribe to the Podcast using iTunes and other popular services.

[ Direct MP3 download - 31MB]

This week the team set themselves a ‘fun’ challenge – to choose a new pre-pay mobile phone costing less than £100 to give as a as a Christmas present…

[To avoid arguments we agreed to 'shop' at Carphone Warehouse]

• Rafe opts for a Nokia: A ‘One Direction’-branded Nokia C2-02 for £59.95 (and suggests buying 8 Alcatel OT209s for £4.95 each to use up the rest of the budget)
• Ewan buys something special for his Nan: A Doro PhoneEasy 610 for £79.95
• Ben spots an Android bargain: The SonyEricsson X8 for £99.95 (or £69.99 direct from Three as Rafe points out later)

We discuss each other’s choices, the appeal (or not) of each device and what matters most when buying a cheaper handset.

As ever, your views are welcomed – did we pick well, what would you buy and what matters to you when choosing a mobile for others?

There are lots of ways to follow or subscribe to the Podcast using iTunes and other popular services.

[ Direct MP3 download - 29MB]

After a series of handset losses and breakages Ewan’s been exercising his network operator-supplied handset insurance… something he’d forgotten he’d signed-up for. But do these policies offer good value for money and how should you choose who to buy from? 

The team discuss:

• Why we do (and don’t) buy handset insurance (and a few war stories).
• The difference between network operator-provided insurance, independent providers and other types of policies.
• What we want (and value) from our network operators.

Please let us have your opinions on the current legal wranglings over patents going on across the mobile industry – we love to hear them in advance of our episode on the subject.

There are lots of ways to follow or subscribe to the Podcast using iTunes and other popular services.

[ Direct MP3 download - 8MB ]

Recorded at MEF Americas 2011 in Miami, Ben interviews Neil Stiles, president of the Variety Group, on producing content for a ‘multi-screen world’. They discuss:

• Customising content for mobile platforms.
• Traditional media companies’ delusion that mobile will make their old content pay.
• Opportunities for innovation
• The importance of focusing on content, not technology.

There are lots of ways to follow or subscribe to the Podcast using iTunes and other popular services.

[ Direct MP3 download - 31MB ]

The UK has reached a tipping point – 50% of all mobile devices in use are now smartphones and the trend looks set to carry on, expected to reach 70% by 2015.

We discuss the implications of this – for retailers, for consumers and the mobile brands that serve them.

Please let us have your opinions on the current legal wranglings over patents going on across the mobile industry – we love to hear them in advance of our episode on the subject.

There are lots of ways to follow or subscribe to the Podcast using iTunes and other popular services.

[ Direct MP3 download - 27MB ]

We’re back to the ‘usual’ format for this week’s episode – recapping all the important events that happened between seasons 1 and 2. We discuss:

• iOS5 and the iPhone 4S – Has Apple ‘grown up’ to the point it now takes more than a year to create a new ‘magic’ product?
• HP, WebOS and an opportunity wasted – What was HP thinking…? Were they thinking…? And does WebOS (or Palm for that matter) have a future?
• Android – Now the biggest but is it the best? Google have revolutionised so many markets, but will Android’s rough edges put consumers off?

Please let us have your opinions on the current legal wranglings over patents going on across the mobile industry – we love to hear them in advance of our episode on the subject.

There are lots of ways to follow or subscribe to the Podcast using iTunes and other popular services.

[ Direct MP3 download - 23MB ]

In this episode – part 2 of the coverage from our live event at Nokia World – we carry on the audience discussion moving on to discuss the US market, Microsoft’s Windows Phone ecosystem and Samsung’s (possible) problems with Android.

This episode was recorded with an invited audience of bloggers and mobile gurus. They pitched-in to give their comments and opinions and in this episode you can hear:

• Ed Lea, CTO at Grapple Mobile
• Edward Umana, NokiaMobileBlog.com
• Varun Krishnan, Fone Arena
• Matt Lacey, UK Windows Phone User Group
• Iain Wallace
• Ewan Spence, All About Windows Phone / All About Symbian
• Aditya Singhvi, Worldofphones.net
• Staska, Unwired View

This is part 2 of 2 – you can hear the first part of our discussions in episode 1.

Many thanks to Nokia who sponsored this event. They provided equipment and a venue, but did not have any editorial input.

Special thanks too to Ewan Spence our impromptu (and highly effective) ‘audience and microphone wrangler’ for this episode.

There are lots of ways to follow the podcast or you can subscribe using iTunes and other popular services.

[ Direct MP3 download - 23MB ]

We’re back!

To kick off our second season we headed to Nokia World and recorded our first ever ‘live’ edition in front of an invited audience of bloggers and mobile gurus. They pitched-in to give their comments and opinions and in this episode you can hear:

• Stephen Wing, UK Gadgeteer
• Iain Wallace
• James Whatley, 1000heads
• Stefanos Kofopoulos, Pestaola.gr
• Aditya Singhvi, Worldofphones.net
• Vinu Thomas, My Portable World
• Vaibhav Sharma, The Handheld Blog
• Varun Krishnan, Fone Arena
• Staska, Unwired View

This is part 1 of 2 – you can hear the final part of our discussions next week.

Many thanks to Nokia who sponsored this event. They provided equipment and a venue, but did not have any editorial input.

There are lots of ways to follow the podcast or you can subscribe using iTunes and other popular services.

Update: Brian Katz has posted a detailed blog response to our question ‘Has Nokia done enough?’

I am a podcast junkie and enjoy listening to them as I run on the roads around my neighborhood. One of the newest podcasts I subscribed to is co-hosted by my good friend Rafe Blandford from All About Symbian and is called 361 Degrees. As I ran last night I listened to the latest podcast, episode 10, and thought I would ask my readers what they thought were their most bothersome things with smartphone platforms.

via What are your smartphone bothersome things? | ZDNet.

As you might expect there’s quite a bit of discussion on Matthew’s post about the topic — bothersome things. You can hear our top annoyances in episode 10 published last week.

Thank you Matthew

Anyway, let’s get on with the overview. First, here’s a cunningly photoshopped set of photos of the podcast protagonists — (left to right) Ben, myself and then Rafe.

This week we’re recording remotely again as Ewan calls in from Austin, Texas. In the last episode of series 1 (don’t worry series 2 is already on the way) we have a bit of a whinge discussing ‘bothersome things‘ (as Rafe terms them).

Ben‘s list covered pages by the time we finished listing them pre-recording so here’s a few choice ones… We discuss:

• WiFi hotspots
• MMS
• Batteries
• Mobile apps failing without coverage
• Context sensitive ringing

Gumpy old men we might be, but these are the niggles which drive us mad daily. What are yours?

There are lots of ways to follow the podcast or you can subscribe using iTunes and other popular services.

I think, at one point, I was screaming words to the effect of, “You’re completely WRONG” at Mr Blandford.

This is, you understand, all in the spirit of a healthy, robust debate.

I went off like a firecracker when Rafe reckoned that Nokia should hit the market with a boring mid-level Windows Phone handset that will (predictably) be torn apart by the media. I was explaining that I want Nokia to arrive with something that, at the very least, gives iPhone a run for it’s money. This is eminently possible.

Blandford was having none of it.

Neither was I.

And so we clashed. A lot.

If you haven’t taken the time to check out the joint podcast I do with Ben from WirelessWorker.net and Rafe from All About Symbian, this is the time to dive in.

Now it’s over to the standard introduction and description:

This week we talk about Nokia… How has it come to this and what next for the big firm?

We discuss:

• The history behind the current problems.
• How and why the firm has to change.
• Windows Phone, the new strategy… and the parts which are often forgotten.
• Whether Nokia can recover and what its first Windows Phone device will mean.

It all gets a bit heated this week… Ewan accuses Rafe of not seeing the warning signs and Rafe explains that the Silicon Valley view is too limited. Ben plays referee and offers some dire warnings about the short-term.

There are lots of ways to follow the podcast or you can subscribe using iTunes and other popular services.

This week we talk about international roaming services and wonder why these services – and especially data – command such premium pricing. We discuss:

• The recent MACH Insights conference.
• The products and services we use for roaming including Vodafone’s data traveller service, Abroadband, Droam, Onavo, Truphone and MiFi devices.
• The wetpaint Wiki for information on global pre-paid wireless internet access.
• The EU regulator’s efforts to reduce roaming charges.
• Who or what could disrupt the market for roaming services in future.

We also have a give-away competition for commenters this week – leave a comment to be in with a (randomly chosen) chance to win a Jabra Skype-certified bluetooth headset and laptop dongle.

Episode 8 is also available on Soundcloud.

There are lots of ways to follow the podcast or you can subscribe using iTunes and other popular services.

This week we reminisce about the devices we’ve owned and loved over the years. We highlight a few we think were real ‘market changers’, a few lemons and speculate about who might make the next game-changer. Rafe also lets slip the secret of his magic drawers.

Amongst the devices we discuss this week are the:

• SonyEricsson P800
• Sony CMD Z5
• Nokia 6210
• O2 XDA (HTC)
• Nokia N95
• Nokia E61 and E61i
• Nokia N82
• Blackberry 7230
• iPhone 2G
• Orange SPV / HTC Canary
• Nokia 1011
• Motorola RAZR
• Nokia 5110 and 3210 with Xpress-on Covers
• Original Sidekick
• Treo 180

Episode 7 is also available on Soundcloud.

There are lots of ways to follow the podcast or you can subscribe using iTunes and other popular services.

Technical note: We’ve changed the way we serve downloads to podcast subscribers this week – this should address some recent feedback about tags and also improve audio quality. Please let us know in the comments if you have any questions or problems following the change.

Ben and Rafe head to the Millbank Tower in London for the official UK unveiling of Mango, Microsoft’s latest (and most major) update to the Windows Phone 7 platform (Wireless Worker coverage, All About Symbian coverage) where we also interview Oded Ran, Head of Consumer Marketing, Windows Phone, UK. I joined the chaps afterwards as we discuss:

• The ’500′ new features in Mango
• The problems and benefits the new platform has
• Whether anyone should care about Windows Phone and whether it has a stand-out selling point
• First impressions of Mango
• WP7′s business features

Episode 6 is also available on Soundcloud.

There are lots of ways to follow the podcast or you can subscribe using iTunes and other popular services.

In a noisy (and slightly longer than normal) Episode 5 recorded ‘on the go’ in a hotel back-room, we argue about Blackberry… a lot.

Well… Ben and I argue. Rafe plays peacemaker. We ‘discuss‘:

• What was announced at Blackberry World.
• The platform changes that Blackberry is going through.
• The RIM / Microsoft partnership.
• The Playbook tablet device.
• The new QNX operating system used on the Playbook and destined for phones.
• What Blackberry should (and shouldn’t do).
• How right (and wrong) we think they’re getting it.

Episode 5 is also available on Soundcloud.

There are lots of ways to follow the podcast or you can subscribe using iTunes and other popular services.

In Episode 4 we recap MIR’s recent Unlimited Drinks event and then set about discussing the hot-topic of the moment… NFC (Near Field Communication). With help from special guest Raymond Lee an expert from Consult Hyperion we discuss:

• What is NFC?
• How and where could it be deployed?
• Who the key players are and some potential conflict
• Ben‘s frustration that the focus on ‘mobile wallets’ ignores better uses
• Ewan‘s view that Apple could be the company to move NFC payments into the mainstream
• Rafe‘s concern that the global standards needed will be tripped up by the number of organisations involved

Episode 4 is also available on Soundcloud.

There are lots of ways to follow the podcast or you can subscribe using iTunes and other popular services.

Hot on the heels of episode 2, it’s time for the third episode of the 361 Degrees podcast. This, if you recall, is the podcast series I’m participating in with both Ben Smith of Wireless Worker and Rafe Blandford of the All About Media Group (known best to readers of MIR as All About Symbian).

Episode 3 takes the form of a debate, which Ben chairs (because he’s not brave enough to take sides):

• Rafe argues that App Stores are a passing fad, are limiting and lacking, addressing only a current need that will soon be left behind as innovation in the mobile space continues at a blistering pace.
• I argues that App Stores are great enablers and have created a multi-Billion dollar industry in mobile applications that’s here to stay.

We’re keen to get listeners’ views on this debate and would like to feature your comments in a follow-up episode – please submit them below, on our sites (Wireless Worker, Mobile Industry Review or All About Symbian) or on AudioBoo. If you have a point you feel strongly about we could even invite you to participate in a future episode.

Episode 3 is also available on Soundcloud.

There are lots of ways to follow the podcast on the subscription page.

Ben Smith and Rafe Blandford on the beach in Cannes

Hello, hello and THRICE hello — Episode 2 of the world’s most connected mobile podcast has hit the airwaves. Indeed, if you had your podcast reader setup, you’d have got both episodes into your ears a few days ago. That’s right, this is a two-parter.

You can find out the background to 361 Degrees right here. Suffice to say, at 361 degrees, it’s guaranteed to be one better

Right then, here we go…

Episode 2 covers the Connected Creativity event that took place in Cannes recently, where media makers and media buyers get together to trade TV content and discuss how it will be made and consumed in future. See some of our other coverage:

• Ben at Wireless Worker
• Ewan at Mobile Industry Review

Some of the topics and companies mentioned in this podcast include:

• Connected Creativity at MIPTV
  
• Jon M. Chu - The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers and Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
  
• Second screen… or third screen…
• The importance of mobile for content consumption
• Tomi Ahonen - video interview at Connected Creativity
  
• Yoni Bloch’s Interlude - video interview at Connected Creativity
  
• BitBop
  
• UltraViolet
• Dibidogs from Futurecode
  
• 361 Degrees hosts on a Connected Creativity panel

Episode 2 is also available on Soundcloud – Part A and Part B.

There are lots of ways to follow the podcast on the subscription page.

Standby! Standby! It’s time for the introduction of the all new 361 Degrees Podcast — a mobile technology podcast from Rafe Blandford, Ben Smith and myself.

Rafe Blandford is the founder, editor and unalloyed God of all things Nokia. Feted by the company’s high command, loved by millions (on a good month, Rafe talks to well over three million readers). His site is All About Symbian. Yes. I know. He’s changing the name.

Ben Smith runs WirelessWorker.net — a site he founded to explores the intersect between the technology, services and processes required to deliver a truly mobilised enterprise. He also gives the consumer side of the industry a regular hammering through his other site, The Really Mobile Project.

Both gents are hugely respected in the marketplace. So it is a delight — an utter delight — to announce our all new collaboration. An official collaboration, if you like.

The format is an audio podcast, published weekly. We’ve recorded 4 episodes so far. Smith has mostly been playing the role of agitator, bating Rafe and then me in turn with delicious questions like, “So Ewan, why is the apps world dead?”

The inaugural episode is dedicated to the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play handset — plus, a tiny bit of Dom Jolly. Aye. Him off the television.

Here’s the audio embed of the first episode:

You can follow 361 Degrees:

on it’s own site;
on AudioBoo;
on Soundcloud;
at Wireless Worker;
at Mobile Industry Review;
at All About Symbian;
with an RSS reader or podcatcher;
or via iTunes.

Do post your comments and we’ll read them out and react to them. I think the best place to post them would be on the main 361 Degrees episode page.

I envisioned Jonathan inviting five guests that he really, really rates — connected to the mobile advertising arena — to sit down with him and have a chat on camera.

I thought it would be explosive, exciting and compelling. I wasn’t wrong. If mobile advertising is your thing — and you’d like to see some great minds going-at-it with each other, then keep it locked here to Mobile Industry Review for the next few days.

I’ll be publishing the first video today here and on the MIR Show podcast feed. Jonathan lined up some brilliant guests and I’m very excited to bring them to you.

Standby!

We are most definitely BACK this week — back in London after the international shows we’ve been publishing over the last two weeks. The team is in one place. In fact they’re positively beaming with excitement.

In this week’s show:

- We visit the LG Renoir launch and take a look at the handset ( 00:27 )
- We talk to some LG chaps about the Renoir ( 09:23 )
- We chat to some other bloggers at the LG event ( 12:09 )
- We head to Helsinki to hear Rafe Blandford discuss the Samsung Innov8
(The S60 Samsung handset) ( 16:10 )
- James Whatley flies to Las Vegas and brings us his view of the Nokia E71 ( 13:52 )
- We preview the G1 Google Phone (we’re seeing that this coming Wednesday) ( 22:18 )
- And, of course, we’ve got *FREE STUFF*. Lots of free stuff. ( 28:02 )

We had a whole schedule planned — but the chaps got stuck with the Poloroid PoGo bluetooth printer so I kept the camera on as Dan Lane and James Whatley bickered with each other for about 35 minutes, trying to get the device to work.

I haven’t done the edit, but I think I might keep quite a lot of their shenanigans in. It really is a super example of not-reading-the-manual.

Ben Smith couldn’t be with us for filming — Ed Hodges of Howler Tech gallantly agreed to step in. Thank you for that Ed.

The following week, however, most of us — bar Dan (he’s staying in London) — are out of the country. James is in Helsinki with Nokia (“the mothership”). I’m in San Francisco at CTIA Wireless and Ben Smith is in Beijing. We’ll still be able to bring you a packed show. Oh yes. We’ve done a lot of work on that.

So this Monday, expect a brand new episode of the MIR Show. Then, across the week, expect a varied amount of updates — textual and video — from the team.

I’ve got interviews with companies every hour from 7am ’til 9pm daily next week. I’m going to try and film them all — and try and get some stuff up on the site as well.