.mobi The invisible computer revolution (MOBILE)

[binaryman]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7106998.stm

 

[Mobi Cheap]

Excellent article Binary, many thanks!

Just a short extract:
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Along with the internet, with which it is rapidly merging, this is the most astonishing technology story of our time, and one that has the power to revolutionise access to information across the developing world.

Unfortunately, rich country biases limit understanding of this amazing phenomenon: for those in North America or Western Europe the cell phone is primarily or uniquely a phone designed to make voice calls.

In the rich world, even those who use the mobile for other tasks such as e-mail almost always do so as an adjunct to their "computer" (ie, the desktop or laptop in their home or office): the mobile phone is used for those tasks only when the "computer" isn't accessible.

Revolutionise education

Because those of us based in the developed world are always thinking of computers as things with 15-inch or 17-inch or 24-inch screens, it can be hard to see the potential of something much smaller, even if it's right in our pocket.

I was talking with a software developer friend of mine recently and going on as I do about the potential for cell phone software to revolutionise education, literacy, and public health in the developing world.

And he said to me "but can you really create a valuable user experience on such a small screen and with such a slow processor".
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This is where we still seem to be right now.

 

[PolarBear]

Great find, thanks Binaryman!