How do you define "mobile?"

How does your news organization define "mobile?"

Does that mean everything beyond desktop computers? Does that just mean iPhones and iPads?

Here's our current definition of "mobile." We exclude tablets because we view them as a different channel with unique usage. Let me know what you think in the comments.

What is mobile? 

A new media channel. Powered by users who are:

  • Connecting at various times from various locations
  • Using smartphones and feature phones
  • Seeking information via messaging, the mobile web and mobile apps
  • Mobile does not include tablets.

The chart below explains the differences between the three digital channels (mobile, tablets, desktop).

 

MOBILE 

TABLET 

DESKTOP 

Used for? 

●        Being alerted to breaking news 

●        Quickly answering questions

 

●        Being entertained

●        Learning

●        Browsing through information

●        Answering deeper questions

Portable?

Extremely

Somewhat

No

Connected to the web?

Always

Almost always

Sometimes

Startup speed?

Extremely fast

Fast

Slow

Carried?

Always. In a purse or pocket.

Sometimes. In a bag.

No

Used?

All the time

Mostly in the early morning, late at night and on weekends

During normal work hours. Occasionally at home.

Used by?

One person

Usually one person, sometimes shared

Usually shared by a few people

This figure shows the times various channels are used by audiences:

Channeltimeofday

The Orange County Register's mobile revolution

The OCRegister newsroom is about to get a whole lot more mobile.

Since the Freedom Communications mobile strategy was approved in February 2010 the company has, among other things, launched countless apps, built its own mobile websites, started adapting the content we produce so it is accessible and optimized for more devices, launched a whole series of niche news alerts, deployed a news alert system making it simple and fast to send news alerts, launched an iPad app in September (with the new version of the app launching this week) and starting to guide advertisers in how to reach these mobile audiences.

And now the newsroom is going full mobile.

About half of the newsroom employees have bought their own smartphones. But now, the other half who still use company phones will ditch their Razors for myTouch 3Gs and G2s. (I'll post separately about how we chose those specific phones.)

I'll be blogging with the tag "ocregistergoesmobile" to higlight the successes, difficulties and changes seen from this big mobile jump.

What follows is the note we sent out to employees discussing why we're getting smartphones.

Read the rest of this post »

Goals for mobile journalists (reporters, editors, designers, photographers and developers)

Ahead of some exciting mobile news in my neck of the woods - I'm publishing the goals I wrote up for newsrooms using smartphones.

Please add comments below, or tell me on Twitter or send me an e-mail about what else should be added and what should be removed.

Remember, this is intended for all journalists (reporters, editors, designers, photographers, developers, etc.) and I want to keep it short. This is not a list of demands that should be given to a smartphone-wielding journalist, just a list of journalism goals that are believed to be served by using a smartphone. Side note: The section heads below are based on our audience-based workflow.

LISTEN
Sourcing for content ideas and components should come from a diverse variety of people and places.

  • Listen to current and new audiences.

 
ENGAGE
Conversations and exchanges across platforms and groups are necessary to drive and constantly inform coverage.

  • Ask powerful and thoughtful questions.
  • Ask for and acknowledge contributions.
  • Share ideas and ask for feedback. Be approachable.


DISCOVER
Learn about content topics by participating in and observing the culture surrounding your beat to inform your coverage.

  • Learn based on listening.
  • Question and evaluate new ideas using critical thinking.


PRODUCE
Create content that builds and grows communities. Choose the storytelling and delivery methods that best help audiences connect with the content.

  • Tell compelling stories in a variety of formats for your various audiences.
  • Provide clarity, truth and fairness.
  • Curate content from various sources.
  • Correct errors swiftly and publicly.


SHARE
Grow a loyal audience by providing access to you and your coverage via useful and relevant tools that make sense for the coverage.

  • Share your own work and the work of others. Curate what you share based on your audiences' wants.