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

Journalists prepare: mobile expected to surpass web

In response to Q1 from Wednesday's #wjchat on mobile journalism:

How can news orgs get ahead of the tech curve with mobile & not drag their feet as many did w/ Web?

My answer? Treat mobile as an equal and unique channel.

Do not put the web first. That's what went wrong with print.

Newspapers started adding websites and just ignored them. The newspaper editors designing the websites did not use the web on a regular basis and were still stuck in print-first thinking.

The same thing is happening with mobile. Various forecasts look at mobile's growth:

Remember when people ignored the web? How some people clung to newspapers shouting "No!" and a few people said "Yes!" and started preparing?

Morgan Stanley’s Mary Meeker, was one of the analysts who predicted the original Internet boom. Her report says that "the mobile Internet is ramping faster than desktop Internet did."

My point? Stop just reading about mobile and making a product here or there. Build a strategy for your newsroom. Start innovating. And, if you want, join this Posterous - any one can join - just send me your e-mail in the comments or to sonyanews at gmail.com or @sonyanews.

Mojos Unite!