The Future of Information Access: the Mobile Web

I find myself thinking more an more about the iPhone, and my increasing desire to always be connected to the web. Not just to email – but to a search engine, to interactive maps, to news sources, to text messaging, to social networks, and to things like online classifieds. These things are as much a part of my life as anything else, and it seems silly to be disconnected from them during a long car ride or even a trip to the foodstore.

I am always looking around at how people are chained to their cell phones, and the many ways they are being used. Below is a visual meditation on the subject. One question we have to ask ourselves is how does this affect media distribution and publishing in the not-too-distant future? How does this affect how publishers connect to readers and customers – and how business may evolve?

And what happens when you realize that each of these mobile devices are not just delivery mechanisms, but a content creation and distribution mechanisms? They each have cameras, keyboards, wireless access – and increasingly, video capabilities. There is not just an opportunity to reach people via these devices, but also in channeling their willingness to create and share.

What is interesting about these photos is that almost all lines are crossed in terms of demographics – age, race, socio-economics, etc. This is not just for the rich, not just for the young, and not just for entertainment-related activities.

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