For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Apple's iPod Touch Is an MID in All but Name

by Ian Fogg, December 14, 2008

The iPod Touch's software and hardware were developed in-house by Apple. However, as shipped, the iPod Touch includes software provided by leading Internet brands such as Google Maps and Yahoo! Weather, as well as a YouTube application. Additional leading . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Nokia to Evolve the Internet Tablet Range to Include Mobile Telephony

by Ian Fogg, December 14, 2008

The Nokia Internet tablet range runs the Linux-based Maemo operating system. The device ships with Nokia Maps, leveraging Nokia's acquisition of Navteq, a Mozilla-based browser that runs Adobe Flash and a full suite of Internet applications. Other proprietary . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

US Mobile Forecast, 2009 To 2014

Growth Will Continue Despite Looming Subscriber Saturation

by Charles S. Golvin, Seth Fowler, November 6, 2009

Mobile phones and networks have reached near-ubiquity in the US. Despite a paucity of new subscribers to sell service to, mobile operators will continue to reap the benefits of the advance of their technology over the coming five years. Postpaid subscriptions . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Mobile Internet Devices

Identifying Prospective Consumer Buyers

by Ian Fogg, December 14, 2008

Device makers from the PC, consumer electronics, and mobile phone industries have begun to develop products in the new category of mobile Internet devices (MIDs)—devices that deliver an optimal Internet experience on the go in a highly pocketable device. . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Top Consumer Technology Predictions For 2008

by Charles S. Golvin, December 27, 2007

In consumer technology, 2007 was clearly the year of the iPhone and Facebook. Apple's foray into the mobile handset market spurred innovation among the Cupertino company's new competitors, gave partner AT&T a much-needed halo of cool, and opened consumers' . . .

For Technology Product Management & Marketing Professionals

Free Muni Wireless Noses Into The Broadband Market

Ad-Supported Muni Wireless Will Find Its Niche With Consumers

by Sally M. Cohen, Charles S. Golvin, January 11, 2007

Nearly 300 towns, cities, and counties across the US are actively deploying wireless networks or hotspots for consumer and residential use, although consumers have not flocked to these networks. Free, ad-supported service has started to gain footing as . . .

For Technology Product Management & Marketing Professionals

Apple's iPhone Changes The Stakes, Not The Game

by Charles S. Golvin, January 11, 2007

At this week's Macworld, Apple introduced its long-awaited entry into the mobile phone business: the iPhone. The device unites a full-screen video iPod, a phone, and Internet applications in a package with a simple, touchscreen user interface. The iPhone . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

The iPhone Is A Win-Win-Win

New Device Benefits Apple, AT&T, And The Industry

by Charles S. Golvin, July 6, 2007

The long wait is over. Apple's iPhone is now in consumers' hands, with some equity analysts estimating that Apple and AT&T sold an unprecedented half million units in its opening weekend. Apple now has a new product category with excellent growth . . .

For Consumer Product Strategy Professionals

Google Bootstraps An "Open" Mobile Platform

The Open Handset Alliance Gives The Mobile Internet A Needed Boost

by Charles S. Golvin, November 6, 2007

On November 5, 2007, Google, together with a congress of mobile operators, handset makers, software vendors, and others dubbed the Open Handset Alliance, unveiled a mobile device software platform called Android. Built on Linux and entirely open source, . . .

US Mobile Phone Adoption Forecast, 2006-2011  (120 KB PPT)

by Charles S. Golvin, December 12, 2006

US Home Network Adoption Forecast, 2006-2011  (124 KB PPT)

by Charles S. Golvin, December 12, 2006

Sizing US Consumer Telecom

by Charles S. Golvin, David M. Cooperstein, Gregory J. Scaffidi, Jennifer Schaeffer, January 24, 2002

New communication options already displace plain old telephone service in 1.7% of households. Traditional telcos' share of the consumer communication budget will drop from 49% in 2001 to 33% in 2006.

Knitting Together Mobile Broadband

by Charles S. Golvin, David M. Cooperstein, Jennifer Schaeffer, August 23, 2001

Wireless service providers see mobile data access as the promised land for revenue salvation. Wireless LANs and next-generation mobile networks must be knit together to deliver the unified service customers will demand.

Capitalizing On Mobile Location

by Charles S. Golvin, David M. Cooperstein, Jennifer Schaeffer, May 18, 2001

Wireless operators that seek a return on FCC-mandated location identification investments will not find it in wireless content offerings. Carriers will instead exploit location information to expand core revenue.

This Is Not Your Teenager's Instant Messaging

by Charles S. Golvin, Chris Charron, Alanna Denton, February 3, 2003

Instant messaging is just the first application to exploit presence - the online status of a person or object. As presence infuses new apps, products, and processes, communications and commerce will transform.

Who Will Network The Home?

by Charles S. Golvin, Jed Kolko, Ayanna Lonian, May 9, 2003

Consumers want home networks for connecting PCs, but they need help. Broadband ISPs, aided by gear makers and retailers, will provide the needed assistance and gain a platform to enhance revenue.

Mobile Applications That Drive Revenue

by Charles S. Golvin, Charlene Li, Alanna Denton, October 10, 2002

Mobile operators today pin their revenue hopes on new consumer data applications. But it's applications that enhance voice - not pure data apps - that will drive the $6.2 billion mobile applications market in 2006.

AT&T To Consumers: Bye-Bye, PSTN

by Lisa Pierce, Charles S. Golvin, August 31, 2004

On July 22, AT&T announced that it would cease marketing traditional local and long-distance services to consumers, attributing the decision to recent regulatory changes that will increase the wholesale rates it pays to incumbents. Although the company . . .

Will Mobile Phones Get Wi-Fi?

Yes — Integrated Handsets Will Get Cheap By 2007

by Charles S. Golvin, June 13, 2005

Devices that combine cellular and Wi-Fi radios are already in the market, but today's integrated devices are data-oriented PDAs, not mobile phones. Tomorrow's combination devices will support voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN), and their appearance will . . .

Trends 2005: Consumer Technology

by Paul Jackson, Charles S. Golvin, November 8, 2004

Five macro drivers will determine which devices fly off the shelves next year, and which ones will wind up on eBay at a deep discount. Devices like MP3 players and smartphones that carry valuable content or a solid service will sell. Devices like the . . .

AirPort Express: Networking From The Bottom Up

by Ted Schadler, Charles S. Golvin, July 19, 2004

Apple Computer announced a $129 home network adapter called AirPort Express that connects home stereos to Apple iTunes. By allowing consumers to add home network functions one cheap device at a time, Apple's bottom-up approach is more likely to succeed . . .

What Do Wi-Fi Consumers Look Like?

Consumers Use Wi-Fi Predominantly At Home, Then Work

by Charles S. Golvin, February 18, 2004

Only 9% of North American online households use Wi-Fi on a laptop. These consumers look more like typical early adopters and are more likely to use Wi-Fi at home than at work, with other locations lagging far behind. Those who use Wi-Fi in multiple locations . . .

Let's Get Real About WiMAX

Cheap, Mobile Broadband For The Masses — After 2010

by Charles S. Golvin, Lars Godell, Michelle de Lussanet, July 13, 2005

Industry buzz abounds about WiMAX, the next big wireless networking technology. Promoters like Alvarion and Intel imply that it will turn the telecom network upside down — and do everything short of making your coffee in the morning. The reality? WiMAX . . .

AT&T Wireless-Cingular Deal Will Slow Wireless Innovation

by Charles S. Golvin, February 23, 2004

The long-awaited consolidation of US wireless carriers has begun with the Cingular Wireless acquisition of AT&T Wireless. Operators hope that the reduction in players will halt what they consider irrational competition and usher in an era of improved . . .

The Next Wave Of Mobile Devices

Better Customer Definition And Software Distinguish New Gizmos

by Charles S. Golvin, Paul Jackson, August 25, 2004

Tomorrow's mobile gadgets will differ in form factor, packaging, and software — all of which combine to match the device much better to the demands and attitudes of a richer set of consumer segments. Enterprise segments will benefit from better text input, . . .