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Must Read: Mobile Trends

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Some useful new data.

A few things stand out here:

  • Teens are text messaging like crazy.
  • This level of texting makes me think that it’s so close to actual chat, that mobile “chat” is going to become bigger.  Or normalized.  I do know at least one person who refuses to text and uses Google Chat.  Developers, keep this in mind – and social media companies may want to move towards mobile chat (also, keep that in mind).
  • Phones are beng used less for actual phone calls.  This is a trend that reminds me of how cable companies became ISPs.  At this rate mobile phone companies are really “mobile” companies.  Keep that in mind for the future – and for regulation.
  • There’s an impressive generation gap here in text and phone usage.  How are we going to market and to whom?
Mobile is becoming mobile period, and the generation gap is impressive.

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/

The Loss Of Loss Leaders?

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Remember "Loss Leaders" in the world of tech and gizmos?  Have CD's and DVD's that are marked down insanely low, hope you sell, and get people to buy other stuff.  It's a historical practice, and probably one that doesn't get enough attention.

This was something Best Buy and some electronic stories try or tried because they want you to buy expensive stuff. In fact, last time I headed to a Best Buy, I thought about the fact I see a lot less CD's and DVD's there.*  Sure there were some, but not many, and they seemed to be cheap stuff, recent stuff, and expensive sets.  I'm guessing the latter is the only guaranteed profit maker.

Loss leaders aren't working like they used to.

Come to think of it, the answer seems pretty obvious: The Internet and The Economy.

First let's address the economy, which sucks and means we want to buy less stuff, especially stuff that we really don't need.  Sure it's marked down, but if we don't really need it anyway, then why buy it in tough times?  The economy clearly didn't help.

But then there's the Internet.

The obvious way the Internet kills off Loss Leaders is that simply you can get their contents online through Netflix, discounted sellers, used copies, or simple piracy.  Why buy them at a store when you can do it cheaper or free?

But there's other reasons.  Previews of things seen on the internet, reviews, and so forth can make you more picky and better informed.  You're used to looking for, well, crap, used to researching.  You know what you want, you seek it, and you're less likely to be tempted at a store.

Put it all together, and there's a loss of Loss Leaders.  We don't want to buy them, we don't need them.

I have to wonder how many companies have to struggle with this loss . . .

– Steven Savage

 

* In my defense, I now usually go to Fry's.

 

Games, Persistence, The Cloud, The Future

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If you play MMOs, if you're using cloud storage for games (as we're moving towards), think for a moment how long a "game" will survive.  Your collection of memory sticks and outdated save cards is nothing compared to the way gaming is going.  I see it entirely possible that game data will survive for years, for more than a decade, in some situations.

This likely possibility is something those of us who play and make games and media should be seriously considering.

  • MMO's will have to decide what to do with old data – and also the fact that each inactive account may yet become income producing.
  • If anyone remembers the way some Metal Gear games used save files, those old save files could be used in so many ways in other games – or sequels.
  • What happens when a game gets re-released?  What do you do with save files floating around in the cloud?
  • When a game gets a sequel/spinoff years later after whatever legal/ethical/company fooaraw delays it save files that can be used for extras, bonuses, etc. may still be out there.
  • With all the ways to use old save and game information, what are the legal limits of what data you can use?
  • * What legal rights does a company have to use data saved under previous games?

If you're a programmer or producer in gaming, a lot of potential opportunities and challenges are coming just due to sheer persistence of data.  Some of these could be trouble – and many could be opportunities.

– Steven Savage