Categories
Close
Menu
Menu
Close
Search
Search

Featured Articles

RSS
123

Opinion Articles

Opinion

Mobile phones give you wings

Mark

Share:

Print

Rate article:

No rating
Rate this article:
No rating

Mark Bridge writes:

James’s recent trip down memory lane reminded me of a moment in 1998 when a major mobile phone manufacturer promised phones that ‘gave you wings’. No, not Red Bull. No, not LG.

Motorola WingsIt was Motorola. “Motorola gives you wings” said the TV commercial. “Wings set you free”.

Back then the mobile message was all about freedom. No need for wires. No need to stay at home waiting for a call. No need to be stuck at your desk.

Here in 2010, the message has changed. Mobiles don’t free us, they enable us. We’re no longer going out and doing stuff because we have a mobile phone. We’re going out and doing stuff ON our mobile phone.

Microsoft’s current advertising campaign for its Windows Phone 7 platform points this out very clearly. Only time will tell whether it’ll help sell more phones. But as we head towards Christmas – traditionally a time for contemplation, relaxation and renewing friendships – Motorola’s message from the 90s is worth bearing in mind.

Because, at the risk of sounding as though I’m delivering a mobile-related Thought for the Day, there isn’t an app for everything.

Comments

Collapse Expand Comments (0)
You don't have permission to post comments.

Recent Podcasts

ExclusiveMobile Monday London: Mobile, Maps & Geolocation (part 1)

This week's Mobile Monday London event featured a panel discussion about the opportunities for mobile-based geolocation and mapping. The event was supported by UK mapping agency Ordnance Survey.

In this podcast you'll hear the first part of the evening's discussion plus interviews with Nokia's Gary Gale, who chaired the panel, and Ian Holt from Ordnance Survey. Part 2 is available as a separate podcast.

ExclusiveNew mobile products, a new smartphone company, a new CEO and plenty of other news

This week's podcast starts with the world's slimmest smartphone (at least for the moment) before introducing a new smartphone company and even more new products from Samsung.

We're also talking about the battle of Instagram vs Vine, the sale of O2 Ireland, mobile retail web usage, the new CEO of BT and a new report about an unexpected health threat to mobile phone users.

ExclusiveCameras, navigation, tickets and shopping... all on mobile phones

Samsung has put a 10x optical zoom lens on a smartphone, Google is acquiring navigation app Waze and the European Commission is getting ready to equip cars with an emergency call system.

We're also talking about a strike threat at O2, the risk of 'showrooming' to high-street retailers, the end of Symbian smartphones and plenty more as well.

ExclusiveiOS7 is announced, PRISM is leaked and roaming charges are threatened

We start this week's podcast with Apple's announcement about the new version of its iOS platform - and follow this with a look at the privacy concerns surrounding the US government's PRISM operation.

Next come Samsung's new phones, Ericsson's new contract, a potential end to European roaming charges, some sophisticated mobile malware and plenty of other news stories as well.

RSS
First1617181921232425Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Archive Calendar

«June 2026»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
25262728293031
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293012345

Archive