New predictions from technology research company Gartner have shown how we’re increasingly relying on mobile technology.

It’s forecasting that by 2018, more than 50% of users worldwide will go to a tablet or smartphone first for all their online activities.

A new report from Strategy Analytics shows that almost 12 billion internet-connected devices will be in use around the world by the end of this year; the equivalent of 1.7 devices for every person.

However, growth in machine-to-machine connections for the ‘Internet of Things’ is expected to result in this ratio increasing dramatically in the next six years.

Figures released at the Bluetooth World 2014 conference show that 96% of all mobile phones - not just smartphones - are expected to include Bluetooth wireless technology by 2018.

That compares with 90% in 2013.

Figures from the GlobalWebIndex market research study into digital consumers have provided a fascinating snapshot of mobile device usage.

Globally, Android was the most-used mobile operating system, climbing from 27% market share in 2011 to 65% by the end of 2013.

New figures from media agency Mindshare Worldwide show that Thailand has the world’s highest proportion of internet users who aren’t relying on desktop computers.

Just 54% of people in Thailand used a desktop or laptop computer as their main internet device, with 32% using smartphones and 11% on tablets.

Mark Windle, head of marketing at OpenCloud, predicts that this year’s reduction in the number of traditional telecoms operators in some countries will provide an opportunity for other operators to innovate and capture market share in 2016.

He says next year will be a year of rapid change for telecoms… whether it’s MVNO disruption, competitive tariff pricing or simply defence from the ‘dark art’ of hacking.

Mark Bridge writes:

The most memorable moments in life often go unrecorded. You don't have your camera in your hands. Your finger is still hovering over the 'pause' button on your audio recorder. Or you were simply too busy experiencing whatever was happening. It's all about the one that got away.

That's where Kapture can help.

Mark Bridge writes:

James Rosewell shows me a colourful roll of paper that's the width of an iPhone but well over three metres long. When I look closer, I can see it's a printed copy of the Wall Street Journal's mobile website. That's a lot of scrolling to do... and a pretty unfriendly user experience for anyone reading the news online. Why does it work so badly?

The week's mobile industry headlines including an interview with 20:20 Mobile's Stuart Henry, a conversation with John "Doctor Shop" Ryan, a look at the Nokia 7900 Prism and a rant from Mobile News editorial director Ian White.

We interview John Barton from LG Mobile, review the new Sagem my850v, discuss the week's mobile industry news, listen to Ian White's outspoken opinion and look at the 'petbuddi' GSM-based dog location service.

The team talk to Martin Flick of Azzurri Communications about T-Mobile, discuss other stories making the headlines, review the Samsung G600 and Pocket Informant 2007, plus bring you an interview with a real Mystery Shopper.

This week the team reviews the Sagem my300c, interviews Phil Jones from Tex2me.com, looks at Phone Sherpa and discusses all the latest mobile phone industry news.

This week the team debates "is the new Carphone Warehouse upgrade policy good news for the industry?" and reviews the Alcatel OT C-825 & Map24 Mobile software, as well as bringing you commentary on all the latest news.