Something I'm starting to see a little of here in North America is a trend for operators to recommend mobile "applications", that is executable pieces of code be it J2ME, BREW, whatever be games and entertainment, and all other applications be implemented as born-again WAP Browser applications on their new speedy networks. the Mobile Web 2.0.
I don't profess to forsee the future here as which mode is better, because it will depend on the application, and I think there is room for both client non-game applications that run on the phone and WAP 2 applications (which include WML and xHTML) - but what i do think is totally wrong is that operators think subscribers will pay for WAP applications individually like they do applications.
I don't think subscribers are conditioned to think this way. People generally expect Browser applications to free, and supported by some other revenue model besides subscription (porn being a notable exception here) and people are used to paying for games and other applications that "execute" as a client in their environment.
I think the market will decide which mobile applications belong where, but if the operators continue to force this categorization and get subs to pay for WAP applications, i think they'll be in a heap of trouble. I think subs will pay for the on-ramp to high speed WAP, but after that they'll expect the charging experience to mirror that of the PC Browser experience - free free free.
The fastest, most open pipe will win in the end. why is this so hard for operators to see?
Posted by Steve at October 29, 2004 06:01 PM | TrackBack