Mobile Groove

In brief: The Meffy awards, the 10th annual MEM Conference (the Mobile Entertainment Market), and the release of a new must-read Smart Enablers Guide outlining how everyone can/must work together to deliver a good consumer experience and streamline payment. The last weeks have seen a flurry of activity and announcements around the Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) – the global trade body for the mobile media and entertainment industry. I discuss the key takeaways and progress made with Rimma Perelmuter, MEF Executive Director.

A raft of announcements and events from the Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) signals a new level of excitement and activity in the global mobile media industry. From the advance of smartphones and app stores to the widespread recognition that service enablers (offered by mobile operators and handset makers) are essential to the health and wealth of the entire business ecosystem, the industry is in a new phase of development and mindset. As Rimma Perelmuter, MEF Executive Director, puts it: “There’s a real sense in this $36 billion global industry that we are at a new stage of innovation. We’re seeing consumers around the world using their mobile phones as their key point of access to content and media, and the industry is evolving to make that user experience one that is more engaging and more holistic.”

In brief: MSG kicks off a new series showcasing must-read sites and resources with a look at VisionMobile, a premier destination for mobile industry market analysis and advisory services. The new report, Mobile developer Economics 2010 and Beyond, based on a survey of 400+ developers, provides a wide range of insights into what developers demand and how the industry must respond.

The advance of the app store changes all the rules. But who would have thought that the arrival of this new business ecosystem would shift the balance so blatantly in favor of new platforms (primarily Android and Apple) and new players (Google)?

In brief: Learn what’s next in mobile NOW. Mobile Future Forward, a high-caliber Executive Summit organized by Chetan Sharma and his team, brings some of the industry’s most influential minds together in Seattle on September 8 to explore the future of the mobile industry. Get thinking about the big-picture issues that define what mobile is (and will be), and network with a “Who’s Who” of the mobile industry.

What are the user experiences and use cases that will drive positive results? What are the challenges and opportunities that face us as we seek answers and solutions? These are just a few of the questions this all-day event will debate and

In brief: The Carnival is up (again) at MSG with a selection of solid posts that ask some tough questions. Topics include: The math that spells trouble for app developers; the issues handset makers face as they strive for differentiation on Android; connecting the dots in recent carrier comments; bad mobile advertising that should have us thinking; and good mobile outreach that raises awareness about prostrate cancer.

I’m pleased that my calls for posts and hosts via Twitter (@COTMobilists) have encouraged new activity and interest in the Carnival. This is reflected in the number of submissions I received this week and the offers from Mobilists to take the helm and host the COM. Thanks to Steve Litchfield over at allaboutsymbian.com, who will host later in July. There are more slots open, so check out the calendar and pick your date to host soonest.

In brief: The Carnival is up at MSG with a balanced mix of must-read posts and rants. Topics include: Apple’s reign, Android’s gain, video how-to, SMS voting and a campaign that could have been in Slovakia.

Thanks to Communities Dominate Brands we get a great update on the numbers that play in the zero-sum game involving smartphone makers worldwide. As the inimitable Tomi Ahonen sees it, it’s a bloodbath – and he has the stats to back it up. It’s a meaty, must-read post that recounts shipments and sales by all the major players. It also claims “Apple’s market share has indeed peaked and we’ll see gradual market share decline for this year 2010 compared to 2009.” Is Tomi right? Read on, find out… (and bookmark!)

In brief: As many in Europe embark on a long weekend, here is some required reading in the form of a detailed summary of the best in mobile blogging covering the top posts from the last month. From iPhone stats to the size of the mobile market, from the business value of location to the potential dangers of social media, it’s all here.

This time the Carnival of the Mobilists – the line-up of the best blogs and bloggers on all things mobile – comes to us via Holly Kolman. Holly a first-time host, who – true to her blog title – is a real mobile enthusiast brings us COM #221. Kudos for an excellent job and I hope Holly will host another COM soon (!)

The line-up of blogs includes: