What is a Mobile Message?
by Debi Jones
A recent discussion between most of the bloggers of Mobile Messaging 2.0 resulted in a disagreement. We were turning over various topics in our collective mind that might be interesting to our readers and us. As we deconstructed these topics, a starting point of sorts emerged on which we could bring our different perspectives in the hope of providing insight into how some parts of the mobile ecosystem interpret the language of mobility. That starting point is logical and simple although we found the answer may not be so.
What is a Mobile Message? Going around the virtual room to gain agreement on a starting point for considering other topics, it became apparent that the defining characteristics of applying the label mobile to any message was not a point on which we agreed. Over the next week, MM2 will consider this question, share our own perspectives and views relative to our position within the mobile ecosystem and invite you, our readers, to join in the discussion.
The components of a mobile message include the network, the device, the transport (e.g., SMS, MMS, email). Is the mobile network required? Or is it enough to use a mobile device on some other network, for example, wi-fi? A purist might say that the SMS transport is required to qualify the distinction of a mobile message versus merely a message sent electronically. Given the spirited discussion that took place between us, readers can expect some considered opinions and lively disagreement.
The marketing language from operators to consumers specifies text messaging, email, picture messaging, video messaging, voicemail messages, and Voice SMS. What about the mobilizing of social networks and the associated messages? What about mobile IM, chat, etc.? What about social gestures such have been popularized by social networks like nudging, poking, smiling or following? Consider Vibetonz and sending emoticons…are those mobile messages? And finally, do the semantics matter?
Let us know what you like, dislike or were bored by in this process as we hope to do more conversations on shared topics in the coming months. And now, enjoy.
