by Graham Bell
19. April 2011 09:00
Back in the 90’s, a revolution started. A revolution that’s speed and adoption impacted the world quicker and with more long term bearing than any previous transformation of the world’s technical landscape. Of course I’m speaking about the Internet. Yes, I guess we can debate my assertion, I guess we could discuss how the invention of electricity was a bigger and more important an event and that it was needed to facilitate the Internet, but hey, this is just a blog post, so a little poetic license please.
Anyhow, now almost 20 years on the landscape is ever growing but equally changing. Currently there are approximately 1.8 billion desktop based Internet users worldwide, this is compared to a massive 4.6 billion mobile Internet users. More than double the audience is on the move and statistics also show us that mobile users are more engaged.
Mobile phones, smartphones and mobile devices such as iPads are all being embraced by an ever increasingly diverse demographic of individuals. Whether they are waiting for a bus or perhaps a meeting, or just sitting in front of the television at night, these devices have their users more engaged because they are more accessible. They no longer need to wait until they get home to get access to their PC or Mac. Their iPhone, Android handset or tablet is accessible and instantly available. Hence, mobile Internet browsing is normally longer than desktop browsing sessions.
The future doesn’t look like its going to change either. Matt Brittin, Managing Director of Google UK, says that research indicates that in the year 2020, there is going to be an estimated 5 billion desktop based Internet users compared to a huge 10 billion mobile users.
Hence my question: “Shouldn’t we rename the Internet to Mobinet?”
Good job we can build side-by-side websites for Desktop and Mobile users!
