Cell Phone’s #1 Feature: Talk

I’m going shopping for a new cell phone this weekend.  It’s kind of a big deal for me because, like my cars, I keep my phones until they’re on their last leg.  I’ve been doing a little online previewing and it’s simply amazing to me how far we’ve come.  Once upon a time I worked for one of the major wireless carriers, back in the day when there were only two of them.  My first mobile phone was just that…mobile…as it was installed in my car.  And the portable phones came in bags that you had to carry around and I swear those things weighed 10 lbs!  So yes, I’m blown away by the advances in modern technology and all the amazing things we can do with our little phones these days.

I’m not fancy.  Okay, yes, I carry a Pink Razr and it’s got a rhinestone encrusted cover, but that’s strictly cosmetic   What I mean by that is my phone has three basic functions…I use it to make phone calls, to send text messages and occasionally to check my personal email.  It may have more features I am simply unaware of but it’s served its purpose so I don’t feel like I’ve been missing out on anything.

But when I hit Circuit City this weekend and talk to my friendly Verizon rep I’m sure he’ll tell me all about the wonderful new things phones can do these days, features I simply can’t live without and of course I’ll buy into it and upgrade to a model with more bells and whistles.  Will I use the features?  I suppose with a little education, I think maybe, yes.  Especially if I purchase a phone with the MP3 player built in.  Video.  Local Search.  Mobile coupons.  There’s an awful lot we can do and some days it’s just downright overwhelming.  I still type in complete sentences when texting so I’ll need a little time to wrap my head around all these other very cool features.  Baby steps, baby steps.   

But this brings me to an article I read in Advertising Age.  Not unlike me, it seems most folks simply want to talk on their cell phones.   I’m certainly not denying there has been a healthy shift to mobile.  I know more than one “Crack”berry addict   The invention of the iPhone is driving more people to watch online videos, surf the web and check their email. I think the younger population is a driving force in the use of the some of the newer, fancier applications found on today’s mobile devices. 

But according to the Ad Age survey 3 out of 10 wireless device owners would prefer a small phone with fewer features in the future.  I wonder who these people are?  I’m guessing the older generation, a little reluctant to embrace change, maybe?  But I can’t wait to see what very cool features my next phone will include…and of course it will be pink!

Mobile Coupons – Ingenious advertising concept or waste of airtime charge? What do you think?

In a previous post (http://wmgagency.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/just-returned-from-yellow-pages-association-convention-exhibition/) Renae mentioned a company she heard present at the Yellow Pages Association conference in Las Vegas.  The company, MobileGates, provides mobile coupons that enable local businesses to target prospective consumers most likely to respond to real-time offers. Advertisers can easily create mobile coupons, select target locations and add locator store finder maps. 

As an advertiser would you spend a minimum $.20 to send a coupon to an interested buyer?  No spam issues here.  Consumers “opt-in” by clicking on your coupon or listing to send the coupon to their mobile device or phone. They then redeem the coupon by showing it at the point of purchase. 

On the flip side, as a consumer would you find value in receiving a mobile coupon despite the standard text messaging charges you will receive from your phone carrier? 

Personally, I find tremendous value in the mobile coupon concept.  We’d all like to save a buck or two, especially during these tough economic times.  How many of us spend time clipping and cutting coupons only to leave them collecting dust at home, unavailable to us, when we make that impulse stop in to our favorite store or coffee shop?  I never leave home without my phone so there’s no chance I’ll be without my coupon when I need it.  And if you are in the habit of printing your coupons off a web site or email message you’ll save paper and ink so you can take comfort in the fact that you’re doing your part to be more eco-friendly, too! 

To me, the mobile coupon is a no-brainer.  I pay Verizon a small monthly fee for some ridiculous text messaging allowance so I’m not concerned about the cost of the text.  I’ll limit my coupon requests to only those retailers whose businesses I plan to frequent so I’m sure the coupon savings will outweigh the text messaging cost.

There are still some details to be finalized but I’m excited about what this company is bringing to the table and look forward to sharing this information with my clients.  Is any one taking advantage of this type of program?  Still in its infancy, I’d love to hear some feedback on the pros and cons of this form of advertising.