Mobile Issues

As the range of mobile devices for consumers gets more diverse, so it becomes harder for individual consumers to keep up with what’s on offer and what the options are.

Not only is technology moving swiftly, but the market is far from transparent in terms of the products and contracts on offer.

From the speed of broadband internet access to differences between mobile phones, getting behind the hype can be frustrating and time-consuming.

Most consumers will have experienced this in some form.

A previously reliable ISP might become temperamental, or a new smartphone might not function as smoothly as hoped.

Product reliability and data security are other issues that concern us, along with worries about the power of technology companies and their ability to influence how we use their products and services.

In the face of this, individuals differ in how they act and react.

The more technology savvy individuals tend to ride the wave of innovation, while at the other end of the scale, simplified mobile phones, for example, are marketed to older consumers.

But most, if not all, probably feel that they are being fleeced in some way; how much exactly does a short text message cost a network provider? A cost of a few pence or cents could hide a huge mark-up in percentage terms.

If there is an economic downturn, will it affect how we use mobile technology and our personal communication tools, such as smartphones, iPods and MP3 players?

The mobile phone companies, for example, have not faced a recession before and so simply don’t know if people will cut down on frivolous texting, or delay their next phone upgrade.

Perhaps habits now ingrained in younger consumers, or ‘digital natives’, will remain strong, while cost-conscious, older, ‘digital immigrants’, will hold back more.

If the technology providers do see their revenues fall, then service, which has never been a strongpoint, could get even worse.

Most consumers have stories of trying to get hold of someone that can help with a problem, either in person in a store, or via a helpline.

If providers economise in their support and back-up, then such tales could multiply.

Technology visionaries are fond of talking of lofty concepts such as ‘convergence’; the idea we will own a single device for a multitude of uses.

It sounds great in theory, but anyone who has tried to harmonise just a few well-established functions from different gadgets into a single replacement will have come across problems such as intractable systems incompatibility.

Perhaps there is a gap opening up in the personal technology market for providers that offer value for money, rather than reaching continually for the stars.

If money is going be tighter, many people will want it go further.

The Ford motor company may be nearing the end of its life as an independent entity, but it grew rapidly on the mantra ‘you can have it in any colour you like as long as it’s black’ for the Ford Model T.

Such a message might not go down well with modern technology companies, but there is a lot to be said for simplicity and reliability.