In January, at CES, Palm said it would launch its new phone, the Palm Pre, on Sprint in the first half of 2009.  The press was a twitter with praise for what looked to be an amazing device, though no one from the public or press (that I’m aware of) was allowed to touch the device.  Palm rightfully explained that the device wasn’t quite ready for primetime, and the press seemed content in assuming that good things are worth the wait.   Today, at CTIA, several months after Palm’s presentation at CES, the natives are growing increasingly restless.  While Palm is allowing demo staff to show the device in action, they’re not letting the press play with it. (more…)

I spotted the following interesting mobile accessories/gadgets on the CTIA show floor today as I wandered between meetings… (more…)

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to test drive three of Nokia’s latest mobile phones: E71, E75, and N97 and see the latest “Nokia Messaging” app in action. (more…)

I recently installed a Pioneer AVIC-F900BT in-dash bluetooth hands-free, nav system and car stereo in my Smart car. Until January 1st, 2009, when California passed a law that prevents drivers from fiddling with their mobile phones while driving, I’d never seen the point of in-dash navigation systems. I’d successfully used Telenav and Google Maps in my car for years without getting into an accident, but the prospect of getting a ticket was enough to convince me to change my mind. (more…)

Today, I’m excited to launch SocializeMobilize.com.  On it, I’ll be publishing articles about social media, web 2.0, mobile, and mobile and web convergence.  You’ll also find all of the legacy content from my former blog, socialmedia.vox.com, which I started in 2006.  Under “services” tab, you’ll find more information about me and the consulting practice I’ve been running since 2003.

Why did I start a new blog when I already had one?

In 2006, I started a blog about social media and mobile on Vox, a community powered, free blogging platform run by SixApart.  I originally started blogging as an online experiment, prompted by conversations I had with colleagues at SplashData, who I met while consulting at Palm, Inc.  SplashData made a mobile blogging platform that was acquired by SixApart, and they encouraged me to try Vox, which had just launched.  Interested in the socialization of the web, and curious about blogging, I used Vox as a way to express my thoughts and start conversations about web 2.0 and, occasionally, mobile convergence. (more…)

A while back, I posted 5 Great Reasons to Twitter.  As Twitter continues to pick up steam (it’s seen especially rapid growth since December), I thought it would be helpful to provide some hints/tips for those who are just getting started with Twitter.

Figuring out who to follow:
When you’re new to Twitter, it’s tough to know who to follow.  If you know a few people on Twitter already, following them is easy.  Discovering new people (or companies) to follow is a bit more of a process. Here are a few tips to get started: (more…)

I’m moderating two panels and chairing the morning sessions of the Mobile Application Developer Garage on Monday February 16, 2009 at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (Hall 5, Auditorium 3).  This is a first of its kind event at Mobile World Congress, and it should be a great day.

To get a 15% discount to the Mobile World Congress, including the Mobile Application Developer Garage, please use this code: APPAB when you register.

If you’re going to the show, please stop by after the morning session and introduce yourself (or email me).  If you’re not going to the show, but you’d like to ask a question to Panel 1 or 2, please add a comment below or email me.  Here are the event details: (more…)

Updated 2/4/09

Below, please find a list of some of the open networking events that are happening around Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona.  Many of these parties require registration. (more…)

There’s a lot of talk about the value of openness on the web…. Open development platforms, open APIs, open source, OpenSocial, etc.  “Open” is a popular word these days, and depending on who you talk to, “open” can mean any one of many different things. “Open” as it relates to the mobile is no exception…. There’s The Open Handset Alliance, Android, LiMo, multiple derivations of WebKit, etc.  As mobile and web convergence accelerates, so too do conversations about “opening up” the mobile ecosystem. The underlying implication regardless of definition is that “openness” encourages experimentation and innovation, and that’s a good thing…Right?!  Many of the people I talk to (including most developers) advocate for a more open mobile ecosystem, but plenty of people are skeptical of “openness”. Who is right – the advocates or the critics?  The short answer is that they’ve both got valid points. (more…)

Tonight I caught up with a mobile industry colleague who asked me why he should bother with Twitter when he already has a blog and Facebook account.  Here’s my reply:

Twitter is so easy, fast and rewarding that I’ve stopped blogging as much in favor of Twittering more.  Twitter is is a micro-blogging platform (i.e. 140 characters or less of text). It now feeds all of my Facebook updates.  Here are the reasons why I think you’ll like it: (more…)