Mobile Data Applications

Just read this post by Rod on the state of mobile data pricing plans in NZ and how its such an impediment to broad uptake of these services that the operators have been promising us for such a long time now. Thought I'd comment on this because its a topic near to my heart and also happened to be discussing this exact same thing with some other vendors at the Government Insights conference today.

Basically one of the only reasons I use mobile data services at all is due to the 1Gb-$50 per month data plan from Vodafone that my employer kindly pays for. The fantastic thing about this plan is that you just *never* have to think about how much using mobile data is costing you - and this is the critical thing. I don't think people mind paying an effective flat rate for all their mobile data, but when you're constantly worrying about blowing your budget, you'll just end up never using that amazing mobile phone in your pocket that you paid so much for in the first place.

And just to share my favourite mobile data applications that I use from my SE K800i (which incidentally the best phone I have ever owned) in no particular order:

• Facebook mobile (m.facebook.com) - embarrassing I know, but I just can't help checking my friend's status updates, inbox messages, wall posts and friend requests when I'm out and about.
  
  
• Google and Wikipedia - for settling all those drunken arguments that you have at bars and parties.
  
  
• Google News - if I'm in a queue somewhere and looking for something to do.
  
  
• Picture messaging and video calls - adds a whole new dimension when communicating with mates.
  
  
• GooSync - a SyncML broker that exposes your Google Calendar info to your phone. Just awesome - and free!
  

And things that I'd *love* to be able to use but can't because Sony Ericsson don't ship my phone with the appropriate certificates include:

• Gmail Mobile - so frustrating that I can't use this.
  
  
• Google Reader - sigh
  
  
• Kiwibank Mobile Banking - although texting BAL to 5494 gives me most of what I need.

And to reiterate - the *only* reason I do use any of these applications is due to the user friendly data plan that I'm on, and if operators want to push up their data ARPU's then they need to worry a little less about building walled gardens and worry more about being CARRIERS!