MWC 2010: Efficient Mobile Data services needed

Momail has just returned from another busy Mobile World Congress with many new ideas, new contacts and very constructive partner meetings. We're now even more excited for what is in store in 2010!

One of the more prevelant themes of the week was the need for more efficient mobile data services. Everyone from AT&T, to RIM, to even Facebook, were highlighting the need, and requesting solutions. It's clearly an interesting change given that just a few years ago operators were more concerned about increasing data usage, at a high cost to consumers, than making it more efficient. Now, with the advent of data intensive handsets such as the iPhone and Nexus One, they finally realize the need to better manage their infrastructure.

Of course, Momail has always known this time would come, and has been focused on efficient data delivery since day 1. While we can't claim that Momail can solve all the data issues, if more mobile customers used Momail (or Momail's technology) in place of their current email providers, it could clearly help operators and handset operators in their quest for more efficient data services!

Momail launched with Eagle Mobile!

Momail continues its expansion into Eastern Europe with its exciting launch with Eagle Mobile in Albania. What makes it different? In addition to enabling Eagle Mobile's users to take advantage of all of Momail's cool features, these users can now also easily activation our Facebook service. By doing so, they can now quickly upload pictures and update their status on Facebook without going to a PC or the mobile web. Now that's cool!

Post to your social networks simultaneously

Momail makes it easy to post to your social networks simultaneously with the Momail Group Functionality. All you need to do is log into your Momail account, go to "Contacts", and choose "New Group". Here you can name your group whatever you'd like, and add email addresses for your email uploads.

For example, this morning I quickly created a group called "Pictures", added my email upload addresses for Twitter, Facebook and Flickr, and uploaded a picture of Paris directly from my phone. The entire process took less than 2 minutes!

So spread the word in more ways than one ;)

Microsoft OneApp - a nice start, but...

Yesterday, Microsoft announced the development of OneApp which is targeted to the emerging markets, and is thus very light to download, eases access social networks, and should work on basic handsets. That all sounds great. However, upon researching further, the supported handset list is quite limited - and functions primarily on higher-end handset such as the Nokia N- and E-series. So is it really a service for emerging markets?

Comparing Momail and OneApp, Momail proves again to be the better option for those wishing for an easy and light product to "smarten-up" the largest number of handsets - both "basic" and "smart".

As Momail leverages the native handset platform, it requires no memory to set-up, all emails are saved in the cloud, and Momail optimizes data in order to minimize the data used. In addition, Momail already enables users to access services such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and more.

We therefore clearly think Momail is the better option for the emerging markets.

Facebook lite - simpler, faster

... sounds familiar to Momail users!

Facebook recently rolled out a new version of its service, called "Facebook lite", which is designed to be easier to use, and provide faster download times.

Momail has already been following this policy since our launch - ie, simple, fast with a strong focus on customer usability. While Facebook lite is targeted to developing countries, Momail's email service is available to all users - on most handsets, with any email account.

Upload mobile photos to Facebook with Momail

We've all been in that situation - you just took some fun pictures with your camera phone, you'd love to share them with friends on Facebook, but you are not in a country where you can upload via MMS, and you don't have a fancy smart-phone with its custom Facebook application.

Momail has just made it easier for you. Thus, if you have a Momail account, just go to "My Services" with your Momail account and follow the directions. It just takes a few minutes - and you don't need an expensive smartphone to use it! Once your Facebook and Momail accounts are connected, start sending emails addressed to "Facebook", with your mobile photos attached, and voilá, your pictures are posted.

If you don't already have a Momail account, set up takes less than 2 minutes, and works on almost any phone! Sign up here.

Respected industry blog, GoMo News, has tested the service with very positive feedback. Our users love its ease of use too!

Have you tried it? Leave a comment, and tell us what you think.

ShareThis: Email is still king

According to both stats from August 2008, as well as the most recent ShareThis stats, email still leads the pack in terms of sharing "platforms". Eg, in January 2009, ShareThis users spread the word via email 57% of the time, more than double that for Facebook at 21%. Considering ShareThis is a very "Web 2.0" application, it's enlightening to see that email how prevalent email remains (even though more than a few people continue to claim it is dying).

The Tech President

Earlier this week, I attended a seminar sponsored by Democrats Abroad in Stockholm which provided a helpful overview both of how President Obama leveraged technology to win the election as well as how he will use it during his presidency.

In addition to using the traditional community meetings, handshakes and phone calls, Obamba and his team also reached out to the younger voters via Facebook, YouTube, his campaign site, Change.gov, and similar. Needless to say, the effort was effective.

During the Obama administration, he has pledged to open up electronic communication channels via the White House site, as well as through blogs, etc.

Of particular note, Obama will be the first US President to use email - and most notably email on a Blackberry. His dependence and efforts to keep his Blackberry have been well documented.

The question on our minds is: How much will Obama's reliance on his Blackberry increase interest in mobile email generally... and how much of that interest will expand into the consumer space? One would expect quite a bit.