The Next Decade in Mobile: Mobclix's Outrageous (Yet Possible) Predictions

Android overtakes the iPhone? Nearly all phones support video chat? Mobile commerce hits $100 billion? These are some of Mobclix's wild mobile predictions for the next decade. CIO.com takes a closer look.

By
Tue, December 15, 2009

CIO — 'Tis the season of mobile predictions. As this year comes to an end and a new decade begins, Mobclix, which operates a mobile ad exchange network, has gazed into its crystal ball and foreseen 10 mobile trends—many of which are, in fact, pretty outrageous.

But as we've seen this past decade, outrageous doesn't mean out of the realm of possibility. We've watched and maybe even participated in the BlackBerry's incredible transformation to the CrackBerry, especially in corporate American and even in the Obama White House.

Then came the iconic iPhone, a revolution in the way people look and use their mobile phones. We've seen Apple's App Store stock more than 100,000 apps on its virtual shelves in less than two years. Now we're seeing the Droid and Google phones promising big things.

[ What do you want to see from Apple and the iPhone next year? Here's five ideas for change in 2010, reports CIO.com. ]

Given that dramatic backdrop, here are Mobclix's 10 predictions and what CIO.com thinks about them:

1. Some 100 million apps and mobile websites will flood the Internet by 2020, Mobclix says. Right now, only a small percentage of websites have a mobile version.

CIO.com take: As mobile websites become standard—which we think will happen, too—companies will invent ways to stand out from the pack. Internet-ready smartphones are the future, unless the pager makes a comeback. (Yeah, probably not happening.)

2. One out of every two digital media buys will be a mobile one, up from only one out of 20 today, says Mobclix.

CIO.com take: Sure, Mobclix has skin in this game, which makes this prediction somewhat self-serving. But clearly mobile advertising is on the rise.

3. Shopping over your phone has never been easier—and it's going to get even easier during the next few years. Mobile e-commerce will hit $100 billion, Mobclix forecasts.

CIO.com take: I'm thankful Wells Fargo Bank recently came out with its mobile website, which makes paying bills and transferring funds on the iPhone safe and easy. As for $100 billion, given my paltry online banking transfers, I can't fathom the number.

Bonus take: Mobclix foresees people shopping while waiting at a traffic light. If you're in California, better not be in the driver's seat unless your phone is voice-enabled and hands-free. Talking on your phone while driving is against the law, says Gov. Arnold Schwartzenneger. (His wife, Maria, was recently caught in the act.)

4. Android's open platform goes head-to-head with Apple's closed platform, Mobclix says—and kicks butt. Developers will love the freedom of creating apps without having to put up with Apple's heavy-handed app approval process. Thus, Android will become the number-one mobile app platform by the middle of the next decade.

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