Today’s world has witnessed the inculcation of wireless technology into our everyday lives.  Mobile phones, in particular, have changed and improved the ways in which people connect and interact with each other.  Mobile technology successfully bridged the gap of time and distance, enabling people to instantly get in touch with one another at any given time and place.

However, as there are benefits when it comes to instant connectivity, it is not without its corresponding price.  It happens with just a click of the mouse.  The moment you make your identity “open” for the public to see, you are not only opening yourself up to connecting with potential friends, clients and partners.  Unfortunately, you also leave yourself vulnerable to fraudulent and malicious characters lurking in the Mobile Web.

A number of factors are at play when it comes to mobile privacy and security, especially now with the recent emergence of additional technology.  For instance, the advent of camera phones have caused quite a stir.  There have been incidents wherein camera phones, clipped to the belt or placed in a discreet location, were used by “undercover” criminals to document and send to the internet, or an associate/accomplice, the location of valuable contents of a victim’s home, or sometimes even more private/scandalous material.

Another privacy concern that has sprung up is the increase in the sending and receiving of unsolicited SMS messages, the mobile version of Internet Spam.  Mobile phone companies have been labeled as the main culprit here and the public has become more vocal about the irritation factor that this service has caused.  In some cases, mobile users have complained about being annoyed after opening a text message only to find a promotional message from a retailer advertising about a new product.  To top it all off, it came with a fee and the message was actually charged to a mobile phone user.

In addition, mobile phones with built-in bluetooth functions are immediately exposed to the prospect of being hacked.  Also, possible threats may emerge with the combining of mobile phone networks and the Internet.  Especially now with the advent of mobile sites.  People uploading their personal profiles and information into the Mobile Web are immediately prey to malicious peers.  However, a number of mobile site providers, Mobilemo for example, are addressing this issue by offering privacy setting features that enables mobile site owners the discretion to choose only a specific list of contacts and networks that may view their mobile sites and personal information.

It must be noted, however, that more than the technology, it is the people themselves that are responsible for these security and privacy concerns.  The technology is only there for people to use and take advantage of.  Ergo, as with every human encounter, there will always be risks that come along with its corresponding benefits.

Today, mobile phones have become a staple in every person’s bag or pocket.  It has revolutionized the way people communicate and connect with one another.  It has successfully bridged the gap once caused by distance and space.  It has broken barriers.

Current statistics have revealed that there are thrice as many mobile phones now than there are personal computers.  According to Cellular Online, global mobile phone subscribers in 2003 amounted to 1.52 billion, around 20 percent of the current world population.   To say that the mobile phone has become one of the most successful inventions in the 20th century is an understatement.

In just a span of 20 years, the global demand for mobile phones has exponentially increased.  With people from across the globe instantly connecting with one another through calls, text messages or, most recently, video phone conferences, it is quite hard to imagine there was a time wherein getting in touch with a friend or business partner was a challenge.

The mobile phone started becoming one of the major communication devices in the late 90s.  The first commercial mobile phone system started in the late 1970s in Japan.  Mobile phones were invented for the sole purpose of enabling users to communicate easily and freely wherever they want.  In the late 90s, however, the invention of a new mobile technology, SMS, made it even easier for people to interact.  SMS is a transmission of a short text message from one mobile phone to another.  This revolutionized mobile technology and elevated mobile phones into a device that not only allows simple voice to voice telecommunication.   It evolved into a mobile lifestyle.

Eventually, the years that followed witnessed the emergence of the mobile phone as an entertainment device.  With functions such as cameras, FM radios, MP3 players, and Personal Digital Assistance (PDA) functions built into the mobile phone, the desire to own a mobile phone has increased tenfold.  From early stages of analog cellular to the latest 3G mobile phone system, mobile technology has been witnessing rapid changes.  Every change has also been a major improvement–from mere voice-to-voice communication, to WAP and GPRS internet connection to the eventual rise of the Mobile Web.  The mobile phone has indeed become one of the leading technologies in the world.

The convenience brought about by mobile technology has changed the life of people in society.  Businesses, for one, are able to gather information about the latest industry news and reports at any given time and place.  The emergence of mobile site providers has also provided a new avenue wherein they can freely promote their products and services through the mobile web.  On a more social aspect, mobile site providers have also given people the opportunity to form mobile communities with peers sharing similar interests.

Along with mobile phone developments, other subsidiary technologies have also been introduced by mobile phone companies.  These products include Bluetooth, Symbian (operating system designed specifically for mobile phones) and other programming software.  These technologies have helped improve the interactive aspect of mobile phones, generating wider usage from users.  More and more companies are now aiming to claim a chunk of the mobile phone market.

Tech experts are also predicting that a new mobile phone network system, Fourth Generation Mobile or 4G, will be introduced to the market in the near future.  This will mean stronger and clearer signals and higher speed connection through the internet.  From the looks of things, mobile phones may even replace personal computers in the future!

Artists of all types are invading the mobile web.

A growing number of musicians, actors, painters, photographers, designers and writers alike are taking advantage of the presence of mobile site providers in the mobile web to further promote their artworks, exhibits, concerts and portfolios.

Mobile site providers like Mobilemo feature highly innovative and user-friendly tools that artists may easily use to build their own personal playground in the mobile web. The label “struggling artist” is a thing of the past in the mobile web as most of these mobile site providers offer free memberships. Artists are able to increase their presence in the arts & entertainment industry without the need to shell out the extra cash to hire a programmer to create a mobile web site for them.

The availability and proliferation of innovative and interactive tools, like the ones listed below, provides artists another venue for creative self-expression:

Mobile Pages. When it comes to content, mobile pages present limitless possibilities. Mobile pages may be used as an avenue for writing blogs, stories, poems, essays, lyrics, and even publishing reviews and critiques about the latest event and issues circulating in the art industry. Some mobile site providers even feature text-wrapping tools that enables users to insert images into their mobile pages. This allows artists to post photos of their works with titles, specifications and descriptions. Mobile pages allow artists to create their own mobile art portfolio.

Skins, Color Palettes and Themes provide artists the license to really unleash their creativity. Artists thrive in color and they use it as a means to stand out and express their personal style and individuality. Mobile site providers usually offer a wide array of colors and themes for artists to play and tinker with in the creation of their mobile web sites.

File Sharing allows artists to upload their latest works for everyone to see. Musicians may also showcase their latest originally composed singles and even create playlists of their major musical influences for their following to listen to. Photographers, painters, illustrators and designers also use this feature to build mobile portfolios that they present to potential clients wherever they may go.

Messaging Tools allow for the promotion and announcements of the latest art exhibits, musical events and concerts. Artists may easily get in touch with their target audience to inform them of the latest happenings and developments in the art industry.

Comments & Guestbook. Ever wondered what your public thinks of your works? One way to find out about how people view your work is by opening up your mobile site for comments. Feedback from fellow artists, critics and even admirers of your work through the Guestbook gives you ideas about how else you would want to improve your art works. Constructive criticism at its finest.

Forms. Artists may opt to create their own artists’ pool or communities. The Forms Tool is an effective way for artists to encourage membership. Artists’ may get their friends, patrons and following to sign up for community memberships using the Forms tool. It allows art communities to flourish in the mobile web as it enables artists to continuously update its database.

With the increasing popularity of Mobile Web, more people are exploring its possibilities and creating their own mobile sites.  Mobile site owners are starting to realize how their sites can work for them, and therefore maximizing the tools for creating mobile sites.

The most popular activities for mobile site owners are usually file sharing and static mobile pages.  However, there are so much more that users can do with their mobile sites.   Some mobile site providers, like Mobilemo, offer tools for greater interactivity, such as forms, polls, guestbook, and comments.  These tools allow for two-way communication between the mobile site owner and the site visitors.  A lot of people may tend to overlook these features or just not use them, not knowing how it can greatly benefit themselves and the purpose of their mobile site.

Polls are a great way to interact with an audience.  You can get as creative as you want and pose the most interesting and unique questions.  You may just be very curious about some stuff or some issues and would like to get the pulse of the people.  On the other hand, if your site is geared towards more serious matters or if you have a business site, you can use polls to survey your target audience.  The results of your polls can help you understand them better or get the necessary feedback that you need to achieve your goals and make your business an even greater success.

Forms are very helpful especially when you have a business mobile site or a mobile site to promote yourself and your works.  Convenience is the name of the game here.  You can create a catalog through the mobile pages and easily let your mobile site visitors order or simply send you inquiries or feedback through the forms you create.  There is great flexibility with what you can do.  It is easily customizable, since you can control what fields you want your form to contain.

With a guestbook, even non-Mobilemo users can get in touch with you through your mobile site.  It is a great tool for getting feedback from and interacting with just about anybody.  Comments, on the other hand, foster a sense of community within Mobilemo.  Users can interact with one another and give each other a piece of their mind.  Imagine how far this can go.  New ideas and fresh points of view can be generated in community discussions through the comments.

Explore all the possibilities of your mobile site.  You’ve already gone ahead and created one, might as well go all the way and maximize all the features.  Make your mobile site a cut above the rest and engage with your audience.  Harness the power of interactivity and reap its benefits.

Advances in communications and technology have brought with it an off-shoot phenomenon that has greatly impacted the way individuals and businesses connect and deal with each other. File Sharing, which usually follows the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) model, has made it possible for people to connect in an instant. It involves an exchange of files between two users: an uploader providing the file and a downloader, who receives the file. The files are usually stored and served by the personal computers of the users.

Whereas before it would take days for individuals from across the globe to share photos, documents, videos and music, file sharing has bridged that gap of time and distance. Its impact is probably most felt in the music and entertainment industry wherein file sharing has made it possible for fans to listen and watch the latest music and movie releases in a span of seconds! As soon as the upload is finished, fans can easily download the file and be instantly updated with the latest events in the music and entertainment industry.

This wave was started by Napster, a file sharing service that paved the way for other P2P file sharing programs which are now used for many of the same reasons and can download music, pictures, and other files. The popularity and repercussions of the first Napster have made it a legendary icon in the computer and entertainment fields.

Napster was only just the beginning. Its pioneering effort in the file sharing phenomenon brought about the rise of more advanced P2P file sharing programs.

Kazaa, for one, is commonly used to exchange mp3 files over the internet. It uses the FastTrack protocol and enables users to exchange other file types as well. Videos, documents, and even software applications were made readily available to downloaders. However, Kazaa also saw its decline as it found itself the target of many copyright-related lawsuits. In addition, it has also become infamous due to the large number of viruses, worms, and Trojans that it has been known to support and help spread.

iMesh is a social network that also operates as a file sharing system. It has its own protocols for file transfer, and it was also the first to introduce the concept of swarming; that is, one user can download a single file from many different sources, effectively breaking the file down and increasing the speed of one’s download.

P2P sharing programs like iMesh has brought with it the rise of Limewire, probably the most commonly used P2P application for downloading mp3s and videos. LimeWire is a P2P client for the Java Platform, which uses the Gnutella network to locate files as well as share files. Although a free software, Limewire also offers a PRO version which differs from the Basic Version in a number of respects; the most highlighted being its “Turbo Charged” downloads as it allows downloads to come simultaneously from 10 peers rather than only 8.

Swarming eventually led to the development of BitTorrent, the latest rage in File Sharing. Also P2P in nature, BitTorrent users connect to each other to send and receive portions of the file. What sets BitTorrent apart from its other file sharing counterparts is that there is a central server (a tracker) which coordinates the action of all peers. The tracker only manages connections but it does not have any knowledge of the contents of the files being distributed; therefore, a large number of users can be supported with relatively limited tracker bandwidth. The key philosophy behind BitTorrent is that users upload at the same time they are downloading. In this manner, network bandwidth is utilized as efficiently as possible. BitTorrent is designed to work better as the number of people interested in a certain file increases. BitTorrent is ideal for downloading the latest movies, discographies and software applications.

File Sharing and the Mobile Web

Indeed, file sharing has become quite the phenomenon that it has even carried over to the mobile web. Mobilemo, a mobile web site builder, is among the few mobile web hosting platforms that introduces file sharing features for mobile phones.

People from across the globe now find it easier to connect and share photos, music, videos and files with friends, family and business partners. Mobilemo facilitates file sharing by enabling its members to upload their files through the internet and letting their friends download these files through mobile phones at any given time and at any given place. With Mobilemo’s file sharing feature, connecting with friends, promoting creative freedom, and keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and happenings have never been this easy!

Although still not as advanced as the file sharing programs made available on the Internet, Mobile File Sharing offers mobile phone users the instant convenience of sharing and downloading their files on-the-go.

Businesses get to present their latest line of products to clients and partners without having to log into a PC. It makes for a more convenient way to do business as even clients and consumers who are always on the go are able to view a company’s product line and services wherever they may be.

Mobile File Sharing also celebrates creative self expression—artists and musicians are given another venue to showcase their latest artworks and musical compositions through mobile phones. Fans get to download their favorite songs, videos and artworks as soon as it is uploaded.

Although not yet as widely developed as its Internet file sharing counterpart, the future is definitely looking good for Mobile File Sharing.

More and more individuals are riding the mobile wave! Mobile web sites are springing up by the minute and it is entirely up to you to make your mobile site stand out. Here are some helpful tips to make your mobile site a cut above the rest:

Play with Color. Some mobile site builders offer its members extensive color palettes wherein users may experiment with various color combinations when it comes to the color scheme of their mobile sites. Let your WAP site’s colors reflect your personality!

Are you the outgoing type? Let your inner party animal shine by using strong colors like red, aqua and emerald green. Mix these up with even more outrageous tones like orange, purple and gold! If your tastes lean more towards the classics, choose understated pastel tones to bring out that touch of elegance. The idea here is to build a mobile web site that speaks of YOU!

Create a Visual Experience. Make your mobile web site highly visual by using text-wrapping tools that will enable you to insert photographs and wrap text to these images. Images help attract more visitors because they add flavor to your site.

Into photography? Why not build a mobile portfolio of your best photographs? Add brief descriptions for your photos to make it more interesting and personal. Post scanned versions of your artworks and show off that inner Picasso!

One word: INTERACTIVE. Keep your viewers involved! Open up your mobile web site for comments, reviews, and suggestions. Not only will it help point out areas of improvement in your mobile site, it will also help establish connections with your visitors.

Create a Guestbook and encourage friends and potential dates to leave messages for you. If you are building a mobile website for business purposes, one way of generating new contacts is through the Guestbook. Encourage visitors to leave contact details and requests for you.

Mobile site builders also feature tools that will keep your viewers hooked: POLLS. Create surveys! It could be a survey that will help you figure out the latest consumer trends or it could be one for purely entertainment purposes!

Sample survey question: Which do you prefer? Pirates or Ninjas? Silly questions like that. Point is, keep your viewers engaged!

Work around a theme when it comes to content. The most interesting mobile websites (or regular websites for that matter) are usually the ones that are creative when it comes to content. Work around your interests.

Do you have a passion for fashion? Create a mobile style hive! Upload the latest in style and fashion. Post the latest news about this year’s fashion icons. Create polls and predict what the next fashion trend will be!

Are you the next Chris Rock/Will Ferrell/Jim Carrey? Post your jokes and funniest home videos and photos in your mobile web site. Your viewers will definitely get a laugh out of that!

Really into music? Upload songs, recommend playlists, and post all the music trivia you’ve gathered over the years. Be the mobile web’s music guru.

The possibilities are endless!

What are you waiting for? To help you start, check out mobile site builders like Mobilemo–this platform site offers free membership and features highly interactive customization tools– and begin creating that mobile web site now!