So, here we are on the eve of the launch of the new Dream Smartphone from HTC/T-Mobile. It will be interesting to see how this expands opportunities in Social Media in the mobile sphere. Certainly there will be many more custom applications being developed for the new Android platform, so you’ve got to wonder if this is the next ‘thing’ or just another ‘me too’ (remember the Zune, anyone?). Regardless if this particular phone grabs attention from the iPhone, it’s clear that the Android platform will definitely be a player (and possibly a game changer) as it rolls out and gets fine-tuned. While this particular phone lacks the elegance and panache of the iPhone, it makes up for this in powerful functionality at your fingertips. Competition is good, and I’m sure this will spark a new race to provide the most functionality in the sleekest device possible.
This almost sounds like a movie we’ve seen before with the Social Networks. Think MySpace and Facebook a couple of years back. In the end, they are both still relevant, and have their own strengths and opportunities for brands. This is just one more reason to get onboard with Social Media and mobile apps right now. Waiting around to see what happens will cost more in the end. Start thinking about how you can add value to your customer on the go. Whether you develop an application for iPhone or Android, engage on Facebook or MySpace, or all of the above, the time is now. The holidays are fast approaching, and you can bet that this season we’ll be seeing a lot more Smartphones in the hands of everyday consumers. Time to get moving!
