There are several new devices, platforms and applications being launched by leading mobile device makers and top telcos world over. They are keen to target youth audience on the go by providing exciting social networking features and affordable ways to access the networks through unified interface like Motorola’s Blur, Telstra’s Tribe and HTC’s Sense UI. We take a look at some of the recent social media friendly launches in the mobile world.
Smartphones to support highly connected way of life
Samsung Galaxy S phone almost does everything what the iPhone 4 can, and even more since it offers free satnav thanks to Google! Its Social Hub can smoothly aggregate all social network data related to your contacts. Though it currently runs Android 2.1, in the near future it will get an update.
The Galaxy 3 is again a ‘smart’ device, which is based on the same Android platform. The new smartphone is so devised as to support today’s highly connected way of life. It’s obviously targeted at the younger users, who relish a wide array of social networking capabilities at the click of a button. It incorporates an integrated phonebook to help users link contacts on various social networks.
The Galaxy 3 also lets them connect with friends and colleagues across popular platforms so that they are able to communicate seamlessly across these networks. Users’ contact lists from social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace are easily accessible on one single platform. Social Hub also lets fans of networking platforms check photos on their mobile devices employing the integrated media browser, and also upload/manage/share them seamlessly from Picasa, Twitter and Facebook.
A social media maven’s mobile’ device
The Nokia X5-01 makes a definite move into the teeming teen phone market. The handset maker has hailed its square-faced slider as ‘a social media maven’s mobile’ device. It ably supports IM and mail services apart from social networking websites like Hi5 and Facebook – directly out of the box. Geared specifically toward younger users, it currently runs the Symbian S60 3rd edition OS.
Soda Red and other apps
On the other hand, if one visits the Apple site, one gets to know about a host of Web apps for social networking purpose. Referring to Soda Red, it mention of a social data mining site of sorts, which would bring all data (RSS, Twitter, Facebook, Weather) under one roof. Apple checked a few websites and several months later, they zeroed on Soda Red!
Mobile social networking services
Meanwhile, mobile operators and service providers are acknowledging the growing popularity of social media, attributing it to easier accessibility. The MD of Optus Consumer, a leading telecommunications player in Australia, Michael Smith recently stated that networking had played a significant role in generating nearly 80 per cent of traffic on their mobile portal. Its immediate competitor Telstra recently launched Tribe’, a mobile social networking service that combines accessibility to all the popular social networks.
Indeed, mobile platforms and devices are getting more ‘social media friendly’!
