Is it the year of the mobile yet?

I am always pleased when I hear people say it is the year of the mobile.

See when you have been in the mobile industry for several years, you come to hear the phrase “it is the year of the mobile” year after year and each time with more conviction.  The first time I heard it, a big smirk came across my face and I thought to myself that I must be brilliant because I am at the centre of one of the most exciting technological eras and like a ticking time bomb we are all waiting to see and enjoy its benefits.   Upon hearing this phrase several time not only did the novelty wear off so did my belief in whether “this really was the year of the mobile” .  I mean how many years can we claim as the year of the mobile and when do we know that it has come and gone.

Here is how I look at it.  The year of the mobile is not 2009, nor was it 2008 or 2007.  I don’t even think it will be 2010.  I don’t say this because I am a pessimist and don’t believe in mobile technology but rather I am a true believer that mobile technology is an integral part of our  lives moving forward.  What do I mean by this?  Well here is how I see it-Mobile technology is not the next Hotmail or Yahoo, its not Facebook or  Youtube and its definitely not Twitter.  Its not a fad and it wont go away, its here to stay and become deeply embedded  in our everyday routines.  To me its like saying this is the year of the “AUTOMOBILE”….doesn’t that sounds absurd….every year is the year of the automobile. Moving forward, every year will be the year of the mobile, but we will have new makes and models, accessories and such  to keep the industry afloat.