mTrends - mobile media lifestyle trends - m-trends.org

I met Kathie the first time during 3GSM World Congress this year, she was covering the mobile news for MOpocket with its Founder Justin Oberman. She was usely present where the action happened and had always enough energy left to give act of presence at the network parties that matter, always in for a chat and a laugh, a great company and networker!

I wanted to know a bit more about this woman who is writing on a daily level about mobile trying to educate users on our bussines, Kathie is also the Founder Co-Founder of MobileMonday Washington DC, already looking forward to catch up again with her at the MoMo Global Summit, but meanwhile I did this little interview with her in the “Women in Mobile” series. Enjoy!

YOUR BACKGROUND - YOUR WORK

- Can you explain more about your work, your background?

I am a blogger for MOpocket, a mobile technology blog that has been around for just over a year. I try to write my posts in a way that everyone can relate to the topic in some way or another. I think the only way to grow and expand mobile is to educate every day users. It was this desire to spread knowledge and awareness that motivated me to start a Mobile Monday Chapter in Washington, DC.

- Are you more social, business or technical oriented? How does this reflect in your work?

I would say I am social with a dash of technical.

- What brought/brings you into the mobile/mobility area?

It all started a few years ago. I was in the Graduate School of Political Management and working for a think tank in DC. I just finished a major project and was asked to come up with something to fill my time. I was an avid reader of Russell Buckley’s blog at the time and then it just hit me… Mobile + Politics = Democratization. So, I spearheaded the first publication that focused on the convergence of mobile and political campaigns. Politics to Go I think really started the conversation in the US on how we could harness the power of mobile and make the lives of those working in politics and fulfilling civic responsibility a whole lot easier.MOBILE LIFESTYLE

- What is your personal ‘big issue’ in life? Can the mobile phone or technology in general help improving situations?

Democratization: Basically giving people power that would not necessarily have a voice under any other circumstances. Mobile is the great equalizer. It spans every location, economic status, educational background, ethnicity, age, and gender. What other medium can I say that about and for it to actually be true?

- How does mobility technological progress influences your daily routine in your work?In politics or really any business, it is important to be connected. You never know when you opponent may hit you with an attack ad or dig up some dirt on your candidate and release it to the press. Mobile allows me to leave my office, but still be productive. Now, I am not saying continuous computing is a good thing… but it is beneficial to workaholics like me. It allows us to get outside and breathe some fresh air every now and then. But our greatest strengths are also generally our greatest weaknesses. With this ability to never turn off, well I never turn off. It can be wearing. Having a smart phone is simultaneously my favorite and least favorite personal possession of mine.

- How does ubiquitous computing affect your mobile lifestyle? How do you see ubicomp evolving the next 5 to 10 years?

I can see people becoming addicted. I can see people almost craving dead zones.

- Which tools you use to publish, blog or moblog your work?

MOpocket is run on WordPress. It’s a pretty straightforward clean looking blog publishing tool.

- Which applications and services do you use most often on your mobile phone?

I am really big on text messaging. I like how you can get straight to the point without the fluff of snoozing. Maybe it’s the New Yorker coming out in me, but I appreciate the directness of it. I guess after that email, calendar, bubble buster, maps, mobile web, and then calling.

- Do you use your device to interact with other machines?

At this point, other than the blog or flickr I do not communicate with other machines. I really wish I could just pay for everything I purchase with my phone, especially taxis.MOBILE GEEK?

- What do you think about the next wave of Mobile Augmented Reality tools coming?

Being able to pay with the tap of my phone

- Do you download audio/video files on your phone? Any thoughts on Digital Right Management (DRM)? Future Business Models?

What a joke. I have the Verizon Wireless’ “unlimited data” plan where from the name one might thing I can access a limitless amount of data of my choice. Well, nope! Not with Verizon. Essentially, everything one might want to do (download music, upload and down load videos, access webpages with large data files) is not allowed and will result in the termination of your data plan. I think restrictions like this hinder the natural R&D environment.

- How do you experience the Mobile Internet? Which mobile browsers do you use?

I am a plain Jane when it comes to this. I use the standard IE that came with my windows phone. I must confess, mobile Internet is dreadfully slow and drives me nuts, but usefully I can’t wait until I am in front of my computer for whatever information I am after.

FUTURE OF MOBILE

- How do you see the future of mobility? 5 to 10 years from here?

One word – convergence. The convergence of everything you use into one device.

- What differences do you see of mobile use in USA – Europe - Asia?

Asia has the cute MUST have gadgets and quick connection speeds, Europe has phones I wish I had, the USA lags behind in adoption, innovation, and speed.

- What is going to be the next *big thing* in mobile?

A battery that actually stays charged for a decent amount of time. I currently have the Moto Q (I do not recommend it) and it lasts about a half of a day for me.

PERSONAL FAVORITES

- Who inspires you professionally?

Anyone who is willing to deviate from the norm and make a dream of his or hers happen.

- Your favorite mobile technology blog?

I quite enjoy mTrends, textually, and mobhappy.

- Your favorite podcast?

This may be surprising, but I am not a big fan of podcasts for two reasons. One I am lazy and won’t take the time to connect my iPod to my computer (when is this just going to be wireless?). Two, I already feel saturated with talk radio. I am an avid NPR listener and it’s nearly constantly on in the background during my day.

- Your favorite mobile device?

I do not speak for the functionality of the phone, but I LOVE the way the Prada phone looks.

- Favorite mobile search tool?

Yahoo! OneSearch. I like the snacks of information it gives you. Generally it can get my answer on the first attempt without having to click links that take me to sites that are not formatted for phones. I am really big on things being quick and convenient, otherwise, I can’t be bothered.

OTHER

- Your ultimate dream scenario including mobile technology?

I dream to never ever have to carry a bag again. I dream that one day my phone (which is as sleek as an iPod Nano) is my wallet (payment and drivers license), my keys (work and home), my camera, my mp3 player, and of course my phone that has a battery that can last for a year straight without charging it. I know phones have some of these features already… but as it stands in the US, you either have a cute little phone that produces less than ideal photos and barley has room for my daily email or you have the option of carrying around a bulky brick that takes ok photos and maybe can hold half of my daily email. I am someone who is more form over function.

- The ultimate tech device not invented yet?

An ergonomic phone that prevents Carpel Tunnel.
- Which links would you like to be included?

www.mopocket.com (a blog I write on)
www.mobilemonday-dc.com (My mobile Monday Chapter)

- Who else could you recommend to be interviewed next?

Lubna of MoMo NY. She is the fairy godmother of the DC chapter and I just think the world of her.

- Anything else you would like to add? Something the big players are missing?

Lets double the 160-character limit on text messages.

Now that’s a good thought to close this interview, thanks Kathie and good luck with your next initiatives. Hope Lubna is reading this

katie legg, mobilemonday, mopocket, washington dc, Women in Mobile