Some new data out from Nielsen shows just how far smartphone adoption has gone among younger mobile phone owners (via MMW):

62 percent of mobile adults aged 25-34 report owning smartphones. And among those 18-24 and 35-44 years old the smartphone penetration rate is hovering near 54 percent.

And what mobile phones are they using? Androids and iPhones.

Overall, smartphone adoption is hovering around 43%. What does that mean for businesses? Text message marketing is still the only way to market to all mobile phone owners.

There's been a ton of coverage about today's announcement from Apple of the iPhone 4S - and the lack of an announcement of an iPhone 5. We think most (but not all) commentators aren't paying enough attention to the now free iPhone 3GS (with contract). Think about how many people have Android phone not because they are really interested in an Android phone, but because every carrier has a basket full of free Android phones. Now, when someone walks into an AT&T, Verizon and Sprint store (pending confirm on Sprint 3Gs availability) and they can get a free iPhone 3GS. Yes, it isn't one of the plethora of '4G' questionable battery life Android devices and it is an older product - but we wonder how many consumers will take a free, older iPhone 3GS that runs iOS5 over a free Android running who knows what version of Android.

And we're just talking about the United States.

It's been over 24 hours since Google dropped the bombshell that they were acquiring Motorola - for patents and possibly more - all to 'protect Android.' Let's take a look at some astute analysis:

MG Siegler At TechCrunch:

There’s no denying that Google’s maneuver this morning to acquire Motorola for $12.5 billion in cash is remarkable. Everyone is talking about every possible angle of the deal, as they should. The summertime is usually the doldrums when it comes to tech news. Not this year. Google is pulling off an acquisition that is larger than any that Microsoft, Apple, or any of their other main competitors ever have. Larry Page, wartime CEO. Larry Page, maverick.

As the resident Apple enthusiast around these parts, many of you want my take on this — and many of you probably don’t want my take on this, but will end up reading it twice as much as those who do. But don’t worry, I’m not going to go all Dan Lyons and immediately run my mouth without thinking. I actually took the entire day to think about this, read over the insane amount of coverage (though I didn’t get through even half of it), and form some thoughts.

But my main thought is the same as my initial one: this is either the smartest thing Google has ever done, or the dumbest. There is no in-between.

 

Dan Fromer at his new blog, SplatF has put together a list of winners and losers.

FOSS Patents examines the extremely high breakup fee if the deal doesn't get approved:

After a first set of quick thoughts, I want to do a follow-up because shortly after that post I saw a Bloomberg report on the reverse break-up fee Google and Motorola Mobility (MMI) agreed upon: it's a whopping, mindboggling $2.5 billion that Google has to pay to MMI if the deal falls through. I'm still researching this but it seems that this is, in relative terms, the highest-ever break-up fee agreed upon in this industry.

"On an equity value basis, Google’s fee amounts to 20 percent, compared with the 4.2 percent median since last year", reports Bloomberg. The same source that told Bloomberg the $2.5 billion figure claims that MMI "would pay a $375 million breakup fee if it decides not to sell to Google".

...

I listened to the executives on today's conference call on the deal and they exuded confidence. But if they were really so sure that regulatory approval is a slam dunk, there wouldn't be a break-up fee that is completely out of the ordinary. Money speaks louder than words in a case like this.

I was previously skeptical that this deal is really about "protecting" Android from threats, and I monitor Apple's and Microsoft's disputes with MMI quite closely. Now that I see the break-up fee and have thought some more about the overall situation, I've reached the point at which I simply don't buy the "protection" theory anymore.

And lastly, poor RIM via Bloomberg:

Research In Motion Ltd. (RIMM), maker of the BlackBerry smartphone and PlayBook tablet computer, may have the most to lose from Google Inc. (GOOG)’s deal to acquire Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc.

Google’s proposed $12.5 billion acquisition would leave RIM a smaller player relative to rivals, which may force it to strike an alliance with another company or sell itself to remain competitive, said Will Stofega, a program director at consultant IDC. With Google’s cash and software expertise, Motorola may present a direct challenge to RIM in its traditional stronghold, the corporate market, he said.

“Now that Motorola has a big war chest behind them, Research In Motion has got to watch out,” Stofega said in an interview.

Already losing market share in smartphones, RIM is seeing several competitors beyond Google and Motorola gain scale and expertise. In February, mobile-phone maker Nokia Oyj struck a strategic partnership with Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), the world’s largest software maker. Last year, Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ), the world’s largest computer company, bought handset maker Palm Inc. Apple Inc. (AAPL), maker of the iPhone, briefly became the world’s most valuable company last week, though it hasn’t made major acquisitions.

RIM may need more size and software expertise to compete, saidChetan Sharma, an independent wireless analyst. The Waterloo, Ontario-based maker of BlackBerrys may have to sell to a company such as Hewlett-Packard, Dell Inc. (DELL), Samsung Electronics Co. or HTC Corp. (2498), he said.

“They are in no man’s land at this point,” Sharma said in an interview.

A recent panel at the Publishing Business Conference & Expo's Mobile Strategy Summit for Magazine Publishers revealed that the media sector is increasingly looking at mobile as the place to be:

More companies are branching out into the mobile space, whether it be via a smartphone application, mobile site or apps for tablet devices such as the iPad.

The media industry is quickly moving from online consumption to mobile.

“2010 was definitely the year of mobile,” said Sarah Wagman Ellenbogen, strategic partnership and development manager at Google Inc., Mountain View, CA. “The usage is increasing and people are using phones for a lot more than just talking.”

Read the entire article at Mobile Marketer.

Head over to Club Texting to learn more about how Magazine Publishers can use mobile marketing.

If you didn't already know, mobile marketing has become an essential tool in any marketers belt. The MMA and The Association of National Advertisers have a new report out confirm this:

The vast majority of client-side marketers – 88 percent – say they will utilize mobile marketing in 2011. Seventy-five percent plan to increase their spending on mobile marketing initiatives by an average of 59 percent versus 2010, according to a new survey from the ANA (Association of National Advertisers) in partnership with the MMA (Mobile Marketing Association).

Survey findings showed that in 2010, 62 percent of marketers used some form of mobile marketing for their brands. An additional 26 percent reported their intention to begin doing so this year, elevating the expected 2011 utilization rate to the near-universal 88 percent level.

Read more at The MMA Website.

With a week left in 2010 we've already seen a flurry of top ten lists - from iPhone and iPad apps to the tech world's winners and losers - but there's always room for more. Mobile Marketer posted their top ten mobile applications of the year this morning. Mobile Marketer took a holistic approach: "Here are the top 10 applications of 2010, in no particular order, based on usability, content and how well the app serves its purpose."

You'll find the usual suspects like Angry Birds and The Weather Channel along with some gems you might've overlooked. Check out the list now.

As TechCrunch notes, it took 16 months, but a Google Voice app has finally made its way to the iPhone:

The official Google Voice for the iPhone is here. And it’s wonderful. Yes, it was even worth that insane wait.

So what's so great about Google Voice?

If you’ve used Google Voice on your computer or other devices, the iPhone version should be familiar to you. However, unlike the Android version, Google Voice cannot totally take over the calling capabilities on the iPhone. All that means is that you have to open the app instead of your regular iPhone Phone app to use it.

But you can make calls right from the app. You dial a number and it automatically takes you to the iPhone’s Phone app where it places the call from your Google Voice number by way of Google’s backend system.

When you receive a call to your Google Voice number, it will come in to your regular Phone app as well, just as happens now with call forwarding.

You can also send and receive texts from the app. And you can listen to your Google Voice voicemails — and yes, all of them are transcribed for you to read in the app. And all of this works with the iPhone’s Push Notification system.

And unlike the HTML5 version, the native app can access your phone’s contact list. This make it easy to place calls and set up Quick Dial Contacts.

Read more at TechCrunch.

Text messages may be short, but consumers love them, and you shouldn't expect them to cede their lead among all mobile marketing channels anytime soon:

The data shows 58% of those surveyed predicted that SMS- and MMS-based messaging would be the second most widely accepted form of mobile marketing in the next five years, followed by search with 45%.  The research reveals that users in 2015 are thought to be “more likely to utilize mobile marketing or advertising promotions that are sent to them via their mobile phones than those generated through search, display or navigation.”  Put simply, the carriers are banking on mobile messaging remaining the primary form of mobile marketing for the foreseeable future, which to me is an obvious assumption.

Read more @ Mobile Marketing Watch

When it comes to operating systems, Android has the lead, but among all manufacturers of smartphones, Apple took the crown in the third quarter:

The Canalys numbers are out, and with Android coming off an 886 percent jump reported at the end of the second quarter we were expecting something big. So, here it is: Android is up 1,309 percent worldwide from this time last year, taking over 43.6 percent of the US smartphone market in the third quarter. In terms of mobile operating systems that makes it the dominant player in America, but with Apple capturing 26.2 percent it now jumps into the lead when it comes to hardware, beating out RIM's 24.2 percent.

Head over to engadget for more.

As the holiday season approaches and retailers await recession-strapped consumers, please consider SMS:

Brands and retailers should leverage SMS for the holidays to push private sales, holiday-themed merchandise via coupons, wish lists, mobile commerce-enabled sites and special store hours during this busy time of year.

Approximately 72 percent of American adult consumers send and receive text messages, according to Pew Internet Project. Virtually everyone is text messaging, making it a convenient way for retailers and brands to communicate with consumers.

It would appear that consumers want their mobile coupons to come in the form of text messages:

Read more analysis @ Mobile Marketer.

Read more about SMS marketing for retail @ Club Texting.

Want to learn more about SMS coupons? Read our Mobile Couponing guide.

Yesterday Microsoft debuted Windows Phone 7, their attempt to get back in the smartphone race. They unveiled a slick looking operating system, along with a slew of devices. We've put together some early coverage from around the web:

• Windows Phone 7 debuts: One phone won't rule them all - cnet
• The Windows Phone 7 Launch: Our Take - CrunchGear
• Windows Phone challenges us to pull our heads out of our phones - TechFlash Mobile
• Microsoft's new Windows phones (photo gallery) - cnet
• Why Windows Phone 7 Will Make Android Look Chaotic - Wired Gadget Lab
• Seven new things to know about Windows Phone 7 - All About Microsoft

Is there a consensus yet? It would seem that the Windows Phone 7 phones - yes, we know how that sounds - probably won't be challenging the iPhone anytime soon. Android however, which has been surging as of late, may have a serious competitor on its hands.

When Verizion licensed the Droid name from Lucas Films for their take on Android we thought that was that. We were mistaken:

Star Wars fan? Android fan? Verizon Wireless customer? September 29th at midnight should go down in history for you then. Not only is that when Motorola’s DROID R2D2 limited edition device goes on sale at select Verizon Wireless stores across the country, but it’s also looking to be quite an event. We have been just sent a couple images from one of the participating stores, a store called Vista Ridge in Lewisville, Texas, and we also have some info on what is exactly is happening for the launch — it’s pretty crazy. Apparently, the participating stores will be giving away 5 Motorola R2D2 units, there will be actual “Stormtroopers” at the store (employees dressed up as Stormtroopers), video gaming, a live DJ and more. Stores are getting approximately 200 units and stock will not be replenished.

Check out the story for full details at Boy Genius Report.

Sure it's just an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), which means that Wal-Mart is essentially reselling T-Mobile's service, but this is still major news:

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Monday that it is introducing the first cell phone plan that uses the chain's own branding, further demonstrating its clout in getting special deals from wireless carriers.

The Wal-Mart Family Mobile service will run on T-Mobile USA's network. Unlimited calling and texting will cost $45 per month for the first line and $25 for each additional line for the family. The service will be offered starting next week in most of its stores across the nation.

Read the entire press release here.

Here's an interesting story over at Computerworld about the growing importance of mobile devices among doctors:

Smartphones and tablet PCs are poised to play a greater role in health care as doctors and patients embrace the mobile Internet, panelists at a mobile health technology conference in Boston said last month.

In a poll of 2,000 U.S. physicians by Manhattan Research LLC, 71% of the respondents said that a smartphone is essential to their practice, and 84% agreed that the Internet is critical to their jobs.

Read more at Computerworld.

Nieman Marcus  Group Inc. has created a mobile shopping site which allows customers to browse and purchase items via their mobile devices. All customers have to do is visit Nieman Marcuse's website through their mobile phones and from there they can purchase anything from designer handbags to couture dresses. Everything available on their website is available on their mobile site. In addition to purchasing items, customers can also manage their accounts, track orders and check store locations. Gerard Barnes, president and chief executive officer at Neiman Marcus estimates that the company will be completely mobile by fall.
 

“We are hoping to increase traffic to our site as well as sales,” said Ginger Reeder, vice president of corporate communications at Neiman Marcus Group."The mobile site targets our traditional online customer who wants quick and easy access to new product right away and a younger customer who perhaps has more experience with mcommerce. We created the mobile site to enable our customers to shop at Neiman Marcus with ease, anywhere they may be.We know that they purchase [expensive items] from our Web site, so this merely gives them another way to access the site,” Ms. Reeder added.

To read the entire article, click here.

To learn more about mobile marketing for retail, visit Club Texting.

According to a report recently released by eMarketer, revenues from mobile gaming are expected to reach close to $850 million during this year alone. They continue to say that by 2014, mobile gaming revenues are expected to reach $1.5 billion. This year 64 million people play mobile games monthly and they predict that the number of gamers will continue to rise.

“Mobile content offers an opportunity for publishers and marketers with three primary revenue streams—subscription, pay-per-download and advertising-supported,” said Noah Elkin, senior analyst at eMarketer, New York. “For every type of mobile content, including mobile gaming, the ad-supported component is the smallest of the three streams, but it is also the fastest growing—it will grow at more than double the rate of paid mobile content." he adds.

To read the entire article, click here.

Glamour magazine has recently launched a new iPhone, iPod and iPad application to allow readers access to their favorite blogs anywhere they are! This free application allows customers to read up on their favorite articles and save their favorite fashion items in one place. It even provides information about where and how to buy that item!
 

“We think that this is the right time for this product. We want our readers to be able to enjoy Glamour content however they want — in print, on the Web or with the use of this app.” said Ben Berentson the online managing director at Glamour, New York.

To read the entire article, click here.

To find out more ways to use mobile marketing for magazines, click here.

According to statistics provided by IDC, more smart phones are being sold than desktop computers. During this year the number of people using smart phones has nearly doubled, creating a new way to market and sell goods. Although some retailers have already began mobile marketing, most retailers are still unaware of the advantages of using mobile marketing.

“The data is clear, whether it’s the enormous amount of time spent on mobile or the dollars spent directly, consumers are there,” said Andrew Koven, president of ecommerce and customer experience at Steve Madden, New York. “For these reasons, retailers need to have some presence to accommodate at least one if not all of the consumer’s uses for mobile.”

To read the entire article, click here.

To learn about how retailers can use mobile marketing, Visit ClubTexting.

Ever leave your car and then wonder if you actually locked it? We know, it happens to all of us. But now, with this new technology from OnStar, vehicle owners can power their lights, start their car, lock and unlock the doors through their mobile phones!

“The technology will be launched to customers via unique separate apps from Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC that they will begin rolling out in the months ahead. The OnStar technology is validated to work on iPhone and Android platforms, but we’re exploring opportunities to expand beyond in the future,” Ms. Carriere, a spokeswomen for OnStar, said.

Want to learn more about this exciting technology? Read the entire article here.

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Juniper Research have released their report, Mobile Commerce Strategies: Prospects for Payments, Ticketing, Coupons & Banking 2010-2014 and the study's results seems favorable.

"The study forecasts that rapidly increasing usage of mobile devices for tickets for all kinds of travel and entertainment, plus sports events will be one of the main factors driving the growth of mobile commerce. Mobile ticketing transactions are forecast to exceed $100bn (£65bn), based on gross transaction value, as early as 2012. This is more than double the market in 2010."

To read the entire article, click here.