The Mobile Minute is back to bring you the latest in mobile and development news! Today we have coverage on what 4G really means, the rise of videos on mobile devices, Vodafone's launch of m-banking services in India, a breakdown of what sort of data and research is missing in a lot of conversations about the impact of mobile devices in the developing world, and why you should password protect and encrypt your smart phone.
- NPR has an interview with Engadget's Chris Ziegler, who explains why some 3G technologies are being marketed as 4G and how these new networks differ from traditional 3G. He also covers the benefits of market competition, hindrances to fast wireless broadband access, and why 2011 will be the year of the smartphone in the U.S..
- The growth of video viewing on mobile devices (Poynter reports that "more than 200 million YouTube videos are viewed on mobile devices each day") has led to a huge jump in the mobile advertising market as advertisers try to reach out to new viewer, resulting in expectations of a $1 billion mobile advertising market for 2011.
- After Vodafone's success with M-PESA in Africa, the company is set to launch an m-banking system in India later this year. Partnered with ICICI Bank, Vodafone Essar (the Indian affiliate of Vodafone) will offer both m-payment services and mobile banking (such as savings accounts) options.
- As a response to reading Jenny Aker and Isaac Mbiti's Mobile Phones and Economic Development in Africa research paper, Many Possibilities writer Steve Song breaks down what is needed to truly judge the impact of mobile phones on the developing world. The key needs he found were "more public data," "more research on affordability," "more research on usage patterns," and "more research on competition in telecommunication markets in Africa."
- In light of the recent California ruling that mobile phones can be searched during an arrest without a warrant, Ars Technica explains why you should password protect and encrypt your phone and what your rights are if you are arrested and have your mobile device on your person.
[Mobile Minute Disclaimer: The Mobile Minute is a quick round-up of interesting stories that have come across our RSS and Twitter feeds to keep you informed of the rapid pace of innovation. Read them and enjoy them, but know that we have not deeply investigated these news items. For more in-depth information about the ever-growing field of mobile tech for social change, check out our blog posts, white papers and research, how-tos, and case studies.]
Image courtesy Flickr user QiFei
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