Rapid developments in mobile technology have increased access to the internet through mobile devices. This document discusses how mobile phone usage has increased in Asia, with cell phone penetration outpacing computer ownership. It explores the implications of increased mobile access, including a rise in participatory journalism, economic growth through new mobile services, and a shift to cultural production. The role of culture in shaping mobile media use is also examined, with different patterns of texting, calling and app usage emerging across regions.

1. Mobility

2. Mobility
Rapid developments in mobile data technology has liberated the internet from its tether to
the wall. What does having the web in our pocket mean for publishing and for society?

5. • “Cell phone penetration is expected to
outstrip computer penetration in Asia for
several years, and most cell phones are
used by people under 25” (Jing Wang -
Professor of Chinese Cultural Studies MIT)

6. • “Cell phone penetration is expected to
outstrip computer penetration in Asia for
several years, and most cell phones are
used by people under 25” (Jing Wang -
Professor of Chinese Cultural Studies MIT)
• “Today the cell phone has become so
ubiquitous that its wonders to behold are
commonplace, an astonishing part of
everyday life” (Cheng&Bruns)

8. China - Yunnan Province

9. China - Yunnan Province
• Mobile phones are the fifth most
popular form of media

10. China - Yunnan Province
• Mobile phones are the fifth most
popular form of media
• News delivered for small cost

11. China - Yunnan Province
• Mobile phones are the fifth most
popular form of media
• News delivered for small cost
• From 1999-2007 mobile phone
subscribers rose 1200%

13. Implications...

14. Implications...
• Increase in participatory journalism

15. Implications...
• Increase in participatory journalism
• Economic growth through development
of various value-added service (e.g.
SMS, MMS)

16. Implications...
• Increase in participatory journalism
• Economic growth through development
of various value-added service (e.g.
SMS, MMS)
• “A long term shift from industrial
production to cultural
production” (Jeremy Rifkin)

18. Implications...

19. Implications...
• Necessary for regulators to find an
appropriate balance between protecting
consumers and allowing for continued
exploration of SMS business models

21. So that’s China...What about our own
culture?

22. So that’s China...What about our own
culture?
• Time spent on social media/relationships
with others

23. So that’s China...What about our own
culture?
• Time spent on social media/relationships
with others
• Purchasing habits

24. So that’s China...What about our own
culture?
• Time spent on social media/relationships
with others
• Purchasing habits
• Level of knowledge of current affairs

25. So that’s China...What about our own
culture?
• Time spent on social media/relationships
with others
• Purchasing habits
• Level of knowledge of current affairs
• Time spent on entertainment such as games

26. So that’s China...What about our own
culture?
• Time spent on social media/relationships
with others
• Purchasing habits
• Level of knowledge of current affairs
• Time spent on entertainment such as games
• Reluctance to participate in pub trivia as
team members can simply google the
answers to questions

28. What role does culture play in the way
we perceive and use mobile media?

29. What role does culture play in the way
we perceive and use mobile media?
• “In the Philippines, text messaging is very frequent, usually
not saying anything significant. The value is in the fact that
they're in touch with each other, aware that people care
about them.” (Katz, 2005)

30. What role does culture play in the way
we perceive and use mobile media?
• “In the Philippines, text messaging is very frequent, usually
not saying anything significant. The value is in the fact that
they're in touch with each other, aware that people care
about them.” (Katz, 2005)
• “In Europe, text messaging is often used for political
purposes, but sometimes for the purpose of spreading false
information. It's used to sabotage opposition as much as to
mobilize supporters.” (Katz, 2005)

31. What role does culture play in the way
we perceive and use mobile media?
• “In the Philippines, text messaging is very frequent, usually
not saying anything significant. The value is in the fact that
they're in touch with each other, aware that people care
about them.” (Katz, 2005)
• “In Europe, text messaging is often used for political
purposes, but sometimes for the purpose of spreading false
information. It's used to sabotage opposition as much as to
mobilize supporters.” (Katz, 2005)
• “Culture drives technology, not vice versa.” (Thorburn,
2005)

32. What role does culture play in the way
we perceive and use mobile media?
• “In the Philippines, text messaging is very frequent, usually
not saying anything significant. The value is in the fact that
they're in touch with each other, aware that people care
about them.” (Katz, 2005)
• “In Europe, text messaging is often used for political
purposes, but sometimes for the purpose of spreading false
information. It's used to sabotage opposition as much as to
mobilize supporters.” (Katz, 2005)
• “Culture drives technology, not vice versa.” (Thorburn,
2005)
• “Less than a third” of people in Japan use their mobile
phones for talking. (Condry, 2005)

33. What role does culture play in the way
we perceive and use mobile media?
• “In the Philippines, text messaging is very frequent, usually
not saying anything significant. The value is in the fact that
they're in touch with each other, aware that people care
about them.” (Katz, 2005)
• “In Europe, text messaging is often used for political
purposes, but sometimes for the purpose of spreading false
information. It's used to sabotage opposition as much as to
mobilize supporters.” (Katz, 2005)
• “Culture drives technology, not vice versa.” (Thorburn,
2005)
• “Less than a third” of people in Japan use their mobile
phones for talking. (Condry, 2005)

34. What role does culture play in the way
we perceive and use mobile media?
• “In the Philippines, text messaging is very frequent, usually
not saying anything significant. The value is in the fact that
they're in touch with each other, aware that people care
about them.” (Katz, 2005)
• “In Europe, text messaging is often used for political
purposes, but sometimes for the purpose of spreading false
information. It's used to sabotage opposition as much as to
mobilize supporters.” (Katz, 2005)
• “Culture drives technology, not vice versa.” (Thorburn,
2005)
• “Less than a third” of people in Japan use their mobile
phones for talking. (Condry, 2005)
• From “Cell Phone Culture” transcript. Delivered at MIT Communications Forum Thursday, November 17, 2005. 5.00-7.00. Available at
http://web.mit.edu/comm-forum/forums/cell_phone_culture.htm

36. Disadvantages...are some skills
becoming obsolete? Does it matter?

37. Disadvantages...are some skills
becoming obsolete? Does it matter?
• Spelling and grammar

38. Disadvantages...are some skills
becoming obsolete? Does it matter?
• Spelling and grammar
• Map reading

39. Disadvantages...are some skills
becoming obsolete? Does it matter?
• Spelling and grammar
• Map reading
• Simple arithmetic

40. Disadvantages...are some skills
becoming obsolete? Does it matter?
• Spelling and grammar
• Map reading
• Simple arithmetic
• Writing

41. Bibliography
• Cheng, L and Bruns, A 2009, ‘Mobile News in Chinese Newspaper
Groups: A Case Study,’ in G Goggin and L Hjorth (eds) Mobile
Technology: From Telecommunications to Media, London: Routledge,
186-200 (R)
Emmett, A 2008, Handheld headlines, American Journalism Review, http://
www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=4582
Katz &Wang, 2005“Cell Phone Culture” transcript. Delivered at MIT
Communications Forum Thursday, November 17, 2005. 5.00-7.00.
Available at http://web.mit.edu/comm-forum/forums/
cell_phone_culture.htm
Volker, C 2007 ‘Mobile Media and Space’ in G Goggin and L Hjorth (eds)
Mobile Media, Sydney University Press, 135-142