Mobile Is More than the Web
One of the pitfalls that I run into when thinking/doing mobile happens to be one of the more notable items illustrated here: there are approx 4 billion registered mobile devices (3.5-3.75 billion mobile users) but only 1-1.2 billion of them access the web on their mobile (how big is mobile). See what I see? 25-33% of mobile users are online, how does one develop a ministry with mobile when its more than just the web that's needed?
Now, its been noted (by Google's Eric Schmitt) that mobile can be a magic wand - of sorts. If you will, its not necessarly the fact that the mobile is connected, but because of its various sensors and the analytics kept with them, a mobile device could unlock interactions where there was none before. This is what I wish to get to get you - the mobile thinking minister or org - to ponder, plan, and do.
Imagine a church with this stance. The doorpost into the church was a digital bulletin board where people posted dates of their salvation, healings, disciples, etc. Bibles in the pew were just as often read as they were photographed and then messaged to those who couldn't be at the sanctuary (mobile camera with OCR, send as SMS, MMS, or email). Sermons and studies were recorded, transcribed on the spot (speech to text on the mobile), and then posted (online) and messaged (SMS, email, IM) for other communities to interact. And instead of tracks/pamphlets/leaflets, people received cards with pictures or barcodes on them to which they could not just read The Gospel, but are encouraged to share the card with someone else so that they could interact with the Gospel - read, SMS for prayer, map to local church(es), etc. - and be called to the action of sharing that card with someone else.
Its these kinds of interactions that mobile allows us as a Body to work with. The key is to not get stuck on the web. Yes, there's a signifiant portion of mobile that means "web." But, we can't get stuck there if we are going to be applicable to those persons who's concept of web is the spider they greet every morning.
Take a good look at this video of a CSI spot where they talked about using a QR Code to crack a case. Note how many interactions, both web-based and not, that were facilitated - with the mobile as simply a wand. Then, try something similar in your ministry/org and let us know how it fares :)
Labels: innovation, Internet, mobility, Web
posted by Antoine @ 11/15/2009 10:00:00 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
So really the key is making the web/mobile/tech a tool to connect to something bigger. Not trying to create a "family" on line, but rather speed the live family on its way with moon boots instead of flip-flops.
Do you have any tips for making online community tools like FB and ning keep a firm foot *outside* of the net and keeping the online members participating?
Right, the key is keeping the big picture in focus. And for us as believers, that's Jesus as Lord, and enabling others to live out Christ with a life devoted to God and in earnest love with one another. That's the big picture, the tech is just a lens to this.
Some of the better methods employed to keeping that foot outside and creating particapitory elements include meetups where local pockets of communities are invited to share some face to face time. During that time, if you can do things that extend some of those online experiences - sharing of the Scriptures, testimonies, offer counseling or laughing sessions, etc. - then you have the opportunuty to create a relationship that exists beyond the online realm.
Beyond that, using SMS in a mode like a "pen pal" or sitting to actually write a letter would enable members of a communitiy to not just participate, but have an additional relational element of their character to come forward.
Just wanted to say thanks for this. I know that I am at a crossroads with faith & mobility right now. This has helped me think outside of the device.
Even thought Tomi highlights it here (in brief), the implications of mobile being more than web tends to be pretty huge - if folks just think about what would be relevant to their communities, and then go innovate ;)
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