Russ recently wrote about Campfire from 37Signals, and again, pushed for a real requirement for a mobile based service which is:
Secure multi-user chat and file share all baked into a simple interface
I am not sure if 37Signals would be happy to have Russ over in Chicago, but one thing is sure, that the demand itself is valid. We need to move out of the PC, and start looking at other connected devices.
Given the current mobile landscape, this would be tough for a company to target the varied Mobile Operating Systems, but as we look around even today services are being launched which are specifically targetted at some OS’s (read Symbian S60 or later). So this should not be a big problem, to launch for specific phone(s). I would be happy if something comes out for Symbian S60 even.
Windows mobile 5.0 devices are coming in, and coming in fast. I mean with TMobile jumping in (at last !) with WM5.0 devices, that should be a real indicator that WM5.0 devices have arrived. With Microsoft arriving into the scene, it can be upsetting or not, I am not sure, but one thing is clear, services heavy devices would now become common place instead of select-few totting these devices earlier on. Someone can certainly ride this wave, and come out with content specific applications that would add another angle in all the “synch-up-your-content-from-anywhere” paradigm. Most of the startups today are too focussed. Focussed on cashing in on Web 2.0 (?) based services, for the PC. Very less % are working on the mobile side of this wave.
I hope some startup jumps into the wave soon, before it dies off, and all our content is once again locked and limited to our desktops/laptops.