Putting aside vendor-sponsored research, users have yet to adopt Mobile TV. Furthermore, it is unclear whether a technology exists that can actually deliver streamed TV to the mass-market. The fact is, however, that Mobile TV and Mobile Internet could have been delivered years ago on existing networks and devices, in ways far more user-friendly. Background-download for the former, and on-device-portals for the latter, are two such solutions.

Unfortunately, while these approaches would have been user and network friendly, these solutions are vendor unfriendly. They do not require any upgrades, and thus face an uphill battle, so long as the industry marches to the vendor beat.

We, the users, are constantly holding our phones and pressing its buttons, looking for something to do with the device. Vendor network and device dependent services have dominated the scene to date, but failed to deliver. Client-based solutions have the potential to provide users with an immediate interactive and content experience. However, given the industry focus on network-based Mobile TV and portal services, it is unclear whether the user will receive them.

Monte Silver, also known as Mobile Monte, has pioneered the development and sale of several advanced mobile client/server data solutions, including the Web/Mobile integrated Instant Messaging solution deployed at Verizon Wireless and throughout the Americas. Currently he heads MobiPod, a mobile podcast service. Mobile Monte can be reached at mobilemonte@hotmail.com