To Upgrade or Not To Upgrade, That Is the Question

I've had my trusty iPhone 2 G since it dropped. In two months, my 2 year contract expires, and I will be free and clear of AT&T's onerous terms. But now that the 3GS is here, chock full of exciting new features (that aren't available for the 2G), I am faced with a dilemma.

FYI, I paid $399 for my 8 gig iPhone a few years ago. My initial excitement for having copped the freshest phone in the market, soon gave way to dismay, as Apple decided to drop the price (and offer that measly credit to suckers like me).

I was even further disheartened with the abysmal Edge Network, and the less-than-stellar browsing experience outside of a WiFi signal. Eventually, I came to accept these limitations, still happy to be part of the exclusive iPhone family.

When the 3G was released, not soon thereafter, I began to worry that I had a 'sucker' tattooed to my forehead. Surely, Apple hasn't released a new iPhone less than a year after the introduction of the first. I couldn't stomach shelling out any more money for a phone, which had so quickly ushered in the obselescence of my own.

I stuck to my guns, though, and avoided the siren call of the 3G, with it's (allegedly) faster 3G connection speeds, and (supposed) enhancements. Yeah, it's a little sleeker, but it's not sleek enough!

Now the 3GS teases me. It calls me. I've got a video camera, voice controls, a compass, MMS, cut&paste, blah, blah, blah. It costs less than I paid for my 2G and way more features. It's bringing sexy back. Can I afford to be without it?

Well, for now, the answer to that question is an unequivocal 'Yes. I can.' Truth is, I'm broke. As much as I'd love to own the latest and greatest, I can't justify yet another gadget (but damn! I want it!)

If anyone within the sound of my blog feels moved to charity...hit a bruh up.

The Open Screen Project

I recently completed a survey for Fierce Wireless, which asked about the mobile strategies my company was implementing.  It soon became apparent that the survey was really about Abode's mobile efforts, and was gathering information on how effectively Adobe made it's presence in the mobile space felt.

Apparently, Adobe has been quite busy in the mobile space for some time. Flash Lite, Adobe Labs and the Open Screen Project are a few of Adobe's more well known efforts, but they have been actively engaged in developing mobile solutions, to allow developers and end-users to benefit from the Adobe suite of products and services.

Adobe's mobile efforts are similar to those of Apple, Google, and more recently handset manufacturer, Nokia, who are taking steps to offer their current user base greater utility, driven by extentions of their current capabilities.  Adobe's efforts are equally ambitious, with the announcement of the Open Screen Project Fund, which they hope will generate Apple SDK, and Android-like responses within the developer communities, that will translate into greater Adobe-based mobile applications for end-users.

Will Adobe open up their own App Store?  Who knows.  Ultimately, I was glad to have been included in the survey, because it gave me a chance to look into Adobe's efforts, and extend my knowledge of all that is mobile.  If you're not up-to-speed on Adobe, definitely check them out.

Getting Money in a Recession

Everyone is all up-in-arms over the declining stock market and wondering if Obama's economic stimulus package is a real solution or a finger in the dam.  I don't know about the rest of you but the recession hasn't hurt me one bit. Perhaps that's because I own no stocks (all my money is in bonds) or because I'm African (American) and we're used to struggle, but the whole implosion of the world markets is an interesting footnote to my life.

But for those who are impacted, the economic climate is really f-ing things up.  So, in the spirit of Obama, here are a few economic stimulus tips for anyone ready to make moves:

1.  Mobile. Mobile. Mobile.  If you haven't noticed, mobile has been making slow but steady gains globally.  It's still in its infancy, so there are still plenty of 'first-mover' advantages for the wise, but this advantage won't last for long.  What can one do with mobile?  The more appropriate questions is what CAN'T one do with mobile.  Mobile today is like the internet was at its infancy, very few people 'got it' initially, but when they did, the whole dot.com thing happened.  Don't be on the bubble, when mobile breaks.  Get in now.

2.  Less is more.  Learn to scale back and work in a more efficient and productive manner.  I've always been a fan of guerilla-style tactics.  I'm an advocate of working small and lean, so that you have the ability to adapt rapidly to change.  Audit your company, processes and systems to determine where you can trim the fat.  Find out where you can scale and what aspect of your current business or operation is expendable. 

3.  Partnerhips.  If ever there was a time for allies, now is that time.  You should actively be looking for situations where the partnership adds value for both parties.  You should look for partners where you know they would add value to your operations or business, but also where you'll add value to their's as well.

4.  Be aggressive.  Forget all that 'the meek shall inherit the earth' malarky!  If you see an opportunity, seize it.  Right now, everyone is scared, and as the saying goes, 'scared money don't make none!'  You've got to be prepared to stake a claim and justify your position.  Difficult economic times are really a boon for the well prepared and the aggressive.  People want solutions and are willing to follow anyone who holds themselves out as a solution provider.   Be the one with all the answers, offering without hesitation and with unbridled confidence.

5.  Use technology.  I've always said that technology is the great equalizer.  That is true now, more than ever.  Use all that technology has to offer to get out there.  There are countless free or low cost solutions for building and hosting websites, mobile sites, building and deploying SMS campaigns, CRM solutions, project management, and the list goes on.  Make sure that you're not re-inventing the wheel and open-sourcing it all the way (unless you've got some ill cats developing proprietary ish you can get to market right away!)

A case study for this methodology can be found in my man Kenyatta 'Tally' Galbreth.  Over two years ago, we sat down in his attorney's Park Avenue offices in New York to discuss his mobile play.  He had a major international investor greenlight his media start-up, Gotham Jungle, and he wanted me to run his mobile division.  Long story short, the investor took a massive hit, and the money went away.

Undaunted, Tally still set up Gotham Jungle, with his own money.  He got a friend who was into web and application development to partner with him to develop some apps for the Apple App store, based on the SDK Apple had released.  Today, he's got his website up and they've got a few dashboard widgets available for download.

Tally's setup is still a little rough around the edges, but he's doing it.  And he's not waiting for anyone else to make it happen.

I'm not saying that by following these tips you're going to see a stimulus check tomorrow.  I am suggesting, however, that you can flip this whole economic downturn on its ear, and make positive revenue-generating moves for yourself right now.

So be like Mike and just do it!