For some time now, we have been talking about how mobile phones are going to be an influencing factor in India’s digital revolution. So much as, that 3G is set to penetrate rural India by 2012. All said and done, how will the rural folks harness 3G without the know-how of how to use the internet, or to begin with, not being able to afford a phone that will allow them to use internet services. Keeping this in mind, IBM has joined hands with IIT to develop new mobile device interfaces that will be easy-to-use and easily understandable to semi-literate or illiterate people.
The Industrial Design Centre (IDC) at IIT, Mumbai will be the department responsible for developing a mobile interface keeping in mind the so-called backward areas in India. This is a great initiative and will hopefully conjure up a mobile interface that will be useful for anyone regardless of where he is in the country.
Power of Mobile Web
India is a country where mobile connections have almost become a must. As a result, the number of connections keep increasing every year and with this the use of internet on mobile will keep increasing. With this collaboration between IBM and IIT, and hoping they will successfully create an optimum solution, India should expect some changes for sure on the socio-economic front. People everywhere in the country will have the power of mobile web, and with it the power of knowledge.
IBM’s initiative
IBM believes that there shouldn’t be a divide between people based on literacy levels or geography. This union with IIT is to develop technologies around mobiles that can fill the gaps and let countries like India progress on a whole. Apart from IIT, IBM have also tied up with the National Institute of Design (NID), in their effort to improve mobile web and make it a part of people’s daily lives, not to forget corporations.
We believe this is one great initiative, one that should have happened a while back. But now that it has finally happened, India only stands to gain. Soon everyone in our country will understand the power on the mobile web. What do you think of this research?
amazing initiative, connecting all dots at all levels… rural to urban via connectivity at the speed of light (via internet) this is the thing to be accomplished now.. kudos to IBM and IIT..! gud luck..!
It is really a great approach.
It is a great effort/initiative for closer interaction among people through the mobiles. Good luck.