Is BYOD just another acronym?

As if the comms industry didn't have enough TLA's (three letter acronyms) they've now introduced another. 
But this time they are testing us with four letters. The latest acronym to gain global status in the comms dictionary is BYOD, otherwise known as Bring Your Own Device. It sounds like a party invite and could become just as popular.


It has grown from being a general talking point of very little interest to a hot topic in a very short space of time, why? 


Maybe it's because it is the end-user that's driving the conversation. Organisations need to be lean and flexible. It used to be that IT departments drove technology, but that has changed dramatically in recent years. The introduction of the iPhone and other such devices has shifted the IT culture so that the users are the ones getting the latest, cutting edge technologies first, and they want to bring those devices to work.


The benefits to the organisation are that most of the costs shift to the user. You would expect that there would be an employee revolt but they are happy because they have the laptops and smartphones they desire making for a happier workforce. They like them so much they invested their hard-earned money in them. They’d rather use the devices of their choice rather than being stuck with laptops and mobile devices that are selected and issued by the IT department.


That brings challenges to the organisation such as compliance and ownership of data. Rules must be followed even if the data is on a device owned by an employee.


So whether it's BYOD or BYOB know the limits and enjoy.


"New Technology, Traditional Values" - askAdodo

Are you smart with your phone?

Many organisations now allow employees to use the smartphone of their choice for work related activities. This is based on the evidence that it increases employee satisfaction and productivity. However, the organisations don’t fully comprehend the extent of the security challenges this creates.

Most also think that allowing employees to use the smartphones of their choice either has no impact on or only somewhat decreases the overall security of their company’s networks and information. This is an indication that organisations might not be educating employees on the potential security risks these devices create and how to best keep them and the data on and accessible through them protected.

Given that completely unmanaged personal use of a work-related smartphone could potentially open security holes in an organisations network, there needs to be an urgent review of security.

The need to password protect mobile devices is well communicated, but guidelines around the downloading of apps for smartphones is less so. Given the fact that the majority of malicious malware for smartphones involves legitimate apps that have been Trojanized and re-published on third-party app hosting sites, organisations need to do better at communicating policies and/or best practices related to downloading apps.

Personally identifiable information and competitive or proprietary data are the most common forms of data that need to be protected.

As well as company information ask yourself the following question. If you lost any of the following items which one would give you greatest emotional distress - laptop, smartphone, wallet/purse or car keys. At the moment it’s probably the wallet/purse.

As smartphones become more sophisticated, and end users are using them for an ever increasing list of daily activities, this will change. As end users store more of their digital lives on mobile devices, the need to properly secure and manage them will only increase.

Vodafone’s Profits are up 10%

The rise in popularity of smartphones is the driving force behind the sharp rise in Vodafone’s full-year profits the company has said.  

Pre-tax profits for the 12 months to the end of March were £9.5bn, up almost 10% on last year’s figures.

Chief executive of the company, Vittorio Colao, said "Customers have adopted data services in increasing numbers, as smartphones proliferate and the tablet market begins to take off".

The group has been slimming down its portfolio, and recently sold stakes in Chinese and Japanese mobile operators, not to mention last months sale of French mobile operator SFR which raised 7.95bn euros.  All proving very sensible moves in a difficult climate.  Vodafone believes that they are entering the new financial year in a very “strong position.” 

"Novel" Mobile Memory Storage

Researchers from Edinburgh University have been working with researchers from Konkuk University and Seoul National University, in Korea to create a device that improves memory storage for mobile technology.

The device, that could be used in MP3s, smartphones and cameras, uses a tiny mechanical arm to translate data into electrical signals.  This allows faster operation and uses less energy compared with conventional memory storage products.

The device measures the current passing through a carbon nanotube, and the binary value of the data that is recorded, is determined by an electrode that controls the flow of current.

Prof Eleanor Campbell, from Edinburgh University's school of chemistry, said: "This is a novel approach to designing memory storage devices.

"However, one of the issues with these novel devices is how easy they can be manufactured on an industrial scale, which we are yet to see."

Microsoft and Nokia Join Forces

Following earlier concerns this week that Nokia were in trouble following a leaked memo from Stephen Elop, Chief Executive of the mobile company, Nokia staff are now facing a new challenge.

Nokia has joined forces with Microsoft in an attempt to regain lost ground on market leaders iPhone and other Android-operated devices.  The deal means that Nokia’s existing operating systems will be replaced with the Windows Phone 7 operating system for its smartphones, the company has said.

Windows Phone 7, whilst receiving much critical acclaim, has remained quite a small market player to date.  It has been rumored that Mr. Elop opted to use Windows over the Google Android Operating System because he feels more comfortable with the company as that is where he worked before his move to Nokia. 

The move does mean that Nokia employees across the world will be facing inevitable job losses.  As with all coalitions, the future is unknown, but this collaboration has the potential to shape the future of the industry.  

The Top 5 Mobile Manufacturers

During October, according to industry analysts IDC, the mobile phone market grew 14.6%. Inevitably, smartphones are playing an ever-increasing role in the rise of the mobile market, infact, their estimated market share is expected to grow by over 50% by the end of the year.



There are now two smartphone-only companies in the top 5 phone manufacturers list, as Apple joins RIM with the highest growth rates in the last year. Despite a little trouble following its launch, the iPhone 4 phones have been flying off the shelves, allowing Apple to outsell both BlackBerry and Sony Ericsson phones. Samsung, which is holding the second place, has shipped more phones than ever before in its history. This is in no small part due to the Galaxy S phones and also the Samsung Wave.


LG is holding the third place despite falling shipment numbers and declining profits. They are undergoing a CEO change this quarter. However, in a change of fortune, Sony Ericsson, which has been in the Top 5 for quite a while, dropped off the list. Still on top is the highly experienced Nokia, with their smartphone shipments rising by over 60%.

Eat, Sleep, Media!

The average person in the UK spends 15hours 45mins awake per day. Of this time, according to Ofcom’s annual Communications Market Report, the average person spends seven hours and five minutes "engaging in media and communications activities".



The Report that looks into the UK's TV, radio, telecoms and internet industries also shows that we're ‘media multi-tasking’ more than ever before.


Another buzz phrase to add to your technology dictionary, ‘Media Multi-Tasking’, meaning, for example, making a phone call whilst surfing the internet.


As you would expect the group that is most likely to be found doing more than one media related activity at a time is the 16-24 year olds. 52% in fact of that particular age group participates in simultaneous media activity. Compare this to the over 55 age group and that figure slips to 22%.


Smartphones are one of the biggest catalysts for the developing world of multi-tasking. Their growing popularity is rapidly changing the way in which we use our mobiles and increasing our overall use of communications.