As web designers and developers, its our job to keep on top of new emerging technology and software which will affect and shape the internet and the way that people use it. Google, Microsoft, Dell, Hp, Intel and Philips are lobbying the FCC to allow use of unused “white space” on the television broadcasting airwaves to broadcast data content for use on mobile phones.

“White space” is the space between broadcast channels on the television airwaves. The technology utilizes these super high speed television airwaves, now vacant due to increased broadband use, to broadcast online data like movies, music, web-pages etc. With this shift in technology, new devices will be produced which will be faster and easier to use than ever before, changing the way that we interact with the mobile internet.

Google is also working on open source mobile phone software pack which they are calling “Android”. It’s software which will allow anyone to create their own mobile phone applications, meaning you could theoretically program your phone however you want. Icons, fonts, text size, etc. are all customizable. Essentially it will make programming your phone as easy as making a web-page.

White space combined with Android will bring a big change to the landscape of the internet we now use on a daily basis. It will make it more customizable, more accessible, more powerful, and more portable.

With the internet being used more and more on a mobile level, its not unreasonable to expect people to be doing things that they do on their home computers now on their mobile devices in the future. Things like shopping, reading, listening to music, blogging, and watching online T.V. shows.

This shift in technology will bring more people to your website on a smaller screen. Imagine viewing your website on a 2-3 inch screen. What will that be like? Will people be able to buy your product, subscribe to your service, read your blog?

A lot of websites are now being optimized for use on the iPhone, but with these new developments, it is likely to become a requirement in order to stay competitive. Its important to stay up to date with new technology and emerging trends. Prepare yourself and your business by taking this into consideration for your future web needs.

New York Times: click here to read article
Washington Post: click here to read article