Monday was 'Mobile Monday' night in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. The Belfast chapter of the global grassroots organisation for mobile professionals has been going from strength to strength. More than 60 people turned out to see some great locally developed applications and select the Belfast nomination for the Mobile Peer Awards, to be held on February 15, 2010 at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
We're delighted to announce that SpeechStorm's IVVO (Interactive Video and VOice) solution got the nod from the Belfast chapter for its innovative use of the 3G video calling channel and we're looking forward to the next round of competition. And we can expect that competition to be tough if the level of activity in Belfast is anything to go by. iPhone apps were very much in evidence, and it seems like the iPhone is emerging as the platform of choice for games developers.
Two other iPhone stories caught our eye this week, both related to an application much closer to our hearts - mobile banking. The first was the launch of an iPhone app by NatWest, but which it turns out is just another version of Monilink application, with the same basic functions already available to users of other phones (and other banks!). The second, more disturbing, was the targeting of iPhones used by ING Direct customers in Holland with a 'worm' that could expose details of online banking transactions.
Banks that choose IVVO Mobile Banking don't have to worry about worms, since there is no application download required and no footprint left on the phone after the video call is ended. And with full streaming video and audio capability, IVVO offers great scope to truly differentiate a bank's service in an increasingly competitive environment. Must remember to mention that when we get to Barcelona!