Will Porn Kick-Start The Video Phone Revolution?

from the missing-the-point dept

It's become common (if somewhat disputed) knowledge that many new technologies are first embraced by pornographers, who eventually pass the mantle onto mainstream content providers. So, it shouldn't be much of a surprise to find out that many think porn will help drive people to adopt 3G video-enabled phones as well. Put me in the skeptical camp. First of all, I still believe that anyone providing specific content for mobile phones (and hoping to charge for it) has an uphill battle. It won't be long until most phones have full access to the internet - and all the free information that's available there. Trying to charge for the same information is going to be a very tough sell. Second, the thing that makes the mobile phone useful is the fact that it's mobile - and any "killer app" that drives adoption has to take advantage of that feature. I know some people really like their porn anywhere they can get it, but just how big is the market for people who want to stare at postage-stamp sized porn pictures, when they're going to be home in front of their 17 inch monitor, chock full of free internet porn, without too much delay? The thing that makes a mobile phone nice is that it allows you to actually connect with others, not that it lets you access broadcast content.