Designing Mobile Information and Content Strategies for Grassroots Participation

A networked mobile device (e.g. a phone, smartphone or tablet) can give its user access to a range of potential services far beyond one-to-one voice communication. We can play games, listen to music or radio, watch (and in some cases make) TV, films, and videos; communicate with family members or business acquaintances by txt, pxt, email or messaging; search for information, buy products, manage a bank account" the list of possibilities increases according to the capabilities of the device and its host network, the digital literacy of the user, and the time and money available for some or all of these activities. And the relationship is increasingly two-way, since the same device can give a range of potential services access to the user. Location-based mapping, targeted marketing messages and passive social networking are among the early examples of such services.