Graham Jones has posted a short report about mobile blogging in meetings and why it doesn’t happen in the UK. He thinks its because the UK is about a year behind in the adoption of new technology. As an English ultra mobile nutter myself [Kimberly. I think I share the passion of an Ultra Mobile Lifestyle! ;-)] I think I’m qualified to talk about this. So I will.
Graham is right. The UK is behind but I think it has more to do with just availability of the technology. It appears to me that there’s two other reasons that need to be considered. Firstly, there’s the incredible cost premium that the Brits have to pay on their tech. I’m an Englishman that lives in Germany. Every time I go home to visit I’m shocked at how much the average Brit is paying for marketing. You can walk into any shop and have a wonderful experience (the UK supermarkets are, in my opinion, the best in the world for enjoyment – I love ’em!) but my God you have to pay for it. Everything from beer to PC’s is marketed through the roof and consequently the prices float much higher. I’ve just written about the shocking cost of the Medion ultra mobile PC in the UK. This is a classic example from the tech world. Its Rip-off-Britain again. [I’m beginning to feel like a real journo now.]
The second point is that Brits are just a little too shy to do something different and to stand out. Taking a Tablet PC into a meeting could be seen as showing off, as one-upmanship or simply as a target for joke comments which the Brits are extremely good at dishing out. (Piss-Taking is the technical term here I think!) Brits are a little bit too polite to do something that might be considered out of the ‘circle of acceptance.’
So unfortunately, the UK market is always going to be slow. Germany is similar. Change doesn’t occur quickly here (which is one of the reasons I love this place. They still have independent bakeries and butchers and little corner shops.) The only markets I know of that are slightly different are the Swedish, Finnish and Dutch markets but there’s not enough people there to really make manufacturers sit up and take notice. The end result of all this is that I suffer. I can’t get devices. I have to pay more money and I feel like a weirdo when I video myself blogging in hotel grounds at -6 degrees with an Ultra Mobile PC. Ok. I deserve that last one!
Brits need to start demanding less packaging, less advertising and simpler distribution chains. Get out there and try new stuff and don’t be afraid to whip it that old tablet out in your next meeting!
