Years ago, if you owned a cell phone you were considered ‘privileged’ or worse. I’m referring to the time period after the bag-phone era, which lost steam when we realized we didn’t need both a bag AND phone to conduct mobile connectivity.
Back then, there was no video capability, no Twitter, Facebook, or social networks to warp our minds and eat our time. We figured out a way to communicate with one another using other communication tools, absorb content through newspapers and magazines, and played games on external devices connected to our television sets. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a crackberry addict (mobile) and social media nut like most of you, just maybe a little more aware of my affliction, so it was no surprise when I read the following:
“As smartphone usage grows, users are also becoming more sophisticated and using apps at a higher rate. According to comScore’s MobiLens study, the total number of mobile app users in the US increased by 28% from April 2009 to April 2010.” – Mobile Social Networking Drives Rising App Useage
With the recent iPhone 4 sales report: 1.5 Million sold on the first day (77% were upgrades) and no sight of slowing down for the foreseeable future, it’s easy to see what’s on the horizon. We’re getting more and more consumed by our mobile devices as they keep adding functionality. What’s more, employers who prevent Internet and/or social media usage on company computers have an uphill battle of preventing personal mobile usage whether it’s during lunch, in the bathroom, or sitting in their cubicle.
Now that we know how crazed we’re getting over these pocket devices, let’s talk about how we can benefit from some of their applications. Over the past year or so I’ve been playing around with different mobile Twitter apps and find that UberTwitter is working best for my needs. This was only after their most recent updates which can be found on http://www.ubertwitter.com/ as listed below:
If you’re currently using UberTwitter on your phone, here are some tips you might not have thought of implementing. I’m mostly referring to the Uber Bar, the spot on your Home Page where you can add twitter users you want to follow specifically. All you have to do is choose ‘Add to Uber Bar’ when viewing the Twitter user you’re looking to add. With my awesome Paint skills (don’t make fun), you can see what it looks like after adding a couple users:
Now that you know how to add users to your Uber Bar, let’s discuss who you should consider adding. It probably won’t work quite as well if you start adding dozens of people. I might suggest you consider your top 5 and then figure out if adding more will be too cumbersome. So, who should make this list? It all depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Here are some ideas of people to add based on:
• Who consistently refers you business
• Who entertains you
• Who engages with you in thoughtful conversations
• Whose blogs you like to read
• Who supports you and your business
• Who you like to support
• Who typically provides important news updates
Much like the columns you’ve created on Tweetdeck or Hootsuite, following those that provide the most value to you just makes sense. This Twitter stream vetting can occur on your mobile device when you’re on the go and don’t want to miss possible opportunities or important announcements from those you follow the most. You may find your time is better spent focusing on a few rather than the masses, especially when your time is so limited. We constantly hear about how people don’t have time to tweet, network, or stay informed but really, who doesn’t have an extra five minutes every day?
So, how has mobile helped you? What are you doing to be more efficient? Please share your ideas for the rest of us to learn from. I often find the gold is in the comments, especially when it comes to my writing. 
