Mowser is Dead.
Russell Beattie who recently closed down his transcoding service Mowser posted in part, “I think anyone currently developing sites using XHTML-MP markup, no Javascript, geared towards cellular connections and two inch screens are simply wasting their time, and I’m tired of wasting my time,” he wrote. The presence of a separate “mobile Web,” he said, is “limited at best, and dying at worst.” He goes on to say, “Let me say that again clearly, the mobile traffic just isn’t there. It’s not there now, and it won’t be.”

The Mobile Web is Alive.
Not quite Russell. While Mowser may have failed it’s a stretch to imply the Mobile Web is failing as well. No one wants a lame, featureless, stripped down, even “bastardized” version of anything. That is true today, was true a year ago when Mowser launched, and true 8 years ago when “WAP” was first declared dead. Yes, for mobile enthusiasts transcoding service like Mowser can be handy at times but for the masses those “times” have never come and never will. Besides what you end up is not something a brand, business, or individual serious about mobile cares to have presented to their audience — if you are the audience — consume.

On the contrary mobile traffic is building worldwide month on month. This growth is being witnessed across a variety of services — ad networks, social search/discovery services, and emerging mobile analytic services.

Dennis of Wap Review has this to say about it, “The Future of the Web on Mobile Phones.” …and then there is Carlo Longino of Mob Happy with, “The Mobile Web Is Dead. Long Live The Mobile Web.” Then finally, Mike Rowehl (Mowser Co-founder) has his own take with, “What Happened to Independent Thought?”

…And Here Are the “Mobile Analytics” to Support It.
On April 28th in New York, I’ve organized a free MobileMonday NY event that includes panelists from several companies active in mobile analytics and social search – Amethon, Bango, Mobilytics, Resolution Media, Quattro, TigTag, and taptu.

In part, we’ll be discussing insights gained from watching the very real growth of the Mobile Web and what is being learned from the aggregated mobile data and social actions of people. The event is free — learn more and RSVP.

You’re all invited.