The Mobile Data Association

The 2008 'MDAs' from the Mobile Data Association recognise those UK companies and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the uptake and success of mobile data over the last 12 months.

The Mobile Data Association is pleased to announce the following Winners in the 2008 Awards

The MDA Personal Achievement Award - Jonathan Ive, Apple

Judges comments: "This year the MDA personal achievement award winner is Jonathan Ive for his design of the Apple IPhone and its user interface. The physical design of the IPhone and its intuitive user interface has completely redefined the mobile phone as we know it. The IPhone is arguably the most talked about consumer-electronics device that has hit the market in the last 5 years.

Ive has designed the best implementation of a touch UI, this with the Safari web browser has definitely pushed mobile content into the forefront of the consumer consciousness. It sets the bar very high for all present and future competitors and as such, is shaking the mobile phone industry. We look forward to seeing Ive's design innovation continuing to challenge the mobile world."

Best Messaging Application - Dynmark International Ltd

Judges comments: "There is still a great deal of potential to increase use of mobile messaging in many areas. One key area with much potential is within the SME business community. Dynmark has been successfully offering its e-txt interactive solution messaging to since 2002.

The e-txt product is easy to download and install and users can start sending and receiving messages in a few minutes. Operating like many email applications, users can set up email-to-SMS and SMS-to-email communications. There are plug-ins for popular CRM contact management systems including Goldmine, Sage ACT!, Sage CRM MME and Microsoft CRM. Although there were a number of other strong contenders in this competition category, Dynmark stood out for its strong support and SME market focus."

Best Consumer Mobile Data Application - Mobyko

Judges comments: "The industry has faced an uphill struggle to persuade consumer to use their phones for anything other than voice calls and text. There are a number of things that need to be achieved if this is to change - users need data applications that are easy to use and they also need to be made aware of the value of the content that they store on their mobile phones.

The judges chose Mobyko as the winner of this section because of its approach to solving both of these issues. Its free contact storage approach is a paragon of how to make data applications easy for the user. Mobyko's website and business model then extend this usage model to persuade consumers to backup and store more mobile content, reinforcing its value, which in turn makes the user understand the value of their handset as a mobile application platform. It is one of the most accessible and useful data applications that we have seen."

Best Corporate Mobile Data Application - Wapple

Judges comments: "Business cannot thrive today without some sort of website in support. From a simple home page to a full-blown e-commerce site with customer support and supply chain management built in. With more mobile devices than people in the UK and the everyday reliance on these devices for business (and consumer) use, it remains a problem to develop mobile websites that work well across the many device types and operating systems in use.

The judges chose Wapple as the winner in this section because their Wapple Canvas offers a no-nonsense easy-to-use mobile website building and publishing tool that automatically adjusts its delivered content to the receiving device. Being simple to use, a professional site can be put together very quickly enabling even smaller companies, with limited budgets, to grow by reaching their target mobile audience. With its managed services and design support, Wapple offers a total package for today's mobile marketing world."

Best Network - T-Mobile

Judges comments: Not applicable.

The Best Network vote was conducted via any industry wide text vote. The service was provided by MDA member Dialogue http://www.dialogue.net/who_we_are/

Best Mobile Internet Use - Bango

Judges comments: "The Bango service has been awarded the MDA award for the best use of the Mobile Internet because of the company's contribution to getting both big brands and small content providers to take advantage of mobile internet services. The Bango Service is a global platform that makes the mobile web easy for everyone and offers a mass-market mobile content monetisation solution. The adoption of Mobile Internet services has faced many hurdles in the past but Bango has worked within the constraints and is an early innovator.

The recent efforts from UK mobile operators with regard to flat rate data charges will enormously help in growing the Mobile Internet market and the Bango service helps companies profit from these developments. The MDA will also like to commend the work of 3, O2, Orange, T-mobile, Virgin Mobile and Vodafone in growing the Mobile Web."

The MDA Green Award - Motorola

Judges comments: "The environmental agenda has moved rapidly from a fringe issue into the corporate mainstream, and it's a subject will remain a permanent focus for businesses. Technology, in all its facets and forms, has a major role to play in addressing environmental issues. The Motorola Namibia project demonstrated an innovative use of technology, which in the future could mean that all mobile networks will be powered by sustainable natural resources and not requiring carbon based power. We wish Motorola every success with this pilot and look forward to seeing more and more carbon free wireless networks around the world."