Juniper Research recently reported that combined applications are becoming increasingly important for customers, facilitated through platform as a service (PaaS) from integral sites such as Microsoft and Google.

As expected, the results of the research found that the connected enterprise applications market was strengthened significantly following the continued success of Apple’s iPhone and its prestigious App Store alongside RIM’s BlackBerry platform and the BlackBerry App World.

This marked increase is due in part to the sheer number of enterprise applications now available to end users. It is also a direct reflection of the fact that the applications themselves offer a vast range of enhancements and facilities available.

Whilst enterprise applications will continue to dominate cloud based application revenues over the next few years, it is predicted that other consumer applications such as social networking platforms, games and music services will collectively generate more than 25% of the total proceeds by 2014.

In previous years, touch technology has mainly been driven by the high end smartphone market. However, in today’s world, a consumer walking into any high street mobile phone retailer will come face to face with a large selection of touch screen handsets.

As a direct result of consumer demand for affordable touch screen phones, many mid range devices now boast tap technology. As handset ability increases in line with new advances, end users are increasingly aware of the benefits of touch interfaces creating continued business for manufacturers.

Interestingly, handsets which merge both touch screen simplicity and a QWERTY keypad, such as the recently released Samsung Genio Slide, have been vastly popular in the UK mobile market as they incorporate the best of both technologies in one concise device. A touch user interface cannot fulfil every type of operation and therefore, a selection of consumers still feel that they require the touch of a button for certain commands. This is particularly true for business users who require a handset which can cope with a large amount of typing in line with heavy email usage.

10 million people in the UK browse the internet via their mobile phone in a typical week, with almost one hour each day spent actively going online using their device. With these figures equating to an average of 6.3 hours a week, it’s not surprising that surfing the web on the move has become a more popular pastime than reading newspapers or flicking through magazines.

With 43% of 16 to 24 year olds and 26% of 25 to 34 year olds consistently using mobile internet, it is clear that the younger generation of early adopters are key leaders in this trend. More and more people are now able to interact with each other via internet enabled devices whenever they choose, wherever they like.

Web communications have contributed to a significant shift in social interactivity. It is thought that 4 out of 5 people now stay in touch with friends and family more frequently since the introduction of mobile internet. Social platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, now available on the go, fulfil the consumer appetite for instant updates and entertainment. Mobile instant messenger also remains popular alongside listening to the radio, playing games and watching films confirming that mobile phones continue to be used for much more than just verbal communication.

It seems that we are now moving towards a strong demand from business users and consumers alike for media convergence. Now that the internet is available via PC’s, laptops, mobiles and game consoles there is a never ending cycle of multimedia outlets, providing instant access to digital interaction at any time of day or night. There has also been a distinct rise in the number of industry standard applications utilised by business users to accessorize their BlackBerry’s and Smartphones.

With persistent improvements in internet coverage, connectivity, speeds and services, it is thought that the figures for mobile internet usage will continue to rise steadily.

The life span of a mobile device is 18 months and each year more than 15 million handsets are replaced or upgraded. This leaves the average household with at least two old mobile phones and an estimated 80 million unused handsets gathering dust across the UK.

Mobile phone recycling businesses such as Envirofone, Mazuma and Money4urmobile have each seen an increase in revenue, particularly since the beginning of the recession. More people are looking for simple ways to make money and get good returns on idle household items. Prices vary widely for individual handsets so when looking to recycle a device, it is best to use a price comparison website such as Mobilevaluer.com which quickly shows which site will pay the highest amount. In some cases, a savvy consumer could receive up to £150!

Similarly, Mopay.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading mobile phone and iPod recycling companies, is expecting to give away more than £1 million over the four days of this year’s Gadget Show Live. More than 50,000 visitors are expected to attend the show which is due to be held at Birmingham NEC from the 7th – 11th of April and if each person brings along their unwanted devices, their total cash value could exceed £1.8million.

In order to successfully recycle a phone, it needs to be in decent working condition e.g. be able to be switched on, have no more than mild cosmetic damage and the original battery. The company will give a price for the handset and if it is accepted, they usually send a jiffy bag for the phone, which can then be returned freepost.

However, getting rid of old devices isn’t just about making money from de-cluttering. Decaying phones are often home to potentially noxious substances. Cadmium batteries can infect water systems and lead flame retardants and beryllium could harm the environment if they are incorrectly disposed of. Even if you are unable to sell your phone, mobile recycling companies will be able to ensure that it is safely dealt with.

With an ever increasing focus on being green, it is good to know that phone lifecycles can now be completed with an environmentally friendly ending.