What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything
In the tradition of international bestsellers, Future Shock and Megatrends, Michael J. Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, brings TheMobile Wave, a ground-breaking analysis of the impact of mobile intelligence -- the fifth wave of computer technology. The Mobile Waveargues that the changes brought by mobile computing are so big and widespread that it's impossible for us to see it all, even though we are all immersed in it. Saylor explains that the current generation of mobile smart phones and tablet computers has set the stage to become the universal computing platform for the world. In the hands of billions of people and accessible anywhere and anytime, mobile computers are poised to become an appendage of the human being and an essential tool for modern life. With the perspective of a historian, the precision of a technologist, and the pragmatism of a CEO, Saylor provides a panoramic view of the future mobile world. He describes A Harvard education will be available to anyone with the touch of a screen. Cash will become virtual software and crime proof. Cars, homes, fruit, animals, and more will be tagged so they can tell you about themselves. Buying an item will be as easy as pointing our mobile device to scan and pay.Land and capital will become more of a liability than an asset. Social mobile media will push all businesses to think and act like software companies. Employment will shift as more service-oriented jobs are automated by mobile software. Products, businesses, industries, economies, and even society will be altered forever as the Mobile wave washes over us and changes the landscape. With so much change, The Mobile Wave is a guidebook for individuals, business leaders, and public figures who must navigate the new terrain as mobile intelligence changes everything.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2012
80 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 9, 2012
Interviewed on Charlie Rose, Michael Saylor was fascinating, full of ideas about the future of the Information Revolution and the role of mobile technology as the tipping point in that revolution. He presented himself as someone with thoughtful and creative insights into the future world. And so, I read his book, The Mobile Wave.
The book also captures Saylor's thoughtfulness, creativity, and interesting analogies. Here too he presents himself as a visionary with good insights into the future. But...
Saylor's forward thinking ideas are buried in irrelevant historical digressions and unnecessary facts so the book is as much backward looking as forward thinking. Yes, historical context and the clever analogies are helpful, but why so much detail about the past? In the section on the future of mobile technology in medicine, why say, "Hookworms can lay 30,000 eggs each day in the body of a child, and in some areas this has been found to cut that individual's future earning capacity by up to 43 percent"? On the future of mobile technology in education, why say, "The first known schools appeared in Sumer around 2500 B.C., in Shuruppak, home of Noah in the Mesopotamian flood legend"? And the book is jam packed with details like this; it's a Wikipedia on steroids gone wild.
If this book were condensed to a forward looking magazine article, it would be compelling and insightful, like Saylor's Charlie Rose interview. As a book, it's a long (poorly edited) slog through the past and a disappointing ordeal.
The book also captures Saylor's thoughtfulness, creativity, and interesting analogies. Here too he presents himself as a visionary with good insights into the future. But...
Saylor's forward thinking ideas are buried in irrelevant historical digressions and unnecessary facts so the book is as much backward looking as forward thinking. Yes, historical context and the clever analogies are helpful, but why so much detail about the past? In the section on the future of mobile technology in medicine, why say, "Hookworms can lay 30,000 eggs each day in the body of a child, and in some areas this has been found to cut that individual's future earning capacity by up to 43 percent"? On the future of mobile technology in education, why say, "The first known schools appeared in Sumer around 2500 B.C., in Shuruppak, home of Noah in the Mesopotamian flood legend"? And the book is jam packed with details like this; it's a Wikipedia on steroids gone wild.
If this book were condensed to a forward looking magazine article, it would be compelling and insightful, like Saylor's Charlie Rose interview. As a book, it's a long (poorly edited) slog through the past and a disappointing ordeal.
July 8, 2021
"If you want to give joy to 5 billion people you need digital music. If you want to give knowledge to 5 billion people you need digital books. If you want to give wealth to 5 billion people you need digital property."
-Micheal Gigachad saylor
-Micheal Gigachad saylor
October 3, 2012
if i had read this before i read Abundance by Peter Diamandis i'd probably like it more, but it mostly reiterates what he already said. basically everyone having a smartphone will level the playing field. the poorest people will have the same access to health care, education, market information, you name it as the richest. no more banking, no more money, no more crime, no more retail locations, no more print. it will all be grand. about 12 million people will lose their jobs since one person can now do the same work as 60, but it's ok because when we didn't have to each grow our own food we were freed up to do better things. too much history for me and this had a shockingly high number of grammatical errors. i like the tone of abundance better but this is not a bad book.
December 17, 2017
More on smartphones/tablets as external brains. He believes mobile computing is the tipping point for the Information Revolution. Evangelistic and optimistic in tone but not so persuasive in argument. Until security and privacy concerns are addressed, I don't think the future he envisions can arrive. And offering Singapore's regimented society as a shining example didn't help.
October 15, 2012
This book was OK. Good read for someone who wants to know the basics of mobile technology and it's place in our world. There were some interesting facts. Read more like a history book then what I was looking for. Was hoping for more of a futurist point of the then simply stating how we got here and what might happen based on where we are.
July 23, 2013
This book is behind the mobile wave. If it was published in 2010, the information would be more surprising to learn. Those who are aware of emerging or past technologies will be disappointed by this text.
January 1, 2013
OK for a very broad perspective of technology. Kinda skewed as it is written by the CEO of MicroStrategy.
February 4, 2013
A well written glimpse into the very near future. Either ride the wave or get run over by it.
January 20, 2014
You should only read this book if you are a novice in this field.
Read
June 23, 2020In March, I read "The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence will Change Everything," by Michael Saylor. This book argues that technology has become so big and so much a part of our every day lives, that we have come to think of it as normal. Especially among this generation, and now the coming generation, we are beginning to realize the potential of technology and the power it can hold in global advancement.
Technology has become so wide-reaching, Saylor says, that more people have access to technology than to clean drinking water. With this huge expansion of a valuable resource, people are realizing the good that this can do for healthcare, education, agriculture, economic growth, and many other areas of our lives. And because of the accessibility, these advancements do not have to be limited or restricted to any one part of the world. Throughout the book, Saylor explores the possible impacts that technology can have in various fields in the future.
This book offers some good analysis and opportunities for advancement in many areas. For example, he explores the wonderful possibility of merchants in third world countries being able to "tag" their products and use technology to decide where to sell in order to gain the most profit. He explores the possibility of using your fingerprint instead of passcode on a smart phone to protect it from being used for criminal activity. He explores the possibility of education being available through virtual classrooms. The bottom line is always that, in any case, technology would be a tremendous benefit for everyone.
While this book offered some good analysis of each field in particular, I found it kind of difficult to read. Some of the advancements are coming to fruition, such as online banking, online education, and technology integration and use in healthcare and surgery. But I thought that a lot of his ideas were simply that. Good ideas. Great in theory, but that I question in practice. For example, much of this technology requires a steep learning curve. In a few generations, I think it will be much different. But now, especially serving with clients who have never touched a computer in their lives, don't know how to use email or fill out a job application, any technological advancement is really more of a hindrance than a help.
And living in a first world country, much of what he says sounds like a great idea. But in cities or countries where the most access they have to technology is a single cell phone tower, I question how the technology he proposes would even get to them. For example, how can livestock herders in West Africa tag their animals and compare market prices if they don't have a smart phone and/or don't know how to use it, let alone upload things to it and access the information they would need? Moreover, where would the funds come from? Technology is not a cheap investment, and it certainly is not a perfect one. Who will be responsible for fixing the wireless or an application if it goes down? And how would they be alerted if something malfunctions? Nevermind the actual cost and effort required to develop this technology.
Certainly, Saylor has some great ideas for how technology could improve the world. And he bases a lot of this on the current technological advancements already taking place, as well as the identified needs in the world. But I couldn't help but think that he is a bit too idealistic. While many of his proposals are great in theory, he fails to go into the details of their practice and exactly how this proposed technological expansion would go about happening. It will certainly be interesting to follow.
Technology has become so wide-reaching, Saylor says, that more people have access to technology than to clean drinking water. With this huge expansion of a valuable resource, people are realizing the good that this can do for healthcare, education, agriculture, economic growth, and many other areas of our lives. And because of the accessibility, these advancements do not have to be limited or restricted to any one part of the world. Throughout the book, Saylor explores the possible impacts that technology can have in various fields in the future.
This book offers some good analysis and opportunities for advancement in many areas. For example, he explores the wonderful possibility of merchants in third world countries being able to "tag" their products and use technology to decide where to sell in order to gain the most profit. He explores the possibility of using your fingerprint instead of passcode on a smart phone to protect it from being used for criminal activity. He explores the possibility of education being available through virtual classrooms. The bottom line is always that, in any case, technology would be a tremendous benefit for everyone.
While this book offered some good analysis of each field in particular, I found it kind of difficult to read. Some of the advancements are coming to fruition, such as online banking, online education, and technology integration and use in healthcare and surgery. But I thought that a lot of his ideas were simply that. Good ideas. Great in theory, but that I question in practice. For example, much of this technology requires a steep learning curve. In a few generations, I think it will be much different. But now, especially serving with clients who have never touched a computer in their lives, don't know how to use email or fill out a job application, any technological advancement is really more of a hindrance than a help.
And living in a first world country, much of what he says sounds like a great idea. But in cities or countries where the most access they have to technology is a single cell phone tower, I question how the technology he proposes would even get to them. For example, how can livestock herders in West Africa tag their animals and compare market prices if they don't have a smart phone and/or don't know how to use it, let alone upload things to it and access the information they would need? Moreover, where would the funds come from? Technology is not a cheap investment, and it certainly is not a perfect one. Who will be responsible for fixing the wireless or an application if it goes down? And how would they be alerted if something malfunctions? Nevermind the actual cost and effort required to develop this technology.
Certainly, Saylor has some great ideas for how technology could improve the world. And he bases a lot of this on the current technological advancements already taking place, as well as the identified needs in the world. But I couldn't help but think that he is a bit too idealistic. While many of his proposals are great in theory, he fails to go into the details of their practice and exactly how this proposed technological expansion would go about happening. It will certainly be interesting to follow.
August 29, 2021
I felt compelled to read the book written by the man who orange-pilled me, and what I found was a book from a decade ago, when the power of the mobile phone to dematerialize your GPS, camera, and iPod was just starting to come into fruition.
Saylor gives us a neat history of information, with parchment replacing papyrus (the former did better in cooler climes), and then the printing press, the Desktop, the Internet, and then mobile. He had foresight on the creation of a digital wallet and the ability to send education all over the world through the web. He missed on the cost of phones (they keep getting more expensive) and on the demise of gaming systems (the Playstation will be with us for decades more), but he got more right than wrong.
The goal of reducing paper product use really feels like something from a while ago, with newspapers and magazines no longer something I think of as being published anywhere but the web for anyone under the age of 65 or so. On the privacy front I'm not sure he realized how dystopian this could get, with a handful of unaccountable companies owning everyone's data and having the power to overrule heads of state.
A neat read, but like Saylor has said on some interviews, he made $50K from writing the book; he made $500M from taking his own investing advice. His advice today: buy bitcoin.
Saylor gives us a neat history of information, with parchment replacing papyrus (the former did better in cooler climes), and then the printing press, the Desktop, the Internet, and then mobile. He had foresight on the creation of a digital wallet and the ability to send education all over the world through the web. He missed on the cost of phones (they keep getting more expensive) and on the demise of gaming systems (the Playstation will be with us for decades more), but he got more right than wrong.
The goal of reducing paper product use really feels like something from a while ago, with newspapers and magazines no longer something I think of as being published anywhere but the web for anyone under the age of 65 or so. On the privacy front I'm not sure he realized how dystopian this could get, with a handful of unaccountable companies owning everyone's data and having the power to overrule heads of state.
A neat read, but like Saylor has said on some interviews, he made $50K from writing the book; he made $500M from taking his own investing advice. His advice today: buy bitcoin.
December 6, 2023
The saving grace of this book is Saylor's striking predictions. Despite the book's age, many of his visions are still playing out in their infancy today. The prevailing thesis (software/computing is eating the world, basically) is familiar, but illustrated and examined in new ways.
As others have noted, there is a historical bent that's a bit tiresome in a book that is seemingly angled toward futurism. But one could argue the same thing about similar books (The Fourth Turning, the Sovereign Individual, etc). Some history is necessary for context, but all of these books provide historical background that is a bit excessive, in my opinion.
Lastly, as an indie author and reader of indie works, I'm pretty forgiving of typos, but I do have to mention there are quite a few in this book.
Overall still a great read as I came away with plenty of new insights.
As others have noted, there is a historical bent that's a bit tiresome in a book that is seemingly angled toward futurism. But one could argue the same thing about similar books (The Fourth Turning, the Sovereign Individual, etc). Some history is necessary for context, but all of these books provide historical background that is a bit excessive, in my opinion.
Lastly, as an indie author and reader of indie works, I'm pretty forgiving of typos, but I do have to mention there are quite a few in this book.
Overall still a great read as I came away with plenty of new insights.
January 6, 2023
I wished I had read this before, ideally a decade ago when it originally came out.
Michael Saylor is absolutely on point on what the future and technological innovation is going to bring and how it's going to affect our lives.
Everything he said turned out to be true.
And yes, this was long before his name became synonymous with Bitcoin, so whether one's opinion on BTC and crypto currencies, I find the book an essential read to better understand the Information Revolution and the major changes our times have to face.
.
Michael Saylor is absolutely on point on what the future and technological innovation is going to bring and how it's going to affect our lives.
Everything he said turned out to be true.
And yes, this was long before his name became synonymous with Bitcoin, so whether one's opinion on BTC and crypto currencies, I find the book an essential read to better understand the Information Revolution and the major changes our times have to face.
.
December 26, 2018
Considering the year of publication, the book proves the vision of the author for the future. There is one statement that mentions 2018 prediction and looking at where we are... it is accurate.
A good read even today.. though most of the predictions are now past.
No doubt, Michael Saylor has been able to lead a successful mobile analytics company.
For disclosure .... I have now joined MicroStrategy and look forward to be part of this journey.
A good read even today.. though most of the predictions are now past.
No doubt, Michael Saylor has been able to lead a successful mobile analytics company.
For disclosure .... I have now joined MicroStrategy and look forward to be part of this journey.
October 26, 2017
Hard to read something more than 2-3 years in cutting edge technology that doesn't feel somewhat outdated.
Still a lot of the predictions in this book have yet to unravel. It is a good historical/economic look about information dissimination from clay tablets to modern day cell phones and how it is changing society.
Still a lot of the predictions in this book have yet to unravel. It is a good historical/economic look about information dissimination from clay tablets to modern day cell phones and how it is changing society.
December 28, 2020
Mobile is disrupting every industry. Education and health will be next.
December 20, 2022
the future is bright yet it needs a serious preparation.
May 4, 2023
Michael Saylor is as smart as they come. Graduated top of his class, Valedictorian, says it all. Great insight into where we are and where we're heading.
August 2, 2024
Inside the mind of Saylor. Just wish I had read those when it came out.
October 5, 2016
Nothing earth shattering here...
March 14, 2013
I think the book was at its best giving specific examples of how things are CURRENTLY changing due to mobile technology, but less so when the author extrapolated to what changes he saw coming in the future. It's not that I didn't believe him. It's more about the fact that when I can barely get my smartphone to be reliable enough to make an every day call or have my GPS work without waiting about 10 minutes, do I realy trust it to be my source of payment at the cash register? Also, he seemed a bit misinformed (optimistic?) about some things, such as Netflix offering their entire library of movies to stream. Not even close.
Still, it's a very interesting read and there's no doubt that the Information Revolution will be an amazing time of change.
Still, it's a very interesting read and there's no doubt that the Information Revolution will be an amazing time of change.
November 5, 2012
The appallingly bad editing and stilted writing style detracted somewhat from the content, which was well-researched and contained many interesting nuggets of information. He convincingly defended the many benefits of mobile, including most notably its "green" impact.I particularly agree with his argument that mobile will burst the bubble of overpriced higher education by making outstanding education available to everyone, everywhere. As a book lover, I am sad about but basically agree with his publishing insights, although I don't think books will become dinosaurs/collectors' items as rapidly as he seems to think they will.
January 26, 2014
Although this book was required reading for a class, I enjoyed the read. I also learned a lot about how much our lives will be changing in the near future.
This book is part history, part prognostication. The authors do a nice job explaining what technology advances have already happened, how they have already impacted our society, and what we can expect to see next. There are many interesting anecdotes and examples of what companies (and government) are doing now, and their plans for the future.
This book is part history, part prognostication. The authors do a nice job explaining what technology advances have already happened, how they have already impacted our society, and what we can expect to see next. There are many interesting anecdotes and examples of what companies (and government) are doing now, and their plans for the future.
Read
February 23, 2013This is an excellent survey going back to the history of communications leading up to what the future holds in technology, emphasizing practical applications of smartphones/mobile technology in education, health care and business.
Author is an MIT educated brilliant businessman at the cutting edge of mobile applications in business. He is principal stockholder in MicroStrategy.
Well worth the read and an easy to read, well written book
Author is an MIT educated brilliant businessman at the cutting edge of mobile applications in business. He is principal stockholder in MicroStrategy.
Well worth the read and an easy to read, well written book
August 16, 2013
يستقرئ الكاتب تطور التكنلوجيا اعتمادا على تقنيات الهاتف النقال...يمكن لهذا المتاب أن يكون مثيرا للاهتمام لمن لايعرف كثيرا عن التكنولوجيا و التقنيات الموجودة حاليا ..أما بالنسبة لي فقد كان مملا...و خاصة أن الكتاب تم تأليفة 2010 و نشرت طبعته العربية 2012 و نحن الآن في 2013 و قد تطورت التقنيات كثيرا....على كل أعطيه 3 نجوم لأني أعرف أنه قد يفيد أشخاصا آخرين أكثر مني....و شكرا لدور النشر على ترجمة أي كتاب للغة العربية
Read
May 12, 2014Great thesis, especially once I got past all the panglossian hucksterism. He does a pretty good job of pointing out that we are undergoing a third revolution in technology, the first two being agriculture and industry. Like with those two revolutions. we cannot imagine what we will do with ourselves in the next era, and yet we always manage to produce more of what people want with a better economy. The only trick is getting it done in time for us to have prosperity again.
August 13, 2012
Straight forward book that reminds us how we got to this point with mobile technology and social media. Provides a good overview of the types of changes we might see soon. What this and other books like this overlook is the need for a much more universally capable network to make mobile technology work as advertised.
February 12, 2013
Premised on the idea mobile technology is a kind of tipping point of the information revolution, this smart book is chock full of fascinating ideas about where mobile is taking us. Would have liked a bit more exploration of the challenges associated with that development, and a little less cheerleading. But a valuable read for anyone trying to get a handle on the enormous changes coming our way!
October 2, 2012
The book was good and did a decent job illustrating just how disruptive mobile technology is. However, when it comes to business and technology books, I always applaud brevity, and this book could have been 75-100 pages shorter and still gotten the job done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews