Recent developments in the mobile space may well be the sign of the way web based services will be made available across cell phones. There is stiff competition brewing between the handset makers. Now, it seems that the same is happening on the web applications side as well with FaceBook and MySpace trying to get the better of each other with integration deals with several telecommunication companies.
The articles in BusinessWeek give details on how Hutchison Whampoa is planning to make available a $50 handset from INQ supporting integration with FaceBook. Integration would imply ease of use. There are a whole number of web applications available but only the very popular ones would be in a position to support such integration.
One could argue that availability of services integrated with mobile devices makes the phone device as such less important. Could the mobile applications do to the mobile devices what the browser is doing to the Operating System on the desktop. As long as I can access my social networks, my favorite search engine, email account and a decent feed reader, how much more does the hardware matter?