There are reports all over about crazy numbers of people using mobile apps today. Not only that. There are predictions for 2012 that huge numbers of phone users will switch to smart phones (with iPhone and Android phones leading the way). Research firm Deloitte just issued a report predicting that by the end of this year there will be 500 million smart phones used.

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon some predictions (but I forgot to bookmark it, damn it) that in US alone we will see more than 30% rise in smart phone usage between older population (60+). Also there are a lot of smart people telling us that we all should invest in mobile applications. If only a few years ago our customers / listeners believed that a website is something absolutely normal in the year of 2012 they expect us to have a mobile app so they can contact us with their mobile phone.

When you think how close you can be with your listeners. They have you in their pockets. They can listen to your favorite morning show, your podcasts, they can send you messages, they can call for the prize they can follow you on Facebook which is embedded in your mobile app. There are huge opportunities for radio. Also in the added revenue stream.

It’s an investment in the future folks. It really is. And an investment in building a better and bigger radio brand in this crazy, fast changing mobile and social world :)