There are very few apps out there that I feel inclined to big-up. Like many, I find myself downloading apps, typically playing with (or evaluating) them once and then never using them again. In my eyes sadly far too many apps don’t live up to expectations, often by being over engineered and failing to deliver on the basics. That said, I think that the Skype is great app – but please develop a version that is compatible with MS Windows Phone.

Those that know me know that I don’t get too hooked up by specific devices. I try to think mass market rather than get pulled by the cool and hype of specific devices. That said I currently have an HTC HD7, a device I have had since MS Windows Phone 7.0 first launched. I am now toying with upgrading and may well go for Mango.

Aspects of the industry that I believe will become significant over the next couple of years are mobile web solutions and in particular optimisation of content for search discovery, and mobile couponing and ticketing.

In the first area, Mobileweb Company are bursting on to the scene. Having developed an ahead-of-the-curve mobile publishing and optimisation platform they have already delivered advanced mobile solutions for a number of very large brands in the directory, retail, automotive and property sectors.

The second area, two organisations have caught my eye: UK based Eagle Eye solutions and Danish based Screenticket. The latter has some very interesting technology.

We are focused on bringing new clients on board across a number of sectors and building new features into the platform.

Using a new platform (our own IP) we are working with brands to create a strong mobile presence within days – not weeks or months – and help them prove the value of mobile without breaking the bank.

Mobile search is one of the fastest growing aspects of mobile. Each month there are millions of searches from mobile devices many for brands or products, many linked to specific locations, but many will not deliver results directly linked to or managed by the brand. Optimised content is quite poor or non-existent.

Many mobile suppliers can’t enable brands to capitalise on this burgeoning opportunity. Limitations in their platforms mean they simply can’t optimise services and content to be discovered by search engines, let alone work on the full range of mobile devices.

The opportunity is there for brands that are able to target search effectively and for a new breed of mobile solution provider who understands the opportunity and can deliver.

Bethan Lloyd the head of iPhone PR at Apple. Bethan is an amazing woman with unbelievable drive and passion – great person and great job.

Nora Goodman (@msMobileConverg) the twitter name says a lot. For those who have met Nora you will know why – great insight, straight talker and doer.

Damian Stafford (@damianstafford) the technical brain behind the Mobileweb Company. Damian is not like any tech you have ever met – amazing talent and great business partner.

Yell the Yellow Pages directory provider. 2001 was the start of the mobile journey and investment at Yell. I was lucky enough to be able to lead that journey and help create the foundation that still forms the basis of Yell’s mobile activity today.

Eddie Cheng, former Director of New Media Services at Yell. As well as the driving force behind all of Yell’s new media activity, Eddie had the insight, faith and trust to support the direction and investment I wanted to make in mobile. And what Eddie doesn’t know about wine and food is not worth knowing (bottlesandcooks.co.uk).

Carsten Gildum (@carstengildum) VP of Commercialisation at Freespee. Carsten is a true industry veteran, having spent the last 10 years in local search and worked with a numerous media owners to build mobile strategy, technology and business models.