Mobile technologies – information on the move … or stuck in a groove? – A South African perspective

Abstract

Mobile technologies present exciting and new opportunities to those who have not been able to access digital information before or provide additional opportunities for access. Education programmes and curricula are being revitalized through innovative technologies. Digital technology has the potential to revolutionize the lives of people with sensory-disabilities. Developing countries are now able to tap into global knowledge through a variety of hand-held devices. There is a lot of information available on open access which can be downloaded to these technologies. However, not everything is free. Copyright issues have to be taken into account when using copyrighted material on these devices. Rights-holders and manufacturers control use and access to information on mobile devices through the use of digital rights management systems (DRMs), technological protection mechanisms (TPMs), and strict licences. This paper highlights some benefits of mobile technology for education and disseminating information in a developing country's context. It also discusses how copyright, licensing and technological protection measures prevent or hamper access and help to keep information ‗stuck in a groove'.