MouserMobile: Your On-the-Go Resource for Parts and Information

MouserMobile: Your On-the-Go Resource for Parts and Information

While you can’t always trust statistics — a wise man once said they should be used in an argument much the way that a drunkard uses a lamppost: for support instead of illumination — it is tough to dispute the gaudy numbers underpinning the notion that web-connected smartphones are enjoying remarkable growth:

• Gartner (Stamford, CT) expects U.S. sales of smartphones to grow from 67 million in 2010 to 95 million in 2011 and become the highest-selling consumer electronic device category.

• IDC (Framingham, MA) expects total smartphone sales in 2011 to reach 472 million across the globe, rising to 982 million in 2015. IMS Research (Austin, TX) is equally optimistic and expects smartphones to represent 28% of the 2011 mobile handset market, rising to half the market (and over 1 billion units) in 2016.

So how does the trend toward always-connected mobile devices dovetail with an electronics distributor’s desire to make its parts available for easy online purchase wherever you happen to be?

The answer is called MouserMobile™ and it allows engineers to use their mobile device to search and/or procure nearly 2 million parts electronic components, semiconductors and emerging technologies from more than 450 leading suppliers. Engineers and buyers can search for parts by using a product number, a keyword, a category drill down list or a parametric filter. Users can view detailed item specifications, pricing and real-time product availability. What is more, over 6 million downloadable datasheets, supplier-specific reference designs, application notes, technical design information, and engineering tools are available in the database.

MouserMobile™ is accessible and usable on most mobile devices such as smartphones, netbooks, tablets, and various other handheld web-enabled devices. Devices whose MouserMobile™ functionality has been successfully tested include Apple iOS (all iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models); Android OS (HTC EVO™ 4G and Motorola Droid); RIM Blackberry OS (Blackberry Torch); and HP WebOS (Palm Pre and Pixi) product.

Besides the rocking chair comfortable user experience, engineers will appreciate the fact that because MouserMobile™ isn’t an app, there is no download necessary. And no annoying ‘app update’ reminders. You simply point your mobile web browser to Mouser.com and the system automatically recognizes that you're on a mobile device and redirects to the mobile site alternately you can just type m.mouser.com into the address (URL) field of your mobile browser and your device will display the MouserMobile™ site.

You do not need a My Mouser account to search, browse, or buy products on MouserMobile™ but creating an account will help you take advantage of many special services and time-saving features.

The MouserMobile™ site features multilingual, multicurrency support 17 languages and 16 currencies for the convenience of design engineers and buyers. A video guide is in place to offer further guidance to first-time users and, if needed, a quick call can be made by hitting the little phone icon to further ease the ordering process.

Since the February 2011 launch, Mouser has seen an increase of more than 680% in mobile usage.

But don’t let me tell you how you should feel about this mobile web site. Sign up for an account today by visiting Mouser.com from your computer's web browser and clicking the “Create Account” link near product search at the top of the page.

BY MURRAY SLOVICK