2010 Prediction No. 1: Micropayments will galvanize original mobile content efforts

In-app micro-transactional purchases like those enabled via Apple's iPhone OS 3.0 [1] update are already opening up a host of new revenue opportunities, enabling application developers to sell content, subscriptions and digital services without requiring consumers in both free and premium downloads. Expect the micropayment model to expand beyond software providers to more traditional media providers in the months ahead, inspiring a new wave of original, made-for-mobile efforts as record labels, movie/TV producers and publishers shift away from increasingly antiquated mobile content formats and embrace interactive, feature-rich apps.

Record labels are already releasing artist-specific applications stuffed with music, video clips, social networking tools and related content--look for bands to start including live tracks, demos, remixes, rare b-sides and other exclusive material, all available for an additional price. In addition, watch out for first-run premium short films and digital series featuring established Hollywood stars, a la Will Ferrell's Funny or Die [2] Web site. Also, expect popular and fledgling authors alike to explore publishing new material like previously unpublished short stories, novellas, maybe even a serialized novel sold one chapter at a time--digital-era Dickens, if you will.