The mobile phone as political communication channel orbits around the simple use of text messages (SMS). Senator Clinton uses them. Senator Barack uses them. Let's talk about the next phase. What's the future strategy for reaching supporters on the mobile phone?

This is an important question because the mobile phone is the quickest way to reach anyone. We don't always carry our laptop, radio, or television, but we are tethered to our mobile phone.

Technology recently introduced now makes possible the mass broadcasting of streaming video in real-time to a mobile phone. This mobile opportunity is partly made possible with the introduction of Adobe's Flash Lite 3.

The Adobe Mobile Gallery offers a few examples of applications powered on Flash Lite. An application campaigns should look at is MTV Flite (although, the D&G Mobile Fashion Channel is nice too).

It provides real-time information such as news about events and video clips.

However, this powerful mobile media channel isn't without limitations: the majority of mobile phones in use do not support Flash Lite. In the United States, Verizon Wireless is the only mobile provider offering support. And if Verizon Wireless is your provider, Flash Lite is installed on only select phones (Nokia, Sony Ericsson and LG).

As a mobile development platform, Flash Lite is one to watch.