CTIA - The Wireless Association® Blog - CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment 2007®

The mobile internet as an ecosystem

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:48:00 -0500

Today is the final day of the show, and as things start to wind down, I'm sure everyone is thinking about what is yet to come for the industry. Well, Atish Gude, senior vice president of Mobile Broadband Operations for Sprint's new Xohm business unit, addressed those thoughts and espoused his vision for the future for wireless internet.

The theme of his discussion was that the mobile internet is and will be a complex ecosystem with many different players, that will not be built by one individual, company, or even industry. The mobile internet is a collection of wireless, consumer electronics, and content, and all of these components need to work together seamlessly to create a positive customer experience.

Because there are so many interwoven components to the moble internet, Gude said that Xohm is "not going to do it ourselves." Instead, he said that they are committed to opening up their platfrom in hopes of spurring innovation in the broader range of consumer electronics, performance, and mobility.

As different business models emerge to capitlize on the demand for mobile internet, it will be interesting to see what models consumers ultimately decide to adopt and what this new world will look like.

Geeking out with Nokia

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:12:00 -0500

Here is a video of Kasey Farrar showing of Nokia's newest devices, which I shot with the N95. I have to say, I really love this device, you can edit video easily and then upload it via WiFi.

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Communicating with Customers

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:51:00 -0500

I just spoke with Jim Cicconi, senior executive vice-president- external and legislative affairs for AT&T. Jim is responsible for AT&T's public policy organization. I wanted to ask him some questions about what kind of value that the show offers from a policy perspective.

Jim talked about how important the show is in highlighting policy issues that arise in light of new advancements in technology- it gives a "full picture" of the industry and the challenges it faces. For instance, he noted that the convergence of wireless with wireline, demand for mobile entertainment, the iPhone, WiFi technology and E-911 are all developments that have presented new policy challenges.

He added that all of the challenges currently facing the industry flow out of the natural evolution of wireless as a necessity for modern life. He said that because the industry has become so mainstream, it falls under a brighter spotlight, and that the carriers have to make sure that they are communicating their policies effectively wth their consumers. I asked him if he thought that new media and social networking were ways that carriers could more effectively reach their customers, and he said yes, that companies "have to be able to communicate with customers at every level."

I couldn't agree more.

Facebook announces new mobile apps, Facebook for Blackberry

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:32:00 -0500

Mobile Entertainment is today's theme, so Steve Largent started off this morning's keynote with some stats about how people are entertaining themselves on tehir devices:

- monthly MMS grew by 125% in the past year

- there were 472 million MMS messages sent in June 2007 alone

-carrier data revenue reached $1.5 billion in the first months of 2007

Steve also announced that October 13, 2008 will be the 25th anniversary of the first commercial wireless phone call, and that to commemorate that date, CTIA is asking folks to vote on the Top Ten moments in wireless on their website.

Dustin Moskowitz, Co-Founder, Facebook

Dustin Moskowitz started off his keynote by talking about the evolution of the company. Considering facebook's gaining popularity in the business community as a networking tool (the over 35 demographic is the fastest growing), it probably would have been just as appropriate from him to have spoken yesterday.

Dustin began by talking about the company's "unprecedented" growth, in both the US and abroad. There are now 49 million active facebook users with 200,000 users joining daily. With such widespread adoption, facebook has become an effective multi-media communication tool, and like all communication, people want to be able to use it on the go.

Currently, facebook supports SMS, MMS, and mobile web, and Dustin announced that they are adding two new mobile applications.

- the ability for third pary apps to have 'boxes' on mobile profiles

- the ability for third party app developers to communicate with users through SMS

Dustin also brought RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis and announced Facebook for Blackberry, which Mike demoed. The application will make it possible to upload and tag photos to Facebook- within the phone's camera application. It will also offer a central location for Facebook messages and announcements. It looks really great- I am going to download it as soon as I am finished writing this post!

Afterwards, the big announcements, I had a chance to sneak backstage to see where the speakers all hang out:

Mobile Content on the Move

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:40:00 -0500

Mobile entertainment takes over on Day Two of the show, with the keynote from Facebook founder Dustin Moskovitz. We'll feature his comments on our daily webcast from the show, which, will be up on the site late this afternoon.

We also will be dropping in on the M-tertainment Pavilion to give you a look at the latest and greatest of the games people play on the move.

Earlier I spoke with AT&T VP of Consumer Data Mark Collins about what we know so far about user habits and demand, his thoughts on transferring content on and between the three screens, and the challenges to helping mobile content take off. If you're curious about what's going on in the mobile space from one of the big players perspective, check out Mark's comments.

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Telekinesis @ CTIA

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:05:00 -0500

I moved a car with my mind today. Seriously. OK, not really- I was playing a video game with NeuroSky's bio censor and signalling processing system, which monitors brainwaves and gives feedback on emotional states. Basically, I put on headphones equipped with a censor, and then thought calming thoughts to lift a car on a screen in front of me. And it worked!

Obviously, this technology can be applied to gaming, but it has other wireless application potential as well. I spoke with the company's CEO- Stanley Yang, who explained that aside from mobile phone applications which can help people meditate and develop concentration skills, the technology can also be used in mp3 players to develop playlists based on a user's mood. It also has health applications- it can be used in Bluetooth headsets for drivers to monitor when they are getting drowsy, and can also be used to detect potential heart attacks. Here are some photos of me using me telekinetic powers:

Chatting with PV

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:49:00 -0500

With so many ways to access media on your mobile device, it can be difficult to find what you want and sort through what you have. PV has developed software that will make everything accesible from a single source. They provide embedded software for multimedia services, and Gretchen Griswold demoed PV Core, which seeks to provide a more compelling end-user expereince by creating a single on-device portal for multimedia.

The Show Floor

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:39:00 -0500

I know that this show pales in comparison to the size of the Las Vegas show, but with more than 350 exhibitors, the floor is impressive. From device manufacturers to service providers, to software developers, the floor was bustling today. I wanted to get a little bit of a sampling, so I started off the day by talking to Jonathon at Sony Ericsson about what they are offering in Mobile TV, and also looked at the K790a and the newer K850i. Jonathon did a little demo for us, check it out:

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Steve Ballmer on enhancing the mobile experience

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:52:00 -0500

CTIA Semi-Annual Wireless Industry Survey

CTIA released its newest Industry Survey this morning, and Steve Largent highlighted some of the key stats:

-there are 243 million wireless subscribers in the US, which amounts to 81% of the population

-there were 28.8 billion SMS messages sent in June of 2007

-an average of 1 billion SMS messages are sent per day

Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008

But we all know that wireless is about more than texting. As Steve Ballmer discussed, its about developing ways to enhance your life- both work and personal- on the go. Microsoft has been at the forefront of taking the desktop mobile, and as Steve said, "in many countries, the phone will be the PC."

Steve's announcement of the Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 will help cell phones be managed more similarly PC's. It will work with upcoming Windows Mobile devices, and will offer device management, critical security management, and mobile VPN.

Mobile Lifestyle

But consumers want more than business functions on their devices- they want new ways to communicate with friends and colleagues, share media, and find what they need. With enhanced mobile messaging, speedy search abilities, photo upload capabilities, and location-based search, Steve also demonstrated some of the ways that Windows Moble enhances the personal experience.

Leaner and Meaner Enterprise

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:00:00 -0500

It might be more exciting for some to look at what's going on in the mobile content world and talk about the possibilities coming down the road. Video, games, music.. that's fun stuff. But don't forget this is the "WIRELESS I.T .& Entertainment®" show, and that the enterprise shares top billing.

Businesses all over the country, of all sizes, are finding out wireless solutions are making them increasingly more efficient and productive, and that ultimately makes them more profitable. They just have to take the leap, and I talked with AT&T Business Mobility Marketing VP Mike Woodward about that. Take a look and hear Mike's thoughts about how far wireless data's come in the enterprise, ROI, and what three components are coming together to really give wireless data a big push into the mainstream.

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Welcome to Day One

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:45:00 -0500

As busy as yesterday was with Billboard's Mobile Entertainment Live!, Andrew Seybold University, and the Smart Phone Summit 2007, the show officially begins today. Enterprise is the theme of the day, and Steve Ballmer will be delivering his keynote shortly with some Microsoft product and partnership announcements, including some news for Windows Mobile customers.

After the keynote, I will be heading over to the floor to check out the exhibitors and interview people about new product and software announcements. If there are any questions you would like asked- let me know!

Here is today's schedule:

9:00 AM- 5:00 PM- 4GMF 2007

9:30 AM- 10:30 AM- Keynote Session

10:00 AM- 5:00 PM- Exhibit Floor Open

11:00 AM- 12:30 PM- CTIA SMART PASS Executive Conference

1:00 PM- 2:30 PM; 3:30 PM- 5:00 PM- Educational Sessions

2:00 PM- 3:00 PM- Policy Outlook Track

1:00 PM- 3:30 PM- Making the Most of Advanced Mobile Java Programming

2:30 PM- 3:30 PM- Deloitte Wireless Fast 50 Awards Ceremnony

6:00 PM- 8:00 PM- WIC General Member Reception

"Because convergence brings everything to the mobile phone"

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:18:00 -0500

Or so says M:Metrics, a company that tracks mobile trends. Jaimee Minney talked about the increasing demand for mobile services, and how traditional mobile content consumer demographics are starting to change:

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Mobile Marketing with mozes

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:44:00 -0500

How much demand is there for opt-in mobile advertising? Well, according to Irv Remedios, quite a bit. His company- mozes- works with big-time brands, bands, and grassroots organizations to develop integrated mobile messaging campaigns. Take a look at what he has to say:

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Largent to Mossberg...Wish you were here in San Francisco

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:38:00 -0500

If Mr. Mossberg were here at CTIA’s Wireless I.T. & Entertainment 2007® show in San Francisco, he’d see what the wireless world really looks like today. Instead of writing about the old 2G world, he’d see firsthand how we have moved into the 3G broadband world, where options open up for consumers.

He would see that there are more than 600 different wireless devices available to consumers in the U.S. today, from carriers, manufacturers, and third-party retailers. Wireless customers in the U.S. can exchange voice, text and photo messages, can download or watch streaming videos and listen to radio programs. There are more than 150 wireless companies providing service across the country, from nationwide to regional and local providers. And dozens more companies have entered and exited the marketplace, driven by entrepreneurial vision and ambition to make their mark. If those things don’t define the meaning of a free market, what does?

The wireless marketplace is not static or stodgy. Wireless service providers are not the soviet ministries of old – they are dynamic players in a competitive market, working with partners to ensure that devices deliver what consumers expect, without bringing down cell sites. They are not dumb pipes, trying to substitute for the competitive marketplace – they are marketplace players. They are many things at once, but what they are today is not what they will necessarily be tomorrow. Maybe in the digital world, wireless and computing are evolving towards each other. If so, it’s because wireless devices are offering consumers more choices and capabilities, not because the computer industry offers a better market structure.

Handset subsidies have lowered the barriers to adopting wireless service for more than 240 million Americans. Fifteen percent of customers use prepaid or pay-as-you-go service plans that don’t involve contracts. That’s different from many other countries, true enough, but wireless service and wireless handsets cost American consumers a lot less than they cost consumers in most other countries. American wireless consumers pay less per minute and use more minutes than consumers in every European country – that’s a good equation for American consumers. And there are more network operators providing more choices for consumers in the U.S. than in most other developed countries in the world.

That’s where the U.S. wireless industry is today, but that’s not where we will be tomorrow. We won’t stop pushing the boundaries to give consumers more and better products and services. It’s unfortunate that Mr. Mossberg has fallen for the hollow argument that the U.S. is behind in wireless. In fact, wireless in the U.S. is dynamic, innovative, and working to deliver for consumers.

Brief Interview with Crisp Wireless

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:30:00 -0500

While at Mobile Entertainment Live! today, I had a chance to speak with Debra Bluman of Crisp Wireless briefly about what her company is doing in the developing world of mobile applications and advertising. Crisp Wireless is working with a number of high profile companies and is developing really innovative ways to deliver interactive content on mobile devices. Check out what she has to say:

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