For mobiles, as with all new technologies, 'What can they do ?' isn't the right question, better one is 'What do people want to do with them?' That said it's useful to have an understanding of the opportunities provided by current and emerging products, services and technologies. As phones and PDA's merge technical descriptions are only going to get longer.
Orange SPV - the first always on phone/PDA available in UK - February 2002.
With so much on offer, the Orange SPV is one of the most exciting and desirable phones around - one you'll keep and upgrade. Features include:
Advanced colour gaming, built in MP3 player, large colour screen. mobile email, Photo Messaging, Answerfax and Data Compatible, calculator, Call Divert, Call Waiting/hold, colour screen, date/clock/alarm, diary, digital camera, email, GPRS, HTML Browsing, infrared connection, Instant Messaging, last number redial, Multi Media services, Phone book memory, Picture Messaging, predictive text input, selection of games, speed dialling, Text Messaging, tri band technology, vibrating alert, wallpapers or screensavers, WAP Accessories, Hands free data cable, separate mp3 players, Hands-free camera
Voice:
Still the 'killer app' of mobile
phones
Opportunities:
At the most basic level voice can quickly connect people with others
in a familiar and effective manner. All phones are able to make voice
calls and all but a few users are able to use this function.
SMS - Text Messaging
Opportunities:
More subtle than voice text can connect people in situations where voice
would be inappropriate. Text messages can also be easily forwarded and
spread information wirelessly 'one to many.' Range
of SMS and WAP games.
WAP - Wireless Application Protocall
Opportunities:Slow and unsuccessful remote connection.
Phones with built in camera and picture messaging (Heavily advertised from Christmas 2002 and growing in 2003.)
Opportunities:
The ability to take record and share images on the move. Nokia have
also released the Nokia Observation Camera, a wireless camera that can
send a picture in response to an SMS. This can be used for remote monitoring.
Nokia Observation camera
GPS Satellite tracking
Opportunities:
This can allow a user to navigate effectively in an unknown environment
or for someone to track their movements. See this story on Alternet.
Services to track children are now commercially available in the US.
Nokia N-Gage Game Deck
Java based game phones:
Such as the Nokia game
deck -Predicted to be to 2003 what picture phones were to 2002.
Opportunities:
Java presents a more sophisticated cross platform language that can
be used to create more compelling applications as well as games. Games
may also present an educational opportunity for children. See Fonearcade
- for examples of Java games and Midletcentral.com
for examples of more Java and applications.
MP3 players and radio receivers
2.5G- GPRS:
Always on internet connection as in Orange SPV
Opportunities:
Exploitation of all the technologies available online in a mobile environment.
3G:
A higher bandwidth connection offering streaming video and location
based services. The first phones were
released in April 2003 in the UK. Services initially launched include
Premiership football video, video calling, video clips, location based
services, content browsing and interactive games.
Opportunities:
The ability to stream and call video can offer richer information and
also face to face contact. Location based services can provide information
relevant to your immediate context see 3G
users receive regional news. You also have the ability to interact
online with other users.
Multi player game deck via Bluetooth
Wi-fi phones:
Bluetooth enabled phones are able to wirelessly share data over short
distances. This can be used to connect with other phones, computers
or 'hotspots' in the environment.
Opportunities:
Hotspots are a way to provide local information and services accurate
to the meter. See Pango
Networks for examples of proximity based services.
DAB radio phones:
Phones with digital radio receivers will provide crystal clear
radio reception.
Multi function devices:
As handset ownership reaches saturation in some markets manufacturers
are diversifying to create hybrid information and entertainment appliances
aimed at a narrower market segment. The Nokia 5100 for example incorporates flashlights, radio, thermometer,
sound meter and calorie counter.
The creation of hybrid products aimed at a specific market which combine devices that are useful to safety and personal security.
Hybrid Phone / PDA / Palmtop devices
The SPV was one of the first in a line of hybrid phone/PDA devices. See Gizmodo's PDA section for the latest editions.
Opportunities:
Improved processing power and higher memory allows the creation of more
complex software for handheld devices. Mobile email offers a more expressive
form of SMS.
3G
At the time of writing April 2003, 3 the 3G service from Hutchinson Telecom is taking orders for the first 3G (third generation) phones. 3G promises a higher bandwidth that will including streaming video, hi speed web access and location based services. Despite the hype and the Millions of pounds spent on auctioning 3G licenses Mobile UK, warns that the take up of the enhanced service will be low, not least because of the high cost. Consumers have got used to the functionality provided by their existing phones which they still use predominately for voice. The take up for 3G is likely to mirror the slow progression from 56k modem connections to Broadband. (Mobile UK, The Work Foundation, 2003)
NEC e606, one of the first 3G handsets available from 3.
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Last updated September 10, 2003. © Human Beans 2003.
