Archive for February, 2006

3 Crazy days at the 3GSM - Barcelona

Thursday, February 16th, 2006
We’re back from the 3GSM that happened for the first time in Barcelona.
The 4 things to retain about this show (at least for the domains I’m interested in):

  • Video in all forms is invading the mobile space for real, not only in beta or trials. It ranges from handsets with DVBH tuners to ip streaming and tuner technologies such as Streamezzo with sfr.
  • Mobile Push Mail is everywhere and I’m very puzzled by the future that such companies as Visto, Seven or Dataviz have in this area, given the giants investment and policy on the area: Microsoft is providing it for free for windows mobile devices with exchange servers, Intellisync, recently bought by Nokia will be part of the standard offering and RIM is still the leader by Far.
  • Widgets are coming to mobile (yes this is definitely a smaller domain than the others but I’m particularly interested in it ;) ). Opera’s platform provides such a framework, Flash lite also does. Some other contenders are entering the area such as Bluepulse. The area is not yet mature, neither in terms of ergonomy, neither in terms of business models but this is definitely going to change the way people consult information with their devices.
  • Instant Messaging (IM for the friends) is also everywhere with the community/tribal aspects it brings and of course the associated network data consumptions. The companies are not numerous but legions in this area, ranging from integrated features of the handsets and carrier’s networks to small startups that are jumping in the area and traditional software providers or portals, all providing non unified and competing solutions. This area is going to be a real mess before the users can really IM together from a mobile, from one operator to another, from one country to another.

And the bonus thing to retain is that Barcelona rocks compared to Cannes in terms of infrastructures, weather and night life!

In next post (tomorrow), I’ll say a few words about what mobease presented during the show :)

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Introducing “mobease findit!”

Friday, February 17th, 2006
Here is why this company was founded. I’ve been working for a while in the wireless industry and I’m always amazed by seeing:

  1. How capable the handsets have become and how uncapable are normal beings to use them beyond the dialing functions, even finding someone in the addressbook can be a challenge or a long operation, and the problem is not the user.
  2. How bloated with features these handsets are and how long it takes even for advanced users to learn how to reach and use them, to learn complex and sometimes semi-logic menu structures and logics.
  3. How much information/media is now stored in the handset: Contacts, SMS, emails, Appointments, MP3s, Photos, Videos, Applications…

On the other hand, I’ve seen many people getting completly addict to Google, it’s power and simplicity.
I’ve see these people using Google and typing “Amazon” + [enter] then click the first result, instead of using the address bar even if they perfectly knew the URL.
What this teaches us is that the search engine has become a natural/default interface for many non advanced users that just want to browse the web.
I think that now, you see me coming: We need a search engine for handsets that explores the whole handset’s data and capabilities and gives results immediately. The results can be pure data like a contact name but also actions such as “Compose an SMS”.
So here we are, I’m introducing today mobease’s first product: “mobease findit!”.
Here are some early screenshots of a pre-alpha version:
mobease_mobifindit_.jpg
If you want to enroll for a private beta cycle, nothing’s easier, just go to this page and put your email. We’ll keep you posted very soon!
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