Smartphones – Future Portals
January 23, 2009A Widget (today’s smart phone + smart computer) can be only your portal or access point. Soon you will have a widget in your hand with a smart touch screen, great video camera; smart voice recognition (keyboard issue mute) and cheap. This widget will allow video calls and be the only portal into your virtual space life. The smart mini computers and PDA phones running on a Windows Mobile, Android, Apple, or RIM are gradually moving towards that reality.
Today an internet user is comfortable exchanging private/ secure information with the transaction provider, be it a Pay pal, Banks and other solution providers on assurance that there will be no fraudulent activities.
Very soon, when your phone rings you will see the person who is calling you. During this video call, you will be able to simulate a live meeting i.e. sharing information and documents. Each video-call can be saved virtually. The cost to you will be in pennies. How much disk space do you think you will need and at what cost?
Today most of the mobile operators in the US are offering unlimited data usage for $100 per month. The mobile providers are linked to your bank accounts for billing/payment purpose and are positioned to benefit from this adoption.
To reduce churn and increase ARPU, the mobile operators are going to offer additional services such as assimilated emails portal, 24/7 home security, Mobile Entertainment, games, education, medical, video infant/child monitoring, personal property security (video and Satellite GPS IP tracking), Dynamic Google maps and more. Think of the old black and white silent movie and compare it to the IMAX. Currently you are experiencing the silent black and white movie.
Soon your experience will be multidimensional when technologies like 3G/4G, cloud computing, Grid Computing, Unified Messaging, Converged Solutions converge and Cisco’s new virtualization servers or Smart Virtual Disk Space (SVDS) will work together for a secure awesome experience.
Another perspective could be, today you a regular internet and technology user could have a business computer with internet connection, a personal computer with a internet connection, a business mobile and connection, a personal mobile with a connection and a TV with Cable at home.
You use two to all of the above. Imagine multiple logon & passwords to remember, mobile numbers and various functions to memorize. So much computing power and access points/connectivity is such a waste. It is like buying a Ferrari to use as a regular commuter car to travel a distance of 10miles.
In addition to the excessive hardware, you have to purchase all the software, licenses, cable service, and insurances. Now let us not forget all the rouge elements creating virus and worms to disrupt our lives. Very soon, you will not have to worry about most of these things as you will have widget +SVDS for all your personal and professional technology needs.
The widget + SVDS will enable the current and future internet users to assimilate all of their work in one place using single sign in and one password. The cost of providing such a service can be charged to the VAS and VAR service providers.
The SVDS can be provided at nil or minimal cost to the user by monetizing this via targeted and contextual advertising delivered across Web, WAP, and Internet, thereby, encouraging initial adoption and long-term sustainability. As long as usage metrics and personal data are kept anonymous, studies show that users are quite open to receiving specific advertisements that cater to their preferences and make for a much more personalized space to operate from, than just mindless spamming.
Moreover, in the bargain, significant value will be created in terms of quality of life by leveraging the true power of technology that opens up new vistas for the consumer who are, and will continue to be the true drivers of technology trends and evolution. Looking forward to all of your thoughts and suggestions.
