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In the NewsExploring the Wireless Gee-Whiz Factor Date: NJ Biz
HOBOKEN Last week some 200 technologists, marketers and industrywatchers gathered for the New Jersey Technology Council's WirelessEvolution Expo. It was the latest in a series of meetings showcasinginnovative devices and methods being developed in the region. The event featured displays and discussions of the latest developmentsin the market for unplugged communications, with some 22 exhibitors onhand to show off their wares. Presenters ranged from growing companieslike Global Bay Mobile Technologies, a wireless software solutionsprovider in South Plainfield to Google, the California search-enginepowerhouse. In addition to exhibits, the day featuredpresentations on the future of wireless services and the direction themarket may take. A panel discussion included executives fromcellular-service giant Virgin Mobile and up-and-coming CMWare inPlainsboro, which provides wireless access to content stored on auser's PC such as MP3 music files. On the table were differing views onwhat wireless users want and what technology will offer them. One of the keynote speakers, CEO Bill Barhydt of Sennari, discussed therapid growth of purchasing through wireless devices. Sennari inCupertino, Calif., develops mobile customer relationship managementsoftware. Barhydt expects a rapid increase in revenue from contentdownloaded to wireless devices. "The U.S. mobile music market was $225 million in 2004 and will grow to about $1 billion by 2009,"Barhydt said. He also expects to see revenue from the sale of downloaded games grow from $300 million in 2003 to $2 billion by 2008. The panel discussion drew together varied points of view on upcomingindustry trends."I think 2006 is going to be known as the year ofmobile advertising,"said Boris Fridman, CEO of Crisp Wireless, aprovider of mobile applications and content-management solutions in NewYork City. Imagining commercials and banner ads streaming toindividual's cell phones, Fridman said,"Advertising is going to takeadvantage that this is the most personal device that we own." This assertion did not go unchallenged."People might be reluctant toreceive advertisements in the mobile environment,"said Davor Dokonal,COO of Whitewater Mobile."I am not convinced the industry is matureenough for that."Whitewater Mobile is a Great River, New York-baseddeveloper of software for mobile communications. Panel moderatorLubna Dajani, CEO of Stratemerge in Bergen County's WashingtonTownship, added that consumers who expect ad-free television on premiumcable channels might not be ready to see their cellular service turnedinto another marketing vehicle. Stratemerge providesbusiness-development services for companies with emerging technologies. The Expo was held on the Hoboken campus of Stevens Institute ofTechnology, in the Lawrence T. Babbio, Jr. Center for TechnologyManagement. The building, which will officiallythis spring, isthe future home of the Wesley J. Howe School of Technology Management.Stevens got special permission from the city to host the event there. "The Howe school is the world's largest school of technology management,"said its acting dean, Lex McCusker. Though the event featured a vast array of uses and possibilities forwireless communications, the gee-whiz factor got stretched a littlethin for some."Do I really want to access my MP3's remotely?"askedHarlan Eplan, vice president of business development for Global Bay E-mail to jpruth |
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