Information-based horizontal applications include directories
and guides, which users can access and customize according to
their interests, such as headline news, business news, specific
company news tracking, weather, sports results, or stock information.
Wireless Internet applications will add value to news
and information by increasing users’ ability to access up-to-theminute
time-sensitive news while mobile. The one thing we
can all agree about is that if you wait too long, it’s no longer
news.
Wireless applications will enable users to wirelessly access
condensed versions of news and information that is relevant for
that particular moment in time. This access will often supplement
other methods for accessing this data but will add value
by providing timely access and notification of important events.
Key drivers for news and information applications are:
• Time sensitive data. Unpredictable news or events that the
user has an interest in knowing about as they occur. Weather,
sports scores, and news headlines are all examples of timesensitive
news.
• Access to up to date directories and guides to ensure efficient
actions. That paper phone book won’t always tell you that
your client recently moved his office to a new location across
town!
• Filtered access. News and information can be condensed and
filtered based on pre-existing rules and profiles according to
the user’s interests.
Some of the application areas for news and information
where wireless mobility will add value include:
• Virtual newspapers and magazines. Virtual newspapers and
magazines use communication technology to deliver periodical
and advertising information. In 1998, over 80 percent of
consumers surveyed said they believe that the Internet is as
reliable as offline (e.g., printed and television) media sources.
Because of the proliferation of 24-hour cable news channels
and the increase in online news services, average daily newspaper
readership fell to only 58 percent of the United States
population in 1997. This is compared to over 80 percent in
1964. With only 31 percent of the 21- to 35-year-old age
group reading the newspaper, traditional newspapers and
broadcasters are using virtual newspapers and magazines via
Internet to reach a more affluent, younger, demographic
online audience.*
Newspapers rarely duplicate themselves word for word
online, but they often provide more than enough for the reader
without the paper edition. When viewing online newspapers,
readers are not limited to selections of local
newspapers. They have access to newspapers around the
globe. Almost all newspapers have an online version.
Additionally, the online versions are generally free (advertiser
supported) and are available before the paper ones hit the
stands. Online newspapers and magazines tend to offer
expanded coverage into areas such a travel, entertainment,
and culture. They provide exclusive content such as breaking
news, live sports coverage, online shopping, opinion polls,
and discussion groups. However, probably the best advantage
of online newspapers is that they provide advanced search
and retrieve archives to the customer. With increased available
bandwidth, virtual newspapers can take advantage of
video and audio media to add value to their news services.
• Virtual or E-Books. Virtual books or electronic books (ebooks)
are books in digital form that can be displayed and
navigated through by a user. Many virtual books are available
through personal computers or personal digital assistants
(PDAs) via CD ROM or a connection to the Internet.
Portable e-book readers come with leather covers, a built-in
modem, and color screen.
Since 1998, online publishing offered electronic books in
PostScript Descriptor File (PDF) format. E-books offer book
publishers a way to control distribution if they’re able to tie
content to a specific device. In 1999, the total U.S. book
market was approximately $21 billion and the e-books market
share was less than 1 percent,* due in part to poor display
devices, lack of compelling content, and the limitations of the
user’s experience with the display device (which is far outstripped
by those of digital music users).
With the introduction of better display devices and more
content available via the Internet, the marketplace for virtual
books should dramatically increase. It is likely that e-book
vendors will focus initially on vertical opportunity segments
with time-sensitive content, such as mobile maintenance
(service instructions), education (distance learning), healthcare
(telemedicine), and law (case histories) topics. 153
IT Certification CCIE,CCNP,CCIP,CCNA,CCSP,Cisco Network Optimization and Security Tips
ELECTRONIC PHOTO ALBUM
A picture may be worth a thousand words, especially if you’re
on the phone trying to describe something. Wireless applications
will allow users to carry or access images that are stored
locally on the device or on a remote server. The number of
photos most consumers are able to carry with them is limited by
the size and fragile nature of printed photos, but digital photos
take up little space and eliminate fear of loss because copies
are easily made.
Since the mid-1990s, low-cost digital cameras are available
that allow customers to capture and transmit digital photographs.
Because digital cameras allow the customer to manipulate
the digitized photos, they can be enhanced to remove
red-eye, aligned, and unwanted areas can be cut out. These
images can be used to create electronic postcards or greeting
cards. Telecommunication network high-speed data transfer,
combined with store-and-forward service capabilities, will
allow customers to transmit and receive high-quality photographs.
Furthermore, many wireless devices already have the
ability to attach a camera to their data port.
Digital camera revenue is expected to surpass that of film
cameras in 2000 for the first time ever, with $1.9 billion worth
of digital cameras sold in the United States. Digital camera
unit sales are expected to grow from 6.7 million in 2002 to over
42 million in 2005.* Figure 4-5 shows a digital camera attachment
offered by Ericsson that can be connected to a phone to
transmit pictures by email.
on the phone trying to describe something. Wireless applications
will allow users to carry or access images that are stored
locally on the device or on a remote server. The number of
photos most consumers are able to carry with them is limited by
the size and fragile nature of printed photos, but digital photos
take up little space and eliminate fear of loss because copies
are easily made.
Since the mid-1990s, low-cost digital cameras are available
that allow customers to capture and transmit digital photographs.
Because digital cameras allow the customer to manipulate
the digitized photos, they can be enhanced to remove
red-eye, aligned, and unwanted areas can be cut out. These
images can be used to create electronic postcards or greeting
cards. Telecommunication network high-speed data transfer,
combined with store-and-forward service capabilities, will
allow customers to transmit and receive high-quality photographs.
Furthermore, many wireless devices already have the
ability to attach a camera to their data port.
Digital camera revenue is expected to surpass that of film
cameras in 2000 for the first time ever, with $1.9 billion worth
of digital cameras sold in the United States. Digital camera
unit sales are expected to grow from 6.7 million in 2002 to over
42 million in 2005.* Figure 4-5 shows a digital camera attachment
offered by Ericsson that can be connected to a phone to
transmit pictures by email.
IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY ACCESS
Whether you work in a large or small company or have a membership
to a gym or country club, security access badges have
become part of our personal wardrobe. These access cards typically
identify who we are and give us access to areas that are limited
to authorized persons only. Wireless applications will soon
be able to store these same permissions and offer electronic
identification with an extra touch of security. Badges are typically
passive devices that only need to be swiped or passed over a
reader. Security applications in wireless devices will have the
ability to require users to enter passwords to activate the access
ID. Wireless also enables lost access devices to be recovered easily.
Lost wireless devices that are used for security or identification
purposes may also have GPS location technology that
pinpoints the exact location of the lost or stolen device or simply
confirms that the user has not entered an area that is off-limits.
to a gym or country club, security access badges have
become part of our personal wardrobe. These access cards typically
identify who we are and give us access to areas that are limited
to authorized persons only. Wireless applications will soon
be able to store these same permissions and offer electronic
identification with an extra touch of security. Badges are typically
passive devices that only need to be swiped or passed over a
reader. Security applications in wireless devices will have the
ability to require users to enter passwords to activate the access
ID. Wireless also enables lost access devices to be recovered easily.
Lost wireless devices that are used for security or identification
purposes may also have GPS location technology that
pinpoints the exact location of the lost or stolen device or simply
confirms that the user has not entered an area that is off-limits.
MOBILE ELECTRONIC WALLET
We all have credit and debit cards that we use for various purchases;
some of us even make online purchases at home in
front of the PC. When it comes to inputting these numbers
into a wireless device every time we wish to make an electronic
transaction most of use would rather choose an easier
method of payment. Wireless mobile wallets will allow users to
access account data that is stored in the device or network to
simplify and ease the check-out pain by remembering credit or
debit card information. The mobile wallet automatically reads
the merchants check-out form and inserts user information
into the appropriate fields. In the future more banks and merchants
will experiment with mobile electronic wallets.
some of us even make online purchases at home in
front of the PC. When it comes to inputting these numbers
into a wireless device every time we wish to make an electronic
transaction most of use would rather choose an easier
method of payment. Wireless mobile wallets will allow users to
access account data that is stored in the device or network to
simplify and ease the check-out pain by remembering credit or
debit card information. The mobile wallet automatically reads
the merchants check-out form and inserts user information
into the appropriate fields. In the future more banks and merchants
will experiment with mobile electronic wallets.
ELECTRONIC CALENDAR
Electronic calendars are slowly gaining in popularity as connectivity
improves and devices are able to synchronize data
between PCs and mobile devices. Paper calendars have given
way to Palm Pilots that can share and synchronize data
between the device and the PC. This works great when both
devices have the most up-to-date data but that’s not always the
case. Calendars are often workgroup productivity tools that
allow groups to schedule meetings across multiple calendars
based on the current data. This becomes an issue when you
are away from your desk and enter a new appointment into
your Palm Pilot. Before you are able to synchronize this data
with the group calendar application it’s possible that someone
will schedule a conflicting meeting for the same day and time.
Wireless calendar access will allow you to see an up-to-date
schedule as well as record new entries on the network for all
to see. 149
improves and devices are able to synchronize data
between PCs and mobile devices. Paper calendars have given
way to Palm Pilots that can share and synchronize data
between the device and the PC. This works great when both
devices have the most up-to-date data but that’s not always the
case. Calendars are often workgroup productivity tools that
allow groups to schedule meetings across multiple calendars
based on the current data. This becomes an issue when you
are away from your desk and enter a new appointment into
your Palm Pilot. Before you are able to synchronize this data
with the group calendar application it’s possible that someone
will schedule a conflicting meeting for the same day and time.
Wireless calendar access will allow you to see an up-to-date
schedule as well as record new entries on the network for all
to see. 149
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