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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Finally! Now we can all stop speculating about the much anticipated iPhone….well somewhat anyway. Not a huge surprise, Rogers has announced it will be the Canadian carrier of the do-it-all cell phone by, as predictions stand, mid-2008. Of course everyone has been quick to weigh in and there has been no shortage of opinions over the last few weeks. Some stating that the iPhone is lacking a few crucial features and some list potential obstacles such as no 3G at launch, whether the touch screen will work as well as traditional button-based text entry, the high price point will keep it out of reach for many and what about voice being the stand out feature when more and more of us are using sms and email.
I must admit though my curiosity has been piqued. All the pomp and circumstance surrounding the features of the iPhone and all we continue to hear in the industry about functionality and usability continuing to reign King, I started to wonder how much aesthetics are playing into design and implementation of hand sets. How much weight does “cool” have? We’ve all read editorials and heard from people who own a RAZR, usability is apparently so-so but most keep the phone as the design is innovative and leading edge at the time, in other words it’s a “cool” phone, add to that its been the most popular phone in the world.
LG’s KE850 was designed by Prada, the Motorola RAZR V3i gold phone by Dolce & Gabbana, and the Swarovski crystal-studded Sidekick III which T-Mobile partnered on are a few noteworthy examples where design and aesthetics have been used as a principal selling point, phone as a fashion accessory versus utilitarian tool to voice and data connectivity.
At the very least it raises the question, what IS more important to the consumer, usability or aesthetic design? Perhaps it might all depend on the specific consumer and specific needs and demands. Maybe the iPhone will solve all of the executive’s problems while doubling as a visually attractive device. I suspect the jury will be out for some time on this matter as evaluating a phone and its operability is difficult to do without some real-world mileage on the device.
Shana Korotash
Executive Director
WINBC
WINBC Featured Event
MoMoVan - February 5, 2007
This session of MoMoVan will focus on the importance of wireless security and having government and facilities, critical resources, readily available to assist with developing secure wireless technologies.
Hear what our industry experts have to say about the future of wireless security and how it may impact all areas of our lives. The panelists will also share with us the importance of having government, schools and associations available to cutting edge developers, working to secure our every day activities.
Join us to learn:
- Insight into the future of wireless security
- How wireless security will impact the masses
- Resources available for developing secure wireless technologies
 For more information or to register
WINBC Partner Events
ComVu Live Broadcast - February 12, 2007
For those of you attending this 3GSM World Congress this year in Barcelona (Feb 12-15), don't forget to register in advance for the Mobile Monday Global Peer Awards event and party.
For those of you who can't make it, you can still catch the event live and cheer for your favorites companies. ComVu is Webcasting the event using it's PocketCaster service.
You'll be able to find the link on ComVu's website next week. The live broadcast will be held on February 12th beginning at 6:00 am (PST), and will be available on-demand following the event.
ComVu is returning as last year's winner for "Best Consumer Product", represent the best products/services from global mobile business hotspots, and nominated from our local MoMo Vancouver chapter!
Massive Technology Show - March 28, 2007
The Massive Technology Show is a three-part event that provides a user-friendly environment to explore technologies for business. In this action-packed day of interactive exhibits, informative presentations and networking opportunities, companies learn how to achieve their goals faster using technology.
For more information or to register
Ostec 2007 SVIA - March 29, 2007
Join us at the 2007 Silicon Vineyard Innovation Awards where each of this year's finalists will be featured and winners announced. This program celebrates innovation in our region with a gala evening and awards program to recognize excellence in industry of both innovative individuals and organizations from the Shuswap, Similkameen and Okanagan valleys.
Special guest speaker: Guy Kawasaki
For more information or to register
MEMBER PROFILE
We keep coming across new companies and adding new members to WINBC. This month we highlight one such new member. Saeed Mousavi of Linxoft Solutions tells us more about his company:
What opportunity did you see when creating Linxoft Solutions? Was there a gap in the market that you fill and what is that?
The world heavily relies on global communications and information systems to share ideas and work collaboratively over wide geographical distances. In today’s competitive world of mobile/wireless communications, network suppliers and service providers are increasingly expected to provide full turnkey services, i.e. to build and operate the network. To satisfy market demand and remain competitive, timely and rapid network deployment is a key factor in successful projects. More
MEMBER NEWS
Wireless Innovation Contest 2007
January 29th was the final deadline for entering WIC’07. Once again, we’ve pulled together industry giants to not only judge the contest, but also provide an exclusive one-hour mentor session with each of the winners. This year’s panel is represented by leaders in the following sectors: device and network manufacturers, carrier, mobile research, entrepreneur and venture capital.
The panel of judges includes:
- Tom Nyberg, Senior Manager, Product Management, Nokia Multimedia
- Chris Langdon, Vice President of Network Services, TELUS
- Ray Gilbert, AVP for IT and Enterprise Collaboration, Alcatel-Lucent
- Oliver Starr, EIR, Angel Strategies, CMO, Foldera and blogger, Mobile Crunch and MobHappy
- Tony Rizzo, Director, Mobile Technology Research, The 451 Group
- Madeline Duva, President, 3rd Eye Consulting
- Joseph Averkamp, Director of Product Strategy, Sprint-Nextel
- Ken Blakeslee, Chairman, WebMobility Ventures
More
CTIA WIRELESS 2007
March 27-29, 2007 | Orlando, Florida, USA - www.ctia.org/ctiawireless
With over 1,000 Exhibitors, hundreds of Members of Press, and 30+ Sessions & Seminars, this is the ideal networking opportunity for the Business Strategist, Engineer, Consumer and Retailer. What is wireless to you? Find it at CTIA WIRELESS 2007!
INDUSTRY NEWS
David Vogt of Mobile MUSE wanted to share this Olympic 2010 showcase opportunity with our members:
2010: ALIVE WITH WIRELESS
Remember seeing thousands of world cup fans in Germany gathered around gigantic display screens? There will be similar "Live Sites" across BC and Canada for 2010, helping communities and Canadians everywhere be part of the Olympic phenomenon.
There's a fabulous set of wireless application opportunities in making this experience more than just watching a big TV. The Mobile MUSE Network will focus on mobile media enhancement of the Live Sites experience in its upcoming $5M phase 3 applied research program.
MUSE3 is looking for wireless company partners who can bring their vision and capabilities to task of world-welcoming innovation. MUSE3 will bring together corporate, community, cultural and academic partners to pioneer commercialization-driven mobile media applications that the partners end up owning completely.
During MUSE2 we worked with local companies including Symphonetics, Exponentia, Ubiquity Interactive, LinguaComm, PocketCine, Elastic Entertainment, and Seam Mobile. If you've got podium-ready Olympic spirit, contact David Vogt, Mobile MUSE Network Executive Director, at david@mobilemuse.ca or
604-230-4154.
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WINBC EVENTS
momovan
Wireless Security - Vancouver
February 5, 2007
WINBC PARTNER EVENTS
comvu live broadcast
Mobile Monday Global Peer Awards
February 12, 2007
massive
Technology Show
Mar 28, 2007
ostec
Guy Kawasaki to speak at 2007 SVIA's
Mar 29, 2007
INDUSTRY EVENTS
mobile monday
Global Peer Awards
February 12, 2007
Canada @ 3GSM
Barcelona
February 12 - 15, 2007
cata alliance
Vendor Outreach Forum (VOF) with the Canadian Red Cross - Ottawa
February 13, 2007
Mission to Turkey
Telecom Sector Market
Visit to Turkey
Feb 25 - Mar 2, 2007
Canada Pavilion @ CTIA
Orlando, Florida
Mar 27 - 29, 2007
communicasia 2007
Canada @ CommunicAsia 2007 - Singapore
June 19 - 22, 2007
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© 2007 WINBC. All Rights Reserved.