Feature Article of Mobile Europe Magazine – October
Since GPRS, there has been a constant hype around non-SMS data applications. Attending mobile trade shows, one could easily identify the annual killer-application. WAP, MMS, Streaming and Mobile TV have all enjoyed much more than their deserved 15 minutes of fame, but none have delivered anything but a trickle of early-adopters. While there can be no single explanation for this failure, the unspoken truth is that these network-oriented services have failed mainly because they been generated to serve the interests of industry, and primarily network and handset vendors. Unfortunately, the user’s interest is low on the totem pole. Although we all hold devices and constantly fiddle with their buttons, we refuse to adopt the data services offered. If services continue to be network-oriented and to primarily serve the industry, rather than the user, expensive DVBH and HSDPA networks will be launched, but used by few.
It can not be disputed that streaming services generally, and Mobile TV specifically have been the dandy of vendors for years. Attending Symbian events as early back as 2002, developers could watch Nokia keynote speakers demonstrate the live streaming of TV programs, and promoting it as the next big thing. At 3GSM, the industry’s main trade show, topics such as Push to Talk and Instant Messaging have received some attention, but Mobile TV has for years enjoyed unparallel exposure. In the high-tech industry, where Next Big Things enjoy a short shelf life, the on-going obsession with Mobile TV requires examination. …
For the full article, visit: http://www.mobileeurope.co.uk/magazine/features.ehtml?o=2508
