Convergence Conversation

Augmented Reality (AR) is a term used to describe a live direct or a indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input -- such as sound or graphics.

Mobile Augmented Reality -- the overlay of useful information on real-world views seen through a mobile phone's camera viewfinder -- has the potential to transform mobile marketing, online search, tourism, retail and social networking.

To date, mobile AR is being used mostly as a novelty. However, according to the latest market study by ABI Research, the key to real AR market growth is to embed AR into a wide range of mobile apps running on a variety of devices. More...

Multi-vendor femtocells and a change in spectrum policy - a key to convergence.

Here's a taster from Intellect's 'Switched On' publication.

'Switched On' is a monthly whistle-stop tour around the big news stories breaking in digital communications, crammed with bite size news chunks.

With our fingers firmly on the pulse of cutting edge technology news, we continue to push the boundaries of digital knowledge, covering an enormous number of topics as wide and varied as digital communications itself. To recieve switched on direct to your inbox sign up here.

Enjoy....

Switched On!

Here's a quick top-up of the biggest and boldest stories
since the last edition of
Switched On. More...

Cisco and Telia Sonera announced last week that they had signed a key contract to deploy P2P Ethernet FTTH service in Sweden. It's been a while since no one really pays attention to FTTH announcements in Sweden (there's a whole lot of them!) but this one is significant because of the choice of technology.

It is commonly accepted that xPON is the technology of choice of incumbent operators. Officially because of the OPEX savings and network reingeneering opportunities it offers. Officiously because of the above and the fact that it can be deployed in such a way as to make unbundling impossible. More...

Another quick post.

I generally find it too hard to get worked-up about net neutrality, as in competitive markets everything tends to sort itself out. In the UK I have a choice of mobile broadband providers - some open to all content/apps, some more restrictive, with an array of price plans, coverage and customer service. I choose which I like.

The US tends to be more complex, because of the relative lack of true nationwide competition, and the barriers to consumers having (or trialling) multiple service providers, because of a lack of contract-free prepaid offers. It's much more difficult to exercise choice if you're locked into a 2-year monthly contract with onerous penalty exit clauses. More...

Whilst FttH (Fibre to the Home) and its partner FiWi (Fibre & Wireless) are undoubtedly the future of telecommunications, otherwise known as NGA (Next Generation Access), for many people especially in rural areas, the problem now, today, is how to get any kind of broadband service.

The following video clips show how an ADSL broadband feed can be extended some 3KM to provide service to a farm house that is beyond the range of ADSL.

If you do not feel entirely confident and competent at performing any of the following tasks – then please don’t DIY and rather seek professional advice and/or installation. More...

We’re delighted that Ericsson has joined the ‘Telco 2.0 Partner Programme’ as a Platinum Partner for the coming 12 months. This strategic marketing service gives leading players:

• Access to special Telco 2.0 research, to inform market strategy and product development,
• Opportunities to promote their success stories, new concepts and points of view in our digital media,
• Involvement in Telco 2.0 ‘Use Case’ and ‘Roadmap’ development work,
• Platforms at the Telco 2.0 Executive Brainstorms to test and promote new ideas and engage in intensive, structured dialogue on business model innovation with senior strategy execs from across the telecoms, media and technology sectors,
• Access to other Telco 2.0 consulting and research services at special rates.

More...

I'm on record as being deeply skeptical about the handset-as-wallet proposition, or the broad use of NFC-enabled phones as a way to pay for goods or services.

So it's good to see O2 (one of the NFC cheerleaders in the UK) embracing reality and (at least as a first step) realise that trying to replace credit cards is a losing proposition. Instead, it's adding to their numbers with its own-branded plastic, together with NatWest bank.

It's doing some clever stuff with balance notification via SMS, and it's also a good call to spot the branding linkage around prepay. I'm sure that in time, O2 will probably have another bash at the "mobile wallet" as this article suggests. More...

Much to do, so here's another collection of semi-random shards.

I should post pictures of distressed street cabinets more often. The response has been good judging from traffic, and one equipment vendor's branch office in Germany seems to have ground to a halt for ten minutes or so this morning. The Flickr photo is up to 79 views and counting...

A few minutes ago I happened to catch the end of the BBC World Service's Digital Planet show, coming from Japan. In addition to an interesting segment on home-made game software, there was a (thankfully audio-only) demonstration of Daiwa House's intelligent toilet technology (what it is about companies with Daiwa in the name?). More...

Some overview layouts for the NextGenUs project with Goodwin Development Trust.

Design in partnership with Emtelle.