I love gadgets! In one of my previous lives, working for a major institution, I was given the nickname ‘the see it, want it, got it man’ – that might be a clue to my interests.
From there on, I have always been interested and followed the practical use of technology to empower either the consumer or business user. I have tried to avoid the flippant or ‘technology for technology’s sake’ solutions, but have to admit to buying a BSB Squarial! However, there have been a number of significant advances over the last two decades that have created some fascinating opportunities going forward.
The first revolves around digital convergence – a rather over-used and tired concept, but it fundamentally changes the way in which devices can handle any type of media – voice, audio, video etc. – what was depicted in sci-fi shows in the eighties on the bridge of a starship is now sitting in the palm of my hand, with an advanced haptic interface allowing me to watch my favourite movie or listen to my favourite track, whilst surfing the internet – my iPod Touch – these devices will develop to become the universal device, I’m sure – covering multi-media, telephony, internet and global positioning in one device – with solid state memory and no moving parts.
The second technological advance will make a vast impact on daily life – it is a technology that for a good number of years has been talked about, but hasn’t quite got there until now – wireless data.
A number of key OEMs are staking their corporate future on wireless – either in the guise of WiMAX or the 3G data standard HSPA, currently available in the UK using a derivative, HSDPA. Both these technology offer high-speed, mobile broadband type services – it will enable what I’ve heard described and mentioned in previous blogs as ‘Martini’ services – any time, any place, anywhere – industries that have remained office-bound can now roam the countryside taking their solutions with them – it will revolutionise the selling and purchasing of certain products, eg Financial Services, Pharmaceuticals and alike.
I’ll never tire of innovation – I am convinced it is the company that captures and drives the need for change coupled with smart technology that will prevail.
