Event Coverage

S60 Touch UI @ Forum Nokia Mobile Application Summit 2.0

By Terence Ang - 13 Nov 2007

Mobile Web 2.0 Continued

Mobile Web 2.0 Continued

Meembat predicts that for Mobile Web 2.0 services, we can expect to see stuff similar to the business models of Mixi, a Japan-based User-Generated Content site, where it offers users additional photo storage and blog capacity for 300 yen a month; or Korean-based Cyworld, which sells additional 'acorns' (dotori) as virtual currency so subscribers can purchase items for user personal pages, from background music to games and decorations.

On MOSH, a mobile site for Nokia users (made to address the long tail of developers) to create, share and personalize the apps they usually use on their mobile devices, Meembat explained that it is a first step towards addressing the concept of "respecting users' voices" in a "now, now, now" environment. He hopes to see further intelligence pushed for it in areas like location (knows where you are), company (tailored to what you do for work), environment (situational), activity and mood (who or what you’re doing).

 Do you MOSH? Currently accessible by Nokia device owners.

In fact, Nokia is aggressively pushing itself into the next version of the Mobile Web by integrating or enabling their devices for the following apps: Flickr, MOSH, twango, Enpocket and so on. Newer devices like the N800 and N series devices also sport GPS functionality for location-based services.

Of course, Meembat gave a good sweep of what the 10-year old Forum Nokia is about. Being a one-stop shop for tools, documents and resources, the site offers communities the ability to discuss their latest work in blogs, discussion boards and create Wikis. With over 3.4 million registrants – prosumers and small developers, including 125 individuals who are active contributors to the community (recognized as 'Champions'), Meembat also touched on the PRO and Launchpad segments – tailored for major software developers and content providers who want a closer interface with companies.

 fring is a thin-client technology that provides mobile-centric peer-to-peer mobile VoIP solution for mobile users. Based out of Israel, it allows fringsters to save on mVoIP calls and IMs with other fringsters, users of PC-based services like Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ and Twitter or regular landline/GSM/CDMA destinations worldwide using SkypeOut or SkypeIn, by channeling through fring when using free Wi-Fi Internet access or fixed Internet data plans. This saves you lots against costly mobile airtime GSM/CDMA minutes.

Examples of apps include Genometri's Pic2Theme, which allows users to create a professional looking theme for mobile devices based on a picture or photo. Basically based on the photo you choose, the color matching technology of the app will generate colors across the theme for your phone. This app will ship in selected Nokia E-series and N-series devices (as well as the 'Try for Free' Catalog initiative, which has been launched across 11 countries in APAC region and made available on over 30+ Nokia devices).

Another app is tenCube's WaveSecure, which allows users to disable or lock their phone remotely. You can use this app to retrieve and track your lost phone, back up data (auto backup), wipe out data remotely via the PC and restore data immediately to a new mobile device. It will be launched via the Catalog local service on Download! In 6 countries such as Singapore, Australia and Indonesia.

So all in all, the folks at Forum Nokia and the S60 development team seemed pretty bullish about what's in store for mobile device users in the upcoming months (especially in 2008). We can't wait to see how the S60 Touch UI devices turn out but we're pretty sure it would give other mobile platform devices out there a great run-for-their-money. Watch this space.
 

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