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THE CONNECTOR
News from WIP
September 2007
Dear Hula Hoop at Access Party Linux World,
 

Whooooosh....

 

Did you notice the big whooshing sound as September roared in?  The inbox is already starting to get overloaded, but thankfully it's easier to reach people, especially you Europeans who seems to take the whole summer off! 

 

We've spent the summer aligning different parts of ecosystem with projects we'll announce shortly, in fundraising mode (yes we are a startup) and working on some interesting projects in the AGPS space and reviewing health and wellness mobile applications - thanks to everyone who's helped us out with advice and viewpoints along the way.

 

If you've gotten an impression that we at WIP like to party, you'd be right, there's no better way to understand our ecosystem than meeting people!  Althought I must say I found that Linux World and Techwave (Sybase) to be two of the geekiest events I've been to in a while, not that that was a bad thing :-)   When I mentioned this to someone the feedback I received was, "guess you haven't been to many embedded conferences".  Sounds like a new challenge!  Richard 'Jasper' Marden our VP of Developer Partnerships, shares his view of Linux World below.

 

The last week of September you'll find WIP in San Diego at:

·          DEMO, September 24-26, one of my all time favorite events to see the new products that Chris Shipley has uncovered; and

·          The Handango Partner Summit, September  25 and 26 

 

You'll have to wait until next month to find out all our October events, but I'm pleased to announce that WIP and Orange will be hosting the Essence Event party at CTIA in San Francisco on October 23 - watch for the announcements as you won't want to miss this one!

 

Best, Caroline

Caroline Lewko, CEO and Founder, WIP
The 'Connector' for the mobile and wireless industry

 
In This Issue
WIP Alliance of Regional Clusters - News & Featured Members
Getting to Market - Blognation
Upcoming Events & Discounts for WIP members
Open Source meets Mobile

Quick Links

WIP MEMBER DIRECTORY - View the list and add your company to pinpoint your next customer, partners, investment.
WIP DEVELOPER PROGRAM PAGE - the most comprehensive listing of wireless and mobile developer programs on the web.
WIP RESOURCES - find technical organizations, standards bodies, research labs and more....

ACCESS     Navteq network for developer      Orange Partner button
 
WIP Alliance of Regional Clusters- News & Featured Members

Trade associations and industry organizations are a key element to support growing companies and the exciting wireless industry.  WIP salutes these leaders and is pleased to consider them partners.  Be sure to contact them for their view on our sector, their knowledge of their regions and for advice on their members.

Austin Wireless Alliance     of Austin (Texas) features:
Alereon, Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company using ultrawideband (UWB) radio technology to develop high-bandwidth, low-power, low-cost Wireless USB and WiMedia UWB chipsets that are ideal for today's personal computers and portable products, such as: digital cameras, mp3 players, PDAs, and cell phones.
Our vision is Life Without Wires™. more
 

And don't forget about the fifth annual 2007 Texas Wireless Summit, October 18-19, early bird registration ends September 14, 2007.


Torino Wireless of Torino (Italy)  features: 
 
CASPERTECH offers cutting-edge integrated system solutions for communications privacy protection. Secrecy of communications has become a matter of vital importance for both the public and the private sector. Countless risks of wiretapping lie in ambush when innovative ideas or reserved decisions are communicated.™more
 

WINBC  of British Columbia features:
 
IE Market Research Corp. (IEMR) is a Canadian market intelligence and business strategy firm with a focus on telecommunications strategy research. IEMR's market intelligence reports identify key strategic, operational, and financial issues facing over 140 telecom operators, equipment, and service providers across 40 countries. more
 
 
Cambrirdge Wireless    of United Kingdom features:
 
Alcatel-Lucent provides solutions that enable service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband access, carrier and enterprise IP technologies, applications, and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that enable compelling communications services for people at home, at work and on the move. more 
 
 
WSA
 
   of Seattle, Washington features:
 
Catalytic is a Kirkland based company that partners with mid-size tech companies to help them bring their software products to market. Founded by ex-Microsoft techies, Catalytic is uniquely positioned to provide specialty engineering services to ISVs and high tech companies looking for a delivery partner that reduces costs, speeds development cycles, and feeds intellectual capital back into their product teams. more
 
WCA    of San Jose, California features:
 
Gizmos and Gadgets on September 18, 2007 from 4-6pm.  If you are interested in demonstrating your gadget or applications, contact francie_miller at yahoo dot com
 
 
 
CWTA                 Black Hat event           MX Alliance
                  

WIP partners with wireless organizations and associations around the world - see them featured on the Partner Page of the website. Every month we feature the associations, their events or activities and their members online and in the newsletter. Ask your organization to partner with WIP today!
 

Heading to CTIA in San Francisco October 23-25? 

WIP and the Alliance of Regional Clusters will have a booth for our partners and members.  We also have a special showcase opportunity for members at Showstoppers on October 22.  Let us know if you'd like to be involved.

Getting to Market  - Blognation
This month's Go to Market article features Blognation which is the first truly global blog to report on mobile and web technologies.   We asked our good friend Oliver Starr who recently joined Blognation what we can expect to see.

 Blognation   

"We have more methods of consuming media now than at any other time in history, yet with so many choices the available content has been sadly limited. Blognation intends to change this." States Sethi who in addition to overseeing all elements of the fledgling Blognation empire also continues to be one of the principal editors of the UK Blognation feed. Sethi continues; " I also realized that to produce great content you need exceptional people. We've worked hard to recruit the best people we possibly could from all over the world. Our signing of Mobile-guru Oliver Starr is a case in point."

 

"Here's a guy with revolutionary thinking - especially as it relates to mobile technology." Sethi says. "I want Blognation to be seen as a thought leader across all aspects of the technology spectrum - to do this I believe it is essential to find the people comfortable on the bleeding edge and once I find them, to provide a platform for those sharp individuals to express their thoughts as freely as possible."

 

When asked about his recent move to Blognation, Starr simply stated "I'm very pleased to join the Blognation team. I think this is going to be a very good environment for me to report on what I see developing in the mobile space and hopefully to continue to drive future mobile innovation forward with new ideas, new challenges to entrepreneurs and new ways of utilizing wireless networks to democratize access to the world's information."

 

A controversial figure in the technology community, hiring Starr is certainly a bit of a risk. "Oliver can be pretty unpredictable." says one anonymous source. "You never know where the guy is going to turn up or what he's going to say - about the only thing you can count on is that it won't be something stupid."

 

While his vision for where mobile technology ought to go might seem far fetched to some, Starr!s peers acknowledge that few people see the potential for mobile devices as clearly as he does.

 

"I think the guy is missing that sense of self preservation that keeps most of us out of trouble" comments Sethi. But that's what makes him exciting and energizing and why people are interested in following his writing. He might be an accident waiting to happen but it's guaranteed that the ride will never be dull with him driving."

 

"Blognation wasn't founded to be just another news source", Sethi says, pauses, and then concludes "but I didn't say that you shouldn't fasten your seat-belt, you never know when the ride might get bumpy."

 

Are you brave enough to have Oliver review your technology?

If so, contact him at:oliver dot starr at blognation dot com

WIP looks forward to working with Oliver and Blognation on upcoming activities.

 

 
Upcoming Events and Discounts for WIP Members
 
DEMO Fall         September24-26, San Diego    
 
Exclusive WIP Member Offer: Register for DEMOfall and save over $600
 

DEMO unveils the top innovations that are changing the future of technology and turning it into reality. Every company is researched and vetted by industry experts, so you'll see the "best of the best" in just two days. Save hundreds of valuable hours in your search for your NEXT opportunity. Register now and pay only $2,395: http://www.demo.com/F7WIP .Please visit: http://www.demo.com/launch.php

 
 
Mobile Internet World November 13-15,  Boston
 
WIP attendees will receive $100 discount. 
 
The Mobile Internet will allow consumers and businesses to connect to others, access new types of applications, and download new forms of content from anywhere. The Mobile Internet World Conference & Expo will, for the first time, bring together all the key players in the emerging mobile Internet ecosystem. Please visit: http://www.mobilenetx.com/
 
 
WiMAX World  September 25-27, Chicago

 

WIP attendees will receive $100 discount
 

Our global WiMAX World series includes the industry's largest and most influential wireless and mobile broadband events covering the WiMAX market in the USA, EMEA and Asia. In the past few years WiMAX World USA has grown tenfold-from 15 exhibitors in 2004 to more than 150 exhibitors and 7,000+ people this year. Please visit:  http://usa.wimaxworld.com/'08
 
 
Symbian Smart Phone 
 
October 16-17, London
 
Don't miss the biggest smartphone event of the year with the opportunity to experience the future of mobile direct from the industry's most forward-thinking players. Consumer electronics, Internet, entertainment, commerce and publishing are all going mobile and they need your help to get there.
 
 
PTC 08  January 13-16, Hawaii
 
WIP attendees will receive 15% discount 
 
PTC '08 will focus on the dramatic impact of interactive video and user-created content on telecommuncations networks, markets and regulatory policy throughout the Pacificic Region and worldwide.Digital video and IP have blurred industry boundaries, redefining who produces content, how it is distributed and where and when people choose to watch.PTC'08 will bring together a diverse range of seasoned experts to explore the impact of digital video on all aspects of telecommunications.
 
 
Wi-world big one November 6-9, Johannesburg
 
 
WIP attendees will receive 10% discount .To claim it e-mail Lemay at 
lemay.driessel@terrapinn.co.za
 
WI-World  brings you the opportunity to investigate the wireless market that is once more undergoing a tremendous economic revolution. WIP attendees will receive 10% discount .To claim it e-mail Lemay at lemay.driessel@terrapinn.co.za. Please visit www.terrapinn.com/2007/wiza                                                                                                   
 
 
Wireless ConnectionNovember 15-16, Banff, Alberta
 

WIP attendees will receive 10% discount 

Wireless Connections is the leading wireless technology conference in Canada for IT and business professionals responsible for implementing technology solutions within their respective organizations.Speakers, panel sessions, and interactive discussions will explore real world business challenges and practical wireless technology solutions in the Healthcare and Energy sectors. Please visit: www.wirelessconnections.ca
 
Carriers World 2007   September 25-28 , London
 
WIP attendees will receive 10% discount
 
The annual meeting place for the wholesale industry.For more details and to register,  visit http://www.terrapinn.com/2007/cw/ or call +44 (0) 207242 2324
 
 
 
LBS   October 8-11,  Madrid
 
WIP attendees will receive 10% discount by quoting CG2413WIP
LBS offer mobile operators significant opportunities for boosting ARPU and achieving competitive differentiation; with this in mind IIR is bringing together senior representatives from leading international operators and application providers to analyse the latest LBS applications and business models.Please visit: http://www.iir-events.com/IIR-Conf/page.aspx?id=7274
 
 
 
Open Source meets Mobile at Linuxworld 
Access Go Native Party at Linux World 
 

A three-day trade show, attended by 11,000 people, with 200 exhibitors. 

Access, one of our WIP partners, was front and centre, providing developers with information on their Linux Developer Program and on mobile Linux in general. In addition to their booth, Access hosted a great (or should we say gyrating) party, replete with hula hoop dancers, great food and an excellent opportunity to mix with others in the industry.

 

Photo:  Caroline and Jasper from WIP, unknown, Larry Belkin from Access.

 

A few key points came out of the conference.  First, it was interesting to see that many of the Linux developers at the show were unaware of the existence of Linux for mobile devices.  At the same time, those that are aware of the potential for Linux on a mobile device were hard at work, resulting in some 20 different flavours of mobile Linux.  Aside from the larger players, few of these are ready for market, and some were relatively small scale. That many implementations leads to a healthy pool from which to draw the best concepts and implementations, but also raises the specter of fragmentation and dilution of developer resources.

 

One of the reasons for the wide range of Linux versions is that mobile devices provide new issues that Linux has not had to deal with at that scale, such as power-management and battery life, screen size, different processor types, etc.  With this complex matrix of new functionality comes a wide range of solutions.  No doubt there will be consolidation in the market, and we will end up with two or three flavours, each with specific strengths and appropriate verticals.

 

It was also interesting to hear one of the larger company's that has decided to open source much of its platform in discussions with smaller vendors about their lack of uptake on the opportunities provided through the open source and how they could work together better as they move forward.

 

An interesting array of handsets were presented, and the rumours were buzzine of cheap Chinese handsets flooding the Western markets.  All-in-all this is an exciting portion of the mobile market to be watching. 

 

Comments or Questions?  Talk to Richard 'Jasper' Mardon.

 

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