The Hindu Business Line : Convergence driving innovations

Digital lifestyle products such as mobile phones, with incredible new features (can you imagine a 10 mega pixel camera), handheld devices that can double up as TV receivers with a small attachment, and services such as video dating and video karaoke, are all driving innovations in convergence applications.

The BroadcastAsia 2006, held at Singapore recently, brought to the fore how the covergence of technology is leadingto exciting digital lifestyle applications. Interestingly, many of these are overlapping, paving way for new products and services and new opportunities for service providers.

During the mega event held last week, software major Microsoft Corporation demonstrated how Windows Live, the recently launched set of personal Internet services and software, enhances user experience. It also unveiled several new devices including the ultra thin Samsung i320n Smartphone, ASUS PC Phone, Dopod Pocket PC Phone.

According to Mr Stephen Tan, Chief Executive of Singapore Exhibition Services, "the convergence of technologies has spanned off a whole new range of exciting digital lifestyle applications.

The focus is on content for handhelds and the race is on among content providers to come up with new and exciting applications that will enhance mobility for both consumers and businesses."

For instance, Ericsson showcased a video dating service where one can record a personal video message and send to new acquaintances, and a video karaoke where a user can call to see other singles and rate them and sing along to text and music and record it on video.

As some of the leading mobile phone companies such as Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG, Kyocera, brought in their latest gizmos, visitors at the exhibition could experience the features of these handsets. All the mobile stalls were a big draw.

In the broadcast industry, IP TV (Internet protocol TV) continues to hog the limelight, where players in the entire spectrum of services demonstrated their products and services.

Innoxious Technologies showcased a gadget that turned a personal digital assistant into a multi-system mobile digital TV receiver.

And French firm Visiware announced the launch of a triple play gaming offer available on TV, mobile and broadband where games could be played on the TV at home then continued on the mobile or Internet.

Defining Microsoft TV as future of television, Microsoft Corporation demonstrated its wide and versatile range of software and platform that helps telecom service providers offer IP TV.