05-04-2012, 11:11 AM
Wireless Information Devices and the Mobile Internet
Psion Vision
In the emerging age of mobile Internet, more and more people will depend on personal, wireless access to the Internet, wherever they are.
Mobile Internet will empower them in their work and personal life with information, communications, transactions and entertainment.
Since its inception, Psion has provided innovative solutions addressing real customer needs. Psion will shape and lead the mobile internet age by delivering distinctive mobile internet solutions and devices to people and organisations.
Symbian History
Psion Organiser I in 1984, 8-bit technology
Start work on 16-bit multi-tasking OS in 1988
Series3 launched in 1991
Starts work on 32-bit RISC (ARM) OS in Nov 1994
Psion Software division formed July 1996
Decision to license platform externally
Psion Software focuses on cellular device manufacturers
Acquires Nokia and Philips as licensees
Series5 launched in June 1997
On 24th June 1998, Psion Software turned into the Symbian joint venture with Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola, & subsequently Panasonic
Symbian now 560 people strong (from a base of about 100)
Forces Driving Mobile Internet
Higher speeds + instant access/push
GSM/CDMA/TDMA -> GPRS -> UMTS
More & better devices
One box - WIDs - integrated GSM/CDMA/TDMA
Two box - PDAs + Bluetooth + Phones
Multimedia capabilities: audio/video
Every cell phone a WAP phone
Services aimed at mobile devices
Time and location sensitive/aware services
“Access-anywhere solutions” ,e.g. universal PIM
Voice input and voice-data integration
Media awareness
Hot topic fuelling demand
Form factors
Keyboard vs. pen
Just pen, just keyboard or keyboard+pen
Pointing devices improve the UI experience
Keyboards make text input easier
1-box vs. 2-box (or even 3-box)
IrDA 2-box
Bluetooth 2-box (or 3-box)
Flexibility vs. simplicity
Hold to ear vs. headset and hands free
Voice control?
Digital Audio Broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting
Also called Digital Radio
Digital replacement of Analogue FM/AM
FM/AM transmissions will cease in 5-10 years
Eureka 147
Pioneered by the BBC some 10 years ago
ETSI standard for transmission of DAB (1995)
Being adopted world-wide (except US & Japan)
Availability
BBC have been broadcasting since 1995
UK Commercial stations launched November ’99
In Europe, DAB transmissions are available to 150 million people
Speech Recognition
Limited vocabulary recognition is comfortably achievable
Speech dictation is borderline on next generation hardware platforms
E.g. 200MHz ARM, 64Mb memory
Speech UI’s need to be worked out
WID form factor could be more ergonomically viable than a PC
More natural to hold to mouth
No large keyboard to compete with
PC dictation took off when 230 MHz PC’s arrived
It’s more a question of when rather than if