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Editor's Perspective
Picture Imperfect
By Jason Ankeny
April 9, 2003
For all its advances, technology has never been much good at inspiring common sense among users--the growing number of communities banning mobile phone use in public settings and while driving is testament to that. So it's really no surprise to hear that mobile camera phones are already making enemies. Now, an increasing number of gyms and strip clubs across the globe, fearing the obvious violations to the privacy of their employees and customers, have begun instituting bans on the devices. Saudi Arabia's Commission for Promoting Virtue and Preventing Vice has vetoed camera phones throughout the nation, while the Italian Information Commissioner has instituted new regulations demanding that photos only be taken for personal use. Even some Hollywood studios have put the smack down, outlawing camera phones from advance movie screenings. And if Tinseltown is shying away from photo ops, you know something's wrong.
A significant number of people have predicted big things for wireless imaging applications. In fact, in a recent Wireless Review Web site survey that asked readers, "What would you consider the 'killer app' for mobile data networks in their current technological state?," 19% responded "wireless imaging," behind only mobile Internet access (34%) and e-mail (26%). That makes the growing opposition to mobile camera phones that much more troubling--many companies are counting on wireless imaging to generate significant revenues in the years to come, but it's not going to happen if consumers discover that camera phones have been banned everywhere they go.
I want to believe that people can police themselves--you wouldn't bring a standard camera into a gym locker room and start snapping photos, so why would you do the same thing with a wireless device? I think that the vast majority of people still adhere to basic social mores (not to mention the law), and that these bans on camera phones are an overreaction to worst-case-scenario fears. But in the minds of lawmakers and business owners, the wireless populace has clearly proved it can't be trusted to behave responsibly, which is why so many cities are writing legislation against mobile use (and why you can't go see a movie without the theatre screening some kind of reminder for the audience to turn off its phones). Once you've gotten burned by past iterations of wireless technology, you're not about to let it happen again.
Wireless imaging applications are still in their infancy, so there's still time for the industry to reach out to lawmakers and customers alike. Education is critical--it's imperative that the industry doesn't allow concerns over imaging to escalate beyond its control. Explain to lawmakers exactly how wireless imaging works, what consumers can and cannot do, and how to implement rules that promote basic rights to privacy without severely compromising the rights of mobile phone users. Likewise, users need to fully understand when it is and is not appropriate to snap and send photos with their phones, as well as the penalties should they violate any laws or regulations. It seems like simple, common sense stuff--but then, not so long ago it also seemed pretty obvious that you shouldn't be gabbing away on a mobile phone while changing lanes at 80 m.p.h., and look how that turned out. Let's not make the same mistake twice.
Send me an e-mail at jankeny@primediabusiness.com.
Wireless News
Academics: Telecom Regulation Has Failed
By Glenn Bischoff
Apr 8, 2003
TelephonyOnline.com
Two former FCC staffers currently in the academic world said today during a lecture sponsored by Verizon Communications that the commission's regulation of the wireline sector and its management of wireless spectrum have been ineffective dating back to the divestiture of AT&T in 1984.
Syndesis Discovers Mobile Opportunity
By Dan O'Shea
Apr 8, 2003
TelephonyOnline.com
Public network software provider Syndesis, like many traditional wireline vendors that are realizing more immediate revenue opportunities reside among wireless carriers, is migrating to the mobile market.
In Print
Dreaming in Multimedia
By Kevin Fitchard
Apr 2003
Wireless Review
If your wireless service has voice mail or any kind of unified messaging solution, chances are Comverse developed it. The vendor has been a stalwart of mobile enhanced services since wireless went digital, and its voice and messaging offerings--combined with the company's billing platforms, prepaid solutions, media gateways and entertainment applications--are used by more than 400 customers, touching almost every country and every wireless carrier in the world.
But despite its dominance, Comverse stumbled in the short messaging service (SMS) arena. The software developer saw its share of the lucrative market fall below 10% during the SMS boom as Logica and CMG emerged as the undisputed titans of short messaging.
Now Comverse plans to redeem itself with SMS's offspring, multimedia messaging service (MMS).
Cutting Edge: Martin Peck, Janus Wireless Project
Jason Ankeny
Apr 2003
Wireless Review
Martin Peck brings an altogether new meaning to the concept of Internet traffic. In late February, he and fellow members of the Janus Wireless Project--the Portland, Ore.-based Wi-Fi enthusiast group Peck co-founded in March 2002--masterminded the Wi-Fi Caravan. On a road trip from Portland to San Francisco's CodeCon '03 event, the Wi-Fi Caravan proved that it was possible to establish and maintain an 802.11 wireless network among a convoy of vehicles traveling down the highway.
Reader Poll
Which is the most annoying wireless carrier mascot or spokesperson?
Follow the link to cast your vote in the lower right-hand corner of our Wireless Review home page!
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