News and Information Wireless Internet applications

by Jack Johnson.
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Information-based horizontal applications include directories and guides, which users can access and customize according to their interests, such as headline news, business news, specific company news tracking, weather, sports results, or stock information. Wireless Internet applications will add value to news and information by increasing users’ ability to access up-to-theminute time-sensitive news while mobile. The one thing we can all agree about is that if you wait too long, it’s no longer news.

Wireless applications will enable users to wirelessly access condensed versions of news and information that is relevant for that particular moment in time. This access will often supplement other methods for accessing this data but will add value by providing timely access and notification of important events.

Key drivers for news and information applications are:

• Time sensitive data. Unpredictable news or events that the user has an interest in knowing about as they occur. Weather, sports scores, and news headlines are all examples of timesensitive news.

• Access to up to date directories and guides to ensure efficient actions. That paper phone book won’t always tell you that your client recently moved his office to a new location across town!

• Filtered access. News and information can be condensed and filtered based on pre-existing rules and profiles according to the user’s interests.

Some of the application areas for news and information where wireless mobility will add value include:

• Virtual newspapers and magazines. Virtual newspapers and magazines use communication technology to deliver periodical and advertising information. In 1998, over 80 percent of consumers surveyed said they believe that the Internet is as reliable as offline (e.g., printed and television) media sources.

Because of the proliferation of 24-hour cable news channels and the increase in online news services, average daily newspaper readership fell to only 58 percent of the United States population in 1997. This is compared to over 80 percent in 1964. With only 31 percent of the 21- to 35-year-old age group reading the newspaper, traditional newspapers and broadcasters are using virtual newspapers and magazines via Internet to reach a more affluent, younger, demographic online audience.

Newspapers rarely duplicate themselves word for word online, but they often provide more than enough for the reader without the paper edition. When viewing online newspapers, readers are not limited to selections of local newspapers. They have access to newspapers around the globe. Almost all newspapers have an online version. Additionally, the online versions are generally free (advertiser supported) and are available before the paper ones hit the stands. Online newspapers and magazines tend to offer expanded coverage into areas such a travel, entertainment, and culture. They provide exclusive content such as breaking news, live sports coverage, online shopping, opinion polls, and discussion groups. However, probably the best advantage of online newspapers is that they provide advanced search and retrieve archives to the customer. With increased available bandwidth, virtual newspapers can take advantage of video and audio media to add value to their news services.

• Virtual or E-Books. Virtual books or electronic books (e-books) are books in digital form that can be displayed and navigated through by a user. Many virtual books are available through personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) via CD ROM or a connection to the Internet. Portable e-book readers come with leather covers, a built-in modem, and color screen.

Since 1998, online publishing offered electronic books in PostScript Descriptor File (PDF) format. E-books offer book publishers a way to control distribution if they’re able to tie content to a specific device. In 1999, the total U.S. book market was approximately $21 billion and the e-books market share was less than 1 percent, due in part to poor display devices, lack of compelling content, and the limitations of the user’s experience with the display device (which is far outstripped by those of digital music users).

With the introduction of better display devices and more content available via the Internet, the marketplace for virtual books should dramatically increase. It is likely that e-book vendors will focus initially on vertical opportunity segments with time-sensitive content, such as mobile maintenance (service instructions), education (distance learning), healthcare (telemedicine), and law (case histories) topics.

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