Wireless Information Devices

Slide 1: 

Wireless Information Devices and the Mobile Internet Charles Davies Psion CTO charles.davies@psion.com

Contents : 

Contents Summary Introduce Psion, history Symbian joint venture, history Intro to Wireless Information Devices WID design issues Technology drivers Summary

Summary : 

Summary Many kinds of devices will access the internet – not just PC’s Wireless information devices will challenge the PC as the dominant internet access device Mobile internet isn’t just WAP WAP will probably be the main driver over the next 1-2 years Psion believes in a richer mobile internet experience than is possible with just WAP – or even any browser Gap between wireless and wired bandwidth will increase and devices need a significant off-line capability SyncML is an important mobile internet standard Future is unpredictable and exciting Numerous potentially disruptive technologies Many competing form factors and platforms Complex industry value networks which have yet to “lock” Network operators, content providers, device manufacturers

Psion : 

Psion

Psion’s History and Roots : 

Psion’s History and Roots

Psion Vision : 

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.

Psion PLC : 

Psion PLC Computers Symbian Enterprise Infomedia Dacom/ Connect Internet Software Devices Services 28% owned

Psion Current Products : 

Psion Current Products Revo S7/NetBook GoldCard 56k Modem ISDN GSM 10/100Ethernet Workabout HC Communicator Tablet Smartphone V-Comm 5mx Travel modem

Symbian : 

Symbian

Symbian Joint Venture : 

Symbian Joint Venture

Psion -> Symbian History : 

Psion -> 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)

Symbian’s Mission : 

Symbian’s Mission To set the standard for mobile wireless operating systems To enable a mass market for Wireless Information Devices (WIDs)

Wireless Information Devices : 

Wireless Information Devices Communicator Smartphone Mobile Phone Fixed Phone Feature Phone Laptop Desktop Computing Communication Internet Palmtop

Symbian DFRDs : 

Symbian DFRDs Crystal Quartz Pearl DFRD = Device Family Reference Design

The Symbian Platform : 

The Symbian Platform Symbian operating system Symbian system layer Symbian application engines Symbian Platform 5% 55% 20% 20% Symbian user interfaces Crystal Communicators Quartz Phone Pads Pearl Smartphones

Wireless Information Devices : 

Wireless Information Devices

Universal Internet Access : 

WID Messaging Contacts Agenda Secure personal data Fax Corporate data Internet WAP Phone Universal Internet Access

Mobile Internet Devices : 

Mobile Internet Devices

Forces Driving Mobile Internet : 

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

Mobile Internet Devices : 

Mobile Internet Devices

Wireless Information Devices : 

Wireless Information Devices Handheld Computer Mobile Phone + Internet Wireless Information Device 1Billion Mobile Phone Subscribers 1Billion Internet Users

Mobile Phones Surpass PCs : 

Mobile Phones Surpass PCs Sources: EMC 2000, Dataquest1999

Industry Value Chains : 

Industry Value Chains There are three inter-related ‘value chains’ involved in provision of mobile internet solutions to the user Need to understand and selectively play based on where value is captured, who owns the customer relationship Terminals Services Service delivery H/w Components Devices S/w Components e-Commerce infra-structure Portals Content & services Network Operators Service Providers Network Infrastructure Pipe or portal? Walled gardens? Sticky gardens?

WID-addressed Mobile Needs : 

WID-addressed Mobile Needs

Core Benefits : 

Core Benefits Connected Electronic Organiser Internet Access Mobile Feature Phone Dial/answer Contact Email Contact SMS Contact Fax Contact Messaging SyncML

i-Mode : 

i-Mode i-Mode has “crossed the chasm” in Japan 5 million subscribers now 10 million forecast within 18 months of launch Overtaken Nifty (Japan’s largest wired ISP) Subscribers currently increasing by >100K per week >3k i-Mode web sites increasing by 150 per week Controlled by network operator - NTT DoCoMo Only 9600 bps - speed is not the main benefit Uses PDC-P - packet switched service always on Based on HTML 3.0 with additional tags No new language for content providers to learn Only Japan, so roaming not an issue

WID Design Issues : 

WID Design Issues

Design trade-offs : 

Design trade-offs Data vs. voice Separate devices? Separate networks? Separate service contracts? Performance vs. availability Performance: functions, processing power, screen, keyboard Availability: size, weight, battery life, instant on, responsiveness Data Phone Smartphone Palm VII RIM Blackberry Nokia 9110 Mobile phone Performance Availability Series5 PC Notebook Palm III Revo Series7

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? Form factors Phone Handheld Computer IrDA orBluetooth Radio Handheld Computer Bluetooth Headset 2-box 3-box

Application models : 

Application models Thin client (fixed client) WAP, Web (HTML), Citrix Easiest to program, widest standard Synchronisation SyncML Responsive off-line usage, best user experience, efficient use of wireless bandwidth Client-server Connected Java or C++ application Best on-line user experience Push New model, SMS smart messaging Asynchronous notifications 13

WID Platform Positioning : 

WID Platform Positioning Rich user experience Citrix Off-line capable Network dependent Basic user experience WAP I-mode HTML Java EPOC C++ SMS Webclipping

TomTom Quartz demo : 

TomTom Quartz demo Enriched Mobile Internet See www.tomtom.com

Technologies : 

Technologies

Technologies : 

Technologies Microbrowsers SyncML GSM -> GPRS -> EDGE -> UMTS Bluetooth Java DAB Speech recognition

Microbrowsers : 

Microbrowsers WAP C-HTML I-mode Microsoft have their own cut down HTML Palm’s Web clipping “Full” HTML in a small screen Psion (EPOC), Nokia 9110 (GEOS) Symbian communicator class devices will have a full browser XHTML is attractive Multimode microbrowsers E.g. HTML + WAP

WAP : 

WAP Functionally similar to Web Very limited client capability assumed Designed for small screens, limited OS, narrow bandwidth,high latency – “long thin pipe” All mobile phones will have a WAP browser soon WAP browser compatibility is biggest issue today Some security problems at the gateway WAP implementations will get better WAP standard will evolve and get better WAP essentially mandated by network operators Several 100M WAP phones will drive WML content/services Will not charm (user interface not good) Really needs GPRS – which is really coming WAP is a “must have” but it is not the full mobile internet answer Attractive to content/application providers because of installed base

Browser Platform : 

Browser Platform Data Source WAP Browser WAP Gateway HTML XML Small screen HTML WML WID Web Browser PC Web Browser Transcoding (Using e.g. XSL) WML/HTTP WMLBIN/WSP n n n

Repurposing : 

Repurposing Data Source WAP Browser WAP Gateway HTML Small screen HTML WML WID Web Browser PC Web Browser Repurposing Proxy

Multimode Browser : 

Multimode Browser Data Source WAP Browser WAP Gateway HTML XML WML Opera Browser www.operasoftware.com

SyncML : 

SyncML Industry initiative for an open synchronisation platform Sponsored by Ericsson, IBM/Lotus, Motorola/Starfish, Nokia, Palm & Psion Enduring need for local data despite improvements in wireless bandwidth and coverage E.g. you don’t want to use WAP to get every contact number Synchronised data includes contacts, calendar, todo’s, files, database records, application programs Standard sync protocol that meets the need for interoperability between terminals and servers Terminals: from phones to WID’s to PC’s Services: Internet-based PIM, email, backup, installing applications Psion producing EPOC client and corresponding services See www.syncml.org

Bluetooth : 

Bluetooth Low cost, low power short distance radio link Data and Voice 10m range but can be turned up to 100m Uses globally available spectrum (2.4GHz) Overwhelming industry support Makes 2-box and 3-box more attractive Also attractive for accessing LAN’s via network access points More effort to ensure interoperability than IrDA Integration cost target is $5 but this needs time and enormous volume 2-3 years to reach sub $10 See www.bluetooth.com 15

Wireless broadband? : 

Growth in Wireless Data Speeds 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 GSM GPRS EDGE UMTS Megabits Per Second Today 2000 2001 2003 Wireless broadband? Speed will drive market growth Speed will improve markedly But this has been over-hyped Real speed less than theoretical maxima A few megabits per base station Broadband is “Always On” connectivity model No call set-up required Instant Access Better user experience Enables new / richer applications

GPRS : 

GPRS Packet switched data on GSM networks IP connection to network operator’s intranet Coverage starting 2nd half 2000 Full domestic roll-out will take ~2 years, roaming support may take longer, numerous practical problems Always connected more important than bps Will transform WAP experience GPRS data rates have been over hyped Super hype 170kbps, hype 115kbps, reality 43kbps Charging model still uncertain One simple option is price per packet E.g. NTT DoCoMo charges 0.3 Yen per 128-byte packet ($24 per MB or $1.35 per minute assuming $1=100Yen) 16

Number of Users per GSM Transmit Channel : 

Number of Users per GSM Transmit Channel Source: Nortel Based on statistical assessment

GPRS Data Throughput : 

GPRS Data Throughput Data Throughput (kbps) Number of Users Source: Nortel Based on statistical assessment

Digital Audio Broadcasting : 

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

World-wide Adoption : 

World-wide Adoption

User Benefits of Digital Radio : 

User Benefits of Digital Radio Near-CD Quality Sound MPEG1, Layer II : more like Minidisk (5:1) than MP3 (12:1) Robust reception Interference-free, even when mobile Single Frequency Network No re-tuning required when travelling More listening choice Several new Digital-only stations Data Services PAD - Artist and Track names with Audio stream Packet Mode - Broadcast Web Sites

DAB Multiplex : 

DAB Multiplex To make efficient use of the frequency spectrum, several audio and data services are brought together into one Multiplexed bit-stream Audio Service 1 Audio Service 2 Audio Service 3 Data Service 1 Audio S1 192 Kbps Audio S2 192 Kbps Audio S3 96 Kbps Data S1 64 Kbps 1.5 Mbps Note: The sub-channels can be dynamically reconfigured by the Multiplexer without interrupting the audio flow Examples of data rates: Stereo Music Service 128-192 Kbps Mono Music Service 96 Kbps Mono Speech Service 64 Kbps Data Service (multiples of 8 Kbps) 64 Kbps

Broadcast Websites : 

Broadcast Websites DAB is true ‘push’ technology Can provide a flow of real-time information from Internet content BBC’s Vision Radio is created from BBC On-Line site News, Weather, Travel, Sport & Electronic Program Guides Can be ‘synchronised’ with Audio transmission Commercial stations looking at E-commerce options New Advertising opportunities Carousel transmission Like Teletext, data has to be transmitted in a Carousel Data must be repeated as user can switch on at any time Receiver builds a copy of the Website in memory (1-2MB) Can request data with a back channel via PSTN or GSM Modem

WaveFinder – A Smart Antenna for the PC : 

WaveFinder – A Smart Antenna for the PC PC based DAB receiver Uses PC CPU, display and sound system Connects via USB Links Radio to the Web (25% of surfers listen to the radio) High quality audio source CD Quality unlike FM or ‘streamed’ radio Record in secure MP3 format on hard-disk or CD-R For MP3 users, it is the first ‘free-to-air’ source of MP3 music Receive new data services PAD and Broadcast Web Sites PC provides back-channel Fixed today, mobile tomorrow, DAB with GPRS back-channel See www.wavefinder.com

Java : 

Java Server Desktop Devices Problem for Java to solve Windows NT, Unix, Linux, Solaris, MVS, AS400, VMS, legacy EPOC, CE, PalmOS, Linux, JavaOS, OS/9, Proprietary

Java 2 : 

Java 2 CDC = Connected Device Configuration CLDC = Connected Limited Device Configuration (KVM) MID = Mobile Information Device Configurations Profiles

Java on WID’s : 

Java on WID’s MExE (ETSI GSM standard) Mobile Station Application Execution Environment MExE classmark 1 is WAP MExE classmark 2 is WAP + Java Symbian supports Java JAE 1.1.4 on e.g. Psion NetBook PersonalJava and JavaPhone on new DFRDs J2ME profile/configuration to be decided thereafter UI library is an issue (AWT unsuitable for some devices) All EPOC devices will ultimately ship with Java Applications, Applets, IBM’s DirectDOM Highly likely that standard Java platforms will be defined in the WID space

Speech Recognition : 

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

Summary : 

Summary Many kinds of devices will access the internet – not just PC’s Wireless information devices will challenge the PC as the dominant internet access device Mobile internet isn’t just WAP WAP will probably be the main driver over the next 1-2 years Psion believes in a richer mobile internet experience than is possible with just WAP – or even any browser Gap between wireless and wired bandwidth will increase and devices need a significant off-line capability SyncML is an important mobile internet standard Future is unpredictable and exciting Numerous potentially disruptive technologies Many competing form factors and platforms Complex industry value networks which have yet to “lock” Network operators, content providers, device manufacturers

Slide 60: 

Wireless Information Devices and the Mobile Internet Charles Davies Psion CTO charles.davies@psion.com