Kurt, again, this announcement from Nextel/Netscape and Unwired Planet doesn't sound like it completes the plan. There is little mention of the Virtual Assistant like functions we heard about in the Qwest Netscape press releases.
Mostly, they are talking about hooking a mobile phone to a laptop and getting an internet connection. This is not a new thing, but a trend that will continue to grow. Personally, I never wanted to pay 10 to 35 cents a minute to browse the net. Maybe the 2 way radio features of Nextel make this less costly?
Of course, again PDA's and Smarter Phones will be more and more computer like and they will act like a laptop. They will have all sorts of needs for connecting.
I keep wondering though how GM plays into all that. For the moment, I think we have to stay focused on the idea that MagicTalk enables the standard phone to browse the net through a VUI. No processors, no high cost gadgets.
If you happened to read the white paper Andrew Seybold wrote for WirelessKnowledge, you see he clearly states that there is a range of services that make this kind of business a must have for success. It's not about e-mail, or business news, or keeping a calendar. It's a matter of bringing it all together because all these things exist today.
Really, it Revolv 's around bringing people together and interacting with important information mostly of a private nature. It's got to save time and make people money. I think Portico sounds like an amazing solution.
But I've always had reservations on how GM can do it totally in a audible environment. Personally, I'm visual. I think I need to read somethings and perhaps have a graphic. I want to know more about General Magic's role with these new generation devices. I think they have a role, and nothing in this press release sounds yet like it excludes General Magic.
At the bottom of the story, they list contacts whom I presume are there to answer questions. Maybe we should call them. I won't do iit though as I'm in Australia. Any volunteers?
CONTACT: Ben Banta of Nextel Communications, 703-394-3573; or
David Kurt of Motorola, 847-538-3113; or Nathan Tyler of Netscape,
650-937-4927, or Don Mathias of Unwired Planet, 714-540-1030/
Regards,
Mark |
