Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: 16yearcycle who wrote (42611)	9/27/1999 1:31:00 PM
From: Michael	Respond to of 152472

My Q friends, Armstrong will at least have cable tv. The wireless phone business is not in Armstrong view. Talk about wearing blinders and being obsessed about yesterday's technology, T and Armstrong are perfect match. sure is a nice Q day Michael

To: 16yearcycle who wrote (42611)	9/27/1999 2:05:00 PM
From: Ruffian	Respond to of 152472

Opinion; CEO NeoPoint> From the September 27, 1999, issue of Wireless Week Guest Opinion: The Future Is Today By William Son The globalization of the macro-economy, the deregulation of the telecommunications industry and the explosion of the Internet have changed the way we communicate and work. In general, the workforce is more productive. The need to access essential personal information quickly, as well as being connected to others, is greater than ever before. History shows that necessity creates both opportunity and revolution. The wireless industry is in the midst of a true revolution. We've recently witnessed the reality of wireless data here in the United States, while the future for even more sophisticated "killer" wireless applications loom on the third-generation horizon. There may be other reasons why certain parts of the world have introduced enhanced mobile services before they were available in the U.S. Nonetheless, in the U.S., wireless data services have only recently become a reality for a variety of reasons. First, due to various technology options that were offered, which had pros and cons, U.S. wireless carriers adopted what was available. The fact that there were too many choices, and without true nationwide coverage, only further created fragmented services. Although CDMA is the most prominent wireless standard here in the U.S. and even though it is the most sophisticated standard and the chosen foundation for 3G services, the country is still faced with standard fragmentation--from analog to TDMA, GSM and CDMA. In Europe, where there is a single standard, various enhanced mobile services have been in existence for some time. However, in the U.S., the need for advanced wireless services has not been there due to its ubiquitous wireline network. Secondly, there has been a lack of mobile-friendly applications. Wireless industry pioneers such as Phone.com, Tegic and Advanced Recognition Technologies have since changed this scenario by offering a variety of mobile software applications ranging from the wireless browser, e-mail and fax capabilities, real-time stock quotes, voice commands, and other Internet-enabled services to wireless users. And finally, there has been a serious lack of sophisticated, yet easy-to-use wireless devices with mass consumer appeal. Wireless data services will not be a revenue generator for any industry player--from the service provider to the software partner--unless the consumers can readily purchase a sleek-looking, easy-to-use, pocket-friendly productivity-enhancing device. The smartphone is the linchpin for the success of advanced wireless service offerings--the smartphone done right is the tangible connection to the consumer. Without it, we lose the consumer and then we all lose. We've seen a variety of smartphone choices in the past. Form factor, screen size, price and whether the device has "more intelligence than required" are factors to consider when choosing a smartphone. The true smartphone must effectively do what the personal computer did for the computing world. Just like the computer industry, the smartphone done right must include the backing of key partners. It must have the carrier relationships that provide the wireless pipeline to the Internet, as well as the software partnerships that provide the killer applications and user interface. The smartphone done right must be a feature-rich, pocket-sized, affordable device that provides voice clarity, e-mail and the ability to access the Internet and personal information management functions with PC synchronization in a simple, easy-to-use handset. With all of this, the smartphone is able to seal the wireless data deal to the consumer and we all win! William Son is CEO of NeoPoint Inc., a smartphone manufacturer based in La Jolla, Calif.