Application Store Phenomenon – Develop, Distribute and Profit from Mobile Applications
Until recently, wireless operators served as the gatekeepers of what content and applications made onto mobile phones. Now, mobile platform vendors such as Apple, Google, and Research In Motion are providing marketplaces where individual developers can promote applications they build specifically for each of these device platforms, while consumers can choose from thousands of applications tailored exactly for their needs. Even many believe that these events would shape up to be an interesting battle and might usher in a new paradigm shift for the mobile industry, quite a lot of questions still remain. How would application stores change the ecosystem of mobile industries? Would the wireless carriers see the writing on the wall and accept the trend, or they will jump in and open their own AppStores. What do application stores mean for small or independent software vendors? Who are the future mobile content providers? Is the AppStore a temporary phenomenon or a long-time solution that will stay and grow?
In this panel discussion, we will not only discuss the state of AppStores but also analyze the impacts that AppStores have been bringing to carriers, consumers, mobile content providers, and device platform vendors.
China 3G: Embracing the Opportunities after Years of Waiting
Triggered by Chinese government plans to grant licenses for 3G networks at the beginning of this year, operators in China have invested billions of dollars updating their infrastructure to support 3G. During this transition, operators have hastened their transition from voice service providers to information services providers through unique and innovative 3G-powered platforms and solutions. UNICOM has unveiled its 3G "Wo" strategy, and plans to bring the iPhone to China. China Telecom has attempted to surge ahead with its recently debuted eSurfing mobile services. China Mobile’s first Open Mobile System (OMS), dubbed as "Ophone", is also expected to hit the market this year.
With the world’s greater number of internet surfers and mobile phone subscribers, the demand for internet-based content via mobile devices is poised to explode in China. Now that the major carriers in China have platforms ready for solution providers to feed this demand, the discussion moves from whether or not there is an opportunity, to how do we catch this opportunity?
In this panel, we will meet speakers with diverse backgrounds who are ready to share their understanding about China:
- What lessons did they learn and experience obtained in China?
- What strategies can outside companies use to enter the new 3G into China. What opportunities would companies outside of China get for entering the new 3G into China marketplace?
- What is the current state of mobile/wireless in China? What are the future trends of the mobile/wireless talent in China's market?
- What are the future wireless/mobile industry trends? Is 4G on the horizon?
Smart Grid - The next frontier of mobile/wireless ecosystem?
"Smart grid" is sweeping Silicon Valley as a revolutionary concept which will enable the transition to distributed, renewable energy sources, while transforming the way we conserve and manage the energy we consume.
To make smart grid a reality, a robust communication infrastructure is essential, where wireless communication can play a critical role. In the ultimate smart grid, efficient, two-way communication will ensure that every source and generator of power will be able to communicate with each other to optimize usage throughout the grid. At the edge, it will touch millions of families and billions of appliances and will drive energy conservation and consumption efficiency throughout the network.
This transformation of the existing power infrastructure to a 21st century intelligent utility network presents a huge challenge for Silicon Valley. Given the scale and complexity of this clallenge, a significant business opportunity is also knocking the door of the people who are prepared to capture it.
In this panel, we will ask industrial, academic and innovative leaders to discuss:
- Why is the current grid "dumb" and what needs to be changed?
- How would the road map for these changes look like?
- What roles do wireless companies have in this game? What's the business opportunity for them?
How to position your company in today’s environment for funding!
The recently reported 63% quarter-to-quarter drop of VC fund raising provides the latest evidence of the tough economic situation, and underscores the challenges start-ups are facing.
For the entrepreneurs, what actions shall they take to survive in this economic tsunami? Is it sufficient to focus on their internal business operational improvement? Is it even possible to strengthen their positions and thrive out of the financial storm? How can they leverage the business opportunity across the Pacific Rim in this globalized world?
In this panel, we will meet with veteran entrepreneurs, angels, VCs, and financial experts. They will address the landscape entrepreneurs face today regarding getting funded and thriving in a global world.
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