Don't confuse WAP with true m-business

"As user friendly as a cornered WAP"
Simon Moores - The Research Group

WAP is excellent for short transactions:

• when does my flight leave?
• what is my account balance?
• what is the share price of BT?

WAP is awful for:

• general web browsing
• shopping
• sifting through large amounts of information.

How will the mobile phone change to become a true m-business device?

Source: a little informed speculation?

Keypad - removed by 2002 - replaced by continuous voice recognition.

Screen - upgraded by 2004 - made as large as you wish using foldable amorphous semiconductor.

Communications - upgrading:

• now to 28.8 kbps (HSCSD) and 40 kbps (GPRS);
• this year perhaps to 128 kbps (EDGE); and
• by 2002 with 3G to 384 kbps wide area 2 Mbps in building.

Processing - by 2004 as capable as a top of the range year 2000 laptop.

Battery life - probably the biggest problem!

Don't forget the short-range mobility technologies

In five years time:

• no devices will be tethered to fixed infrastructure. There will be extensive use of:
• Bluetooth - up to 723 kbps, range 10 to 100 metres;
• UMTS - DECT enhancements; and
• RLANs
• there will be massive fibre capacity to the curb or building, but extensive use of radio for the last 10 metres internally and last 100 metres to 5 kilometres outside; and
• devices will be dual standard for use both inside and outside buildings.

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