IMHO (really humble!) I think what is needed is a new type of mobile browser
that becomes a standard in the tech community. One that does not have an
HTML renderer, but accepts very simple commands from a server to control
native objects like buttons, tables, grids, charts, etc. And pass events
back to the server efficiently (not wrapped in large amounts of XML). There
may be something out there available, if there is, let me know!
I've been part of a start-up that ties to address this exact problem. How to
centralize applications by creating a rich client that interacts efficiently
with apps running on a server. No data on the client, all on the server.
This type of solution is not appropriate for applications like Photoshop,
but very applicable to data entry and sales force operations.
We developed a rich client mobile app, as I described in the first
paragraph, which was controlled from a central server. The result was a very
nice looking, fast user interface that interacted efficiently with the
server. But we had trouble getting interest.
We've met several barriers to the rich client approach to centralizing
applications. The biggest is that a large majority of developers in this
area (at least for the desktop) are of a mindset that everything has to be
shoe horned into a browser. The result of that is that you get very
inefficient apps that are a bear to write the server code for, and that
don't operate very well in a browser, but limp along. The browser is great,
but not for ALL things. So getting in bed with the developers is/was a big
hurdle, funds are needed for this.
Another barrier is that the investment community does not recognize that
bandwidth is a problem. The VCs tended to think that since their DSL at home
is pretty darned fast, all the Internet is fast and bandwidth issues to not
exist. So in their view there is no need for software to deal with bandwidth
problems. I believe that the VCs (at least the ones we spoke to) also
extrapolated this into the mobile world, because 3G promises so much.
So, even though our fundraising efforts have failed miserably, we are still
discovering that there is a need for the rich client/centralized data
control approach. We currently have projects in the areas of County
governments here in the US, telemarketing, and country wide inventory
management. The need is out there, just a bit hidden from the general view.
Most of our focus is on the desktop PC, but requests for a mobile app
approach are starting to surface.
Just my two cents worth!
Jon Richards
---
jrichards@highwiresoftware.com
-----Original Message-----
From: keitai-l-bounce@appelsiini.net [mailto:keitai-l-bounce@appelsiini.net]
On Behalf Of Andreas Constantinou
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 1:39 AM
To: keitai-l@appelsiini.net
Subject: (keitai-l) Re: google phone
IMO, having all data in the network would work, as long as there are client
applications on the handset to cache the data, provided rich graphics and
interactivity and integrate with local device functionality (messaging,
dialling, etc).
GSM operators first tried the centralised model using WAP (i.e. Thin browser
on the device) and walled garden (data in network only), but it failed.
Client-software-driven portals (i.e. On-device portals) are now accepted as
the solution.
In other words the trend is for data to be decentralised throughout the
internet (i.e. open or sticky gardens), with a rich client that renders the
data and provides interactivity, connectivity with the device, etc.
The two most prominent proofs for this decentralisation are Yahoo! Go for
Mobile (v2) and Nokia's Content Discoverer (the evolution of Preminet).
Google already has their Google Maps for Mobile app, with more apps
expected.
Andreas
--
Andreas Constantinou, Ph.D. | VisionMobile :: Knowledge, Passion, Innovation
+30 6979630260 (GR) | +44 7814027250 (UK) | www.linkedin.com/in/andreasc
On 19/1/07 10:36, "Craig Kovatch" <cromas@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well, computing started as centralized (with terminals connected to a
> server), but that method was abandoned because of lack of bandwidth,
> connection reliability, etc.
>
> These were the same guys coming up with things like UNIX, which is
> still considered the best operating system foundation, living on in OS
> X, Linux, etc. In other words, I'm sure they knew what they were doing
> when they went for client/server access, it's just the technology
> hadn't caught up with them.
>
> But fourty years later, that's no longer a problem. I think we are
> moving back to centralization, but at least technologically, I don't
> think that's necessarily a step backwards. Privacy and
> security-wise...it's a toss-up.
>
> As for mobile carriers...hmm. Data plans in America are still
> ridiculously expensive in my mind, but realistically, they are about
> the same as Japan. It's just less societally normal to spend so much
> money on your phone in the states. I hear that some European carriers
> offer unlimited data for the equivalent of about $20/month. But I also
> hear the European 3G network is crap.
>
> hmm ramble finished. ok bye.
> -c
>
> On 1/19/07, Nick May <nick@kyushu.com> wrote:
>> This is just rumour/hype/vapourware, etc....
>>
>> http://www.electronista.com/articles/07/01/18/google.switch.phone/
>>
>> But I am curious as to whether people think the idea - having all
>> apps/data on the network - would fly?
>>
>> I am skeptical - whatever google knows about you, it would appear the
>> US government can know probably about you just by whispering the word
>> "terrorism" in google's shell like ear. Which rather puts me off.
>>
>> It's not just privacy concerns - it seems to be a backward step to
>> keep apps stored centrally.
>>
>> Would carriers go for it? Lots more data transfers, true, but it
>> relegates them to "data pipe"status.
>>
>> Any thoughts?
>>
>> Nick
>>
>>
>>
>> Kyushu Fixers
>> Facilitation Support in Fukuoka, Kyushu and South West Japan
>> http://kyushu-fixers.com
>>
>>
>>
>> This mail was sent to address cromas@gmail.com
>> Need archives? How to unsubscribe? http://www.appelsiini.net/keitai-l/
>>
>>
>
> This mail was sent to address andreas@visionmobile.com
> Need archives? How to unsubscribe? http://www.appelsiini.net/keitai-l/
>
This mail was sent to address richards@inreach.com
Need archives? How to unsubscribe? http://www.appelsiini.net/keitai-l/
Received on Fri Jan 19 19:10:43 2007