Transcript Wireless Information Devices and the Mobile Internet Charles Davies Psion CTO [email protected] Contents •Summary •Introduce Psion, history •Symbian joint venture, history •Intro to Wireless Information Devices •WID design issues •Technology drivers •Summary.

Wireless Information
Devices and the
Mobile Internet
Charles Davies
Psion CTO
[email protected]
Contents
•Summary
•Introduce Psion, history
•Symbian joint venture, history
•Intro to Wireless Information Devices
•WID design issues
•Technology drivers
•Summary
Summary
• Many kinds of devices will access the internet – not just PC’s
– Wireless information devices will challenge the PC as the dominant
internet access device
• Mobile internet isn’t just WAP
– WAP will probably be the main driver over the next 1-2 years
• Psion believes in a richer mobile internet experience than is
possible with just WAP – or even any browser
– Gap between wireless and wired bandwidth will increase and
devices need a significant off-line capability
– SyncML is an important mobile internet standard
• Future is unpredictable and exciting
– Numerous potentially disruptive technologies
– Many competing form factors and platforms
– Complex industry value networks which have yet to “lock”
· Network operators, content providers, device manufacturers
Psion
Psion’s History and Roots
160
Symbian
Turnover £m
Series 5
140
Divisionalisation
120
Series 3c
100
Workabout
80
Dacom
acquired
60
40
20
Organiser
Software
London
Quotation
Series 3a
Series 3
0
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99
Psion Vision
•In the emerging age of mobile Internet, more and more
people will depend on personal, wireless access to the
Internet, wherever they are.
•Mobile Internet will empower them in their work and
personal life with information, communications,
transactions and entertainment.
•Since its inception, Psion has provided innovative
solutions addressing real customer needs. Psion will
shape and lead the mobile internet age by delivering
distinctive mobile internet solutions and devices to
people and organisations.
Psion PLC
Symbian
Software
Devices
Services
Computers
Enterprise
28% owned
Infomedia
Internet
Dacom/
Connect
Psion Current Products
Travel modem
Revo
5mx
S7/NetBook
HC
GoldCard
56k Modem
ISDN
GSM
10/100Ethernet
V-Comm
Workabout
Communicator
Tablet
Smartphone
Symbian
Symbian Joint Venture
Psion -> Symbian History
• Psion Organiser I in 1984, 8-bit technology
• Start work on 16-bit multi-tasking OS in 1988
• Series3 launched in 1991
• Starts work on 32-bit RISC (ARM) OS in Nov 1994
• Psion Software division formed July 1996
– Decision to license platform externally
– Psion Software focuses on cellular device manufacturers
– Acquires Nokia and Philips as licensees
• Series5 launched in June 1997
• On 24th June 1998, Psion Software turned into the Symbian
joint venture with Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola, & subsequently
Panasonic
• Symbian now 560 people strong (from a base of about 100)
Symbian’s Mission
To set the standard for
mobile wireless operating systems
To enable a mass market for
Wireless Information Devices (WIDs)
Wireless Information Devices
Computing
Communication
Fixed
Phone
Desktop
Laptop
Mobile
Phone
Palmtop
Feature
Phone
Communicator
Smartphone
Internet
Symbian DFRDs
Crystal
Pearl
Quartz
DFRD = Device Family Reference Design
The Symbian Platform
Crystal
Communicators
Quartz
Phone Pads
Pearl
Smartphones
Symbian Platform
Symbian user interfaces
20%
Symbian application engines
20%
Symbian system layer
55%
Symbian operating system
5%
Wireless Information Devices
Universal Internet Access
Fax
Internet
Corporate data
Messaging
Contacts
Agenda
Secure personal
data
WAP Phone
Work PC
Home PC
WID
Set Top Box
Web Pad
Games
Console
PDA
Mobile Internet Devices
Simple Client
Enriched Client
Full PC
Simple
Phone
WAP
Phone
Connected PDA
WID
SubNotebook
Notebook
SMS
Voice
WAP
SMS
Voice
HTML
Local Processing
Local Memory
WAP/SMS
Java
SyncML
HTML
Local Processing
Local Memory
WAP/SMS
Java
SyncML
Voice
Windows
HTML
Java
SyncML
Windows
HTML
Java
SyncML
Forces Driving Mobile Internet
•Higher speeds + instant access/push
– GSM/CDMA/TDMA -> GPRS -> UMTS
•More & better devices
– One box - WIDs - integrated GSM/CDMA/TDMA
– Two box - PDAs + Bluetooth + Phones
– Multimedia capabilities: audio/video
– Every cell phone a WAP phone
•Services aimed at mobile devices
– Time and location sensitive/aware services
– “Access-anywhere solutions” ,e.g. universal PIM
– Voice input and voice-data integration
•Media awareness
– Hot topic fuelling demand
Mobile Internet Devices
Simple Client
Simple
Phone
WAP
Phone
Enriched Client
Connected PDA
WID
Full PC
SubNotebook
Notebook
Unit Shipments
2000
280M
8M
22M
2003
500M
100M
31M
Wireless Information Devices
Handheld
Computer
+
Mobile
Phone
1Billion
Mobile Phone
Subscribers
Internet
1Billion
Internet
Users
Wireless
Information
Device
Mobile Phones Surpass PCs
Millions of Users
1,200
1,000
Mobile Subscribers
PC Installed base
800
600
400
200
0
1997
Sources: EMC 2000, Dataquest1999
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Industry Value Chains
•There are three inter-related ‘value chains’ involved in
provision of mobile internet solutions to the user
•Need to understand and selectively play based on
where value is captured, who owns the customer
relationship
Terminals
H/w Components
Devices
Service delivery
S/w Components
Network
Infrastructure
e-Commerce
infra-structure
Services
Content &
services
Portals
Network
Operators
Service
Providers
Pipe or portal?
Walled gardens?
Sticky gardens?
WID-addressed Mobile Needs
Handheld computer
Personal
Organisation
Mobile phone
Voice
Communication
Messaging (email, SMS, fax)
Information Access
Mobile Enterprise Computing
Mobile eCommerce
Entertainment
Core Benefits
Connected
Electronic
Organiser
Email Contact
Fax Contact
SMS Contact
Messaging
Dial/answer Contact
Mobile
Feature
Phone
Internet
Access
i-Mode
•i-Mode has “crossed the chasm” in Japan
– 5 million subscribers now
– 10 million forecast within 18 months of launch
– Overtaken Nifty (Japan’s largest wired ISP)
– Subscribers currently increasing by >100K per week
– >3k i-Mode web sites increasing by 150 per week
•Controlled by network operator - NTT DoCoMo
•Only 9600 bps - speed is not the main benefit
– Uses PDC-P - packet switched service always on
•Based on HTML 3.0 with additional tags
– No new language for content providers to learn
•Only Japan, so roaming not an issue
WID Design Issues
Design trade-offs
•
•
Data vs. voice
– Separate devices?
– Separate networks?
– Separate service
contracts?
Performance vs.
availability
– Performance: functions,
processing power,
screen, keyboard
– Availability: size,
weight, battery life,
instant on,
responsiveness
Data
Palm VII
Nokia 9110
RIM Blackberry
Smartphone
Mobile phone
Performance
Phone
PC Notebook
Series7
Series5
Revo
Palm III
Availability
Form factors
Phone
•Keyboard vs. pen
– Just pen, just keyboard or
keyboard+pen
– Pointing devices improve the UI
experience
– Keyboards make text input easier
•1-box vs. 2-box (or even 3-box)
– IrDA 2-box
– Bluetooth 2-box (or 3-box)
– Flexibility vs. simplicity
– Hold to ear vs. headset and hands
free
•Voice control?
IrDA or
Bluetooth
Handheld
Computer
2-box
Radio
Bluetooth
Handheld
Computer
Headset
3-box
Application models
•Thin client (fixed client)
– WAP, Web (HTML), Citrix
– Easiest to program, widest standard
•Synchronisation
– SyncML
– Responsive off-line usage, best user experience,
efficient use of wireless bandwidth
•Client-server
– Connected Java or C++ application
– Best on-line user experience
•Push
– New model, SMS smart messaging
– Asynchronous notifications
13
WID Platform Positioning
Rich user experience
Citrix
EPOC C++
HTML
Java
Web
clipping
Network dependent
I-mode
WAP
Off-line capable
SMS
Basic user experience
Enriched Mobile Internet
TomTom Quartz demo
See www.tomtom.com
Technologies
Technologies
•Microbrowsers
•SyncML
•GSM -> GPRS -> EDGE -> UMTS
•Bluetooth
•Java
•DAB
•Speech recognition
Microbrowsers
•WAP
•C-HTML
– I-mode
•Microsoft have their own cut down HTML
•Palm’s Web clipping
•“Full” HTML in a small screen
– Psion (EPOC), Nokia 9110 (GEOS)
– Symbian communicator class devices will have a full
browser
– XHTML is attractive
•Multimode microbrowsers
– E.g. HTML + WAP
WAP
• Functionally similar to Web
• Very limited client capability assumed
– Designed for small screens, limited OS, narrow bandwidth,high
latency – “long thin pipe”
• All mobile phones will have a WAP browser soon
– WAP browser compatibility is biggest issue today
– Some security problems at the gateway
• WAP implementations will get better
• WAP standard will evolve and get better
• WAP essentially mandated by network operators
• Several 100M WAP phones will drive WML content/services
• Will not charm (user interface not good)
• Really needs GPRS – which is really coming
• WAP is a “must have” but it is not the full mobile internet answer
• Attractive to content/application providers because of installed
base
Browser Platform
Data Source
XML
n
HTML
Transcoding
(Using e.g. XSL)
n
Small screen HTML
n
WML
WML/HTTP
WAP Gateway
WMLBIN/WSP
PC Web Browser
WID Web Browser
WAP Browser
Repurposing
Data Source
HTML
Repurposing Proxy
PC Web Browser
Small screen HTML
WML
WAP Gateway
WID Web Browser
WAP Browser
Multimode Browser
Data Source
XML
HTML
WML
WAP Gateway
Opera Browser
www.operasoftware.com
WAP Browser
SyncML
• Industry initiative for an open synchronisation platform
– Sponsored by Ericsson, IBM/Lotus, Motorola/Starfish, Nokia,
Palm & Psion
• Enduring need for local data despite improvements in wireless
bandwidth and coverage
– E.g. you don’t want to use WAP to get every contact number
– Synchronised data includes contacts, calendar, todo’s, files,
database records, application programs
• Standard sync protocol that meets the need for interoperability
between terminals and servers
– Terminals: from phones to WID’s to PC’s
– Services: Internet-based PIM, email, backup, installing
applications
• Psion producing EPOC client and corresponding services
• See www.syncml.org
Bluetooth
•Low cost, low power short distance radio link
– Data and Voice
– 10m range but can be turned up to 100m
– Uses globally available spectrum (2.4GHz)
•Overwhelming industry support
•Makes 2-box and 3-box more attractive
•Also attractive for accessing LAN’s via network access
points
•More effort to ensure interoperability than IrDA
•Integration cost target is $5 but this needs time and
enormous volume
– 2-3 years to reach sub $10
•See www.bluetooth.com
15
Wireless broadband?
Growth in Wireless Data Speeds
Megabits Per Second
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
GSM
Today
GPRS
2000
EDGE
2001
UMTS
2003
• Speed will drive market
growth
– Speed will improve
markedly
– But this has been overhyped
– Real speed less than
theoretical maxima
– A few megabits per base
station
• Broadband is “Always On”
connectivity model
– No call set-up required
– Instant Access
– Better user experience
– Enables new / richer
applications
GPRS
•Packet switched data on GSM networks
– IP connection to network operator’s intranet
•Coverage starting 2nd half 2000
– Full domestic roll-out will take ~2 years, roaming
support may take longer, numerous practical problems
•Always connected more important than bps
– Will transform WAP experience
•GPRS data rates have been over hyped
– Super hype 170kbps, hype 115kbps, reality 43kbps
•Charging model still uncertain
– One simple option is price per packet
– E.g. NTT DoCoMo charges 0.3 Yen per 128-byte
packet ($24 per MB or $1.35 per minute assuming
$1=100Yen)
16
Number of Users per GSM
Transmit Channel
Based on statistical assessment
16
Circuit (HSCSD)
14
GPRS
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Source: Nortel
14.4kbps
28.8kbps
56kbps
GPRS Data Throughput
Data Throughput (kbps)
Based on statistical assessment
90
80
2 slots
70
4 slots
60
8 slots
50
40
30
20
10
0
Source: Nortel
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Number of Users
Digital Audio Broadcasting
•Digital Audio Broadcasting
– Also called Digital Radio
– Digital replacement of Analogue FM/AM
– FM/AM transmissions will cease in 5-10 years
•Eureka 147
– Pioneered by the BBC some 10 years ago
– ETSI standard for transmission of DAB (1995)
– Being adopted world-wide (except US & Japan)
•Availability
– BBC have been broadcasting since 1995
– UK Commercial stations launched November ’99
– In Europe, DAB transmissions are available to 150
million people
World-wide Adoption
User Benefits of Digital Radio
•Near-CD Quality Sound
– MPEG1, Layer II : more like Minidisk (5:1) than MP3
(12:1)
•Robust reception
– Interference-free, even when mobile
•Single Frequency Network
– No re-tuning required when travelling
•More listening choice
– Several new Digital-only stations
•Data Services
– PAD - Artist and Track names with Audio stream
– Packet Mode - Broadcast Web Sites
DAB Multiplex
•
To make efficient use of the frequency spectrum,
several audio and data services are brought together
into one Multiplexed bit-stream
Audio
Service 1
1.5 Mbps
Audio
Service 2
Audio
Service 3
Data
Service 1
Audio S1
192 Kbps
Audio S2
192 Kbps
Audio S3
96 Kbps
Data S1
64 Kbps
Examples of data rates:
Stereo Music Service
Mono Music Service
Mono Speech Service
Data Service (multiples of 8 Kbps)
128-192 Kbps
96 Kbps
64 Kbps
64 Kbps
Note: The sub-channels can be dynamically reconfigured
by the Multiplexer without interrupting the audio flow
Broadcast Websites
• DAB is true ‘push’ technology
– Can provide a flow of real-time information from Internet content
· BBC’s Vision Radio is created from BBC On-Line site
· News, Weather, Travel, Sport & Electronic Program Guides
· Can be ‘synchronised’ with Audio transmission
– Commercial stations looking at E-commerce options
– New Advertising opportunities
• Carousel transmission
– Like Teletext, data has to be transmitted in a Carousel
· Data must be repeated as user can switch on at any time
· Receiver builds a copy of the Website in memory (1-2MB)
· Can request data with a back channel via PSTN or GSM
Modem
WaveFinder – A Smart Antenna
for the PC
• PC based DAB receiver
• Uses PC CPU, display and sound system
– Connects via USB
– Links Radio to the Web (25% of surfers listen to the radio)
• High quality audio source
– CD Quality unlike FM or ‘streamed’ radio
– Record in secure MP3 format on hard-disk or CD-R
– For MP3 users, it is the first ‘free-to-air’ source of MP3 music
• Receive new data services
– PAD and Broadcast Web Sites
• PC provides back-channel
• Fixed today, mobile tomorrow, DAB with GPRS back-channel
• See www.wavefinder.com
Java
Server
Desktop
NT, Unix, Linux,
Solaris, MVS, AS400,
VMS, legacy
Windows
Devices
EPOC, CE, PalmOS,
Linux, JavaOS, OS/9,
Proprietary
Problem for
Java to solve
Java 2
Java2
Platforms
J2EE
Servers
Configurations
Profiles
J2SE
Desktop PC
J2ME
Devices
CDC
CLDC
Foundation Profile
MID Profile
CDC = Connected Device Configuration
CLDC = Connected Limited Device Configuration (KVM)
MID = Mobile Information Device
Java on WID’s
• MExE (ETSI GSM standard)
– Mobile Station Application Execution Environment
– MExE classmark 1 is WAP
– MExE classmark 2 is WAP + Java
• Symbian supports Java
– JAE 1.1.4 on e.g. Psion NetBook
– PersonalJava and JavaPhone on new DFRDs
– J2ME profile/configuration to be decided thereafter
· UI library is an issue (AWT unsuitable for some devices)
– All EPOC devices will ultimately ship with Java
• Applications, Applets, IBM’s DirectDOM
• Highly likely that standard Java platforms will be defined in the
WID space
Speech Recognition
•Limited vocabulary recognition is comfortably
achievable
•Speech dictation is borderline on next generation
hardware platforms
– E.g. 200MHz ARM, 64Mb memory
•Speech UI’s need to be worked out
•WID form factor could be more ergonomically viable
than a PC
– More natural to hold to mouth
– No large keyboard to compete with
•PC dictation took off when 230 MHz PC’s arrived
•It’s more a question of when rather than if
Summary
• Many kinds of devices will access the internet – not just PC’s
– Wireless information devices will challenge the PC as the dominant
internet access device
• Mobile internet isn’t just WAP
– WAP will probably be the main driver over the next 1-2 years
• Psion believes in a richer mobile internet experience than is
possible with just WAP – or even any browser
– Gap between wireless and wired bandwidth will increase and
devices need a significant off-line capability
– SyncML is an important mobile internet standard
• Future is unpredictable and exciting
– Numerous potentially disruptive technologies
– Many competing form factors and platforms
– Complex industry value networks which have yet to “lock”
· Network operators, content providers, device manufacturers
Wireless Information
Devices and the
Mobile Internet
Charles Davies
Psion CTO
[email protected]