Whats gonna be the KILLER application

[haveagoade]

Yes we've all heard about the search for this by the networks .

So lets have a thread on what you think it might be?

I'll set it off.

I think the killer application will be decided by the kids and teen market........and why?

Well they decided the last one and it was texting.

They'll decide the next........it'll be a variation on that.


It'll be short video messages taken with video camera enabled mobiles,which have been made widly available to them..........and this is where I think THREE have got it bang on correct.

They r making them easily cheaply available to kids at the run up to christmas.

Why short video messages?

Well you might have said that about texting....why bother to mess about txting when you could voice call and say it easier and quicker.

I think its cos its the form of communication that is phsycologically appealing .....you make the contact but remain unconnected directly.

Now short video messages can be rehearsed edited and recorded then sent....like a text only better.

They can then be viewed at leisure by the recipient as well.....no annoying demands of a mobile to be a answered.......handy when you should be doing something else such as school or even WORK if you are older.

any other idea's anyone?

[frazzel]

Well I have said this eleswhere, I belive video in general be it messagin, calling it will be the killer in time. I reckon that video call will overtake in time voice calls, as its more fun to do. Bit scary at 1st I must say, as your not used to it, but it grows. Also that at some time multi vidoe calling will be possble by splitting your screen into 4 corners, ok small but it will improve with handset design in time! :D

[A1c]

Short video messeging would be fine as a killer application but it can easily be done over GSM networks using GPRS. Short clips can already be downloaded and it would'nt take much to provide users with an upload facility. an extension of picture messaging really!

Nope 3G needs something far more attractive and interesting and whoever comes up with the answer will undoubtedly make a lot of money as all of the networks are currently feeling around in the dark with new technology that needs a real purpose! Data and the Internet has to be one big 'killer app' if the price of access can be made attractive. Who knows, maybe 3G will end up as a compeditor to hardwired broadband. It can theoretically match the speeds that copper wire can achieve, A 3G wirless modem - why not? I suspect the telcos are going to have to think 'out of the box' to recover their substantial investment.

[new2three]

Made my 1st video call , the other day to a colleague at work. I can see how this could be the next step from MMS. I found video calling a little intimadating after all this is a more personal experience. I thought It was GREAT and wish my friends and colleagues had 3 phones because I would be video calling them all the time.

If the price was lower then this would/could become the "killer" application for all the networks offering 3 services.

The next stage is offering cross network video calling.

[frazzel]

Well yes video calling will take off once the price to do it drops, as it does not grab people at 50p a min to call. Would nopt expect 3pay users to attempt to use it with what is left of their voucher.

[new2three]

Regarding 3pay maybe they could introduce a video calling value add on top up.

I agree that at the moment 50p a min video calling on 3pay is expensive

[A1c]

Videocalling is novelty value it'll never catch on - its embarrasing in public and you have to squint at the sceen in daylight... and at home you can do better with a broadband connection (its not charged by the minute either).

[new2three]

They said text messaging would not catch on.

[bleubean]

i think the next killer app could/should be a cross between TEXT messaging and MMS. By this i mean the ability to write a text as normal but select font, colour, size, etc so it displays on the receivers phone the same. also to allow the ability to choose the way the text appears for example you could have the text EXPLODE onto the the screen or t y p e w r i t e accross it. Much like the way microsoft POWER POINT works. I also think allowing people to create an "avatar" or little cartoon to represent themselves, then when they send a text they can use this avatar to "say" it on screen in a speech bubble etc. I think video is a great idea but no as convenient as text currently. i think the way forward is to make a bridge between the two. I know EMS is available on some handsets but you can only add a predefined animation of a feeling and a little sound.


but i think the "killer app" very much depends on the price, availablity and useability of it. 50p for a video message is far too month for a little kiddie to afford on their mobile and too much for a stingey older person to pay. i remember my mam was on BT CELLNET years ago and a text used to be 20p at first. but when it was lowered to 10p it took off. i think 3 and mobile companies in general need to reduce the price of this. i mean 50p for 25kb of data is far too much. 15p is much more acceptable!

Also i think videoning would take off massively if priced and advertised right. Three currently dont advertise it and 50p a minute is rediculous! i mean a 5minute convosation would cost u £2.50. I wish three would reduce the price down or class video calls as voice calls.! then i think we would see its usage rocket up! 11 of my mates/family are on Three but refuse to videone, not because they dont want to but because its too expensive!!


Welcome to Planet3!

Nick!

[Coltch]

I don't think video calling will be the killer app, Data is the way forward everyone of us with a 3G phone has a built in broadband modem if the price could be made more attractive I think more people would see the benefit in browsing the net on their phone.

[haveagoade]

I think some suggestion's are far to much in the realm's of the geeky tech head......who like myself......gets far too involved in the technical capabilities of the 3g phenomena.......internet, data and stuff........."whats that all about" thats what yer average kid teen's gonna say.

They want it short sweat easy and cheap..

Cheap will come soon!!!!!............then you have yer killer application..... video calling and short video messaging replacing texts.


THREE have put this technology in the hands of kids who will drive the 3g thing in the future.

[gajet]

Average Teen kids seem to be best at Internet etc, I still think open access mobile broadband is the killer app that 3uk seem so reluctant to monopolise on while they can. Video calling is good on occaisions but too expensive currently.

Mobile Irc and forum access would rule.

[Gunner]

The thing about text messages is that they're so discrete. They've already killed voicemail (according to a recent BBC news article), so I really can't see video messaging ever replacing texts. I think from the networks current attempts it's pretty plain to see that texts just don't need replacing - they're simple, effective, and discrete. Remember, video messaging over MMS has been available for a while now, on all networks.

I think we should give the younger generation credit. They're going to want fast mobile connections for their MMO FPS/RPG, and want to use one single device for everything they can - especially, I'd imagine, portable music.

Yes, it needs to be affordable. Three have made owning 3G technology affordable, but yes, cheap use of that technology is still a little way off.

At the moment, I think the driving forces behind 3G services will be spendhappy businesses and other high-spend customers. All the networks are looking to make a very fast return on their investment as a sign that they can make 3G work before delving into the depths of innovation. Three UK need to get their business services rolled out pronto if they want to capture and exploit early 3G service potential.

Kids just aren't where the money is at this stage.

[A1c]

3 dont have the capacity to provide open access. Remember they have to use their single network for voice, data and video where others have two networks to share the laod! With cheap (efficient 11K/bs) voice 3 can maximise their limited bandwidth with the most customers using a product that has proven to be useful and popular. I suspect they have made the right decison for their particular circumstances in terms of this. One of the very few sensible pieces of business logic that one can attrbute to 3 UK presently.

[Taster]

Sex is the killer app

[simon69c]

3's limited bandwidth? They have a 3G network that isn't anywhere close to filling its capacity.

Cross network video calling already works.

I doubt video messaging would replace texting as the appeal of texting is that it is discrete and quick to do. If you have enough time and are in a suitable environment to put a video message together you may as well have just called the person (either by voice or video if you want). I expect video calling will eventually become more commonplace but only when the price becomes more reasonable and people are comfortable doing so. There was terrible stigma attached to mobile phone use when they first started appearing and I expect we will see a similar attitude towards video calls for quite sometime. I expect the networks will have to price video calls at pretty much the same level as voice calls to generate any interest in them. I doubt the fact that they use that much more bandwidth will be an issue for the foreseeable future as they have so much bandwidth available at the moment. Demand for video calling will be more of an issue than its supply I should imagine.

Personally I believe data will be the key and I don't think the networks will be able to realise any killer apps until they do away with per MB charges and have flat rates akin to land-based broadband services so that users aren't concerned with how much they are downloading. I'm thinking streaming audio (or video) from your home PC or an internet based webspace, I'm thinking of your phone basically being an extension of your PC at home. With home entertainment PCs becoming more popular I think it won't be long before people want access to their music from anywhere they are. That's just a couple of my ideas anyway!

[Gunner]

I totally agree with regard to flat rate access. However, we say this at the same time as many broadband providers are implementing monthly caps and considering charging by data transferred. Lets hope that doesn't come to be.

Flat rate is definitely the way forward - look at how dialup and broadband opened up with such charges. I share your vision of an extension to the PC and other devices and can only hope that's what the networks have in mind for the medium-long term.

[NAZA]

Videocalling is novelty value it'll never catch on

I have heard this kind of thing said many times before:

"the world will only ever need about 4 computers"

"648k is more than anyone will ever need"

"Radio has no future."

"I can state flatly that heavier than air flying machines are impossible."

"The world is flat"

2004

"video calling will never catch on"

Needless to say Never is a long long long time!

Nuf said

[Taster]

noticed the BBC using video call the other night . satellite tho

Reckon the 3 quality is better .

[haveagoade]

Well its a good thread so far and theres been now biased rantings either.......just different informed opinions.........thats what I joined this forum for.

[haveagoade]

Sex is the killer app


LOL...........I've already got a few naughty ones loaded...............where's me dirty mac gone?

[frazzel]

Well we will see, I reckon a 2 years or so, we will all know what the killer app is!

[3G fan]

yes sex is a killer!(in more ways then one) but imo "press to talk". its still very new,not on many handset,but it will be the Killer!.
only time will tell.
watch this space......
hopfuly video calling will find its place aswell.

[Taster]

I love video calling ...its the bosh ... broadcast quality footage ...

Live footage of any event if ur friend has a video conference enabled fone

Woo Hoooo

And my Missus is very very Video-genic ....

3GSU is living in the dark ages and probably doesn't do it .... hoot

oops I mean 2gSU

Ask Hugh Heffner what sells and who has the best service ...

[Gunner]

"I love video calling ...its the bosh ... broadcast quality footage ..."

I wish that were true! Video calling is a fraction of broadcast quality ;) It would be foolish to suggest otherwise.

Good news about your missus though! What's her number? Lol

[haveagoade]

"I love video calling ...its the bosh ... broadcast quality footage ..."

I wish that were true! Video calling is a fraction of broadcast quality ;) It would be foolish to suggest otherwise.

Good news about your missus though! What's her number? Lol

I know what you mean about the broadcast quality thing........but considering the portability and the equivalent method of watching a broadcast.......its as good as broadcast quality...............I mean have you seen the quality of those pocket tv thingies.....its terrible and probably worse than any 3g mobile.......so taster's right in a way............you aint gonna lug a 28" tv in yer pocket.

[graale00]

I gotta admit when I first made a video call I was quite surprised at how good the quality was

[Geoneil]

I've yet to make a video call as I don't know anyone with a video phone and the cost is just too high.

Also, I mobile broadband would be the killer app for 3G, data's the way baby!

As for 3 services - streamed radio or TV, it's possible curely and it's the service I'd use (provided the stations aren't just clones of what's available on FM, there'd have to be a diffrence)

Any chance of a Java Shoutcast/Icecast client?

[chrismeilak]

I think it would be really good if you could access the motorway cctv cameras on a motorway/junction of your choice and see how the traffic is doing real time. Just an idea.

[A1c]

Great idea - then you'll be squinting at the screen viewing the tiny image and *****CRASH***** embedded in the rear of the truck/bus/car in front!

No I dont think so..... and as soon as it is recognised that there are those stupid enough to do this there will be legislation to ban the use of videophones by those driving.

[chrismeilak]

I never said while driving! Have you never woke up in the morning getting ready to get off wondering to take the motorway or that cross country route?

[A1c]

Dont you turn on your TV at home or switch on your PC? The size of the display on each would beat any phone hands down anytime!

[Geoneil]

Great idea - then you'll be squinting at the screen viewing the tiny image and *****CRASH***** embedded in the rear of the truck/bus/car in front!

No I dont think so..... and as soon as it is recognised that there are those stupid enough to do this there will be legislation to ban the use of videophones by those driving.

Shouldn't they have that sort of legislation already? They already have it for handheld voice mobiles (Thou shalt use a handsfree kit whilst driving)

[A1c]

I think the do have regarding visual displays in front of cars.... not sure of the detail though. Bearing in mind the comments above it may need updated.

[haveagoade]

Dont you turn on your TV at home or switch on your PC? The size of the display on each would beat any phone hands down anytime!


Yeah but you cant go out the front door with yer tv or pc can you thats the point I made further up

[Taster]

2GSU strikes again .

[simon69c]

When I was showing off my V800 to work colleagues last week we were discussing how video calling might be used and we came up with a few ideas which I think could be quite useful.

The main one was basically video-enabled phone assistance for .. well anything really. It stemed from something I think I saw mentioned on here where someone had helped diagnose a problem with their daughter's PC by having a remote 'look' at the problem via their videophone. They were then able to identify the motherboard and get the appropriate bios or whatever for it. We thought this sort of thing could be part of official IT support for PC's and also extended to allsorts of things - roadside assistance, medical advice (might be a bit odd that one though!), basically anything where you could imagine the support/advice personnel being able to better ascertain the nature of the problem if they can see what's going on. Obviously this would be a fairly niche market until the network coverage and customer base is up to it but we thought it was good anyway!

[haveagoade]

simon69c......did you see cosmetic surgery live a month or two back (channel 4/5) when viewers were able to send it pics via mobiles to ask if they could have or would be good candidates for surgery.

Well just think what a live video would do to that scenario...........lol


How's about some saturday night talent contest when wonnabe popstars can send in live video's to be judged live on screen and voted for all live............it dont bare thinking about does it????

Live topical jokes for a commedy channel...........the list is endless.

And thats before we go down the softporn road !!!!!!!!

[charlesknight]

I think the do have regarding visual displays in front of cars.... not sure of the detail though. Bearing in mind the comments above it may need updated.

Yes - GPS systems will blank-out when the driver goes over a certain speed.

[gajet]

er charlesknight my GPS dosn't as it's a user defined speed setting.

I had a good use for video mobiling. The wife went with her mom to a hospital appointment and after they were gone for hours, I thought I'd call, I decided to use video call so the kids could see their mom. Funny how the clinic they were still at looked just like a local pub!!!!!

[charlesknight]

Sorry - I'm used to mobile-data units that are used in a commerical/public sector setting - but yes that is correct.