New technologies redefine telecommuting practices

Companies

Written by Alma Anonas-Carpio / Correspondent

Wednesday, 29 October 2008 23:30

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Telecommuting will take on a new look with new mobile Internet technologies unveiled at the recently concluded Intel Developers Forum (IDF) in this city.  Intel Mobility Group vice president Shane Wall said the Internet is "poised to go mobile," adding that the Internet of the next generation of so-called netizens will be "very different from the Internet as we know it today." The Intel executive added that "now the Internet is pervasive and we are already beginning to see the time when the Internet becomes ubiquitous," pointing out that the drivers for this evolution of Internet use are "social networking, user-generated content and location-based services."   "We are beginning to see users carry the Internet in their purses. We will soon see them carrying the Internet in their pockets, using mobile Internet devices [MIDs] to always remain connected to the Internet," Wall said. This is the reason Intel came up with the Atom processor Z5xx series-based MIDs to serve as the platform for innovation in the mobile ecosystem Wall said as he showcased a number of devices coming to market. He also announced that Intel is working with the alliance members Asus, BenQ, Compal, EB, HTC, Inventec and Quanta on the Intel Moorestown platform and is adding a new member, Compal Communications, to the alliance for its "strong competency in the communications space." According to Wall, first-generation MIDs, such as ultramobile PCs or netbooks, "continue to hit the market." This new device "boasts of a compelling user interface, integrated applications and services from the SFR portal, seamless Wi-Fi and 3G roaming and an SFR applications store with easy access to rich content and services," he said. The Intel executive also took note of "the growing momentum behind MIDs with strong interest from computer manufacturers like Aigo, Asus, BenQ, BYD, Clarion, Compal, Digifriends, Fujitsu, Gigabyte, Hanbit, Innowell, Inventec, Kohjinsha, Lenovo, OQO, Panasonic, PearTree, Sharp, Sony, Trigem, Techfaith, USI, Wibrain and Yukyung. Other information and communications technology firms are also joining the MID ecosystem, including California Micro Devices, Fluendo, Gameloft, GyPSii, Livecast, Minigate, Move Networks, Mytopia, Navteq, Orb Networks and TuneWiKi.