Now that title doesn’t surprise very many readers, I’m certain. Nearly all of us are familiar with the PC Card cellular modems that plug into laptops, and are aware that the newer USB versions have hit an even steeper trajectory of sales growth. One of my Cisco friends often says “I live on 3G,” and he’s referring to the reality that with his home in North Carolina, his co-workers in San Jose, and his customers spread in between, nearly all of his Internet consumption travels via the Verizon Wireless EVDO card in the laptop he uses while on the road.
Many of you are also aware of the rapid advancement of Machine to Machine (M2M) communications and the dozens of MVNOs sprouting up to focus on it. That industry uses 2G and 3G devices integrated into equipment, such as oil rigs, billboards and windmill generators, to transfer the real-time and non-real-time data needed to keep performance high and costs low.
But 3G is showing up in lots more places too, and we’ve only just begun to see the spread. I am personally intrigued with the use of 3G to enhance devices that we were familiar with in a prior version . In a previous posting I mentioned the recent arrival of 3G integrated into Personal Navigation Devices. I want to take that theme farther now and start building a list of newly connected devices.
So, here’s the criteria for making it on to the list:
– Human oriented devices, that is, unlike M2M the purpose of the device must primarily serve for human consumption.
– One of the following:
o Devices whose traditional functionality is enhanced via the 3G connectivity.
o Devices whose traditional functionality is maintained while valuable new functionality is added via the 3G connectivity
o New devices that weren’t feasible or practical without the 3G connection
– And of course, primarily voice oriented devices, such as cellphones, are excluded
Here’s the complete list of 3G enabled devices that I am currently aware of:
– Amazon Kindle – A true breakthrough product, and even more so because I believe that most Kindle owners are only vaguely aware that the thing is using Sprint’s cellular network.
– Personal Navigation Devices – notable for the absence of Garmin or Motorola
o Dash
o Insignia
– IVC Remote Video Security Camera – Good news for construction companies. Now you can remotely monitor any location that falls within 3G coverage.
– Vizit Photo Frame (coming Spring ’09) – In my view a digital photo frame is most useful in the role of bring Grandma into the loop of digital photography, allowing her to appreciate the photos you take of the kids without requiring all the messing around with printing. But, how many Grandmas have WiFi???? Send her this frame in the mail. She plugs it in. You send photos to it. Simple.
– uConnect Web service (aka Autonet Mobile) available in 2009 Chrysler vehicles. Now the kids can keep their iPod Touches operating while the family is on the road.
– LG Watch (LG-GD910) – OK, just what you always needed, video streaming to your wrist!
Please point me to other products that you know about and I’ll add them and give you credit.
Here’s some devices I’d like enhanced with 3G:
– YouTube Video Cameras
– Digital Cameras
– Handheld Multi-Function Displays for aviation, e.g. the Garmin 696, using Aircell’s EVDO network
I’d love to hear your ideas for products that are ready to be connected.
3G Strategy 