Review Cebit 2004

The Cebit 2004 was influenced by the merging of the entertainment branch with the IT world. This article includes a broad overview over the trends at the Cebit.

(PRWEB) April 10, 2004 --This year?s CEBIT exceeded the expectations with a total of 510.000 visitors. The expo was shortened from 7 to 6 days. This led to rising visitor-per-day numbers for the first time in 3 years.

The event was influenced by the merging of the entertainment branch with the IT world. The leading manufacturers are claiming that the ?fight for the living room? has just started. For example, data from the PC is getting transmitted to the TV via WLAN. The set-top box ?Extender? by Microsoft allows for the use of Windows XP on the TV set. The TV is operated without a keyboard via the remote control.

One of the supposed ?killer applications? in this area is Video-on-Demand. The German Telekom has just introduced a new device that connects the TV with the Internet. Unfortunately the initial cost of 1.400 Euros is still prohibitively high. Additionally the user is required to pay between 3 and 4 Euros per downloaded movie. That movie can then be watched numerous times within 24 hours.

The German Telekom also introduced a new portal that can be accessed from the TV, PC or a PDA. The GUI is optimized for each specific end user device. The data management is centralized.

The area of mobile services was again another main topic. The introductions of new features such as integrated cameras led to the first rise of revenue for mobile phones within years. Most manufacturers maintain a positive outlook for the future. 25% of all mobile phones sold were already MMS enabled. This number is supposed to rise to 50% within the next 12 months. MMS are no longer limited to mobile phones. Some new stationary phones are now MMS enabled as well.

The image quality of these ?camera phones? has been significantly improved due to the rising demand of the customers. 1 to 2 Mega pixel, auto focus, exchangeable storage media and the ability to record short video sequences allow these devices to match an average digital camera. Integrated MP3 players and FM radios provide additional comfort.

Debitel and Vodafone launched the first UMTS services in Germany already before the CEBIT (please see also ?Debitel and Vodafone kick of the next round of mobile services?). In the meantime T-Mobile and E-Plus announced their launch date for similar services. As of now, the UMTS services in Germany are limited to mobile data services that are only accessible via Laptops. Unfortunately, mobile devices that are compatible with the new UMTS standard are not available in Germany yet. However, service providers are hoping that the manufacturers will catch up soon.

Nevertheless, the providers were able to demonstrate their services live on the first actual devices, not only demo versions or case studies.

Push-to-talk services were getting introduced besides the known technologies. Here the mobile phone is used as a walkie talkie. The contact between sender and receiver is getting established via Radio waves. These connections are free of charge. Even though Nextel already introduced this service in the US a few years ago? it is still considered a hot trend in Germany for 2004.

conceptbakery, located in Cologne and Los Angeles is a professional marketing agency specializing on pioneer work in the area of guerilla marketing. The company combines the latest marketing trends and technologies in Germany and the United States. Info is available at www.conceptbakery.com or e-mail: info@conceptbakery.com.