Way we live next

11 November 2009

This year Nokia hosted a localised version of the Way We Live Next, an annual event in Finland during which Nokia shares its latest upcoming technology.  The local event was held in both Cape Town and Johannesburg on the 11^th and 12^th November respectively.

According to Tania Steenkamp, communications manager at Nokia South Africa, the world of technology is changing and the biggest changes can be seen in the mobile technology space. As a result, people no longer need different devices to do different things.  For example digital cameras, alarm clocks, diaries, laptops and even torches no longer need to be carried around as separate items as they have all been incorporated into the mobile device.  However, although the advancement of hardware is extraordinary, the future lies in mobile device applications and focus needs to be placed on how technology is used to best meet a consumers needs through the collaborative power of people.

One of the highlights of the session was guest speaker, Richard Mulholland from Missing Link and Thunk! who shared his views on why manufacturers should start to put the developer at the centre of their business.  According to Mulholland, the customer centric model is outdated and companies that truly want to get ahead in the mobile space need to put more focus on the developers.  Mulholland also explained that because developers are users, often their applications are as a result of their own personal user experience.  More organisations need to provide the tools and forums to unleash the creative and collaborative power of developers, as there is a potential developer in all of us waiting to invent the next revolutionary application to change the way we live.

Nokia also showcased the Nokia N900 which has been earmarked as one of the device of the future as it combines all the elements of basic communications functionality with the ability to run world class applications on the Meamo operating system.  However the most interest has been shown in Nokia's 3G Booklet, which although not yet available in South Africa, will definitely be a strong challenger to other similar products.

• Category: Environment/Sustainable Business
• Tags: nokia, 3g, booklet, n900, wwln