Long form video on mobile to grow by 08

The market for long form mobile/portable video content (video content of greater than 30 minutes) is currently in an experimental phase, and will likely remain at this stage for at least two years. By 2008, however, the industry will begin to gain traction and demonstrate its long-term potential, according to In-Stat, a market research firm. The greatest potential for this market rests with its ability to complement the existing video industry.

"For example, there will be over 50 million portable media players in use worldwide by 2008," says In-Stat. "The portable/mobile long form video market will not likely cannibalise sales from the DVD and other traditional markets, but rather, supplement top-line growth."

Automotive telematics

Automotive telematics and navigation-including both hardware and services-will experience strong growth in several world regions, generating in total revenues of $38.3 billion in 2011. "Telematics and navigation systems are converging," says ABI Research. "While telematics systems can bring peace of mind to customers by providing security, safety, and other convenience features such as news, weather, and concierge services, current navigation systems can offer more than simple directions from point A to B by applying layers of traffic and weather information to routing schemes. Combining two technologies brings existing and new industry players greater flexibilities to offer new products and address niche markets," it says.

Increasingly, digital radio is being seen as viable "data pipe" for converged navigation/telematics services, particularly for real-time traffic information, which is a key selling-point for automotive navigation. Navigation and telematics both require current location data for their core functions and are mainly designed for in-vehicle use. At present, the Global Positioning System is the mechanism of choice for all server-based navigation systems. In 2008 and 2009, other satellite systems are expected to launch: Galileo in Europe and Quasi-Zenith in Japan. Both will be complementary to the GPS system.

USB Flash drive

Storage is in area where a whole bunch of companies keep coming up with new products for consumers, the latest being Kingston Technology Company, Inc., which has launched DataTraveler Mini Fun. The Mini Fun are new additions are part of DataTraveler USB Flash drives that boast the industry’s smallest footprint for ultimate transportability. Measuring just 1.5 by .75 inches, Kingston said.