A Closer Look at RIM's Playbook and the Media Tablet Market in Canada

On Monday September 27, 2010 RIM announced it's entry into the media tablet market with Playbook. I chatted with Leah Walker from CFRA Radio Ottawa on Sept. 28th on the "Business @ Night" segment to discuss RIM's Playbook and the hot media tablet market.
Click here to download the mp3.

How to Get Noticed...By An Analyst

At Mobile BizBootcamp last week I gave a presentation on how to get the attention of the analyst community, how to engage with them, and the value they can provide to a startup.

Check out some of the highlights captured in Jennifer Kavur's interview with me after the event.

Sneak Peak: Thought Controlled Computing with InteraXon

When I was first introduced to InteraXon, a device was placed on my head and I was told that if I focused my thoughts, I'd be able to control the images I was looking at on a screen.

And I did.

No, this is not an episode of Star Trek - its everyday business at InteraXon, where the company is positioning itself to help companies integrate thought controlled computing into their existing products and business plans.

I recently had a chance to chat with Ariel Garten, InteraXon’s CEO. Here's a sneak peak into our conversation.


Q: What is InteraXon all about?
A: The technology is made up of software and hardware that converts brainwaves into digital signals that can be understood by a computer - and ultimately, control anything electronic. The technology does not read your thoughts, but instead, reads the overall electrical pattern activity that accumulates outside your head. Our team of neuroscientists, engineers and designers understand and shape the technology as well as defining and designing intuitive applications of it.

Q: How is the solution being used today?
A: InteraXon was featured at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, where participants could control lights on the Parliament Buildings, the CN Tower and Niagara Falls using only their thoughts. Cameras fixed on the landmarks captured the changes and relayed video back to Vancouver, so users could see the effects of their thoughts in real time.
The applications go further than that though. From a business perspective, the technology could be used for example with patients that have attention deficit disorder to focus their attention and thoughts, with business executives in need of relaxation while on long flights, and with drivers to monitor their alertness while on the road.


Q: What does the future hold for InteraXon?
A: Thought-controlled computing has the potential to become another way that we interact with objects - just like a keyboard, mouse or voice-activation. There are many applications for this technology, and we are receiving many interesting inbound calls from companies eager to learn how they could work with us to leverage thought controlled computing to advance their products and services. One area that we are working actively is in mobile. Stay tuned for some interesting advances in that space, and other markets.

Do You Live and Breath Mobile? Check out MIW in Toronto

Mobile Innovation Week is taking place Sept. 13-17th in Toronto. But if you're a start up in the mobile space, then Sept. 15 is the day to focus on. That's when MobileBiz Bootcamp is taking place - a full day of mobile insights with over 25 experts from Deloitte, Mobilicity, RIM, QuickPlay Media, BlackBerry Partners Fund, KPMG and IDC. Topics include:


· Top Trends in Mobile

· Capturing the Attention of Industry Analysts (I'll be giving this presentation)

· Finding Success with Mobile Apps

· Going Global with a Wave of Mobile Opportunities

· Money Talks: Who’s Got It? Who’s Getting It?

· Selling Your Company: Insights and Practical Tips

· Breaking into the Corporate Mobile Market


Besides the practical knowledge and networking opportunities, the BootCamp will be offering prizes including free consulting services, free industry expert research and giveaways. Check out more details here.




Then, on Sept. 16 and 17 the focus will shift to mobile media and marketing during Mobile Media World, which will cover:

• Mobile Web & Apps
• Mobile Marketing & Advertising
  
• Mobile Entertainment & Video
  
• Mobile Commerce & Payments
  
• Mobile Search & Augmented Reality
• Mobile Devices & Networks
  
• Mobile Internet & Consumer Trends
  
• The Future of Mobile Media

If you're particularly interested in media tablets and the hardware side of things, come by on the 16th at 10:45am, when I'll be leading a panel on hardware devices - smart phones, media tablets, eReaders - and the role they play in a mobile media strategy