TRENDS: Preview of future trends

Mobile technologies, satellite communications, cloud security and multi-screen broadcasting took centre-stage at the recent CommunicAsia 2012, writes Izwan Ismail

THE communications, entertainment and education sectors are so converged today that you can do almost anything, anywhere on your tech devices.

Watch TV on the move, surf the Internet at super fast speed, learn with tech assistance... the possibilities expand exponentially when technologies like satellite, cloud, broadcast, mobile and network merge.

At the recent CommunicAsia2012 exhibition in Singapore, exhibitors showed some of the latest products and solutions that are shaping today’s and future of converged communications, entertainment and education industry.

The four-day event which started June 19, took place at two venues — Marina Bay Sands and Suntec City — and attracted a record of 53,000 attendees from over 100 countries.

“The event has consistently attract huge overseas participation, and serves as important platforms for companies to launch and grow their businesses in Asia and beyond. This year was no different, as CommunicAsia 2012, together with EnterpriseIT and BroadcastAsia Conferences And Exhibitions, again brought to the relevant industries an exciting combination of best-of-breed technology showcases, effective networking opportunities and conducive knowledge sharing arenas,” said Singapore Exhibition Services’ chief executive officer Stephen Tan.

He also said that over the years, CommunicAsia has evolved to stay relevant, keeping in tandem with  the developments in technology and the changing needs of the ICT and entertainment industry.

This year’s show saw a strong focus on mobile communications technology, as demonstrated by the number of related products and solutions displayed.

Estimates indicate that the Southeast Asia smartphone market will reach US$11.6 billion (RM36.77 billion) by the end of 2012.

“As the definition of mobile expands beyond voice communication, the show offered visitors a broad spectrum of mobile technologies that are essential to consumers’ experiences. This year, we have seen stronger interest in mobile technologies, from mobile applications, mobile commerce and mobile payments to technologies supporting the ecosystem such as mobile security and cloud services,” said Tan.

On the exhibition floor, companies that normally play at the back-end of the telecommunications industry, made forays into the end-user market space.

Players like Chinese outfits Huawei and ZTE, took mega booth space to display their array of smartphones and tablet computers. These companies, in trying to be different, offered somewhat unique features in their products. ZTE, for example, showcased its Tania smartphone which is water-resistant.

The company also unveiled its first single-chip LTE smartphone, the Grand X LTE (T82) which will be available in the third quarter of this year.

The event also saw satellite technologies becoming more prominent. Over 100 companies in this field took part, including powerhouses like AsiaSat, Asia Broadcast Satellite, China Satcom, SES, Inmarsat, Intelsat and Measat.

Held alongside CommunicAsia 2012 was BroadcastAsia2012, which was into its second year running. Highlights at the show include a section on cinematography, film and production where it showcased technologies like 3-D, HD, animation, visual effects, lighting, truss equipment, film production and graphics, as well as production and post-production software.

There was also the Creative Content Production Conference to provide a one-stop platform for digital animators, CG artists, directors, scriptwriters and everyone else in the creative industry to discuss and debate on topics ranging from content formats and mediums, to content distribution for multi-screen environments.

The speakers included broadcasting industry experts from companies like Freemantle Productions, Lucasfilm Animation and Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia.

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