Technology and how it will continue to advance our day to day habits
Q: Can you briefly describe the important turns in your career?
A: Though my career revolves around technology, it took many turns. I started as a hands-on electronics technician, moved to software development, continued to product management, and ended up in business management.
A: Though my career revolves around technology, it took many turns. I started as a hands-on electronics technician, moved to software development, continued to product management, and ended up in business management.
Q: How does your current role as a business mamanger involves technology?
A: I'm a technologist, that is to say I rely heavily on the advent of technology in everything I do. In addition to using technology to run the business, I also dig deep and make sure I understand all the technologies my engineers are using. This is important in order not to lose touch with what's going on. I feel more relaxed this way. If an engineer suggests that we use a certain piece of software, I spend the time to understand what are the benefits and down sides, and most importantly what is the cost involved. Sometimes an element that seems to be cheap in the beginning turns out to be very costly in the long term. Smart managers learn to identify these cases early on. I'm still learning.
A: I'm a technologist, that is to say I rely heavily on the advent of technology in everything I do. In addition to using technology to run the business, I also dig deep and make sure I understand all the technologies my engineers are using. This is important in order not to lose touch with what's going on. I feel more relaxed this way. If an engineer suggests that we use a certain piece of software, I spend the time to understand what are the benefits and down sides, and most importantly what is the cost involved. Sometimes an element that seems to be cheap in the beginning turns out to be very costly in the long term. Smart managers learn to identify these cases early on. I'm still learning.
Q: That's interesting. As a business manager, I'm sure that you're involved in customer related technological advances. Can you give an example of a case you've been involved with?
A: The customers of my current business are consumers who are heavy technology users. We rely on our customers having access to the Internet, mobile phones, etc. These technologies didn't exist (or at least weren't nearly as popular) 10 years ago. I believe that we have only seen the tip of the iceberg in consumer and enterprise applications for these technologies. There's so much more that can be done; we've only started.
A: The customers of my current business are consumers who are heavy technology users. We rely on our customers having access to the Internet, mobile phones, etc. These technologies didn't exist (or at least weren't nearly as popular) 10 years ago. I believe that we have only seen the tip of the iceberg in consumer and enterprise applications for these technologies. There's so much more that can be done; we've only started.
Q: Can you point out specific technologies you believe cater better than others to this audience?
A: Mobile technologies are among the most interesting. Smart phones (and the iPhone in particular) have demonstrated what can be done in this space. Future developments and price drops will make them ubiquitous and enable every person to access an unlimited number of applications.
A: Mobile technologies are among the most interesting. Smart phones (and the iPhone in particular) have demonstrated what can be done in this space. Future developments and price drops will make them ubiquitous and enable every person to access an unlimited number of applications.
Q: What kind of technology innovation you believe will drive this market forward to its next evolutionary stage?
A: If I had a dime for every prediction I got wrong, I'd be rich by now... having said that, I can bet on better user interface technologies to be crucial components - text entry, voice to text, video capture, video projection, electronic paper, etc. Improvements in these areas will open up new frontiers in application design and availability.
A: If I had a dime for every prediction I got wrong, I'd be rich by now... having said that, I can bet on better user interface technologies to be crucial components - text entry, voice to text, video capture, video projection, electronic paper, etc. Improvements in these areas will open up new frontiers in application design and availability.
Q: Which of these you think has the potential to be revolutionary rather than developing in an evolutionary way?
A: All of them... they have all evolved tremendously in the last decade or so, but I believe we are about to see dramatic improvements in the next years.
A: All of them... they have all evolved tremendously in the last decade or so, but I believe we are about to see dramatic improvements in the next years.
Q: Can you point out specific researches or startup companies in these fields that you think are worth watching?
A: Apple is definitely a company worth watching - I believe they have only begun innovating. On the more fundamental technology side, I think that companies developing projection technologies for mobile devices are very interesting.
A: Apple is definitely a company worth watching - I believe they have only begun innovating. On the more fundamental technology side, I think that companies developing projection technologies for mobile devices are very interesting.
Q: Can you explain a little bit what does projection technologies do?
A: The idea is to put tiny little projectors inside mobile phones. You'd be able to use your phone as a projection TV, projecting a large screen image on the wall or other surfaces. Think about the implications of this technologies for media applications... it can be huge. Samsung already makes such a phone, but so far the quality is not very high and the light intensity is relatively low. This is just one example of what can be achieved. Entry devices (to replace keyboards) are another interesting field. I'm not aware of major developments in this field other than researchers connecting brain sensors to computers to enable you to control things using your thoughts. If this evolves into a consumer technology, it will to amazing applications (think sci-fi).
A: The idea is to put tiny little projectors inside mobile phones. You'd be able to use your phone as a projection TV, projecting a large screen image on the wall or other surfaces. Think about the implications of this technologies for media applications... it can be huge. Samsung already makes such a phone, but so far the quality is not very high and the light intensity is relatively low. This is just one example of what can be achieved. Entry devices (to replace keyboards) are another interesting field. I'm not aware of major developments in this field other than researchers connecting brain sensors to computers to enable you to control things using your thoughts. If this evolves into a consumer technology, it will to amazing applications (think sci-fi).
Q: It's a known fact that younger people are early adapters of these new capabilities. Can you point on an innovation that in your opinion, will attract people ages 40 and above and make them it's early adapters?
A: Unfortunately not. Young people will keep on being the main group of early adopters. However, as time goes by and the today's "Internet generation" grows older, the average age of an early adopter is likely to rise.
A: Unfortunately not. Young people will keep on being the main group of early adopters. However, as time goes by and the today's "Internet generation" grows older, the average age of an early adopter is likely to rise.
Q: Thinking, say 40 years ahead, do you foresee projections technologies eliminating the older "lean backwards" way of life? or at least it's current set of technologies (e.g. Cable, TV sets)?
A: Well, these new projection technologies in addition to electronic paper (the kind you already see in electronic book readers like the Kindle from Amazon) will surely change the way most people consume information. Making information and application available everywhere and not just in your living room is a paradigm shift. Smart phones are a nice start, but these new technologies will take us much further toward ubiquitous information availability.
A: Well, these new projection technologies in addition to electronic paper (the kind you already see in electronic book readers like the Kindle from Amazon) will surely change the way most people consume information. Making information and application available everywhere and not just in your living room is a paradigm shift. Smart phones are a nice start, but these new technologies will take us much further toward ubiquitous information availability.
Q: Can you give an example of an activity (other than watching movies, etc) that will change it's nature because of these developments?
A: Here are some: reading (books, magazines, blogs), getting news (text, video), making business presentations, mobile video conferencing ("video phone"), and more and more...
A: Here are some: reading (books, magazines, blogs), getting news (text, video), making business presentations, mobile video conferencing ("video phone"), and more and more...
Q: Can you tell us a little on how your new venture ties it self to these changes?
A: One day, when my venture turns into a major player in the journalism market, I hope it's content will be consumed and created using some of these technologies.
A: One day, when my venture turns into a major player in the journalism market, I hope it's content will be consumed and created using some of these technologies.
Q: It's been a pleasure, I wish you and your venture a great new year. Thank you!
A: You are welcome
A: You are welcome
