The Next Wave: Tiger’s QuickTime could reach more than three billion users a year
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Mar 1, 2005 at 12:19am
Neo is Macsimum News’ international man of mystery. If we told you more, we’d have to kill you.
Frank Casanova: Think Distribution
From the very beginning of the Next Wave of the Internet series I’ve been touting the Apple/Sun alliance and we’re now witnessing the ripple effect it’s having in the Airline Industry through their affiliation with Boeing’s Connexion In-Flight Services.
You only have to go back to Frank Casanova’s QuickTime State of the Union Keynote to understand why Boeing’s Connexion program matters big time to Apple. One of Frank’s key presentation points was on a slide that read: Distribution. He hammered home the point that Apple couldn’t have a serious media architecture without a lot of distribution. At that point in time Apple had just hit the 250 million mark and according to Frank’s secondary slides, the count was climbing at a pace of 10 million new users per month!
The Boeing Connexion service alliance is focused on delivering the very best next generation of In-Flight media iServices to lure in the estimated 3-4 billion passengers that fly each year to fly with Boeing or one of their affiliates. The airline industry is in desperate need of a shot in the arm to get them back to profitability and In-Flight iServices could be their magic bullet.
Think about the power of distribution this will have for the next generation of QuickTime on OS X Tiger! Steve Jobs would certainly agree on that point because as far back as the year 2000 he was saying that Apple would be one of the ten most profitable Internet companies in the next ten years. He didn’t say computer companies folks, he said Internet Companies! And if you just do the math on that one you’ll realize that’s only five years out. Do you get the feeling that Apple will have to go beyond iTunes in the very near future if they’re to meet that target? Yes, of course. Just the idea of being able to reach 3-4 billion customers for iServices on airlines alone per year is starting to sound a lot like it’s not just a wave that’s coming but rather a tidal wave!
So for the rest of this chapter I’m going to present a number of rapidly developing wins for Boeing and a few other interesting tid bits related to this topic for OS X users. So let’s dive right in shall we!
The Next Wave of In-Flight iService Partners
I happened to notice the December 3 entry on Jonathan’s Blog (Sun Microsystems) the other day where he had a few things on his mind about IBM and Network Economics relating to his favorite subject being utility based computing and his version of iServices. I had a bit of chuckle out of his little IBM dig: “To me, the sale of IBM’s PC business proves the point – the company that invented the category (me, I like to believe they cloned Apple’s business). Is Jonathan a loyal Apple fan or what. You have a good sense of humor Jonathan!
Anyways, while on his blog I followed one his reference links to a company by the name of the Mobile Broadcasting Corporation. So let’s take a peek at how this ties into the story.
Nippon Airways and MobaHO!
Nippon Airways has signed on with a division of the Mobile Broadcasting Corporation (MBCO) called The Mobile Broadcasting service or MobaHO! They will play a part in launching Japan’s first in-flight live broadcasting service. Nippon Airways had already signed a letter of intent to join the Boeing Connexion service, so it’s quite evident that these two services are working in tandem on the same account. The service kicks in mid 2005. How accommodating of them wouldn’t you agree. Are you catching on yet that all of these “live iServices” just happen to be kicking in by or shortly after mid-2005? Yes, of course – Mac OS X 10.4 (“Tiger”)!
And now for a twist that only the Mac community could appreciate from MobaHO!:
Service name “MobaHO!” is the abbreviated form of “Mobile Broadcasting” in Japanese. “Moba” is from mobile, “Ho” is from “hoso” that means broadcasting. And sound “HO” inspires something surprise, admiration or laughing voice, which means our service MobaHO!—brings surprise, amazing and laugh to every people.
Hmm, for a little context just go back to the year 2000 and you’ll see that the logo to your left was Apple’s official logo for QuickTime Live!—including the exclamation point as part of the officially logo on their press release which included this announcement: “The QuickTime Streaming Server, the world’s first open source streaming server providing the highest quality streaming video on the Internet, has been embraced by industry leaders such as IBM, Sun, SGI and Akamai.”
So I don’t you think this trend of QuickTime Live! – Vodaphone Live!— and now MobaHO! – should be overlooked. To me it’s looking a lot like a common open media platform signature brand wouldn’t you agree? And the fact the Japanese had to actually invent a new term just to mean “live” to accommodate this signature brand should tell you of the significance they’re placing on this common iServices platform going forward. This would be a perfect fit for the “Open Framework for Digital Media” alliance between Apple, IBM, Cisco and Adobe, wouldn’t it. Yes, of course.
It would be remiss of me not to mention Mobile Broadcasting Corporation’s Satellite Broadcast Terminal that will use content from MobaHO! – because this unit along with their Mobile Broadcasting Receivers for use in motor vehicles only, are listed as using the MPEG-4 and AAC formats and specifically AAC + SBR [2003 terminology] which is none other than Apple’s HE- AAC format. The MobaHO!-Satellite service uses the ITU, International Telecommunication Union’s S-band frequencies of 2.6GHz which I’ve covered in part three of this series relating back to supporting Apple’s QuickTime Live! – platform. If you’re interested in knowing more about MBCO’s MBSAT satellite launch you could see this short news brief. Next up:
Singapore Airlines’ Live TV
Although I had mentioned Singapore Airlines and television services in a “Newsbit” more than six weeks ago, here’s the official announcement press release dated December the second entitled “First in the World to Bring Live International TV to the Skies.”Here are a few excerpts:
Passengers will also be introduced to a whole new era of in-flight entertainment when live international TV is made available in mid-2005.This strategic move by Singapore Airlines helps ensure that its passengers will be at the forefront of the in-flight connectivity revolution,” said Connexion by Boeing President Scott Carson.
“The possibilities for our customers are truly endless. Passengers can choose to work, play or surf the Internet on-board and watch live TV from the comfort of their seats. Our partnership with Connexion by Boeing is an excellent example of how we embrace technology to bring more lifestyle choices to our valued customers,” said Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice-President, Product and Services, Yap Kim Wah. “We are delighted to have the endorsement of Singtel and Starhub, which will make wireless surfing as convenient in the air as it is on the ground.” Next up:
Starhub & the Wireless Broadband Alliance’s Mac OS X Setup Guide
Earlier in November of this year Boeing signed on with Starhub.The press release stated that “Connexion by Boeing and StarHub will now complete compatibility testing necessary to link their networks and provide StarHub account holders with a simplified and seamless solution for accessing the Internet, email and digital content in flight. Upon completion, StarHub account holders will be able to enter their user ID and password to access the service, and they will subsequently receive their billing as an add-on to their existing StarHub bill.”
StarHub is a leading provider of wireless broadband services in Singapore. It chairs the global Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), an alliance of wireless broadband operators aimed at increasing wireless broadband adoption and improving user experience across operators. The WBA currently has 21 international members as of November 2004. Starhub’s account holders use their iPass account as follows. Check out their Mac OS X PDF for more information. If you’re an international traveler you could check out the WBA roaming locator Flash based presentation that points out International hosts associated with WBA program. Next up:
Global Virtual Network: iPass for Mac OS X Setup Guide
Users connect to the iPass global virtual network through hundreds of access providers worldwide. Each time a user connects; various background activities or systems ensure service availability and quality, authentication and session security, and comprehensive management and administrative reporting. See the iPass Network diagram demo to get an overview of the iPassConnect network.
Here’s the .3_userguide.pdf]iPassConnect 2.3 User Guide for Mac OS X. Unlike the Boeing documentation for the Mac, Starhub’s PDF is a detailed 19 page document and far too detailed to include in this story. It relates to any G3 and G4 based Mac using OSX. If you’re a Mac based frequent casual or business traveler, this is an extremely informative document to help you get set up internationally.
Architectural Flexibility
iPass’ success in developing a best-in-class Wi-Fi (802.11b) offering demonstrates the flexibility and scalability of the iPass global virtual network platform. In a matter of 18 months, we have been able to create and grow one of the world’s largest global Wi-Fi footprints. The iPass Wi-Fi service encompasses nearly 12,000 access points on four continents. Our Wi-Fi access provider partners include industry leaders such as T-Mobile HotSpot, Wayport, STSN, NTT, inter-touch, SwissCom and Cometa.
Can you Hear Me Now?
If you haven’t caught on by now that the entire Next Wave of the Internet Series has been about Apple’s forthcoming wave of iServices, then you’ve been asleep. To borrow a catch phrase from one of Apple’s partners, I say
There will likely be a second wave of activity during the 2005/2006 seasons with developments coming out of the newly formed Open Framework for Digital Media alliance that is sure to provide Apple with a clear entry point into the Enterprise market’s front door this time, and who saw that one coming. Go Apple!
And with the FCC just giving the green light for broadband Internet access on airlines this week – Apple’s war drum is getting louder! Could the news get any better? Well, in fact it can and will – but I’ll leave that for upcoming chapters in this series, now in progress.
The Next Wave of the Internet Series
By Neo
Mac Says:
Recheck some of the links; they aren’t flying right. But you can truncate the addresses and get there.
Try this extensive JAVA-based presentation of Vodafone Live!.
Just seems to me, given the fairly sad and inexplicable state of cell phone media services in the U.S., that Apple can and should serve up a media iPod and cell phone; I’d pay a grand for that. Imagine a 1G-iPod-size phone where the entire metal back flips up and gives a good-size color LCD, good enough for casual viewing of streamed or iTV downloaded shows, you know for lunchtime, casual web surfing, iPhotos, snippets of home iMovies to show friends, and ala Vodaphone a little camera for video phone chats;
no dialing keys, just voice dialing over your Bluetooth headset, (with Apple making the entering of names and numbers easy!);
the reverse side exactly the same iPod interface with the click wheel and small screen, all accessable with the flip screen closed, of course, dialing by scrolling the wheel and caller ID on the little screen; good-size little HD and lots of iTunes;
All wrapped together with Apple’s ease of use, instead of the interminable screens of the Japanese interface and 100-page manuals that make living with a new device such a pain.
With Apple’s mantra of simplicity (of use), isn’t it strange that Apple can out-Zen the Japanese!
And just a note on the service name of MobaHO! They better not use that name in the U.S. It sounds like what the visiting NBA player at the VIP room in a club on South Beach yells out when they ask him who they can let in to go to his table: MobaHO!
Posted on March 01, 2005
Neo Says:
Thanks “Mac” for providing for the link to Vodafone Live! - that for whatever reason failed to run. I appreciate the time you took and you were on the ball. Any Yo Ho! - You have a good sense of humor.
Cheers!
Posted on March 01, 2005
cc Says:
3-4 billion passengers
Are you sure that they fly every one out of two people in the world, each year? No, of course not, that number represents the total amount of passengers, not individuals, or quicktime users. Some people fly every week. Some don’t bring laptops. Some don’t care.
I think you’re being overly enthusiastic. I like some of your ideas, but drawing conclusions from number is a scientific study in itself.
Posted on March 01, 2005
Neo Says:
The number is passengers and it’s about services that each could use. One passenger (business person) could watch a movie, have a videoconference etc for multiple charges as in iTunes. So there’s the multiple factor. Second, the lead in is about users - but that will also mean passengers on trains and users in cafe’s, using network centric televisions (2006) and so forth. So yes, I used the Boeing angle to present the numbers but also bring in the mobile recievers and so on. So, in context with the actual heading - the numbers are easily attainable once iServices really kick into high gear. If I order 100 iTunes per year on 100 different days - then statistically, I count for 100 user-services used. Blah Blah Blah - you get the drift.
Cheers!
Posted on March 01, 2005
Douglas O'Hoole Says:
Completely insensitive to say that Apple’s iServices are going to be like a Tsunami.
You jerk
Posted on March 02, 2005
Disinterested Party Says:
Valid, except for the name calling. He writes above that the article was first published December 20, and the terrible Tsunami was December 26. It perhaps should have been edited out in the rerelease, but it is, after all, a metaphor, and not uncommon at all, though if he wrote it today, I doubt he would use it, IMO.
Posted on March 02, 2005
Neo Says:
My many thanks to the comments made by the “Disinterested Party” and is correct. This was to be an archival piece and was republished.
The series is about Apple’s “Next Wave”, a characterization from Steve Jobs back in 2001/2002. The use of it was metaphoric obviously.
I’m sure Oracle felt bad that they had just named a product or description thereof using Tsunami. Calling it a Tidal wave would still be offensive to others and yet it’s in context to the size of the “technological Wave” to come. I’m glad most understood the difference.
For the record, I’ve made the request to the owner of this site to make a change to the verbiage for future references.
Posted on March 02, 2005
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
Neo Says:
My article above was originally presented on December 20, 2004 on another site. Dennis has been trying to get the series archives up to date on his site. This is chapter 5 of the series and not a Newsbit as Dennis has presented here.
Update: Boeing signed on EL AL Isreal Airlines on February 17, 2005:
http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q1/nr_050217j.html
I was unable to reach EL AL’s site to see if they too had a pdf to review.
Cheers
Posted on March 01, 2005