MoMo Grand Rapids: How 4G changes our minds and businesses
Posted on: July 12, 2011 – Filed under: Global
Ubiquitous, intimate computing: That is what a 4G network means to local software developer Carl Erickson, the president of Atomic Object. Erickson was one of five mobile technology experts on a panel to discuss the implications of a 4G network at the first Mobile Monday Grand Rapids meeting at the JW Marriot.
About 100 people, with cell phones appropriately in hand, attended the event and tweeted questions and thoughts as the speakers discussed a “paradigm-shift in technology.” The event provides a space for mobile-technology lovers to hash out ideas and network in Grand Rapids.
“Hopefully more people are inspired to do something useful,” said Doug Lang, of Red Pigeon. “We want MoMoGR to be about the progress of useful and meaningful mobile technology.”
Lang organized the free event and admits the new Grand Rapids chapter, following Ann Arbor and Detroit, is looking for “geeks and gurus” but welcomes anyone who has a flair for technology.
As for the people who should be tapping into these meetings? Lang and Erickson said small business owners are missing out if they aren’t realizing the potential of mobile devices.
“As a business person, mobile is lifeblood for us,” Erickson said. “The most exciting market for us is entrepreneurs because businesses are now thinking: Is my application better on the web or mobile?” “In 2009 the amount of revenue coming from mobile at Atomic Object was immeasurable but in 2010 it was 25 percent.”
Other panelists included Jason Joseph of Spectrum Health, Joe Johnston of Universal Mind, Jonathan Engelsma of Grand Valley State University and Michael Weiden of Verizon Wireless, the sponsor of the event.
From the panelists rose some interesting questions about the nature of technology and the velocity at which it is changing: How long will broadband be relevant when “hotspots” are more useful? Should businesses be focusing on websites or mobile sites? Are next generation developers thinking ethically about privacy? How fast do our standards of connectivity change? Full Article at Mlive.com