TAIPEI, TAIWAN: With the launch of iPhone and Andriod Mobile Device Platforms by Apple and Google, respectively, in 2007, daily use Internet contents and services such as instant messaging (MSN/Skype), video viewing (YouTube/Mobile TV), on-line auction (eBay), social networking (MySpace/Facebook) and GPS Map started to shift from PCs to mobile terminal products.

Mobile Internet has become an easy-to-use, hi-tech fashion, with an explosive growth in the number of users due to the increasing popularity of mobile broadband and 3.5G. When the mobile phone has become a necessity and Internet a symbol of civilization, Mobile Internet is the magic wand to live a mobile lifestyle in a civilized world.

As the indicator of the global IT industry, Taipei International Information Technology Show (COMPUTEX TAIPEI) will surely not miss the chance to lead the vogue. This year’s show will be held on June 3~7, 2008 at Nangang Exhibition Hall, Taipei World Trade Center and Taipei International Convention Center, where leading manufacturers will gather to display a comprehensive range of products in connection with Mobile Internet. A new chapter in the IT industry will be opened while Mobile Internet comes sneaking into people’s everyday life!

From the ears to the eyes, Mobile Internet touches hearts of consumers
The number of mobile phone users in the world has reached 3 billion nowadays, far outstripping the number of computer and TV users altogether. Internet access through mobile phone could be the first hi-tech activity for billions of people. Hence, while the growth of PC industry slows down, industry leaders Microsoft and Google naturally consider the huge potential users and opportunities of Mobile Internet the strategic target for the next five to 10 years. A proliferation of new chances and applications can be fully expected.

With the trend towards division of function for PC applications, the launch of low cost UMPC by Intel and PC manufacturers, together with the brewing of mobile Internet devices (MID), computer is becoming more like mobile phone. On the other hand, people will be spending more time “looking at” instead of “listening to” a mobile phone in the future; therefore, the overall design concept will shift from hearing mode to visual mode, and move towards the offering of a full Internet experience comparable to PC.

The future Mobile Internet opportunities can be found in three areas: CE (Internet), Mobile Internet device and low cost PC (e.g. Eee PC). For high quality Internet access, a basic wireless connection like Wi-Fi and HSDPA is necessary; and for convenient web page browsing and easy operation, large screen (4~7 inch), high resolution (HD over 640 x 480) and touchscreen panel are obviously the future trends. Because of the demand for large screen, the product weight is increased drastically. To maintain the portability, such components as super light casing, batteries, speakers, special chips and touchscreen panels are required. This provides related manufacturers in the upstream, mid stream and downstream with plenty of business opportunities!

Mobile Internet trend: Important driving force for industrial revolution
With the increasing popularity of Mobile Internet lifestyle, content services such as AV entertainment, mobile TV, mobile animation and e-books are becoming real hits. Web 2.0 has also sparked off a new commercial revolution for the hi-tech industry. Due to the habitual use of interactive experience and message sharing, computer is no longer the only media for Internet access. Information can now be displayed on a variety of devices according to individual’s preference. For manufacturers, tailor-made innovative Internet access products are the focal point in the battlefield.

The year 2008, with the efforts of Intel, can be described as the beginning of the MID era. The estimated market size is 2 to 3 million pieces, and it is expected to hit 100 million in 2011. As Intel estimates, just the amount of IC for high-end products will exceed USD 10 billion, along with 10-fold terminal revenue. In 2011, the general MID output value is expected to top USD100 billion. The turnover of MID will surpass the yearly turnover of NB. Therefore, MID is definitely an emerging industry to be put on a par with mobile phone and NB industries.

At present, 3G mobile communication network is fairly prevalent. 3.6Mbps~7.2Mbps and HSDPA 3.5G networks have already been commercialized. Besides, Wi-Fi wireless network, WiMax broadband wireless network is also taking off. Furthermore, various types of mobile terminal products have formed complete product lines with strong Internet access capabilities. 3G mobile phones can be found anywhere. The accumulated number of NB network card has exceeded 15 million pieces, and the number will be increased by 13 million to 30 million pieces this year. All these areas are where the strengths of Taiwan manufacturers lie.

With the support of software and hardware leading manufacturers such as Intel, Apple and Google, a new mobile Internet population is gradually formed, which will also lead to an innovative business mode and open up new industry opportunities. The acute demand and business opportunities for Mobile Internet are expected to explode in 2008. Therefore, COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2008 to be held on June 3~7, this year will be a splendid stage for the debut of all kinds of Mobile Internet products.