Screenphone
Wang Yuan-li (Editor: Rachel Chertkoff)
Screenphone can not truly be defined as a new technology, since it is actually a combination of many communications media, a good example of convergence of technology. There are two kinds of screenphone. One is the Internet Screenphone, which integrates a personal computer, telephone/speakerphone, fax modem, digital answering machine, video conferencing camera and debit/credit card swipe etc. In a word, Internet screenphone is a multi-functional device, and it is designed specifically to connect on-line and access the Information SuperHighway. The other kind of screenphone (Advanced Digital Display Phone), which also is called a smartphone, can also offer people the information they want; however, it doesn’t have as many functions as Internet screenphone. Compared with a 24 line x 80 character display screen of the Internet screenphone the screen of smartphone is relatively small, which has only a 4 line x 24 character screen.
TECHNOLOGY
ALL IN ONE
The screenphone is a combination of communications. The Internet screenphone is in reality a compact laptop computer. It uses a 486D x 4100MHZ processor chip (although this is already obsolete in today’s PC world, it’s enough for the purpose of only Internet access.), 8 MB RAM, a 540 MB hard Driver, 24linex80 character color display screen, a built-in Magnetic Strip Reader and a built-in 28.8 KBS Data/Fax modem. On top of these features, it has a full computer keyboard, ports for a mouse, printer and other communications and video peripherals.
According to the provider one of the advantages of the Internet screenphone is that it’s fully expandable and upgradable (it will be upgraded at no cost.) Hence, you don’t have to worry that your screenphone will be obsolete in the future. For example: You can upgrade your screenphone by having a built-in video camera, which allows you to make real-time video phone calls and conferencing over telephone lines.
APPLICATION
The application of the Internet screenphone is really exciting, since it provides consumers everything they need within an easy-to-use, plug-and-play setting. Besides the major feature, Internet access, the built-in Magnetic Strip Reader can be utilized forhome shopping, banking and bill payment. With the on-line banking service we can transfer funds, make account inquiries, and find out loan and deposit rates; with bill payment services, the need for writing checks is eliminated, and can be done at any time, since it is a 24-hour service. It makes life simpler and more convenient. On top of the above features, the Internet screenphone can also email, fax and because of the included software like Dos, Windows 3.1, Netscape Navigator, Wordprocessor and Spreadsheet, the screenphone can still do many basic things which PCs can do, such as playing games. Of course, the Internet Screenphone has all the functions that a normal telephone has such as: call waiting, three way calling, call blocking and caller ID etc. It can also make Internet phone call. One other special feature that distinguishes the Internet Screenphone from the normal telephone is that it can let you talk to and see each other at the same time. This feature is similar to the picture phone; however, the resolution of the picture is much better than the picture phone, since it provides 15 frames per second. In short, the Internet screenphone has many functions. One example of the main menu of the Internet screenphone’s screen can be seen in the graphic 3. The application of the smartphone is primarily for home-banking and information access. The on-line Service Company will provide you the information you want. For example: for professional use you could get the live stock quotes, business credit information, investment and stock reports, 24-hour news coverage etc. For personal use you could get the real-time sports updates, horoscopes, lottery results, Fedex tracking etc.
BUSINESS
The screenphone business is primarily focussed on the average person, not on the high-tech person (especially users who can’t afford or don’t need all the power of the PC), and the small to medium-sized companies. The price of the device is approximately $240, and basic monthly service fee is $60 to 70. One of the methods they use to sell the screenphone is direct selling (compensation plan), which many people think is a flourishing and beneficial business. Of course, many big telecommunication companies also provide the screenphone, for example: Phillips and France Telecom. The other business involved in this field is similar to the computer industry, which includes device manufacturers, software vendors, network operators and service providers.
DRIVING FORCES
Nowadays quick and easy access to information is crucial for success, and the Internet is fast becoming the greatest source for this information. We all know that many companies have invested a lot of money in the personal computer, but there are only 33 per cent of households in the U.S. with a personal computer. Why is that? First, the PC is too complex, over-powered and over-priced, especially for those who are only interested in connecting to the Internet, using e-mail and browsing on the World Wide Web and are afraid of the complex computer commands and database management. Second, the PC becomes obsolete so quickly that consumers worry if it is worth to buy a PC. These are the main factors that encouraged the invention of the Internet screenphone and smartphone, devices that are designed specifically to connect on-line and access the Information SuperHighway, especially for the home-based business, industry people or small to medium sized companies to get the information they really need. On top of Internet access, mobility is an important factor in inventing such a product, since it has become a killer application of many modern communications devices. Some advertisement say that the screenphone is a dream machine, because it is the crystallization of all important modern technology.
POLICY
In February 1998, France Telecom announced the creation of the Internet Screenphone Reference Forum (ISRF). The forum will work to establish new reference specifications to help further development of the Internet screenphone. Many companies have joined the membership such as Swisscom, Belgacom, Nortel/Matra communication, Philips and Alcatel etc. In the future, many companies have also shown their willingness to join the membership, for example: Ameritech, British Telecom and Nokia.
OPPORTUNITIES, PROBLEMS, AND PROSPECTS
In 1998 the Alcatel Internet screenphone was awarded the prestigious CEBIT Oscar as the most innovative new communications product. Rainer Grabowski, Editor in Chief of CHIP German computer magazine and head of this award’s selection board, explained: ‘We have awarded products which we expect to have an outstanding impact on the future of computer industry.’ Many people in the communications industry and media see this product as the third mass media for consumer markets, which can compare with TV and computer. From this point of view, this lightweight, compact, portable and multifunctional screenphone should have a bright future, and more functions will be added to it for the human’s desire for convenience and accessibility is unlimited.
REFERENCES
‘ALCATEL’s Internet screenphone wins CEBIT OSCAR best communications product.’ Available: http://www.alcatel.com/press/current/1998/03-25a.htm
‘Bank technology news.’ Available: http://www.banking.com/banktechnews/btnart9.htm.
Online Resources & Communications Corporation: Screenphone. Available: http://www.orcc.com.
‘Product Information.’ Available: http://www.phonemanager.com/star/prodinfo.htm.
‘Renaissance presents Screenphone market overview.’ Available: http://www.teamwk.com/oppst.htm.
Starserve online corporation. Available http://www.starserv.com.
(Graphic 1)- Internet screenphone with retractable keyboard.
(Graphic 2)
(Graphic 3)