$26,500 worth of prizes are up for grabs in this year's Frontier competition, and entrants Kukan and Vividas have submitted their mobile search engine and entertainment services.
The Frontier competition is an initiative with The Australian IT and Ericsson Mobility World, Ericsson's global partnering program.
The aim is to find the latest next generation content and applications, with entries including anything from 3G multimedia entertainment services, to innovative business automation across broadband or mobile networks.
Kukan is entering Frontier with their mobile platform that includes a location-enabled mobile search engine, a content delivery portal and an integrated Instant Messaging/Voice over IP client. The system is built upon an advertising model using a media server to deliver targeted advertising. This approach allows for the service to be offered free to end-users.
The search engine, miniNAV, can find information on events, restaurants, locate an ATM, public transport timetables, mapping, weather, currency conversion and sports scores. Mobile content can be delivered in various forms including MP3's, wallpapers, games, ringtones and video.
miniNAV was first deployed at the 2006 Adelaide Fringe Festival. The pilot application delivered event information including performance descriptions, times, and venue locations including mapping.
Che Metcalfe, Managing Director of Kukan said they are currently negotiating with many potential customers, including an AFL team. "We're developing a mobile guide for supporters, delivering community features and information such as player stats and up to the minute scores."
Vividas has a WebTV technology that enables computer users to access High Definition video on almost any PC with a broadband connection without the need to install software. The company has developed a suite of video software products that can deliver video across the corporate WAN (wide area network) without causing network contention or requiring hardware, infrastructure or desktop upgrades.
A broad range of blue chip corporate and government clients have adopted Vividas technology, including Ford, Sony Pictures, IBM and Fosters.
The company has just launched a live streaming product and is leveraging the growth in broadband uptake.
"Video comes to life when you have broadband. Our original product set of Pay-Per-View, Viral, Web and Corporate TV are now complimented with Live TV ideal for maximizing the reach of events, and our ability to stream High Definition content," said Paul Neville, CEO for Vividas.
These entrepreneurial Aussie companies are competing for Frontier's grand prize of a travel and accommodation package to either 3GSM Asia in October or CommunicAsia in June 2007. The winner also claims a Sony VAIO notebook, Sony Clear Bright Monitor and a Sony MP3 Walkman. They also receive business consulting from MAP Management Consulting.
Three Australian finalists will present their entry to a judging panel of industry heavyweights, including Telstra, Hutchison, Vodafone, Optus, Goldman Sachs JB Were and Commander. Finalists also receive the latest 3G mobile phone and free membership to the BEA developer program, Dev2Dev.
Applications for the 2006 competition close 22 September 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Elizabeth Middleton
Ericsson Australia
Phone: +613 9301 6589
Mobile: +61 409 426 480
