CES 2012: The ng Connect program, an innovation ecosystem founded by Alcatel-Lucent, has announced seven new and three updated cloud-based service concepts, showing how consumers can join a group fitness class without leaving the living room, buy the cool jacket that a favorite TV sitcom actor is wearing during the show itself and interactively visiting a healthcare professional over next generation mobile technologies like LTE.
In addition to the new service concepts, ng Connect also announced its new Gravity Center, Alcatel-Lucent’s first technology accelerator, currently located in Texas and France, along with nine new member companies including MetaWatch, who is also a Gravity Center resident, and Shanghai OnStar.
The concepts being showcased at CES include the following:
Next Gen TV – now TVs can do much more than just stream content. Developed by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Intamac, Samsung and Alcatel-Lucent, new cloud-based apps will offer more connectivity options and richer interactive services, including video calling, e-Health services, home power monitoring using RFID technology and the ability to easily interact with TV programs in real-time to find out more information on a product.
Connected Service Vehicle – a full suite of cloud-based services created by Eyecast (OCP), Genetec, IVOX, Nuance, SkyMeter, Vidyo and Alcatel-Lucent demonstrate vehicle-based workers can increase productivity through tablet-to-car linkages, speech recognition software for secure voice log-in to a connected tablet or device with voice email, high definition video surveillance and streaming, photo recognition, advanced driver safety rating applications and much more. With the Connected Service Vehicle, employees get a customized mobile experience – whether it is a service provider (cable, telephone), fleets (large and small enterprises), first responders (ambulance, police cars) or community vehicles (public employees like mayors or fire chiefs).
Striker – a public safety vehicle with a comprehensive communications platform created by Genetec, Livecast, Vidyo, Voxer and Alcatel-Lucent featuring push-to-talk radio integration with an iPad, high-definition video over LTE, and interoperability with devices from radios to notebooks to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Avatrainer – a compelling fitness experience powered by the service provider cloud using personalized avatars developed by [TC]2 and Kinect. Avatrainer is a fitness game where individuals do various workout routines in a virtual group setting. Plus, with an application created by Zephyr, where you can monitor critical vital signs and store performance records. Fitness progress is stored in the cloud, so the next time you play the game – no matter where – you can access that information.
TeleConsult – a healthcare application using new video conferencing from Vidyo, Bluetooth sensors from Boston Life Labs, video content from Framework Interactive TV, and voice and text apps from Voxer allowing a consumer to "visit" a healthcare professional over a high-speed network. Using an application developed by MMRGlobal, information can be transferred securely to the consumer's healthcare team and accessed through multiple devices including mobile phones and tablets.
Acquisition – a new interactive mobile game developed by IVONA Software, NeuAer and Alcatel-Lucent, that allows users to not only "check in" to a physical location, but also own a location virtually and rent out space to friends for a small fee through a smartphone or with a smartwatch, powered by MetaWatch. This game provides a service provider with numerous new revenue models and opportunities with their customers and end-users.
Connected Classroom – teaching application created by LearningMate and Alcatel-Lucent allowing students to locate classes on a campus map or find friends in real-time via location-based services over a tablet. Educators can use the application to provide lesson plans and collaborate with other teachers. The Connected Classroom shows what is possible when service provider and network APIs are used in education applications.
Connected Shopper – now shopping will no longer be an online or offline experience as both experiences are combined over ultra-high bandwidth networks through a new generation of telecom services. Customers can shop in-store, scan QR codes to get more information on a product or get more details on a product through a 3D kiosk provided by TelePresence Tech. A blend of applications from ThinkFlood, VisionMax and Alcatel-Lucent (Mobile Wallet) allows users easy online access and the ability to purchase in-store merchandise using a smartphone.
Fan Cam – the spectators and fans in venues from large stadiums to high-school sports fields can livestream the view from their seat and send it to an editor who analyzes everyone's content and determines what to show on the big screen. Developed by 4DK, AFP and Alcatel-Lucent, this application provides important news information using the livestreamed content. The compilation of content can be marketed and sold post-event to allow fans the opportunity to relive the event and share with friends.
