CommunicAsia 2008 showcases mobile phones with computer features
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 18 June 2008 2357 hrs

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SINGAPORE: The latest handsets showcased at CommunicAsia 2008 have even more features that once belonged only to personal computers.

With Wireless@SG, one can surf the Internet at any place. But that is only after going through a few steps to authenticate the user's identity.

So to simplify the process, the people behind Wireless@SG have launched a new trial called Seamless and Secure Access (SSA). It allows the user to run an application on his mobile phone which will let him log in automatically.

This is the first such initiative in Asia and it aims to encourage more people to use Wi-Fi technology via handheld devices.

Ken Chua, CEO, iCELL Network, said: "This empowers you to run many applications and services on top of it without you knowing that you are being authenticated and connected at the back."

He added the trend is towards an ease of usage when a technology is adopted.

Wireless@SG operators said the process will be secure as wi-phishing, rogue hotspots, VoIP eavesdropping will be minimised.

And for now, trial users can only use this application at limited locations such as Suntec City, Vivocity, Ngee Ann City, Wisma Atria and Paragon.

The application, called Wireless@SG SSA Wizard can be downloaded from two Wireless@SG operators' websites - iCELL and Qmax.

Other companies are riding on the trend that mobile phone users are communicating using much more than just the short message service or SMS.

Many are also using instant messaging networks which had previously been available only on personal computers.

So a company called Mobiquest has introduced an application that unifies all popular instant messaging networks like MSN, Yahoo! Or Gmail Chat for the mobile phone.

Another company that specialises in producing Global Positioning System, or GPS, devices for cars is now moving into mobile phones. And the result is the nuvifone which comes with some of Google's functions like Google Earth.

Garmin, the company behind this product, will launch its nuvifone at the end of this year. - CNA/vm