Single-purpose devices can be internet-enabled

Paul Boughton
Imagine a key-fob device that could warn a commuter of congestion on their usual route home from work, and another that could quickly lead the way to the nearest highly rated seafood restaurant. These, and many more potential applications, are now claimed to be possible with Catchnet, a new custom internet-enabled device platform to be launched by Cambridge Consultants at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, USA, on 8-11 January 2009.

The Catchnet platform enables companies to realise their online services in new and compelling ways, linking their brands to memorable and fun user experiences, and moving one step closer to the 'internet of things'. The low-cost, low-power technology is designed to internet-enable single-purpose devices and allow two-way interaction between the user and an online application. For the online service provider, Catchnet offers the opportunity to extend their reach into demographic groups that are not using smartphone devices, and areas of consumers' lives that have traditionally been offline. For consumers, devices developed on the Catchnet platform have the potential to provide seamless, ubiquitous access to their favourite online services where and when they are needed most.

Cambridge Consultants is demonstrating two novel potential applications for Catchnet at the Consumer Electronics Show. The first - Whichway - could make a significant difference to millions of commuters' journeys at the beginning and end of their working days. It is a key fob-style screen-less concept product that connects to the internet via Bluetooth and a mobile phone's 3G or GPRS link, and which can be pre-programmed with a user's usual route between their home and workplace. Featuring a simple user interface, the device indicates the level of congestion on the route and allows the user to choose whether to delay their departure or take an alternative route. This small but highly valuable piece of information could make all the difference to the user's journey.

The second conceptual application for the Catchnet platform is the Guidingstar (pictured). Featuring a screen, GPS functionality and digital compass, this pocket or purse device would allow a user to browse for a nearby bar, restaurant, club or cinema while out shopping or with friends, review independent peer rankings from other users, and then be directed to their selected venue using the user interface that is described as 'novel and fun.' At the end of the night, the device would ask for the user's own ranking of the venue, which would, in turn, enrich the user-community.

Duncan Smith, head of consumer product development at Cambridge Consultants, says: "As the boundaries between the online and offline worlds become increasingly blurred, there are exciting opportunities for online service providers to reach out and place their service directly into their customers' hands. Current channels for mobile internet - like smartphones, laptops and web-enabled feature phones - are fast becoming overcrowded with applications, which is something most users find off-putting. Indeed, research suggests that mobile phone users are utilising only very small amounts - as little as 15 per cent - of the data available to them in their contracts. This is bandwidth that can and should be exploited. Devices developed on the Catchnet platform can use this available bandwidth to allow a service to be there with the consumer at just the right moment, in the most simple, fun and addictive way."

Catchnet has a flexible range of customisation options - including GPS, Bluetooth, Wifi, Zigbee, NFC, GPS, VoIP, environmental and other sensors such as accelerometers - and can be customised to deliver an almost limitless range of online applications to consumers via novel devices. Smith concludes: "Whether your service is ubiquitous like Facebook or just starting out, Catchnet could help put it into the hands of your consumers at a previously impossible cost point. Cambridge Consultants' turnkey rapid product development service and full IP portfolio allows innovative online service providers to develop fast-to-market revolutionary devices that bring their online services to life for consumers in 2009."

For more information, visit www.cambridgeconsultants.com

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