Entrepreneur Forum: 4G Apps February 14, 2012

One thing that app stores have shown us is that people are willing to spend a small sum for good apps and content. Meanwhile, smartphones types have become fragmented, and we've also learned that consumers prefer content that is customized for their devices. Because of those two factors, fragmentation is actually driving the content industry towards a revenue opportunity: delivering device-optimized content for a fee.

News, for example, is generally available for free on the web. However, a news app, optimized for a specific device and OS and sold through an app store with a payment mechanism, can provide one-time or recurring nominal revenue.

So what does this mean for content providers, and OEM device makers? OEM makers are looking for differentiators for their devices, and optimized content is a current initiative. Content providers have lamented in the past that fragmentation isn't going away. But because of fragmentation, some devices will be able to offer bundled or upsold premium content services, competing side-by-side against the same content in a sub-optimal, browser wrapper. Value is often in good presentation and packaging - consider Red Hat or Hulu. Sold this way, content becomes premium, served up as mobile apps, or browser apps. Expect this to further fuel the platform wars between iOS, Android, Chrome OS/HTML5. Fragmentation is a business model.

We'll hear from leading content providers about their plans to freemium and 'app-up' their content, as well as device and platform companies.

This meeting is free to members or $50 for non-members.

About the Entrepreneur Forum:
Entrepreneurs from the Telecom Council's Entrepreneur Forum gather quarterly to discuss the needs, technologies, trends, and policies that are affecting their businesses. Our Entrepreneur Forum meetings gather 40+ entrepreneurs to network, discuss, and learn about issues affecting them and their businesses.

Official Website: http://telecomcouncil.cvent.com/event/ef_4gApps