1. Which is the hottest (consumer) technology that India can look forward to?
All-purpose digital entertainment devices will replace the multitude of gadgets that exist today. Everyday appliances like refrigerators, washing machines and even toasters and ovens, besides devices used for entertainment, communication and the preservation of our favourite memories like pictures and movies will converge on a Single device.
-- Ranjivjit Singh,
Group director (Consumer Business), Microsoft India
I think it's going to be the penultimate version of the iPod which will photograph, play TV, show movies, play music and, of course, act as a phone. A Google button will immediately allow people to speak and search; an Ebay button to just bid and a Yahoo button to just catch up.
An MSN button... hmmm -- lets leave that for Gates and Jobs to sort it out!
-- Alok Kejriwal,
CEO, Contest2Win
2. Will the Rs 10,000 computers change the face of India?
Stop thinking about the Rs 10,000 computer, think of the Rs 2000 computer and what it can do to India. The mantra should be " one child - one computer."
-- Shantanu Prakash,
Director, Educomp
Undoubtedly. More than devices, I see PC as a passport to a whole new dimension of working and communicating. We have already seen the revolution that cheap mobile connectivity can provide. One of the most powerful by-products of this kind of connectivity would also be transparency in governance.
-- Captain Raghu Raman,
CEO, Mahindra Special Services Group
3. How secure would you feel while using such connected devices?
Security would be of primary concern in the coming years. Identity theft and information theft will be of paramount concern. Although internet security providers are on their toes, malicious code writer are always one step ahead.
-- Loney Antony,
MD, Euronet Services India
Bluetooth worries me. My son downloaded the address book from another mobile into his while we were having coffee at Barista. l'll feel more secure when biometric-IDs replace passwords. That would put an end to all impersonation and ensure that phishing is limited to those faithful to the fishing rod, tackle and bait.
-- Arvind Thakur,
CEO, NIIT Technologies
Quite secure, as long as I don't have to do my bank transactions. Connectivity and mobility are two greatest benefits of wireless technology. They come with a set of apprehensions but the total sum will be advantageous.
-- Vinod Deshmukh,
VP & CTO (R&D Services), MindTree Consulting
4. How dependent would we be on browsers?
Same as today -- I do not see a change in importance.
It would become more pervasive. Slowly. Role of Operating system will disappear; performance and feature of browser will get importance.
For example, micro browser (as in cellphones and PDAs) would be used for application specific devices, it could be(fridge, microwave oven, control panel) 'nano' browser.
-- Vinod Deshmukh,
VP & CTO, R&D Services, MindTree Consulting
With softwares going online, products like Google office will show a shift towards a unified platform. Communication will become easier as browsers will be used to not only access data, but pictures, movies and music as well.
-- Ninad Karpe,
MD, CA (India & SAARC)
5. Going Wireless will come with its own set of problems. Can you list the top three, as you see it?
Interference, interception, and intrusion into private time.
-- Arvind Thakur,
CEO, NIIT Technologies
Network interruptions, intrusions and DoS attacks will top the list when it comes to problems faced by going wireless.
-- Loney Antony,
MD, Euronet Services India
6. Which trends and technologies will silently bid a goodbye?
Dial-up ISPs, mono ringtones and analog cameras.
-- Arun Gupta,
COO, Mauj Telecom
Music CDs and tapes; landline phones; VCRs and VCDs.
-- Sumeet Sabharwal,
Sr VP (Global Delivery Operation) Navisite
7. What would be 'hot' to use in the computing technology space?
WiMAX, IP TV, Satellite digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), mobile music (iPod/creative zen) and visual radio.
-- Arun Gupta,
COO, Mauj Telecom
2006 will be the year of the gamer with cool gadgets from a host of companies including Logitech and Sony. In the distant future, of course all we need is a nice little device which helps us travel through space and time.
-- Moninder Jain,
Country manager, Logitech India
Wireless technology is going to be the hottest trend in 2006. As various wireless technologies continue to evolve, it will be the usefulness of content and applications, interoperable standards and user acceptance that decide their fate. There are various standards that are competing to get their own foothold in the wireless space, hence the real impact will be three to four years down the line when technology matures and standards interoperate.
-- Alok Bharadwaj,
VP, Canon India Ltd
8. Five devices that top the wish list for 2006.
Wireless Cards that allow you to access the internet at any place any time. Followed by wireless speakers; cars with built-in iPod connectivity; a device that will combine Cell phone, MP3 player, FM radio and digital camera all in one device and performing each of those functions well.
-- Chetan Shah,
MD, Synygy India
IPod Nano (Rs 18,000); slimline laptop with firewire connectivity (Rs 250,000); Vertu mobile (just kidding) an IPaQ will do nicely (Rs 40,000); PSP gaming station & (Rs 35,000) and also Krell home theatre system with projection. (Rs 16,000).
-- Captain Raghu Raman,
CEO, Mahindra Special Services Group
