When we announced a few weeks ago that the DEMOfall 08 demonstrator class had been filled and the waiting list was starting for DEMO 09, we were slammed with calls from folks wanting to know who would be launching at this year’s show – which, of course, is a no-no to reveal this early on for an event built around the concept of launching new technologies to the market for the very first time.
But, in an effort to offer some indication of the trends you will see unfolding at DEMOfall, Chris Shipley, DEMO’s product analyst and executive producer, tried to provide the next best thing by describing the problems the technologies launching at DEMO are poised to solve.
The final conference agenda is out for DEMOfall 08 and it reveals twelve intriguing themes used to describe the 72 highly anticipated companies launching their innovations over three incredible days in San Diego this Sept 7-9. Here’s a peek at what Chris wrote and what you’ll see at DEMOfall 08:
1. Moving the Chains
Most innovation is smart incrementation. These products build on concepts, ideas and platforms we’ve explored at past DEMO events, each taking earlier concepts, adding new technology and insight, and creating an entirely new experience.
2. Television Meets the Web; Web Meets the Television
The lines between high-definition television experience and the on-demand Internet video experience are beginning to blur. Television modalities are shaping the Internet experience and Web video is improving to meet the expectations of demanding television viewers. But the question remains: Is there anything good on?
3. Words, Pictures and Music
Every day, we each create and consume what collectively is easily terabytes of digital content. What are we doing with all those words, photos, songs and videos? Here are some products that make creating, sharing, and consuming these digital bits more enjoyable.
4. Your Mobile, Your Life
If you think your mobile phone is the centerpiece of your busy life now, just wait until you see these applications. In a different ways, these products deliver new value, convenience, entertainment, and perhaps an extra measure of security.
5. Open Studios: Designing, Building, Working Together
Whether building an interactive game, working on an important business opportunity, or just sharing your latest creation, collaboration is at the centerpiece of today’s work and social interactions. Some of these products couldn’t be more different from the others, but each embraces the trend toward seamless cooperation.
6. Protecting What’s Yours
It’s easy to think of security as enterprise firewalls and encryption techniques. But as individuals become increasingly responsible for libraries of work and personal data, protecting and managing digital assets takes on many facets.
7. Getting Embedded with Social Networks
While Facebook has established itself as the operating system for social applications, the social network itself isn’t a destination. It is thread that is woven into range of applications.
8. It’s Easy Being Green
Over the last 12 months, we’ve encountered a lot of products that wash themselves in green paint, hoping to capitalize on the eco-IT movement. A collaboration application may mean you don’t have to drive to a meeting, but calling it “green IT” is a bit of a stretch. These products, on the other hand, really do stand to make an impact.
9. And it’s Getting Easier to Manage the Green, too.
Ever since Scott Cook and Tom Proulx decided to take on pen and paper checks in the late 80s, personal financial management software has changed very little, but for its move from disk to online service. These two companies bring a fresh new set of thinking to the management of finances, and go well beyond balancing of a check book.
10. Mission: Possible
There is plenty of talk about double and triple bottom lines and about a new age of activism. But how do you get involved and how do you know you’re making an impact?
11. Web 2.0 Gets to Work
Perhaps the greatest contribution of the Web 2.0 innovation cycle is the influence of Web 2.0 concepts, architectures, and user sensibilities on business applications. From SaaS to social applications, Web 2.0 will make its mark on business software.
12. Defining the Next Web
The Next Web, the phase that comes after but is tremendously influenced by Web 2.0, will be defined by several key attributes: transparency, distribution, and proactive smarts. Transparency of business model, participants, data uses, and motivation is critical to bring trust and with it increased mainstream adoption of the social Web. In the New Web, sites needn’t attract and aggregate audiences; instead, they will distribute their data and applications as widely as possible to other sites and outlets. And the smarter Web will surface the information you need, when you need it, in a form that allows you to best use it.
For the complete conference agenda, including three special sessions, go to: http://www.demo.com/conferences/demo2008fall/agenda.html
To register for DEMOfall 08, go to: http://www.demo.com/F8STANDARD1
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