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Mobile Weather: Opportunity and Challenge. Title TBD. Barry Lee Myers June 28, 2011. Mobile Technology. Weather Enterprise Opportunity. Provide the best public service Control government costs Understand the space Leverage the weather industry as core partner
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Mobile Weather: Opportunity and Challenge Title TBD Barry Lee Myers June 28, 2011
Weather Enterprise Opportunity • Provide the best public service • Control government costs • Understand the space • Leverage the weather industry as core partner • Grow the national economy
What is a Mobile Device? • A handheld portable intelligent device that connects to information sources wirelessly. • May include interactive capability for sound, images, text and video, and often including actual or virtual keyboard. • Uses include voice calls, information, entertainment, and location-based services for consumer and business markets. • Designed to operate over a wide geographic area, typically via public cells or Wi-Fi. • The fastest growing way to access information.
Mobile Device Examples • Mobile handsets/ Smart phones. • Tablets. • Netbooks. • Mobile entertainment devices. • Lap tops Sony Apple Google RIM Motorola
Growth in Mobile Devices • Mobile device penetration in the US = 91%. • Mobile device penetration worldwide = 76%. • Shipment of new devices running at rate of 1.7 billion units per year. US Mobile Subscriptions Worldwide Mobile Subscriptions Millions Millions
Device Manufacturers and Operating Systems • Mobile marketplace is characterized by extensive diversity and proprietary standards. • 10 major manufacturers but about 230 device makers worldwide. • 8 major operating systems each with unique capabilities and requirements.
Challenges: Development and Deployment • Successful applications need adaptation for multiple devices and operating systems. • Creation of server infrastructure to serve increased real-time, worldwide demand. • Partnerships with global providers of connectivity with lightning speed and SLA responsiveness. • Maintenance of extra capacity to handle peak national or regional loads.
Challenges: Obsolescence • New models – and even complete new device categories such as tablets – introduced at rapid pace. • Installed base at any time a mix of older and newer devices. • Handsets designed for four-year service life. • Many consumers upgrade much more frequently. • Average device life 18 to 22 months • 7,050 device models currently in use.
Challenges: Operation • Porting of application to new devices. • Updating user experience to remain competitive with other applications and device innovation. • On-going marketing via multiple “app stores” so consumers migrate application to their new devices.
Challenges: Patents • Many patents exist in the United States and internationally relating to location-based services. • Some patents relate to GPS locational functionality. • Some relate to any association of a location with an informational element. • Some are specific to weather information.
Challenges: Resources • High cost to enter, high cost to maintain. • Mobile is a complex area forged through years of development and extensive international business ties • App development, product development, mobile web development and extensive cross platform support has high cost and recurring investment. • Partnership development with scores or major international companies and hundreds of smaller companies is needed, and already accomplished by American Weather Industry.
Partnership Value • Companies in the American Weather Industry (AWI) create, operate, and support viable offerings on a national/international scale. • AWI companies in the weather/media nexus provide public audience-facing delivery. • Service level infrastructure exists in private sector driven by AWI. • International aspect is a boon to the national economy. • Perfect area for cooperation between American Weather Industry and NOAA’s National Weather Service.
Possible Nature of Cooperation • Support for American Weather Industry will benefit the public warning function • Consideration of needs of American Weather Industry when developing data and other standards, accessibility, and cost to access. • Leverage American Weather Industry capability to communicate with NWS core warning constituencies like EMAs, FAA, water managers. • Such collaboration will support the national economy by enhanced timely weather information in the U.S. and enhanced American centric world trade.
Destiny Fulfilled This is the opportunity we have spend decades working towards: The National Weather Service and the American Weather Industry working so well together that America truly becomes the weather capital of the world.