With 17 different trials under way in 11 countries, PacketVideo executives are upbeat about the commercial potential of streaming content in the wireless world. You are out, you are busy, you are not within easy reach of your television, but you want to hear the latest news on the market before you do a stock trade. Or you are a sports fan and you get a text message saying your team just scored a goal. At Israel's CelVibe, founder Oded Peretz said he has high hopes for consumer acceptance of his firm's platform, which allows for mobile streaming of live television events. I don't see people watching a full feature movie over a wireless device, but you can stream live horse races for gambling, for example.
Analysts are a little more cautious in their assessments.
At Digitalmill, a Portland, Maine-based company research and consultancy firm, founder Ben Sawyer raises a number of concerns. Beyond that, there is a larger business-related quandary. Quinn suggested that demographics will help shape future demand. Such a person might pay for the ability to access a multimedia presentation on the go, or even to take part in a mobile videoconference. In the more immediate future, Sawyer suggested, people will be more likely to listen to their cell phones than to watch them.