My thought of GSMA Congress 2010

This is not a Tech Blog so if you are looking for real tech coverage on the GSMA better go to site like Techcrunch or Engadget. In this my own personal opinion towards the show and what I experienced. Any use of this content is restricted before gaining my written consent.

Since this is my first time to Europe it is also my first time to GSMA. Timing wise, I got to say these guy are pretty much “stupid” in my Chinese eye. Chinese is one of the biggest population in the world. Chinese also plays a crucial role in the mobile industry. Being one of the most important event in mobile space and NOT considering the BIGGEST Chinese holiday: Chinese New Year is just lame and show poor global consideration. How will you feel if we host an important event at Christmas? Next year is even worst, you start at Valentine day? you people in GSMA assumes everyone in the industry are single pity nerds? Come on pick a better day!

I have been traveling extensively since Jan 2010, 2 times in India and right after my second trip I head out to Barcelona. I must apologize to my family and more importantly my wife going to be: Jojo. Sorry for not being home all the time and especially on a CNY. Thanks for the consideration and flexibility.

The event itself to me is pretty magnificent. This is one of the biggest event I have ever been. I am not sure how big it is but is pretty damn big comparing to any events I have been to. The location is also very unique, it is at the Barcelona Palace which they call Fira I believe. It have a very ancient and cultural touch to the atmosphere while the content are top of the line techie stuff. Almost all the big names in the tech world is here except Apple. In my humble opinion, this policy of Apple, of not being in these shows are starting to bite them on their ass. As being the leader in the industry and not being here seems a bit impolite and arrogant to the fellow industry players. No wonder they are words about everyone are all ganging up to bring down the giant.

Microsoft is showcasing their new Window Mobile operating system: Window 7 mobile. From the look it does seem to be very compelling and seducing. It doesn’t have an Apple wannabe look but more an Android / Motoblur with even prettier interface and display. Apple had revolutionize the industry by presenting a “FUN” interface and Window 7 seems to have grab this idea and run with it. Now how will it be in real world, one are bit skeptical given Window 7 Desktop are not that fun and it a hell of a resource hog. Unless you compare it to Vista, but then why the hell will you compare with Window Vista it is a totally failure! What interest my eye most is the showcase of the Xbox Live box on Window 7 Mobile… one wonder what sort and how deep the integration will be. If they do it right they “MIGHT” threaten the iPhone or even further revolutionize the mobile gaming space. Seeing how many people are attracted every time the booth have a presentation tells me this there is still some hope to the brand. If Microsoft did launch a “Zune Phone” or “XPhone” it should be very powerful… a Snap Dragon or High End Intel chip with Nvidia Tegra that 2 alone will kill any current gen iPhone/iPad/iTouch or even NDS or PSP in mobile gaming space.

Adobe also attracted me to spend some good time in their booth. Showcasing their CS5 which shows to have the ability to generate NATIVE app for almost every Android devices and most important of all: iPhone. It also seems this progress is very seamless and easy. I ask when will it be launching and the guy in the booth say to me, “Check out our history of CS launch date”. I dig it up and it seems it will either be April or October. Now will this turn the industry around like an iPhone punch? I doubt. Will this create splashes in the development circle, I believe so! Looking at the Appstore of Apple, lots of top app are actually popular flash game. With CS5 doing what it shows, this will kill this eco-system of Flash porting to Xcode business.  It also allows more indie developer to join into the Apple platform with minimum effort. Developers which already have a flash game will most likely port their game to Appstore for another go. With all these happening, the lower price level and free game arena will become even MORE messy and deadly then it is already. Then the after shock will probably affect the engine developers like Unity3D. All in all let wait and see…

Motorola, HTC, Sony Ericsson and a couple more I will put them all in the same little corner. They are all trying to push out more phones but nothing eye catching to me. It is either the same lame OS or Android OS with some “so-call unique touches”. Nvida also showcased a lot of Tegra device which all runs Android. Asus also demo their new Nuvi phone which have Garmin embedded in it and of coz it run Android again… well frankly Asus, just focus on Laptop… ur phone is lack of design. The approach of embedding Garmin is cool if you launch before iPhone/TomTom…

Google’s Android plan seems to be working well as more and more manufacturers are adopting it. To Google this is a clear winning trend and will likely continue! Now for us the developer this is just a beginning of nightmare… Google also have a Android lab in the conference but from what I heard from some developer which went to the lab. The comments are pretty unify: is a propaganda. Learn from Apple, WWDC’s lab are not a propaganda is actually helping people to develop on the platform. seriously I think Google have lose it roots. It is not about the people anymore but themselves. If they care about developers do something not just keep growing in all different directions.

Samsung have the biggest booth. It is showcasing everything think from Laptop, Mobile, Semiconductor, Bada and lot more. In my eye Samsung took a more Apple approach with BADA really focusing on content and a sense of a controlled platform. Being an indie developer this might not be the greatest approach of all but it doesn’t mean you got no space. However for mid size developers this is a much better plan. Seeing all these focus, road map and strategy give them a more solid feeling to actually bet their cash and investment on it. BADA may be the Asia version of iPhone OS and I say MAYBE! This show for Samsung is pretty much all about the “WAVE” the first phone with BADA. I am confident to say this is the ONLY phone in the conference which give me the same snappiness I experience with an iPhone 3GS. Now this may be personal but I NEVER LIKE Samsung’s phone. It doesn’t have the stylish look of a Japanese phone nor the slick interface design and flow in the OS. Get yourself some good hardware designer from Japan and hire a couple Apple interface builder! That will then make a killer phone… think a JPhone with Mac like user interface… the thought itself is already an orgasm.

Powermat something that is interesting at the beginning but when you see the bulky shell it needs to add on your product your interest dropped immediately. I enter their booth today and guess what I saw? Powermat enable battery for lots and lots of devices including Nokia N series, Motorola Droid, Nexus one and HTC phones… basically the developer claims ANY external battery that is common in the market place, they will make a Power Mat version of it. So basically until iPhone is external battery we iPhone fans can all forget about this awesome device. They should actually make PowerMat for Laptop and make Laptop docks with it too that will be pretty awesome!

What also surprise me is the involvement of ZTE and Huawei both China company shows an extremely strong present. I never know they are so strong in the mobile space. I spoke to some of their staff and they all complain to me the lame timing of this event. GSMA com’on be a little bit more consider next time… Chinese New Year is very important to every Chinese. Anyhow good job ZTE and Huawei you made me proud to be yellow in this conference!

Oh before I forget I did saw something cool in Motorola. Is hard to explain in words but you can see in this photo. What it does is, the thing in front of my eye is a mini monitor, it have a voice recognition and some sort of accelerometer. For example I speak the name of a Photo, it will then open it. I then move my head to pan around the photo or speak zoom in or out. It is pretty Sci-Fi-ly and I had lots of fun with it… it is pretty techie it does look lame to common people but for me a nerd it is a cool device. Docomo however had a less “nerdy” look device: the eye controller (check video) BUT the usage is very freaky even to me a nerd it looks like a freak show… rolling your eye to control device? Who the hell think of that! I can’t imagine seeing bunch of people on the subway rolling the eye like they are processed by ghost or evil forces… think about it, “Stop music” is close your eye. Now listening blasting music in the street is not dangerous enough, you now want people to close their eye? This tech is a LAME times 10! Freak show all the freaking way. The only way that can be useful I can see will be for people with medical condition. Both techs seem to be a bit out of reach to the common world for at least another while. However Motorola’s one is  seems more practical to common people.

Lastly and probably what you all are most concern of… are there hot booth babes? Answer is of coz there is but lots? no… hot? well lets just say I believe Barcelona have much hotter girls… Here are some I found…

OK I am stopping here is getting late and I still have a long way to go for the event…

Check Photo for this Blog post here:

[View with PicLens]

12►

A sudden enlightenment

10 years ago, I am nobody with nothing. I work in Cyber Cafe as a waiter, 9 years ago I decide to make a real career for myself. Joining the game industry was something everyone around me say “Are you serious?”

I am now sitting at the Barcelona Palace at the GSMA Event one of the most prominent conference in mobile industry. Meeting with top manufacturers, operators, publisher, developer and all. Through out my career I have been to many places: Austin, LA, New York, Taiwan, South Africa, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Korea, India, China, Spain and a lot more. Nominate by Hong Kong Government as HK game pioneer, winner of Develop Magazine 30 under 30, 2nd runner up in Shorty awards and more. Speaking at top global events like Ad-Tech, TedxGZ, Blogger Con China and even Baylor University EMBA Asia Panel…

Without being a tech geek, I will not meet my wife going to be: Jojo. I will not be traveling to almost every corners in the world. Through out my journey I have made lot of great friends. Some which I am still working. Some which took a separate path. Some taught me a lesson. Nothing matter how I am still thankful for them and give them all my blessing.

Now, I am proud to say to the people who ask me 10 years ago. Yes, I am serious, I have make a great distance comparing where and what I am 10 years ago. I am now somebody with something… but still a long way to go. Most important of all, I have not much to regret but lot more to be thankful of!

Some people I need to give a BIG BIG thank you for helping me achieve where I am in my career: Harry Miller, Josh Galloway, Rich Mohan, Joe Yabbra, Trevor Chen, American McGee, Nicholas Fong, Daniel Kam, Cloud Hui, Kim Chan, Ken Wong, Pun Pun, VIP, Daniel Lee, Iris Liu, Kapas, Jack, Mantin, Kai, Jing Bo, Marty, Greg, Mike, Nick, Jairo, Remi, Vincent, Lonnie Hodge, Ro and a lot more. Without you all, Jeff will not be Jeff today. I give you my humblest and most sincere THANK YOU!

Year 2009 Summary

Well first please accept my apology of not posting anything on my site other then Twitter update for the past couple months. I know this is getting boring and stupid. Will try to update my blog more often in 2010.

2009 is a very interesting year. It is not my best year financially but experience wise is still quite interesting. Some of you which is close to me might know at the end of 2008 I have came back to Hong Kong due to my employer retreating from China. So I am in some way out of job. At the worst possible time in the decade to raised fund. I managed to get the capital and co-founded Humble Gaming an iPhone game development studio in Hong Kong and China. It wasn’t an easy ride but I manage to pull it off. Been to US twice and finally in Japan for my first time since I am mature! Planning to head back again at 2010 given my trip was pretty short!

In 2009 lots have happen, lots of new people coming in or getting much closer to me career and personal wise namely: SSM, PB, folks in Nuthon – Hohang, Leo and Bill, Perrie, Casey, Manav, Vincent, Rayfil, Lam and lot more. I also make a few new friend in WWDC such as Brain and Alex. Thank you all for helping and be friends with me (I know I am not an easy person to be friend with). If I forget to mention you can whine all you want or ping me and I will add you

Achievement wise I did say 2009 is not as bad as I originally thought. Got mention in WSJ Online, a few local magazine, spoke at a EMBA graduation tour for Baylor University and TEDxGZ. TV Interviewed by Phoenix TV. Lastly selected to be one of the 30 under 30 game developer award by DEVELOP Magazine. This ain’t too bad considering these all happen naturally

Plans for 2010 is a bit unsettle but I think have the general road map is quite clear. Personal wise, one thing for sure is I will get married in 2010 with my patient and always supporting finance Jojo. Also thinking of being a Professional Magic Player again still a bit undecided on this. Since it do feel a bit childish to do it AGAIN at age 27.

BINGO! DEVELOP Magazine “30 under 30 Game Developer”

I am please to tell ya’ll Jeff have did it again. This got to be one of the best gift for me and defiantly a nice surprise to conclude my year 2009. To check the mention you can check this digital version of the magazine! Thanks for everyone who have supported me in my professional career! Check it out http://issuu.com/develop/docs/dev101_web/29 for the full magazine  OR you can just view it here!

Twitter Weekly for 2009-11-15

• #Apple wins over the Clone Law Suit on #Psystar http://bit.ly/3YxUNR #
• I've listed myself on http://geofollow.com in Hong Kong , Hong Kong with the tags #Game Developer #Entrepreneur #Apple #
• OK, sending me coupons, free trails or promoting your get 500 followers is still acceptable, send me to phishing site that is just WRONG! #
• RT @GuyKawasaki: 11 myths of entrepreneurship http://om.ly/bxHQ #
• #Dell entering #Smartphone marketing with #ChinaMobile as operator and #Google #Android as it #Mini3i 's operating system #
• FINAL FANTASY NA/EU Version RELEASE DATE: MARCH 2010 I AM SO CONFUSE SHOULD I WAIT NOW… ARGGG http://bit.ly/9qmsV #
• Top 50 invention of 2009 by Times (a bit early…) http://bit.ly/1wg6HB #
• RT @GuyKawasaki: Twitter is worth… http://om.ly/bxEH #
• Now that is a pair of great cufflinks for social media guru! (waiting for Twitter) Pic: http://pic.gd/12a0b6 Link: http://bit.ly/akLfb #
• RT @GuyKawasaki: Are bloggers better neighbors? http://om.ly/bwBT #
• Check out my latest #iPhone Game #Numble created together with @hohang @Sheta @leoto http://bit.ly/Dl7hg PLEASE RT #
• Check out my latest #iPhone Game created together with @hohang @Sheta @leoto http://bit.ly/Dl7hg PLEASE RT #
• If you want to know about Tech @Vinko @hypercasey @ChargedMobi @JayOatway #FollowFriday @MrTweetDealz #
• If you want to know about mainland #china you must follow @lonniehodge @isaac @weirdchina @sdweathers @pdenlinger @DavidFeng #
• This is how it is if you TWIT in REAL LIFE: http://bit.ly/ToHpH VERY VERY FUNNY… #
• Leaving office. Going home. — at Humble Gaming http://gowal.la/s/ufL #
• Just had great veitnam noodle — at Pho Tai Resturant http://gowal.la/s/uch #
• RT @GuyKawasaki: World's biggest alarm clock http://om.ly/bpiN #
• RT @lonniehodge: WSJ interviews iPhone app developers China http://ow.ly/Bnka They missed @Manavg & @jefflyndon RT @weirdchina: #
• Working on Red Rage 1.2 and Numble 1.1 — at Nuthon IT Solution Limited http://gowal.la/s/tFb #
• There is an App for everything including driving you CAR! Check this video, iPhone controller to drive car. http://bit.ly/FUnGG #
• Heading out for a meeting! is such a good day in #HongKong #
• The Big G #Google brought #ADMOB may be is time they also consider buying themself a 4A :p http://bit.ly/l8ku6 #
• Anyone uses TwitBlock? http://www.twitblock.org/ seems like a pretty good Twitter Tool. #
• Do ANYONE knows the estimate of iPhone/iPod Touch Units in Hong Kong? #
• RT @GuyKawasaki: Get rid of acne by eating chocolate? http://om.ly/bdEx #
• Rebooting for my 10.6.2 upgrade! #
• RT @GuyKawasaki: The Associated Press: Palin says she back on Twitter http://om.ly/bdFD #
• To all #MACOSX #SNOWLEOPARD user 10.6.2 available to download now! go grab it! #
• RT @webwednesday: cheer up, grey matter. RT @GuyKawasaki: How to train your brain to be in a better mood http://om.ly/bcqO #
• RT @webwednesday: RT @rmack: How Skype Can Quickly Become a Social Network (and Clean Facebook's Clock) http://om.bit.ly/1PAB2h from @gigaom #
• Hows everyone doing these days? #
• .@sea_blue @moming2k stop flirting on Twitter… XD #
• #Microsoft censoring #Window7 #Tweets… if true, i sense a huge backfire is on the horizon http://bit.ly/4CIveo #
• RT @JayOatway: The iPhone's first worm ("ikee") infecting — and rickrolling — jailbroken devices across Australia: http://bit.ly/2zggEm #
• Window7 beats Vista by 234% on first week sales http://bit.ly/3SOjvH (Comparing yourself to your greatest failure, great!) #
• #Verizon Trashing #AT&T with this 3 Ads… http://bit.ly/33N5DP #
• Cool #toy for #Christmas! Mind Control Training Tool from #Mattel CNet Video Link: http://bit.ly/UnV1B #
• My new favorite website for http://www.instructables.com/ teaches you how to build some very cool stuff! #
• 6 reasons why Dual Monitor is better! http://bit.ly/3tBXzq #
• #PS3 #games u need 2 buy this quarter: #Bayonetta, #Uncharted2, #Katamari Forever, #Tekken6, #Batman Akham Asylum, #Infamous #
• RT @GuyKawasaki: 10 cool gadgets to add to your holiday wishlist http://om.ly/bYwf #