Alcatel-Lucent and ng Connect Showcase 'Connected Lifestyle' New Service Concepts at CES

Are you going to the Consumer Electronics Show? If you are, or are already there, you might wish to stop at the Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert) Booth #31412. There you will see several interesting new service concepts from the ng Connect Program founded by Alcatel-Lucent. For your viewing pleasure, there will be a series of new telecom service concepts that show what’s possible in the future over next generation service provider (SP) networks that will enable delivery of what is appropriately named, “the new connected lifestyle.” 

Concepts which will be unveiled for the first time include:

• Enterprise connected vehicle services;
• A cloud-based training system with personalized avatars;
• A new way to watch TV, with the ability to access retail information on an item in real-time while watching a TV show. 

The new service concepts have been unveiled for the first time. Alcatel-Lucent and ng Connect members will be available to give demos and answer your questions.

What is ng Connect?

For the uninitiated, the ng Connect Programis multi-industry membership group that is “dedicated to the creation of the new generation connected user experience.”   In cooperation with Alcatel-Lucent’s innovation accelerators, the Gravity Center (see current residents list) and Global Customer Innovation Program, more than 125 Contributing and Associate member companies (click for full list) comprise leading network, consumer electronics, application and content providers. In fact, eight new Collaborating Members were announced at CES.

The sights and sounds

What, you ask, is being shown at CES? The press release describing what will be in the booth is relatively detailed. However, it scrapes the surface of the innovation on display and the immersive quality entailed in the emerging new connected lifestyle. In other words, hopefully you will get a chance to kick the tires.   TMCnet is fortunate to be at the show and will be doing a video interview, but here are the highlights:

• Next Gen TV – ng Connect members Alcatel-Lucent, Intamac, Samsung (News - Alert) and Agence France-Presse (AFP) will show that networks can do much more than stream TV and movie content.  Ease of connectivity and use will be highlighted. This includes things like video calling, e-Health services, home power monitoring using RFID technology and what is billed as “a new truly interactive channel line-up” using information from AFP that gives users the ability to interact with TV programs in real-time to find out more information on a product.   
• Connected Service Vehicle – A suite of cloud-based services that can be offered to enterprises and public/government organizations to bring office advantages to vehicle-based workers. ng Connect members Eyecast (OCP), Genetec, IVOX, Nuance, SkyMeter, Vidyo (News - Alert) and Alcatel-Lucent are demonstrating a service concept that shows key enterprise capabilities for connected fleets and public sector applications. These provide: tablet to car linkages, speech recognition software that allows for a secure voice log-in to a connected tablet or device, showing applications of live maps and weather, voice email and calendar options, high definition video surveillance and streaming, photo recognition, advanced driver safety rating applications and much more. 
• Striker –Genetec (News - Alert), Livecast, Vidyo, Voxer and Alcatel-Lucent have developed a next generation vehicle platform featuring: push-to-talk radio integration with an iPad, high-definition video over LTE (News - Alert), and a variety of devices from radios to notebooks to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a single vehicle for public safety personnel.
• Avatrainer – This concept telecom service allows businesses to provide compelling fitness experiences. Users see an avatar (created by member [TC]2), and do workout routines in a virtual group setting. Fitness progress is stored in the cloud. Zephyr helps measure critical vital signs and contextualizes this info using an accelerometer stored with other performance records.  
• TeleConsult – A telecom service concept using new video conferencing from Vidyo, Bluetooth sensors from Boston Life Labs, video content from FrameWork Interactive TV, voice and text apps from Voxer and a high-speed network from Alcatel-Lucent.  Communication and medical information from MMR Global is shown being transferred securely to a consumer’s healthcare team and accessed through multiple devices.
• Acquisition –A location-based game service where instead of checking into a physical location, users own a location virtually and rent out space.  Access would be via a smartphone or a smartwatch powered by member MetaWatch. Additional members IVONA, NeuAer and Alcatel-Lucent also worked on this new game that promises SPs new revenue models and opportunities.
• Connected Classroom –ng Connect members LearningMate and Alcatel-Lucent created what is described as “a revolutionary new teaching application for educators.” Using tablets, students can access a campus map to locate all of their classes, find friends in real-time via location-based services and teachers can submit lesson plans and collaborate with other teachers.
• Connected Shopper – This service concept leverages ultra-high bandwidth networking to blur the line between online and offline shopping experiences. The booth will show how customers can shop through a store, scan QR codes to get more information on a product and get more details on a product through a 3D telepresence powered kiosk from member TelePresence Tech. ThinkFlood, VisionMax and Alcatel-Lucent developed this to facilitate easy access to online content in-store and highlight the ability to make purchases via smartphones using Alcatel-Lucent’s Mobile Wallet.
• Fan Cam – This concept is what it sounds like: a telecom service that allows sports venues to have spectators and fans interact with each other and with the brand (venue, team or performer) in a new way. For instance, attendees can livestream the view from their seat and send it to an editor who analyzes everyone’s content and determines what should be showed on the big screen in the arena.  Content from AFP will also display important news information in the user interface. Further monetization is foreseen as coming from the compilation of content for marketing and post-event sales.

ng Connect is also showing enhanced versions of the Gametime Media Table and the Virtual Personal Stylist announced last year in cooperation with Verizon in their booth (30259). 

Join the hunt

The great thing about trade shows, particularly CES, is that there is always a chance for fun and games. In fact, new associate member, EPB Chattanooga will be in the booth promoting its Gig Tank contest with a Geek Hunt option. CES attendees are invited to enter to win a $1,000 referral fee by simply “tagging” a geek friend who would be the perfect candidate to participate in Chattanooga’s first accelerator program. 

In addition, make note of the new Collaborating Members being announced at CES who include:

• Framework Interactive Technologies (F.I.T.™) - a software development group specializing in gamification content via console IPTV.
• Fitting Reality - a retail experience innovator that utilizes a rich experience in augmented reality and other emerging technologies.
• MetaWatch - a spin-off of Fossil Inc.'s connected watch business, focused on reinventing the watch as a glanceable display for mobile devices and web services.
• NeuAer – who extends traditional Location Based Services (LBS) to include proximity, enabling app developers or network operators to automate actions based upon devices discovered via smartphones running the company’s API. 
• Shanghai OnStar - the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and communication services for Shanghai GM models manufactured and sold in China.
• Stupeflix- whose video creation platform enables developers use the Stupeflix API to power high-volume, high-quality video applications without the cost and delays of video production. 
• Swirl - an integrated marketing agency that offers advertising development and production, strategy development, media development and measurement and analytics. 
• Tombolo Interactive – a fully independent gaming studio specializing in 3D environments, interactive entertainment and advergaming (video games used for product advertising).
• Zephyr Technology - a leader in real-time physiological and biomechanical monitoring or "Physiological Status Monitoring" (PSM) solutions for Connected Health, Fitness and the Academic Research markets.

Be sure to stop by ng Connect’s and TMCnet booths

Finally, please note that your CES itinerary would not be complete without stops at:

1. The ng Connect booth #35469, which will be focused on retailing solutions showcasing six new concepts focusing on the benefits provided by high bandwidth networks that will transform the retail industry, in-store customer service, comparative shopping, and how consumers shop in-store, at home or on-the-go. It is also where you can learn more other new members: Brass Monkey, Ecrio, Inc., Genetec, Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Infrared5, mental images, Neusoft Corporation and [TC].
2. Last and not least, please be sure to stop by the TMCnet booth #70603 in the Venetian Ballroom. We’d love to see you. 

Enjoy the show!

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO East 2012, taking place Jan. 31-Feb. 3 2012, in Miami, FL. ITEXPO offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. For more information on registering for ITEXPO registration click here.

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