News

Wireless news gets piped to Comdex delegates, Chicago

Ahead of Germany's CeBIT show, which will have wireless LAN connections in the US pavilion, Chicago has already gone wireless for the Comdex Chicago show this week, using technology from local firm, Curious Networks.

Curious is using a variety of channels to provide real-time information to exhibitors and attendees at this week's Comdex Chicago show, through a mobile site at http://mobile.comdex.com . The show ends on Thursday.

Enterprise mobility is a special focus in Chicago with the introduction of "Comdex eMobility conference".

The technology behind the news service is the Continuum presentation server , which allows it to be accessible from over 200 different mobile devices - including Internet (WAP) mobile phones and handheld computers, such as Palm, RIM Blackberry, and Pocket PC devices. For devices without wireless capabilities, access is available through AvantGo on devices powered by Palm Computing and WindowsCE.

There is a mobile comdex AvantGo channel, which can be accessed by anybody, in Chicago or outside.

"Many of our guests at Comdex Chicago are interested in understanding how to leverage mobile solutions in their businesses. This site, developed with the City of Chicago and Curious Networks, highlights our understanding of our clients' needs," explains Bob Bierman, Vice President and General Manager of Comdex Chicago.

The site allows users to review conference schedule information, learn about uses of mobile technologies in businesses, and find restaurants and area attractions around Chicago. The site has information from sources including Tribune Interactive's Metromix.com, a subsidiary of Tribune Co, Trilegiant, Participate Systems, eGain Communications, AvantGo , and the City of Chicago. "This is a great showcase for Chicago, Comdex, and Curious Networks to demonstrate what is possible today through mobile technologies," says Eric Berkowitz, Project Manager at Curious Networks. "The system will allow users to access content relevant to their surroundings while away from their offices and home cities." Information on accessing the site is available at http://mobile.comdex.com.