As a supplement of Friday’s posting I have found the official video press release on www.futurizekorea.com – another interesting technology related blog about Korea. Have a look at this video, which shows the video phone application in action.

Following the Broadband Convergence Network program (initiated by the Ministry of Information and Communication), Yujin Robot, Spread Telecom and KTF have worked together to create a new domestic robot. Based on a vacuum cleaner model, like the iClebo, this prototype is able to communicate with your mobile phone, in order to let you control it, and send you a text message when somebody comes into your house. This is another step in the government initiative to make robots a common tool, in the everyday life, available to a large array of people. The country heralds a goal of a 100% robot market penetration by 2020.

Tellingly, using the near universal broadband access, Korean companies are making robots closer to people, through this so-called control of robots : we can follow the robot journey in the house, and the robot can help us staying closer to our home. Therefore, the technological convergence is also a distance convergence. New technologies help you to reduce the distance between you and your house or relatives. In Korea, new technologies are progressively integrated in the Korean everyday life, by addressing emotional and personal matters, as our home security. This is true for the robots, but this is also true for the mobile phone , as I said yesterday.

Today I have found a very interesting blog entry “The future of mobile carriers is here. It is called SK Telecom”, which is worth reading. In short it lists a portfolio of companies acquired by SK Telecom on its endeavor to diversify its business portfolio beyond being a wireless carrier, which is likely to become “dumb bit pipes” in the future.
At this SK Telecom is acting similar to Google’s strategy of continuous expansion into new business areas. This has been termed as the “Google Galaxy” by ZDNet and SK Telecom is building its own “Solar System” with various areas (I prefer this term because SK Telecoms endeavors so far are on a smaller scale). In this context it is not surprising that these companies also share common goals, which manifested in a strategic alliance announced a year ago. Both companies cooperate in the development of a mobile search solution.

Looking at all this I have some rough thoughts which I would like to share with you:

1. “Content” is becoming increasingly crucial.
For MNOs it is critical to acquire attractive contents for their services, the mobile TV market is another good example for this development.

2. Convergence is reality.
Convergence of media is not only a buzz word but already happening. It opens new business opportunities but at the same time endangers players which will not adapt to the new market environment.

3. It is a buyer’s not a seller’s market.
Instead of introducing services and expecting customers to adopt them, MNOs have to start developing services tailored to customers’ demands and needs.

4. Mobile is the center of digital life.
The mobile will become increasingly important, it will not only be a device to call other people but one of the most important entertainment and communication devices. For some time now SK Telecom is focusing its communication and advertising underlining the emotional and “human” aspects of the mobile and how it has become an integral part of Koreans’ everyday life.

To be successful in this fast moving environment it is crucial to stay up to date with the latest developments and in my point of view Korea is one of the places worth having a look at.