Controlling your home remotely through mobile commerce technology

¶ … home control system using mobile commerce -- or, how your cell phone can connect you to your home when you are away from home

For better or for worse, the cell phone technology has changed modern communication and modern life. Mobile communication systems have undoubtedly made modern human beings more 'connected' to one another, or at least more able to talk to, or to reach one another, at any point in time. Now, an individual with a 'switched on' cell phone can always be accessed through the use of mobile cell phone technology -- barring any interference from poor connections or poor service, of course! However, besides simply being able to talk to others more easily, mobile phones can also make it easier to access other aspects of one's daily existence, from one's calendar, list of frequently called numbers, and yes, one's home.

The ability of mobile commerce to connect consumers to other areas of their life is an as yet underdeveloped aspect of cellular technology that business investors in ecommerce would be well advised to invest in, develop, and explore. The ability for networks to offer multiple services, beyond simple phone connections and attractive phone packages may be, or to "bundle" services, industry analysts say, will be what enables mobile phone carriers to succeed or fail in future markets, in the social Darwinian world of mobile communications. (Richtel, 2004)

The present-day status of home control systems

One of these new applications of mobile technology can be found in the form of a home control system, accessed through one's cell phone. It is one of the newest and most exciting applications of mobile technology talked about by industry experts. But firstly, a layperson might ask -- what exactly is a home control system? 'Home control' encompasses everything from electronically controlled lighting to climate control, to security systems.

According to Electronic House Magazine, although, "separately, a lighting control system, a smart climate control system, a security system and other systems afford convenience, comfort and luxury to any new home," but "when these and other systems operate synchronously ... The benefits of living in a smart home make an enormous impact." In other words, a 'smart home' is not simply a high tech home, but a home that creatively and intelligently deploys technology to create a more livable, functional, and cost and environmentally efficient home. ("Home Control Systems," 2004).

Thus, with a simple click of a switch, the owner of a 'smart home' can alter his or her home environment for the better, adjusting the humidity of the home or shading the lighting, depending upon his or her immediate needs or the needs of the short- and long-term health of the home. Of course, this may sound, to distrusters of technology, like simple smoke and mirrors and unnecessary button pressing. That is, until one imagine the following scenario. Consider a homeowner who is far away on a business trip. He or she learns that his or her home area is experiencing an unexpected heat wave in April. Or that some neighborhood friends would like to stop by the home, and pick up the owner's golf clubs so they could borrow them for a day on the green.

With the use of mobile technology, or a simple flick and press of the keys of a cell phone, the homeowner can turn on the home's dehumidifier and temporarily disable and then re-enable the home security system from afar, when he or she knows his or her neighborhood friends may be stopping by. Such scenarios, when coupled with mobile technology, make having a smart home not simply a flashy display, but an added and real convenience, even a necessity for some homeowners, depending on the geographical and security climate of the home. The ability of individuals to access smart home technology through the use of cellular phones makes the idea of a 'home away from home' a new reality -- one is always connected to one's home environment, the way that one is always connected to one's friends and business associates.

Electronic House Magazine notes that current, PDAs are often used for such long-distance communication. However, "most likely, the in-home PDA will not connect to devices via the Internet. Logging onto the Internet to control a device that's ten feet away simply doesn't make sense. What does make sense is loading special home control software into the brains of your PDA so that the connection between the PDA and the home is seamless. Some manufacturers of home control systems now offer software for PDAs." ("Home Control Systems," 2004).

What are current critical issues of mobile communication application?

Motorola

Motorola, Incorporated is such a company. The Motorola Group defines its principal activities as "the provision of integrated communication solutions and embedded electronic solutions. The Group provides software-enhanced wireless telephone, two-way radio and messaging products and systems, networking and Internet-access products, for consumers, network operators and commercial, government and industrial customers." Thus, its activities are not narrowly confined to only a few types of cellular phone communication services, but extensive in the mobile commerce industry. (Motorola, Business.com) Motorola is a star in the type of multiple service providing that is the watchword of the ecommerce future.

Motorola possesses extensive developments not simply in the consumer aspects of mobile phone technology, but also to businesses. "Embedded semiconductor solutions are delivered to the customers in the networking, computing, transportation, wireless communication and digital consumer and home networking markets." (Motorola, Business.com) Motorola's superior broadband technology is also particularly noteworthy, and one reason that as a stock pick 'to watch,' Motorola, Inc. "has been praised for its digital and analog systems and set-top terminals for broadband cable television operators." (Motorola, Business.com) This broadband convenience makes it idea for bundling services and for home electronic access in particular, because of the needed speed of access.

Motorola has long been on the connectivity 'cusp' of the industry, providing "connectivity with Universal Serial Bus and Blue tooth wireless technology to allow data transfer between phones and other compatible devices. The design includes BVRP Software's mobile Phone Tools application, which enables consumers to easily input their Personal Information Manager (PIM) data, to send messages using Short Messaging Service (SMS), and to send emails using a PC's full-sized keyboard. With the Feature Phone Reference Design and Phone Tools, users also will have the ability to synchronize phone books and copy selected files between phones and PCs via an easy-to-use graphical interface." ("Motorola and Leading Developers Add Multimedia and Connectivity to Feature Phone Reference Design," CNBC)

Again, the security feature of the Personal Information Manager means that this mobile technology would be ideal to deploy in the electronic home aspect of electronic commerce. Additionally industry analysts such as "Schwab Sound view" named Motorola a Top Pick in the wireless group of stocks to watch. ("Market Report," 2004)

Nortel Networks Corporation

Nortel Networks, although it has been "able to post above-average top-line growth through attractive market positioning in next-generation technologies," according to the staff of Forbes.com, it has also been recently criticized for "underestimating the market opportunity of stand alone edge routing infrastructure," and its stock price has consequently lowered as a result, over the last several quarters. ("Nortel," staff of Forbes.com) Nortel has also been criticized for insufficient innovation in the past, plus, it lacks the 'name recognition' of Motorola, an important factor in the market of individuals who like to be on the cutting edge of mobile technological innovations, whom are likely to be electronic home or 'smart home' pioneers in their lifestyles. In relation to Motorola, from a position of relative strength, Nortel may offer the investor more growth opportunities because its stock may be undervalued, rather than holding at market value. However, in an overall risk assessment and considering the likely audience of this technology, Motorola still seems to be the better candidate

Look ahead into future what is the potential for mobile commerce from a business standpoint-of-view?

The watchword of the mobile commerce industry as a whole continues to be bundling, or the offering of multiple services from high-speed Internet broadband access, access to 'smart homes' from afar, as well as voice and video transmission capabilities. Beyond an eye on attractive minute options, companies that are expanding in these areas offer investors and innovators the greatest ability to expand their dollars over the long-term future.