Connecting ecosystems makes life simpler

Richer experiences, enhanced productivity and a better quality of life are just some of the results when consumer electronics and entertainment meet ICT. For Arun Bhikshesvaran, Chief Marketing Officer at Ericsson, connecting these ecosystems just makes life simpler.

How will all these connected ecosystems and devices affect the way we shop, learn or consume entertainment? Bhikshesvaran believes that connecting things in the Networked Society will simplify life.

"Content and where we experience it takes on a completely new meaning," Bhikshesvaran says.

"My eight-year old completely gets it. She is equally comfortable with Netflix streaming as she is with DVDs, and expects that her playlists are available wherever she goes. Such experiences are completely enabled by emerging ICT solutions."

New devices are getting connected all the time, but Bhikshesvaran says that it is important to think about the ecosystems these devices belong to. For example, connected entertainment is not just about the player but also about the media library, ratings from friends, the ability to share them and new ways of discovering content.

Education is another important ecosystem.


"When learning can happen anywhere, the pace of knowledge development increases dramatically," he says.

"For example, if I want to learn how to make a great Italian entrée, I can look up the recipe and learn the exact steps by watching a video. As a next step, I’d like to be able to get all the ingredients needed with one click and, eventually, for a fee, be able to get the original chef to walk me through the process during an immersive video session. Such an experience will rapidly increase my level of comfort and creativity in the kitchen."

The next frontier is the automobile ecosystem – an environment where cars, gas and charging stations, dealerships, maintenance centers, traffic and navigation systems, as well as public safety providers, all benefit from being connected.

The combination of mobile communications, ICT and consumer electronics also has a powerful role to play in creating sustainable solutions for sectors such as energy and transportation.

"The more we know about where, when and how much energy is being consumed, the more intelligence can be applied to optimize this process."

Smart grids are one example, but new collaborations that reduce travel, and thereby fuel and emissions, are also important solutions for business and industry.

At the 2012 International CES, held from January 10-13 in Las Vegas, the evolution of ICT, entertainment and consumer electronics will be in focus at the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow. On January 11, 2012, Ericsson President and CEO Hans Vestberg will deliver his keynote address.

"Ericsson's presence at CES signifies the important role that we play in the realization of the Networked Society. Along with key players in the entertainment, education, energy and automotive segments, our story about connecting things, creating new experiences and simplifying life will resonate very well," Bhikshesvaran says.