What Will the iPhone 3G Mean to Digital Media Content?

With the release of the iPhone 3G version the door has been opened to a whole new world of digital content. The slow speeds of previous mobile networks have made it difficult for content providers to get into high end content such is streaming video or video chat applications. Now, because of the speed of 3G, all of that is certainly going to change. According to Wikipedia, "it is expected that IMT-2000 will provide higher transmission rates: a minimum speed of 2Mbit/s for stationary or walking users, and 348 kbit/s in a moving vehicle", [1] the ITU does not actually clearly specify minimum or average speeds or what modes of the interfaces qualify as 3G, so various speeds are sold as 3G intended to meet customers expectations of broadband speed." The article continues to say that the current EDGE network, used on iPhone is part of the 3G standards, but as an end user, I can assure you I don't get anywhere near those speeds.



In Japan, Softbank, the country's third largest mobile provider, has the rights to sell the iPhone 3G. There's been no word on whether or not this is an exclusive deal or not, but they will apparently be selling the iPhone later this year. Now, I've heard stories that commuters on trains are already watching live broadcasts and high quality streaming video on their handsets. If the 3G rates mentioned above hold true, this is easily understood. The near-DVD quality of video found on iTunes would stream over the stationary rates quoted above, and as you can imagine the small screens on hand sets wouldn't need even a quarter of that screen size or data rate, making full motion video a realm to watch for digital content creators eyeing the mobile market.

I know that I personally have been eyeing mobile content for some time, though it may not be the ideal venue for the types of shows I want to do. Before this site, I was always found holding a Sony PSP and had intended to create comics and graphic novels for that amazing screen. Now I am enamored with creating the same for the iPhone. It's touch screen seems ideal for it. If I could produce animation fast enough, I might even consider that, and with the 3G handset, the streaming of said animation would actually be possible. I see a future with huge potential and I, for one, can't wait to see what kind of amazing products come out for it.

Tags: Mobile Content, iPhone, TV, Japan, Pop Culture