New developments in space comms

A fascinating interview of Vint Cerf a few months old already, but interesting in that people over at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the States are developing a new telecommunications standard for probe-to-probe and space probe internet communications. This new protocol called "DTN" is specifically designed for situations where there is no telco infrastructure and bad latency issues, such as outer space, underwater etc. Some tests have been carried out over the last few years, naturally in a military contingency context by people like Internet grandpa DARPA, but also with applications to the international space station in 2009 although the article doesn't mention when.

According to NASA's website, the goal is to get these up and running and tested by 2011. According to the multi-governmental Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems December newsletter, the first tests with the International Space Station using this protocol were successful last November, although from one well-defined, well-equipped station to another, this hardly proves much. The ground-based testing by DARPA looks good for now in controlled earth-based environments. The next two years promise much in terms of real-world applicability.

JUMA to connect Japan and UK mobile worlds

Naviblog announced today the creation of the Japan UK Mobiletech Association, or JUMA for short. The association was created to respond to a need for a bridge for technology transfer and collaboration, as both a business necessity and a byproduct of the current credit crunch and recessionary pressures.

"Shuttling between London and Tokyo on a regular basis, entrepreneurs and mobile developers always ask me how things are being done better on the other side," says Naviblog Chairman Mandali Khalesi, "I feel that the mobile development community both from the heartland of advanced mobile services in Japan and from the UK's Europe-leading mobile success stories have much to learn from each other as industry business models converge for mobile applications, content and services. Currently there is just not enough information out there. When the developed world moves into a recession, be it light or sustained, small innovative mobile companies will be looking to collaborate or partner with other companies, transfer or license out technology, share ideas, or start working on joint products."

In the coming weeks, JUMA Chair Mandali Khalesi will approach a select group of UK-based and Japan-based companies and government entities to define the terms of a valuable charter, and already has the informal support of a number of industry organisations in both London and Tokyo. This round of discussions may lead to a "Mobile Mission" to Japan early next year, offering UK companies high visibility at industry events, face-to-face business meetings, and venture capital connections into the lucrative $100bn Japanese mobile market. Further updates will be made on this website. For further information, contact Naviblog at pr[at]naviblog.co.uk.

Naviblog is Prime Mover at CEATEC 2008

Naviblog will launch ExpoNavi with the mobile service development company to address the prestigious CEATEC Japan 2008 Conference – the largest technology exhibition in Asia.

Naviblog, which develops technology for mobile marketing and mobile navigation, will launch ExpoNavi, a mobile solution for anyone armed with a mobile phone and searching around an exhibition hall for the exhibitors they want to see and to browse others they may not know about. The technology allows users to bookmark the locations on the optional PC site and send to the mobile to browse when on the spot. See the product factsheet here.

An early version of ExpoNavi has been very popular with CEATEC attendees in the past and Naviblog is again managing the conference exhibitor search service, allowing users to find any of the 800+ companies exhibiting, by name, hall or keyword. ExpoNavi is now being launched as a stand-alone solution at the conference where it has had such success.

Speaking of the conference, Mandali Khalesi said today,

“We are closely involved with CEATEC 2008, both as technology providers and as part of the tradeshow community. I am very much looking forward to meeting with colleagues and partners and hearing about the latest developments within the tech world, as well as showing off ExpoNavi.”

Naviblog’s technology is applied in providing mobile marketing and mobile navigation services to the Japanese and UK business-to-business markets, especially in the tourism, food & drink, and tradeshow verticals. Naviblog specialises in mobile 2.0 related technology development and services, and other offerings include Naviblog Basic, Naviblog Enterprise, and Naviblog Voice, which uses speech recognition technology to eliminate the need for physical text input when creating location-based blogs.

CEATEC Japan 2008 takes place from 30th September until 4th October. The conference will focus on the many new capabilities and services made possible by digital convergence and their impact on businesses seeking new markets created by the convergence of devices, hardware, software, services and content.

Naviblog is supported by Gateway2Investment (g2i). Programme Manager Ian Shields said,

“I am delighted to hear that Naviblog will have such a leading role at CEATEC 2008. Speaking at, launching a product and providing technical support for a major conference such as this gives the Naviblog team many opportunities to develop new relationships and demonstrate their products.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About Naviblog

Naviblog (Chairman: Mandali Khalesi) is a Tokyo/London-based mobile technology firm providing mobile services to the Japanese and UK business-to-business markets, especially in the tourism, food & drink, and tradeshow verticals, with its award-winning Naviblog mobile services platform.
Within 18 months of startup, the company had developed 6 industry-first mobile services including its location-based mobile search product "Naviblog 2.0", for which Naviblog received the Red Herring Top 100 award in 2006. Featured in dozens of publications, and receiving industry awards in both Japan and Europe in 2007 and 2008, Naviblog is tipped to become the first universal software for publishing mobile services worldwide, regardless of handset, geography or mobile phone carrier.

Contact: Mandali Khalesi Naviblog UK info[at]naviblog.co.uk

About CEATEC Japan 2008
Since the inaugural event in 2000, CEATEC JAPAN has matured as a show conveying information about the most advanced IT and electronics technologies from Japan to the world. Our mission is to remain a high-value-added, flexible and efficient show, to keep our eye on the rapidly changing digital industry and markets, and to become a vital element of the global IT and electronics industries. To provide visible results that contribute to the businesses of exhibitors, CEATEC JAPAN is working from its firm foundations to make the most of its unique qualities and strengthen business support.

Contact: www.ceatec.com/2008/en/conference

About g2i
gateway2investment (g2i) is the highly successful investment readiness programme, backed by the London Development Agency, delivering early-stage private investments to exciting young London-based businesses. The programme is delivered by a consortium led by the financial and business advisory firm Grant Thornton UK LLP and comprises E-Synergy, Pembridge Partners, Quotec, The Innovatory and Library House. g2i has worked with over 600 start-up and early-stage London businesses, helping them secure more than £26m in equity funding, a figure that is continuing to grow. g2i supports businesses across the design and creative, life sciences, emerging technologies, energy and environment, ICT, food and drink, value added manufacturing and retail sectors, providing the equity investment community, Venture Capital and Business Angels, with high-calibre investment opportunities. www.g2i.org

Contact: Ian Shields Grant Thornton/g2i