9. M2M
Wireless, of course, is not just about the device in the hand, or even the user. Sometimes it's all about the machines. Machine-to-machine communications, also known as M2M or telematics (in some instances), is often associated with freight -- using sensors to monitor the conditions of cargo in transit and then alter conditions to suit.
However, proponents of wireless M2M are looking at new areas where wires can be cut. One area is a back-up connection for alarms over cellular networks so in the event burglars cut wires, the alarms will still work. Another example is vending machines, where they wirelessly report back to stock-ordering systems when levels drop too low.
Other applications beginning to come to prominence are automated meter-reading and building automation, where M2M communications are used to govern the conditions of a given premises -- heating, lighting and surveillance, for example.
According to Juniper Research, wireless M2M revenues will rise from US$11.6bn in 2006 to US$25.3bn by 2009.
RATING: 2/5 -- with certain sectors leading the way.
10. Antivirus
Antivirus is a concern that's making its way from the desktop to the mobile device. But charges of over-hyping have been levelled and they have not been far wide of the mark to date -- most mobile viruses require users to explicitly accept or download files to infect their phones. However, analyst house Gartner predicts viruses will move from chimera to genuine worry for CIOs as smart phone penetration begins to reach levels that will interest malware writers and hackers.
While antivirus on phones may yet be destined to remain a small area for some time -- Juniper Research reckons just eight per cent of mobile phones will have antivirus installed by 2011 -- as with many mobile services, the business market is likely to be the early adopter.
To date, mobile viruses have been largely toothless and required user action to execute the virus but analyst house Gartner predicts 2007 will see that situation change.
Despite "boy who cried wolf" fears over mobile viruses, CIOs should still direct their attention towards mobile viruses and their prevention. Gartner VP Nick Jones told silicon.com: "I wouldn't be surprised if we had a serious virus by the end of the year. CIOs have to ramp [antivirus] up their priority list."
For CIOs seriously considering antivirus, all mobile devices used within the company must be controlled by the company -- foreign bodies such as iPods and personal phones shouldn't be connected to enterprise systems.
Jones told silicon.com: "Once you go down the road of anything like antivirus you probably need to integrate it with a wider system management strategy because you'll need to push updates to devices, manage device configurations and so on. So antivirus is just one part of an integrated device management strategy. Ideally you'll try to get some leverage by using the same vendors for mobile PC and mobile phone management, and increasingly this will be an option."
RATING: 3/5 -- another one you should definitely be looking at.
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