 in high-end media phones, and removable media options will offer inexpensive multi- gigabit options for movies, pictures, MPEGs and just about everything else. Software improvements will leverage the improved hardware and offer on-board data manipulation that in time, will parallel that of PCs. By 2008, voice recognition software will improve to the point of obviating the need for manual input in most cases (it could happen even sooner). Moreover, handheld devices will offer more multi-modal (simultaneous multi-band cellular + WiFi + Bluetooth) support and the capability to dynamically select the optimum network based on the user's preferences. Finally, enhanced security and near-field radio technologies will enable point-of-sale (POS) transactions to take place via compatible phones. The same technology will also enable keyless entry access to automobiles, offices, and homes. Figure 18-1. Direct Media Broadcast TV Phone. Samsung SCH-B100. MOBILE VIDEO Mobile industry experts suggest that mobile video will take off in 2006, and that a quarter-billion people will generate more than $5 billion USD annually on mobile video services by 2008. Mobile video usage can mean anything from brief camera- phone video clips shared among friends to professionally produced commercial products such as movie trailers, music videos, sports highlights, and streaming video. Some examples include: Chat and personal communications including dating and community activities Mobile Marketing and location- or presence-based content and commercials News, special alerts, weather-all customized per user profiles Entertainment content, including movies and premium pay-per-view Regular TV clips, soap opera excerpts Music videos, including previews, and "special" features Video karaoke-you can "sing with the stars" Education and training, including how-to's and live demo's. Video Communications: The Whole Picture MOBILE TV-A BIG WINNER Of course, no discussion of mobile multimedia content would be complete without The Big One, Mobile TV. Global