Many wireless services for palm top devices allow users to download selected Web content for viewing off-line -- a concept of wireless pull, or Web clipping then data synchronization, rather than real-time wireless access. For example, a PDA sans modem can download the day's news headlines from the Web when synchronized with a desktop computer.

Meanwhile, recent market developments, such as the proliferation of low-cost PDA modems and improvements in mini-browser technology, may have changed the landscape for pure pull-content players.

Is Sync Outmoded?

"I don't think obsolescence comes when users get modems. It comes when devices get inherently capable," comments Dave Rensin, Chief Strategy Officer for OmniSky Corporation, a provider of wireless e-mail and Internet services for mobile device users. When native browsing improves, users might embrace wireless surfing more often.

But Mike Aufricht, general manager for mobile infrastructure provider AvantGo, says many users don't want to pay for real-time wireless access. Users who rely on infrequently changed data shouldn't need a real-time connection anyway. They might welcome the solitude of perusing selected content minus the wireless service lags or interruptions. Most news sources update about twice daily, which means there's no real benefit to wireless news surfing other than reading breaking stories.

There are also times when a user needs strictly Web clipping capabilities, for example when preparing for an airline trip, which doesn't allow wireless device usage in flight, or when in buildings where it's impossible to get a wireless connection.

"The ultimate experience is go wireless when you want to," says AvantGo's Aufricht. Fortunately, no matter what type of access a wireless user needs or wants, AvantGo is poised to reach him or her. With a service model built around both synchronization and real-time user needs, AvantGo recognizes the advantage to enabling wireless users to make custom choices.

Defining the Current Market

The real question for wireless service providers might be "for whom is wireless access a necessity?"

"We don't think the consumer market (for wireless data) is here right now," observes Aaron Dobrinsky, CEO of GoAmerica, a wireless data and Internet services provider. Currently, wireless connectivity is too expensive for the average user who can more easily pick up a telephone to make airline reservations than log on to the Web with a wireless PDA. GoAmerica focuses on mobile professionals, otherwise known as enterprise customers, providing access to corporate data -- sales force automation, Intranet, email -- just about anything traveling or field personnel need while away the home office.

"There's still a huge gap between the kinds of information that natively renders well for PDAs and the kind of information you want," says OmniSky's Rensin. Email is a number one reason anyone buys a wireless device and service, he adds. The majority of people purchasing a wireless service for a PDA -- individuals in corporations -- are doing it using someone else's money.

The current market for wireless data is corporate or business users, not screaming mobs of enthusiastic consumers. That realization could be a wake-up call for everybody, says Rensin, adding OmniSky is "thankful we have money to make the adjustments we need."

Article COPYRIGHT 2001 M-CommerceTimes