Nokia says "sideloading" key to iPhone, smartphones
updated 12:00 pm EDT, Fri June 15, 2007
"Sideloading" smartphones
"Sideloading" rather "downloading" may be the key feature of newer smartphones, such as the iPhone. While much has been made of other iPhone features, Nokia's board member Daniel Hesse says that the iPhone's "sideloading" feature -- downloading music to computer and then syncing it to a smartphone -- may be one of the keys to its success. The much-anticipated consumer device is being criticized because users can’t access the iTunes store "over-the-air" and download music directly to their phones, but Nokia's Hesse says that "over-the-air" downloads may not be as desirable to consumers. Hesse told The Browser that, for transferring music and multimedia files to mobile phones, “sideloading will be absolutely crucial and that "no matter how fast the wireless networks get here, the computer is always faster."
Omniphone recently launched a new software music solution for cell phones: MusicStation, designed as an alternative to Apple's iTunes/iPod ecosystem, aims to offer an iTunes-like experience for music playback and organization and simple music purchase--without, however, an tethered PC.
Hesse, who led AT&T Wireless in 1990s (not to be confused with Cingular/A&T) that believes that a PC-centered sync solution is the key is supported by research from M:Metrics. Consumers in markets where mobile music is prevalent also seem to prefer sideloading to over-the-air downloads by a “wide margin,” according to M:Metrics research quoted by the report.
The former AT&T Wireless exec says he sideloads content to his Nokia smart phone: he can download music purchases faster using his wired broadband connection, and he likes using his computer to manage his playlists, according to the report.
Sideloading
06/15, 12:21pm reply
This might have been true in the 90's when data plans were prohibitively expensive for the casual user. They may be right for music and video. I think instant access is the key now. But I think the 'phone' and the 'internet communicator' are the two most significant portions of the iPhone trifecta announced by jobs this past winter.
mmmdoughnuts
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2006
what's next?
06/15, 12:50pm reply
sidetalking?
(oh, that was already tried :/)
http://sidetalkin.com/
OtisWild
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Dan Hesse?
06/15, 01:36pm reply
Is this the same Dan Hesse presiding over the complete collapse of the FIRST AT&T Wireless? AT&T Wireless' network quality got so poor under Hesse that they were left w/ no options but to sell the company!
I wouldn't trust a thing this guy says....
macncheeze
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2007
re:Sideloading US!=world
06/15, 01:48pm reply
Data plans are still prohibitively expensive in countries like Canada where there is only one major GSM carrier.
aristotles
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Bah!
06/15, 01:51pm reply
Hesse told The Browser that, for transferring music and multimedia files to mobile phones, “sideloading will be absolutely crucial and that "no matter how fast the wireless networks get here, the computer is always faster."
The guy is forgetting one little thing. The freakin' phone has wifi, which means it can connect at the same speed as your computer, can download without costing you anything, and then you wouldn't have to deal with issues like "I don't have my computer with me!"
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
huh...
06/15, 02:55pm reply
I actually have to agree with testudo... go figure.
lockhartt
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2000
Podacasts..
06/15, 03:31pm reply
I want a mobile device that will let me download and carry with me all of my podcasts without "sideloading", which, I feel, is a total PITA.
EB
ebeyer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2004
downloading?
06/15, 05:09pm reply
Has anyone seen in any of SJ's demos if iPhone can download using Safari? So far, Hesse is right in that sideloading seems to be the only way to get media in to the iPod part of the phone. If one can effectively download stuff from the web, well, YouTube should see plenty of traffic from iPhone's browser.
vasic
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
Re: downloading
06/16, 11:04pm reply
You can't download, but you don't technically download to do youtube. That's caching, and I'm sure it will work (as its one of those 'must be compatible' sites out there.
LouZer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2000