Netsize Guide 2010 » mobilegroove

In brief: Europe's first-ever Augmented Reality (AR) business conference is the perfect jumping-of point for a look at Dutch Augmented Reality (AR) company Layar, an interview with Maarten Lens-FitzGerald, Layar Co-founder & VP of Distribution and Marketing, and some updated company news & stats.

The overwhelming positive response to Europe's first-ever Augmented Reality Business Conference and Developer Camp (ARBCon) speaks volumes about the new direction and vast potential of AR. The event – which was organized by my esteemed colleague Dan Romescu, an AR pioneer, to bring together companies across the emerging business ecosystem including developers, VCs and researchers. It attracted over 155 participants and featured over 30 speakers/keynotes from 17 countries.

In brief: MSG and the Founding Members of a new initiative supporting non-profits – The Mobile Movement – announced today they have formed a coalition committed to bringing mobile capabilities to non-profits in order that they may reach millions more people in need by leveraging mobile devices, networks and

Mobile advertising is the hot topic today. Apple will likely take the wraps off its mobile ad platform and may even confirm analyst suspicions that Apple will use the event to at least announce its intention to integrate an advertising platform into the iPhone SDK. As the battle lines are being drawn between Apple/Quattro and Google/AdMob, this post from John Furrier via Silicon Angle points out the only major and neutral ad network left is Millennial Media.

Mobile 2D barcode scanning is paving the way for a range of exciting and lucrative schemes hyperlinking our physical world of things (all objects including product packaging, printed media, TV, billboards, equipment – the works!) with a digital world or websites and destinations filled with information, advertising, applications downloads, coupons, processes and special offers.

The last weeks have seen a slew of announcements in this space, heralding a new phase in market development, new thinking about the business models (particularly the value to the enterprise) and new urgency in the race among companies across the emerging business ecosystem to get barcode strategies in place – fast (!).

The Netsize Guide 2010 is also creating a stir at CTIA, where several fans have asked me for a copy. But at 200+ pages it really wasn't the ideal hand luggage to bring on the trip. Instead, MSG and Netsize move on to Part 2 in the ongoing series to showcase a “best of” selection of executive interviews and hot topics that have everyone talking. On the heels of the fantastically successful SXSW conference, there's a sharp focus on figuring out how companies can move from meeting place to market place – and make money in the process.

Flirtomatic is certainly a company that provides a blueprint.

The Netsize Guide 2010 is breaking download records and an increasing number of "fans" have even purchased a paper copy of this must-read mobile industry resource. In view of the phenomenal popularity of this content, MSG is joining with Netsize to showcase a "best of" selection of executive interviews and hot topics that have everyone talking. We start the series with a timely and telling interview with Christopher David, head of Developer and Partner Engagement, Sony Ericsson. Over the next weeks I'll expand the focus to include in-depth features and podcasts with the companies and influencers at the forefront of mobile and mobility.