9:00 AM Qualcomm's annual developer confab is all about apps – mobile apps, appetizers and surprise appearances

Sarah Thomas, Director, Women in Comms

June 1, 2011

3 Min Read
The Uplinq Outlook

9:00 AM -- SAN DIEGO --Uplinq -- Qualcomm Inc. (Nasdaq: QCOM) changed the name of its annual developer confab from Brew to Uplinq last year as the focus moved beyond feature phones, and this year, the scope will be even wider -- from the chip to the cloud.

It's my second time making the trek to sunny San Diego to cover the shindig, and a few topics stand out.

  • Keynotes: Qualcomm's keynote line-up is impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) CEO Stephen Elop take the stage right after lowering guidance for the company in the second quarter. HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) webOS head Jon Rubenstein, Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs and High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) (Taiwan: 2498) CEO Peter Chou are also here, demonstrating Qualcomm's commitment beyond Brew MP. (See Nokia Lowers Outlook, Shares Slump .)

  • Augmented reality: It's cool, and it makes for great demos. I want to see some this week.

  • HTML5 apps: Fragmentation is likely to be a concern of every developer in attendance, and Qualcomm Internet Services President Rob Chandhok says Uplinq will focus on how to use HTML5 to get around it. I hope to see some noteworthy HTML5 interfaces that prove the browser experience is as good as a dedicated mobile app.

  • An LTE iPhone update: Qualcomm has shouldered the blame on delaying a Long Term Evolution (LTE) version of the iPhone, but hasn't had much to say specifically on that issue besides "it ain't so." Maybe we'll hear more this week. (See Qualcomm Not Holding Up LTE iPhone.)

  • Cloud apps: The chip giant is seeing a trend of mobile developers using the cloud to provide services related to, but not directly, on the chips, Chandhok says. This makes it easier and more efficient to run apps -- for operators and consumers. I'm interested to see how developers are taking advantage of the combination of faster processing power in phones and cloud storage.

  • Money makers: Chandhok says that more discussions at this year's show will focus on how developers can make money. I'd like to hear some success stories and how they did it. Reporter-types like myself are locked out of the sessions in which developers pitch wireless operators on their wares, but it'll be interesting to hear how they plan to work together to build a business on apps.

  • The "Q on 5th" closing party : Qualcomm's got the deep pockets to throw an awesome party. Last year Train performed, all the restaurants supplied the appetizers, and performers lined 5th Street in San Diego's Gaslamp district. This year, the performer is a surprise. I'm hoping Jacobs is as big of a Ke$ha fan as I am.

    Check out our coverage of last year's show and win 10 points if you spot the Paul Jacobs cameo.

    • Photos From Qualcomm's Uplinq Conference

    • Seeking 3G Alternatives for Mobile TV

    • Qualcomm Open to Selling FLO TV Unit

    • Verizon Recommits to Brew

    • Qualcomm Chief Stresses Need for App Efficiency

    • Qualcomm Augments Reality for Android

    • AT&T to Serve More Brew



    — Sarah Reedy, Senior Reporter, Light Reading Mobile

About the Author(s)

Sarah Thomas

Director, Women in Comms

Sarah Thomas's love affair with communications began in 2003 when she bought her first cellphone, a pink RAZR, which she duly "bedazzled" with the help of superglue and her dad.

She joined the editorial staff at Light Reading in 2010 and has been covering mobile technologies ever since. Sarah got her start covering telecom in 2007 at Telephony, later Connected Planet, may it rest in peace. Her non-telecom work experience includes a brief foray into public relations at Fleishman-Hillard (her cussin' upset the clients) and a hodge-podge of internships, including spells at Ingram's (Kansas City's business magazine), American Spa magazine (where she was Chief Hot-Tub Correspondent), and the tweens' quiz bible, QuizFest, in NYC.

As Editorial Operations Director, a role she took on in January 2015, Sarah is responsible for the day-to-day management of the non-news content elements on Light Reading.

Sarah received her Bachelor's in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She lives in Chicago with her 3DTV, her iPad and a drawer full of smartphone cords.

Away from the world of telecom journalism, Sarah likes to dabble in monster truck racing, becoming part of Team Bigfoot in 2009.

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