Smart phones and Cloud Computing: A New Service Paradigm

by Cheng Wu

Co-founder and Chairman at Azuki Systems (Acton, Massachusetts)

Date

Friday, October 9, 2009

Time

3:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.

Place

Innovations Center, Rm. 105, 10th and SR 45/46 Bypass or 2719 E. 10th St.

Abstract: Intelligent end points such as the iPhone differ from other information technologies in one key aspect. For the first time, a sophisticated device is miniaturized and designed for and widely accepted by consumers, by masking all the underlying complexity. 42% of iPhone users access the Internet via its WiFi port. In other words, a smart phone is no longer used as a phone, but as a nomadic information access point. Information is no longer accessed from one (wired) device; instead, the notion of user state virtualization is emerging where the personalities of a user travels with him from device to device, network to network, and place to place. With that new service paradigm, the use of cloud computing is personalized, personal resources become cloud-based, accessed by any device carrying one’s personality at that moment in time. Many challenges remain. Many new services are emerging. What can we expect? How will future consumer-facing services be created? (After a short presentation on this topic, Mr. Wu will engage in discussion with the audience.)

Biography: Cheng Wu is a co-founder and Chairman at Azuki Systems (Acton, Massachusetts), which offers a software service for media companies to deliver a new generation of mobile websites and applications and extend desktop services seamlessly across the mobile web. Cheng is a successful serial entrepreneur and well-acclaimed industry veteran, having founded and led numerous businesses spanning a range of different industries, including ArrowPoint Communications (aquired by Cisco Systems) and Acopia Networks. To highlight his career in the networking and communications industry—which extends more than 20 years—Cheng was named to InteractiveWeek Magazine’s “Top 25 Unsung Heroes of the Internet” list in 2000. Cheng has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from ChiaoTung University, Taiwan and a master’s degree in computer science from Indiana University.

Colloquium Provided By:

the School of Informatics