Top program topics include case studies on how cloud-based solutions are now being deployed for fixed and mobile CE products — successes and challenges; the effects on consumers of having access to services in the cloud anytime from anywhere — along with related social networking trends.
Also featured will be what broadband network operators and mobile Internet access providers are doing to help manage — and spur — the migration to interoperable cloud services.

Some in traditional entertainment industries find this technology overwhelmingly threatening and disruptive — others see enormous new opportunities; and the value proposition for CE manufacturers will also continue to evolve substantially to providing cloud-based value-adding services — rather than conventional hardware features.
An opening panel focus group will explore "The Impact on Consumers of Connecting to the Cloud for Media Access and Storage." What do cloud-based streaming and storage mean to users in terms of accessing entertainment content and experiencing movies, music, TV shows, games, etc.?

The first keynote will answer the question, "Who’s Connecting What to the Cloud?" How should cloud computing be defined in this context? What are the key economic considerations as well as prospects for sustainability of the cloud-enabled delivery phenomenon?

The next session will address, "Where Are There Problems Connecting to the Cloud?" What are the bottlenecks standing in the way of faster and wider adoption of cloud-based services among connected-device end-users? Which participants in the distribution chain need to change?

Two back-to-back keynotes will examine "Consumer Benefits of Cloud-Delivered Content: Ubiquity, Cost, Portability Improvements." How can cloud-based solutions applied to popular entertainment bring advantages to users over older methods of online distribution? What is the role of social networking in this arena? And "Consumer Drawbacks of Cloud-Delivered Content: Privacy, Reliability, Security Issues." What has been the experience to date of confidential data being inadvertently leaked or intentionally hacked? What can users do to mitigate not having access to their applications or accidentally losing their data when they go offline? What happens if a cloud provider goes out of business?

The follow-on panel will discuss "The Impact on Telecommunications Industries of Cloud Computing." What does cloud computing mean to broadband network operators and mobile carriers in terms of managing their intellectual property (IP), allocating network resources, and developing and provisioning new services?

Then twin keynotes will delve into "Telecommunications Industry Benefits of Cloud-Delivered Content: New Opportunities." How can cloud-based solutions applied to popular entertainment bring advantages to broadband network operators over older methods of distribution? And "Telecommunications Industry Drawbacks of Cloud-Delivered Content: Infrastructure Challenges." How does the on-demand always-accessible nature of cloud-based entertainment delivery challenge conventional distribution systems?

The next panel will address "The Impact on Entertainment Industries of Cloud Computing." What do cloud storage and distribution mean to content rights-holders in terms of managing their intellectual property (IP), realizing cost savings, reaching new audiences, analyzing usage, and implementing new business models?

Twin keynotes will highlight "Entertainment Industry Benefits of Cloud Computing: Cost Savings & Efficiency." How can cloud-based solutions applied to popular entertainment production, storage, and delivery bring advantages to content creators and content distributors? And "Entertainment Industry Drawbacks of Cloud Computing: Disruption & Security." How does the advent of "content everywhere" challenge current distribution systems? What additional security and reliability issues are raised?

Additional keynotes will introduce the subjects "Consumer Electronics Industry Benefits of Cloud-Based Services: New Revenue Streams." How can offering access to applications and content in the cloud provide new monetization opportunities to CE manufacturers, sellers, and partners? And "Consumer Electronics Industry Drawbacks of Cloud-Based Services: Complexity." How do the added administrative and operational challenges of managing cloud-based solutions affect the CE business?

Regards from Berlin