Eric Schmidt Speaks At Mobile World Congress 2011, Answers Many Questions

Eric Schmidt, while speaking at the special Google keynote series at Mobile World Congress 2011 began by showing a video editing app called Movie Studio. The overarching theme here seems to be control of the technology rather than the technology controlling the user. Using apps to bring you where you want to go rather than just finding results on what time it is in the place you wish you were. He mentioned monetization of provisional software (like lots and lots of money from Google Adsense via Android,) and moved on into disruption. Disruption here is essentially the switch from non-internet commerce to an internet-based economy where supply is essentially infinite.

Schmidt noted that he believes that computer science can turn fundamental transparency can help fix all the world's problems (Wikileaks? Nah.) Memory, referring back to every bit of information we've got to remember, never getting lost in the world or on the map. You will never get lost, says Schmidt, and with your permission, all your friends know where you are too.

Human problems will be fixed by humans with machines, here is an age where technology is based on being good. Very warm and loving.

During the Q and A, an Australian man asks about more service and advertising – he wonders when the rest of the world will pick this market for advertising up.

Schmidt responds by saying that Australia is leading the world as far as Fiber goes. The tools and technology that's required to create TV-level ads to a mobile audience, this is the goal that will lead to the next big frontier as far as advertising goes. Schmidt notes that this is commerce, and that these advertising business people are aiming for revenue.

Another man asks about Android, notes how Schmidt mentioned that Google wanted more developers, but that fragmentation is a giant problem for developers and that he sees this as a monster of a situation.

Schmidt notes that the App store is the center. With this central station, the Android Marketplace, everyone has an even platform. He notes that Gingerbread will be another even platform in a sense, and that the man should not worry.

Another question arises about payment.

Schmidt responds with a note about "Google Bucks" and how that's unrealistic, but notes that NFC chips are next. This chip, in a couple of phones already, will be used for payment in the future. He notes that the UK is already implementing legal business as far as NFC goes, and that NFC is going to blow everything else away. This model, instant payment via NFC, or something like it, is the way of the future.

A lady asks a question about Twitter, how Schmidt likes it (if he wants to buy it,) and about business via mobile.

Schmidt first notes that he loves Twitter and that he likes to Tweet, basically brushing off that question. Schmidt notes that wireless capacity is not big enough to work with business and government already today.

A man asks a question about Android versions, and says there's some confusion amongst everyday users.

Schmidt eventually gets to a rather important point: Chrome is keyboard, Honeycomb is touch. It's also important to note that earlier in the presentation he said the following on versions of Android: "We have OS called gingerbread for phones, we have an OS being previewed now for tablets called Honeycomb. The two of them... you can imagine the follow up will start with an I, be named after dessert, and will combine these two."

A man asks some harsh questions about Larry and Eric, if Larry should have been here instead, to which Schmidt immediately replied that his new job is essentially doing the traveling, and that Larry likes this arrangement. The man continues with a question (actually first, but answered second) about HTML5, Schmidt replying by saying that HTML5 will work on both platforms (mobile and desktop) will be a good way for further integration and flattening of the playing ground for developers.

The man asks a third question about monetization in Apps.

Schmidt notes that they've purchased an App developers group heavily invested in both OS and Android [what is this?]

A government man from Belgium asks a question about addresses for internet.

IPV4 addresses will soon be gone, notes Schmidt, and we've got to work on network address translation boxes, more items like this that only work now with IPV4 technology. We need, Schmidt says, IPV6 to move forward.

There is a question on Health Care and how Mobile will help in this problem around the world.

Schmidt notes that he feels that all of your medical info should be with you at all times – 3 and 4% of all questions on Google are medically related, thus he'd like it to be more automated (YOU ARE HAVING A HEART ATTACK.)

There's a question on Facebook and if they're Google's main competitor (because of "likes" and advertising via Facebook.

Schmidt notes that Microsoft is Google's main competitor, that their search engine Bing might be "a little too good" and we know what he means, but that Facebook isn't quite on the same road as them.

A man asks a question on Egypt, and Schmidt immediately notes that they're very proud of the ways Google and Facebook and other sites were used to create a positive move in the country. Schmidt notes though that devices in countries like Egypt are too expensive, their networks are too small, and that today's smartphones are tomorrow's feature phones, and that the future is giving devices away for essentially free to connect everyone.

There is a question on SDKs and releases to which Schmidt notes that they try to release one single phone that shows the best that can be done, and that this happens within each big release (XOOM for Honeycomb, Nexus S for Gingerbread, etc.)

A man asks a question about education and Android, how it's not accepted in the classroom yet.

Schmidt notes that there have been moves to get mobile into classrooms for the greater good but that there is always resistance to change in education, especially where technology is concerned.

The Q and A ended with applause, and everyone went to go get a bite to eat and were all left satisfied and smiling.