We went to Infotech 2012 today and it felt like an empty box: not much innovation and no trace of informatics at all. The stands were bland and I felt that even the computer and phone sellers are getting bored with the formula.
Next year will be the 20th edition. Let’s hope it’s better. I wonder how we can help?
Visiting Infotech nowadays and expecting innovation and computer technology is like visiting England and expecting the leaning tower of Pisa there. I gave up hoping to see technology and innovation on display at Infotech. There is something slightly better for this and its called ProIT.
You are right Avinash, Infotech likes an annual Bazaar…………………….
I feel Infotech has become the same boring stuff as the ‘trade-fairs’…virer-tourner meme safer – as we say here… The stands are more like some shopping stand instead of amazing us with awesome new items/discoveries/ etc…
I went on first public day, big mistake. Some stands were not even ready in the morning. There was still workmen drilling and setting up. On another, when I wanted to check out a new tablet, I found all the hostesses were around the table chatting amongst themselves barring the way. On the new hardware they were not displaying prices. As for media announcements on new technology like 4G, this turned out to be just hype without any concrete information as to when things will be operational or any commercial tariff information. Certainly not interesting for serious users or professionals, maybe ok for students and school kids.
Infotech 2012 really feels cheap this year. I felt everyone was bored: visitors and those on the stands. I guess Infotech needs to die to be replaced by Infotech 2.0 (that’s a nice name for the 20th Infotech — I need to copyright that :-) )
Full ACK!
I was also there yesterday shortly after lunch time. Slightly more audience but yes, I totally agree with you on the empty box paradigm. I was quite surprised to see that the rear area was almost empty and that other institutions like NCB had huge stands. Missed local education centres like UoM, UTM, Essex, Middlesex, Knowledge7 ;-)
But I also have to admit that I didn’t really expected too much, as Infotech is on a constant decline since a couple of years. It’s not a technology fair but simply a bazaar. The only shine of light was the presentation of the Penta tablet by Orange. Looking forward to get both of them.
Cheers, JoKi
I think the next best thing is to emphasize more on the young startups in Mauritius – give them stands to showcase their products and their ideas. Anyone can find mobiles, laptops, gadgets, etc.. anywhere they want, cash and carry, courts, galaxy, etc.. This event should be focused on creativity and new things – and not as nasrullah said, a mere annual Bazaar.
I agree, @Suyashb.
Infotech needs to be more about the innovation happening in startups and how solutions for complex problems are being investigated and found.
cat infotech* > /dev/null
I only wanted to go there to see the Orange tablet but then I reserved it online so I won’t waste my time there. Impatient to see the tablet. Looks like it this one http://www.pantel.in/product24-tpad_ws802c.aspx and for once they properly converted to Mauritian rupee rather than just applying the same Indian rupee price to Mauritius like they do for books.
When we were there, we didn’t see any Orange tablet. How much did the one you ordered costs?
@Avinash, the tablet I have opted for is priced at Rs 5,999 http://infotech.orange.mu/tablettes.php
I must admit that I have based my choice of having an ordinary phone, LG with wireless FM radio which cost me Rs 895 and that I’ve been using since more than a year, and a tablet rather than going for an expensive smartphone. If I’m deceived by the tablet then I might go for a HTC, but not those expensive ones. My main use of the Tablet will be for eBooks and most of tech magazines that now offer ePub versions.
By the way, does anyone agree that the marketing people have realised that people are ready to spend up to Rs 20,000 on a phone so come out with new models every year or so and removing the older ones from the market?
I went there for a couple of reasons, but overall, was mainly disappointed:
– To look for Bharat Telecom (BTL). I wanted to know about their prices and rollout status. They were absent altogether from Infotech 2012.
– To check on the 4G offers of Orange and Emtel. Nothing great. The stand people were all idling around, just handling brochures. No big posters. Nothing.
– To check on a reasonably-priced 10″ Android tablet. Samsung galaxy tab 10.1″. Rs. 26k in Mauritius. $400 on Amazon. Rs. 12k at current exchange rate. No thanks.
– Check on the latest PC parts for gaming etc. Nothing new. Prices still too high.
Overall, Infotech feels like a bazaar to sell gadgets to the general population, as opposed to a technology fair to demonstrate the latest products. I think Pro-IT fair has been created to fill this position, but it is still oriented towards enterprises, as opposed to individuals.