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Flow's World exposed

Published:Sunday | October 3, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Cartoon character Doki was a hit with the children at the recent Flow's World expo at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Ian Fischer of PACE Americas demonstrates the latest in IPTV offerings at Flow's World expo.
Luciano Ramos, director of advanced network services, explains the new videophone.
Gerald Jacob (right) tries his hand (or vocal chords) at Bob Marley's 'Buffalo Soldier' with the karaoke machine, part of Flow's video-on-demand package. He is assisted by Flow Trinidad's Dexter Solomon.
Kieron Figaro shows users how to use the Flow video-on-demand.
Keith Clarke, a volunteer with the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup that was held in Trinidad and Tobago, tries out the 3-D TV glasses with the help of Roseann Fusco of Fox Networks. - Photos BY Daviot Kelly
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Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

They all came to be part of 'Flow's world'. The biggest provider of cable service in Trinidad hosted the inaugural Flow's World consumer/business expo on September 18 and 19 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Port-of-Spain. Whether it was for the home, school, business or social life, there was something for everyone and every product was, in some way, supported by the telecoms provider. Sharon Roper, Flow's director of marketing, pointed out that the technology is out there and it was simply for the individual to use it for whatever their needs may be.

"And that's what Flow's World is all about," she said. The ballroom was transformed into pockets of the latest technology for all areas of life. The Lyming Spot area was easily a hit with the younger generation, as the gamers could try out their favourites. Among the demonstrations was the speed of Flow's 100 megabits-per-second Internet access. Aaron Woodyear, of the Gamers Association of Trinidad and Tobago, explained that this speed would make game play online more enjoyable.

"When you're downloading updates for games, it used to take hours; you could leave the computer overnight. Now, in minutes you're done." He felt the expo was great because it enabled the company to show all its services in one place. The 'My Home' area showcased the newest improvements to the personal video recorder as well as Flow's video-on-demand that is already available in the Jamaican market. The 3-D televisions should also be a big seller, especially in homes with children.

But Flow's World was not just about the latest toys for the gadget lover, though. It incorporated teaching sessions for parents to help them understand the new media that their children can access. Seminars on Facebook etiquette and the dangers in not monitoring children's technology use were all part of the offering.

annual event

Grown-ups and adults alike were also able to try being a CNN anchor, reading news in front of a giant green screen that, on television, looks like they are in a studio.

The little ones went wild at the sight of Doki, the character from the Discovery Kids channel. Joey Stevens, the weatherman on One Caribbean TV (and his parrot), came to tell them what the skies would be like. There were hourly give-aways and the evening session even had a karaoke competition with judges, á la 'American Idol'.

There are plans to make Flow's World an annual event and organisers are seriously eyeing Jamaica for next year's stop.

daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com