The future of Software - Follow the Entertainment Industry ?

At a NASSCOM Mobile Applications Seminar in Mumbai last week, Mr. Pradip Baijal Chairman of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) spoke of the Blurring between Content and Advertising.

He gave the example of a hugely popular Hindi movie called 'Dhoom' in which the advertising product placement fees received from the manufacturer of the motor-cycles used by the main characters was a major revenue stream for the film producers.

A couple of days ago, Microsoft announced their 'Live Windows' applications in which some of their office productivity applications would be offered as hosted services for small businesses for less than 10 employees. It was also mentioned that advertisements would be placed on these software applications.

So, the Software Industry is following the Entertainment Business in the Blurring of Content and Advertising.

That would perhaps help in reducing the mortality rate of software companies across the globe and save some money for their shareholders.