Digital Alberta gives us the scoop on upcoming events and hosts a panel on Mobile Industry

Digital Alberta has several upcoming events, including a Nov 17th Basement to Boardroom event with Patrick Lor and a January event with Alexander Manu. Also, remember that your MediaFresh Awards submissions are due on Nov 30th.

After the update, Digital Alberta hosted an aptly named "Mobile Madness" panel discussion at Seven RestoLounge in Calgary yesterday. Moderated by Michelle Sklar, host of bnetTV.com the panel kicked off by discussing what trends are emerging in mobile apps.

Paul Poutanen, from Mob4Hire said that location based apps on any handset (not just the iPhone) are the next big thing. He also predicts that personalization of specific apps will become more of an option and that people will be interested in consolidation apps because they will have so many apps on their phone. The last thing he mentioned was the Motorola is introducing all of their new smartphones with Google Android, a free operating service.

Michelle asked why talk of mobile apps always turns to the iPhone and what is it about that device that touched people so much. Richerd Chan, of Tapium said that it was the first phone that really felt like you had the Internet in your pocket. He also brings up how when he first got it, the interface was revolutionary and how he connected with it - whether he was using it for entertainment or utility the iPhone made his life easier, more fun or more accessible.

With the number of apps increasing daily, the panel went on to discuss sustainable business models for developers. Richerd said things will change from the idea of one hit wonders in the app store to subscription models. Paul chimed in that it could become comparable to the movie industry. Studios make many films, some are hits, some don't leave the shelf.

The talk wrapped up with Jon Lam, of Pho3nix New Media discussing his new iPhone fund. He is raising 2 million dollars, to fund 133 apps. We didn't get very many details on how the fund will work, but Jon has certainly mastered the art of the sales pitch.