3G FCC Delays 3G Airwaves
On June 4, the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA)
asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to delay its scheduled
July 7 proceedings. Given the request, the FCC has officially postponed
its decision to allocate 1710 – 1755 MHz and 2110 – 2150 MHz
bands for third–generation (3G) wireless services. FCC Chairman,
Michael Powell, has advised the Commerce Department that the government
needs more time to "complete a careful and complete evaluation of
the various possible options for making additional spectrum available
for advanced wireless services."
BUSINESS
Philips Reduces Set–Top Commitment
Set–top boxes will no longer be of prime importance to Philips Electronics and will slice the number of models they intend to sell within the United States. With their mobile appliance business being closeted earlier this week, and taking a hit of some $258 million, analysts expect Philips to seek out partners who can assist them with their set–top endeavors. The company will work on increasing the strength of their components and semiconductor divisions.
HANDHELDS
Handspring’s Check Is In The Mail
Or, mebbe not... you may recall this past spring, Handspring set into motion a special program wherein folk who purchased the Visor Deluxe or Platinum models would receive a $50 rebate check. Well, SOME of those checks are not showing up in folks’ mailboxes... they have their new appliances, Handspring has their full purchase price, but the rebates are not in–hand. The problem revolves around an understanding of the rebate terms. The UPC code from the box within which the Handsprings were nestled had to mailed in, and many did not return this proof–of–purchase with their form. Then, several weeks later, the company had to contact these folk and ask them for their PoP — but who keeps boxes? Adding additional headaches to the process is the fact that some retail stores reduced the pricing of their in–store inventory by $50, which negated the rebate offer, a term not clearly spelled–out. Cut to the chase: despite the problems, Handspring is going to honor all requests for the rebate. More rebate info here.
PARTNERSHIPS
Lucent Facilitates Sprint’s Upgrade
Sprint and Lucent Technologies announced a three–year infrastructure upgrade deal worth up to $1 billion. Under the agreement, Lucent will supply equipment and services for the next phase of Sprint’s nationwide wireless network expansion, and is a key component of the wireless carrier’s migration to third–generation (3G) services. Sprint will deploy Lucent’s base stations, mobile switching centers and wireless intelligent network software. In addition, Sprint has access to Lucent’s professional services such as equipment engineering, installation, cell site optimization and project management. The deployment of Lucent’s 3G wireless system is intended to help Sprint provide its customers with faster data speeds, and enhancements for existing applications and services.
PDAs
A Sharper Influx
This October in the U.S., and next year in Europe, consumers can expect to see the new Sharp Zaurus PDA on sale. Using Java technology developed by Sun and Linux OS, the "export" model will feature audio and video functionality, however, Internet access can only be attained through the use of an attached mobile phone. The company hopes to see one million units within 12 months of the initiation of Zaurus sales overseas.
RESEARCH
Wireless in the Workplace
According to an analyst from Forrester Research, much of the money being spent on wireless technology is wasted. Jordan Kendall claims that companies are not taking wireless seriously. Too many organizations have adopted wireless devices because they are "cool," and have spent very little time evaluating their potential for business practices. In fact, Kendall hopes that companies will start to take on the "I will only deploy wireless applications that enrich mobile jobs" mentality. According to Kendall, the real applications are those that have a high impact on jobs. In his opinion, email does not have a high impact, but rather a warehouse employee using a wireless device to pick orders has high–impact. However, high–impact applications are only part of the road to wireless success. Kendall said organizations should separate personal information management from corporate applications, and ensure that personal information management does not encompass their entire wireless budget. In Motion Inc.’s founder, president and co–chief executive officer, Mike Lazaridis, echoes Kendall’s message, saying companies using wireless technology should look for a return on investment within a one–year timeframe. Lazaridis added that the best mobile applications actually use wireless connections as little as possible, and continue to be useful without wireless connectivity. Lazaridis also maintained that "push" applications built with Java, wherein data or messages come to the user automatically, are more effective in a wireless environment than "pull" applications such as dial–up email and WAP services. In Motion makes the mobile Blackberry device.
WEB
New Napster App Debuts
The software that managed Napster’s online file–swapping service is going to be trashed by the company, with a new version (10.3) set to debut that will ensure that copyrighted music is blocked from use via a filter system. The new software is alleged to be able to ID a song through a digital representation of its sound, but there are apparently some bugs still being worked out. This new software implementation is not receiving an overabundance of positive comments from current Napster users.
WIRELESS
Auvo Has a Modal on Wireless
Auvo Technologies’ multi–modal solution captured the attention of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation. Forecasts from the industry analyst suggest that multi–modal data access will become increasingly important for wireless carriers, as mobile Internet services gain momentum during the first half of next year. Moreover, Auvo has "already introduced multi–modal solutions for wireless carriers migrating to 2.5G." Multi–modal technology combines voice, text and graphics. Auvo’s technology can be applied to any 2.5G or 3G packet–based wireless network. Connecting to the Internet is as simple as a voice command or the push of a single button on a cell phone or other wireless device. Auvo Technologies and Vodafone’s AirTel Movil will conduct the world’s first live commercial network trial of the multi–modal platform in August.
WIRELESS
New Handy Diversions
Handy Games Ltd. added new single and multiplayer WAP– and SMS–based games to the German developer's broad selection of mobile entertainment. The new WAP titles include WAP Crates or WAP Lights brain teasers; WAP Racing and WAP War multiplayer games; a WAP Fishing sim; a WAP Interpol crime chase; a StripPoker gambling fix; and a WAP Massacre bloody fight. Trial versions of the games are available for a limited time on the Handy Games WAP–Simulator located at www.handy–games.com/wapsdk. Meanwhile, short messaging fans will find a good ol’ treasure hunt with SMS Goldfinder; can tee–off with SMS Golf; battle–it–out in an SMS Teamfight; or test their word–skills with SMS Wheel of Fortune.
WIRELESS
Wireless Security Firmed Up
Security is a major headache for both users and manufacturers, especially within the wireless world, and RSA Security believes they have a new solution to assist in this arena. The company has intro’d their RSA BSAFE Wireless Core Software for wireless hardware developers. With this offering, they can encrypt their product using RSA–based algorithms to ensure customer protection for OS’s such as Palm, Symbian and CE. There’s full interoperability with the wired Internet and products so encrypted protects data in transit from unauthorized viewing or eavesdropping. Further info.
