U.S. Interoperability a Step Closer
NEW YORK - Two rival wireless technology groups have agreed on guidelines that will allow U.S. cellular phone users to swap photos with anyone they choose, regardless which carrier provides their service.
In the past, picture and video swapping via cell phones has been problematic because the major U.S. cellular carriers use entirely different networks supported by divergent technologies. The technical guide released cooperatively this week by the organizations promoting the two primary technologies is seen as a major breakthrough not only for consumers, but also for the carriers themselves. U.S. carriers hope the development will provide a new source of revenue, possibly by charging their users to send digital images to users on other systems.
Despite overcoming the technical hurdle, the largest carriers don't expect to be able to take advantage of interoperability until later in the year. Verizon Wireless, Sprint Corp., and AT&T Wireless Services Inc. - the country's three largest providers, respectively - expect to have contracts signed with their competitors sometime this summer, at the earliest, according to a Reuters report.
Security Nightmares for Wireless Users
CYBERSPACE - The latest generation of Wi-Fi devices and smartphones present a clear and present danger to users and the corporate networks to which they sync, industry experts are warning. Because of increased sophistication, the devices are just as susceptible as their desktop counterparts to viruses and other rogue code. In addition, their users are as vulnerable as those who use standard-sized PCs to the sorts of social engineering employed to steal passwords and other sensitive data.
What makes the virtual explosion of connected handheld devices of increasing concern among industry watchers is that, at least to date, the vast majority aren't outfitted with antivirus protection, message-filtering software, or encryption programs.
"We are starting to see spam showing up on these devices," James Kott, director of product management at e-mail security firm MessageGate, told TechNewsWorld. "It's low-level now, but it is starting."
Although 81 percent of business executive surveyed recently by Pointsec Mobile Technologies said they consider the data stored on their mobile devices "somewhat" or "extremely" valuable, recent research from the Project Data Group indicates that about half of all corporate handhelds are unsecured.
High-Tech Bicycle
NEW YORK - Self-described "wireless and emerging media artist" Yury Gitman is lending a whole new complexion to "mobile computing:" He's taking the Internet "on the road" with his Magicbike, a bicycle on which Gitman has mounted an iBook laptop computer and two heavy duty Wi-Fi antennae.
"I'm interested in exploring the Internet physically, in motion," Gitman told CNet's News.com. "It's not on our radar screen, even though we're obsessed with mobility and wireless. But in the future, we're going to do that a lot."
In fact, increasing numbers of auto manufacturers and airline companies are investigating adding wireless Internet access to their vehicles. Gitman is just proving the concept a bit further down the food chain.
Oddly enough, Gitman's concept isn't a new one. The first networked bicycle was built in 1983, according to his research. More recently, the Copenhagen Connected Cycle initiative in Denmark has seen tricycle taxis embrace the technology.
Texting Causes Concern for Traditional Media
BAGNAIA, Italy - American and European newspaper publishers attending a two-day conference here this week shared their concerns that new communication modes like cellular phone text messages rapidly are outpacing traditional media for the dissemination of breaking news, especially among the young.
The immediacy of new media communication is contributing to shrinking newspaper circulation, media leaders say. That became painfully apparent to Nina Calarco, editor and publisher of southern Italy's Gazzetta del Sud, when information spread through text messaging contributed to Socialist candidate Jose luis Rodriguez Zapatero's election as Spanish prime minister just three days after March 11 train bombings in Madrid killed 191 people and injured more than 2,000 others.
The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and the New York Post were among the organization attending the conference.
FCC to Focus on Wireless Broadband
WASHINGTON - A new group has been formed within the Federal Communications Commission to investigate how and when to begin regulating wireless broadband access.
Unveiled this week by FCC Chairman Michael Powell, the Wireless Broadband Access Task Force will be directed and staffed by attorneys from several FCC divisions. Its directive is to "study existing wireless broadband policies and make recommendations for possible improvements to promote the growth of both licensed and unlicensed wireless broadband services," according to a statement released by the agency.
Although no formal notice of impending rulemaking or regulatory efforts has been given, the agency already is asking for public comment on potential policies.
iWireless World 2004 Scheduled
LOS ANGELES - The fourth annual iWireless World: Mobile Content and Applications is slated for July 21-24 at the Hilton Universal City here. Presented by the producers of Mobile Entertainment Summit, Digital Media Summit, Music 2.0, Digital Studio Summit, Impact! and Digital Games Summit, the conference will focus on enterprise services, computing, wireless networking, Wi-Fi, business solutions, voice over IP, mobile media, entertainment, data, and content applications. Wireless developer workshops are included.
According to promotional literature about the event, the conference is designed to help attendees answer several questions:
* How will new wireless data services and multi-functional devices generate new revenue streams for business through the development of consumer and enterprise applications?
* How can companies develop a competitive advantage in today's volatile marketplace when deploying wireless services and applications, while at the same time using strategic planning to identify future opportunities?
* How will wireless applications make enterprise operations more productive, cost-effective, efficient, and profitable?
* What carrier relationships, technologies, and implementation skills do companies need to take advantage of wireless business and technology opportunities?
* How can developers produce applications or solutions for the wireless enterprise and consumer markets across different carriers utilizing different types of devices?
A special "Hollywood-style deal-making dinner" is scheduled for July 21 at the Starlight Ballroom. Organizers said attendees will have the opportunity during the dinner to mingle with carrier representatives, publishers, distributors, handset makers, investors, and content providers.
A new feature this year is the Mobile GamesFest, which will offer 10 pre-registered developers the chance to compete for crowd approval and prizes. Each developer will present a five-minute demonstration of his or her best game or application during lunch; industry experts will critique the presentations, and the audience will choose the winner.
