Wireless Future News 11.30.2003 Intel's Tiny Hope for the FutureWired Magazine's December issue has an article about Intel's interest in wireless sensor networks, an important aspect of ubiquitous computing in the wireless future. Intel sees an economic snowball effect as wireless sensors are deployed: more silicon for sensors, more high-end PCs to process sensor data. [Link]
11.28.2003 Security and its discontentsVipi Jain, inventor of the 802.1x authentication protocol, talks about WiFi security at C-Net. [Link]
For consumers, simple encryption is probably good enough because they aren't trying to protect a $5 million business or intellectual property worth $5 billion. However, there are cases where you have a consumer who also happens to be an enterprise user. If someone can piggyback through that channel, then you are in trouble. 11.17.2003 Austin's economy trying to find balance after tech boomGood article in the San Antonio Express-News about the state and future of Austin's economy, with reference to the various regional economic development initiatives, including wireless. The article also notes the potential for Austin and San Antonio to leverage each city's strengths in building a substantial regional economic base. [Link]
"Creating a new venture like a Dell or National Instruments is where the new wealth is created and the new industries created," Cavalli said.
In these new efforts, Austin also wants to foster greater regional cooperation, Cavalli said.
"We're about 30 to 50 years behind Silicon Valley in developing as a regional economy," Cavalli said. "There is a movement to approach economic development regionally. It's clearly seen that the mutual benefits of doing that are better than doing it alone." Incubator brings on COO - 2003-11-17 - Austin Business Journal The Austin Technology Incubator has hired high tech entrepreneur Erin Defosse to run day-to-day operations of the organization and to eventually form a wireless technology incubator. [Link to the Austin Business Journal article - requires registration.] 11.14.2003 FCC expands frequencies for wireless InternetThe FCC has opened additional spectrum for unlicensed use by wireless devices. The additional available spectrum for U-NII devices will enable continued growth and innovation in wireless broadband services, including services offered by wireless internet service providers (WISPs). The new frequencies are in the 5 gigahertz range. Harold Feld of the Media Access Project noted that the frequencies are too high for some uses, and called for the FCC to open up lower frequency bands for unlicensed use. THe current change will boost available WiFi spectrum by 80 percent. [Link] [Discuss] 11.3.2003 The Killer App For Wireless? Still VoiceThis October 27 article by Michael Singer says that data services for wireless phones aren't adding significant value for most consumers – "the majority only want to use a mobile phone to call someone." (It may be more apt to say that the voice is the killer app for the phone). Singer notes Jupiter's advice to wireless providers to create single-purpose devices that can be used standalone or as components of a convergent system, rather than building more complex cellphones that include functions that most users don't need or want. [Link] [Discuss] Austin American-Statesman on Free Wireless
The Austin American-Statesman published a front-page story today on the proliferation of WiFi hotspots in Austin. The Tech Monday section also has a map of 51 local hotspots. The article focuses on the Austin Wireless City project. Discuss
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