Bandwidth being seen as a utility …
I like to see things like this occurring … the perspective that bandwidth is simply a utility. The streams of bits flowing into, and out of, your computer being seen like a two-way water pipe.
As this perspective continues to gain ground, it will become more and more apparent that you are free to do with your bandwidth what you like … just like what you do with water or gas.
Bandwidth is going to become a public utility …
Combining wireless and location …
This article has some good links to some of the projects that are working to provide better visualization of wireless networks and their coverage. Some very cool maps …
Visualizing Wireless Networks [Nooface: In Search of the Post-PC Interface]
Building in the platform of innovation …
With the recent growth in wireless devices, and the decreasing cost and size of GPS solutions, there are whole new markets emerging that will capitalize on this new information platform. A mobile computer or PDA, combined with a GPS, allows for a wide range of applications to be installed and utilized. The big shift comes, however, when this platform is now combined with wireless data communications.
Wireless communications means that a mobile device can now report locations information, and query for location information, on an ongoing basis. This means that a mobile user can now begin to share their location with friends and family, maybe to arrange an impromtu meeting. In addition, a mobile user can have an agent running on their mobile computer that will continuously query various “location servers” for places (and/or people) that would be of interest.
This is a huge area that we are exploring at my company, and I am convinced that Steve is heading in the right direction with his new venture!
Steve Wozniak Unveils Wireless Device Firm. With $6 million in seed money in hand, the Apple co-founder unveils wOz, a new consumer-oriented device venture. [Product News]
Old article with some good points …
This is actually a reference to an older iBM publication (November 1999), however it does contain some good points. There are two areas that I would argue.
First is the issue of special purpose computers for these types of applications. I would argue that this is a “scarcity” conversation, and suggests that general purpose computers and CPUs will not become just as small, lightweight, and powerful as other types of systems. I believe that general purpose computing platforms will continue to decrease in size and power requirements so that they will become the platform of choice for wearable computers.
The second area that I would debate is not that of the content of the applications described, but the platform that they will run on. In the examples given – paramedic and firefighter applications – I can see these as applications running on a general purpose computing platform, and general purpose OS.
With the increasing power of these platforms, and the general applicability of their software, there will be little reason to “minimize” the capabilities of the wearable computer.
Analyzing Application Requirements In Wearable Computer Interfaces [Nooface: In Search of the Post-PC Interface]
More on wearable computers and human integration …
This is a well written article, pointed to by SlashDot, that reviews the state of wearable computers and many of the I/O device possibilities. A good overview …
Continuous connectivity … even in the air …
As I continue to look at the ways that we will be “always connected to the net” I can see that the number of “gaps” in conmnectivity is constantly decreasing at an ever quickening rate. We are now going to have Internet connectivity while flying!
I have recently been leaving my laptop – equipped with an Orinoco/Lucent 802.11b wireless card – on all of the time. As I go from home, to various offices, and to friends houses, I am starting to observe the amount of connectivity that I have. And the “gaps” in my connectivity – the time that I am “off the net” – are getting smaller and smaller. I even noticed lately that it is becoming a “driveway to driveway” experience … I don’t lose my 802.11b access till I am driving on to my street, and I regain access in the parking lot of one of my clients!
With the purchase of my new generation of wearable computers I am looking at the new cellular data services to see how I can cheaply have “low speed” access almost all the time. What’s cool about this project at Boeing is that I’ll now be covered while traveling on the various airlines.
An always connected world is not too far away …
FCC Approves Airline Internet Service. The Federal Communications Commission has approved Boeing’s Connexion service, putting high-speed Internet at the fingertips of flying passengers one step closer to realization. [Product News]
802.11b Bundle includes VPN software …
This is a very interesting bundle, since it is one of the first that includes some VPN software to provide security over 802.11b WLANs.
VPNs are one of the best solutions for security in these scenarios, since they provide security of communications over ANY medium … both wired and wireless!
Palm Targets WLANs. Offers bundle with WLAN card [allNetDevices Wireless News]
Virtual Keyboards for data input …
These are two examples of the amazing leaps in technology in the area of man-machine interfaces. Both of these companies are using various techniques to detect the physical characteristics of the hand during typing. By detecting what your hands and fingers are doing, these devices can “guess” which keys you are typing!
I really have to say that I like the Senseboard better than the Samsung unit … but I’m going to guess that we will be seeing more and more of these types of devices being worn by the people around us!
PC World: Virtual Keyboards Let You Type in Air. Call it air guitar meets computer keyboard. Two firms here at Comdex, Samsung and Senseboard, are showing off gizmos that attach to your hands and track your finger movements so you can type without a keyboard to input data into a personal digital assistant or other handheld device. [Tomalak’s Realm]
Interesting “virus-free” Internet Cafe solution …
I was thinking of various solutions for securing Internet Cafe computers from viruses and trojan-horses. This is an issue for both the owner of the computer and the customer using it.
When a customer walks in to use the computer, they are expecting a system that is ready to use, and one that does not contain any viruses or software which might compromise their security. The issue is that viruses and trojan-horses can be installed by other customers – either by accident or by malicious intent.
What would happen, however, if I took my own operating system on my own CD-ROM into the cafe and booted it? I could then be reasonably assured that the entire computer would be running my OS and applications … on a storage medium that can not be infected. If my data is all stored out in the net, I would be able to access all of it.
Of course, this does not take into account the possibility of a ‘hacked’ keyboard or BIOS … but it’s getting much better!
Lnx Bootable Business Card 1.618 (development). A bootable rescue CD cut to the size and shape of a business card. [freshmeat.net]
Hot Spots vs. the Cellular Carriers … one possible scenario …
I was sitting here tonight reading, and started to wonder if the slow and limited data bandwidth that the cellular carriers are going to provide is simply going to be used to locate the next high-speed 802.11x Hot Spot that you’re going to use … 😉
WLAN Hotspots to Grow Fast: Report. Says handhelds will benefit most [allNetDevices Wireless News]