Mesh

Merak: San Francisco free WiFi

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

The promise and frustration of free municipal WiFi have kept hopeful fans of anywhere networked computing on an emotional roller coaster for over a year now. One of the most visible instances of disappointment has been found in the City by the Bay, as tech-savvy San Francisco's municipal WiFi plans waxed and waned. Now, though, Merak has committed to a citywide network based on a mesh of access points combining higher-power units based on municipal infrastructure with lower-power in-fill units that would be located on residential porches, balconies, and fence posts. The Apes are supposed to begin showing up soon, with a full roll-out by the end of the year. Keep your fingers crossed, San Franciscans.

For more on Merak's San Francisco WiFi:
- Read the complete account at CIO-Today

GPhone strategy to trump iPhone?

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:59:56 -0400

There are product strategies, and then there are product strategies. Apple, for instance, has always gone the high-tech, high-price route. While still wrapped in secrecy, there is an indication that the long-rumored Google phone will take another tack. Google recently bought Jaiku, a Scandinavian holder of important SMS patents and the industry rumor mill now has Google focusing on a low-cost, low-tech strategy for maximum market penetration. How will the Google Phone and Google's 700 MHz plans mesh? We don't know, but it will pay to keep an eye on the search behemoth and its wireless plans.

For more on a possible Google phone strategy:
- read the informed prognostication at NewsFactor

QUICKLINKS: Sun may whack GPS; RFID security concerns;

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 20:01:35 -0400

> Sun may whack GPS article

> Security concerns for RFID article

> LG goes native Google article

> Motorola mesh gear trade-in offer article

QUICKLINKS: A quick peek at the changing mobile device; The battle over the mobile market in Latin America; Much more...

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 19:01:35 -0500

The battle over the mobile market in Latin America. Article

IBM buys up wireless network monitoring software. Article

Why the Dash isn't as dashing as you might think. Article

BT and Motorola mesh when it comes to WiFi networks. Article

Symbian hits 100M mark. Article

How to make Bluetooth play well in the enterprise

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 19:01:38 -0500

Bluetooth technology arrived awhile ago, but there are still a few hurdles before IT leaders can cement it into today's enterprises. The main obstacle is the fact that the majority of Bluetooth products don't play well with other Bluetooth-enabled devices and add-ons. For IT support teams, it brings a complexity that may not yet be worth the time and trouble. Trying to mesh a Bluetooth enabled cell phone with a Bluetooth enabled PC may sound easy, but it's more than likely that it can't happen thanks to various protocol support issues. One successful approach is dumping any old Bluetooth capability and going with a new-fangled USB dongle, but if you're supporting a Windows environment beware that this will mean some heavy lifting as the Registry is altered with Windows support. As one expert notes, if you need to pull Bluetooth into the mix, find the most compatible dongle and make it your enterprise standard. Just be prepared to pull it out and plug in a new dongle as new technology evolves. Article

Attaining good wireless network service quality

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 20:01:36 -0400

Defining and achieving good quality of service (QoS) within a wireless network is a big task, especially in light of the move to mesh wireless communication with IP-based networking technologies. To get a good look at what's involved, the issues that might arise and how to improve QoS, check out this white paper over at TechRepublic. As the authors explain, IP-based network technology will be the "backbone of the next data generation network."

QUICKLINKS: Mobile network roaming comes to fruition in Australia; Spain's mesh wireless network takes flight at airports; Much

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 20:00:50 -0400

Mobile network roaming comes to fruition in Australia. Article

Spain's mesh wireless network takes flight at airports. Article

Vendor luring customers with low-cost wireless routers. Article

Spend on wireless infrastructure will increase steadily. Article

A Linux mobile platform and the impact on the handheld industry. Article

The real danger of cell phone use in stormy weather. Article

Voice over Internet Protocol is boosting customer service for food retailer. Article