wireless industry

iPhone reality sets in

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 20:01:36 -0400

Now that the initial iPhone hysteria has died down, analysts and IT professionals can take a more measured look at the Apple phone, and can think about the long-term impact of the newest smartphone. One of the things that is becoming increasingly clear is that the impact that the iPhone will have on the telecom industry is very real. Other questions have yet to be answered: Is the iPhone a legitimate enterprise device? The rapid release of mobile clients for NetSuite and Exchange seem to argue that it is. How will the iPhone drive the development of alternative devices? As those devices are developed, will they include Microsoft's Windows Mobile or another operating system? Regardless of the direction the answers to these questions take, it's quite clear that the iPhone's introduction will be considered a pivotal event in the history of the wireless industry.

For more on the iPhone's impact:
- read the analysis at Wireless Week

Ready for PAN

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 20:01:39 -0400

While the consumer wireless world waits for the iPhone, many sections of the wireless industry aren't waiting for anything. Nokia's Wibree, when considered along with Zigbee and Bluetooth, provides the overall foundation for a real revolution in personal area networks (PANs)--a network that connects all the devices we carry and the accessories that let us use those devices. In the same way that the Department of Energy is using a wireless network to protect a national lab campus, the PAN will enable security and productivity applications that we haven't yet considered. It's an exciting time to be looking at the wireless market--and the perfect time to be making sure that policies and procedures are ready to take the technologies yet to come into account. -Curtis

Editor's Corner

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:01:39 -0500

A lovely time in Barcelona
The wireless industry is making its way back home from the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona with plenty to think about on the long flight. Device manufacturers were out in force with demonstrations of new phones, new platforms, and new features. Carriers were moving at the same speed, singing the same song, as new services were debuted. At the same time, a survey shows that users really want great coverage, superb connection quality, and someone to explain just what all the buttons, joysticks, and icons do. Feature check-lists are an easy way for vendors and carriers to compete, but beyond a certain point (a point we may have reached) they do more for the vendor's marketing department than they do for customers. Listen carefully when you talk to your users and take heed. -Curtis

Keeping on top of all the buzzwords

Sun, 04 Dec 2005 19:01:36 -0500

The wireless industry, like most IT sectors, has given birth to more than a few acronyms and buzzwords, and the list just keeps growing. Here's a handy rundown of words and definitions, as well as a good checklist about wireless networking that you can share among IT and enthusiastic WiFi advocates in your enterprise. The site also offers up answers on several top questions related to wireless, such as the biggest mistake companies make when it comes to deployment.