I don't dare envisioning the days of the Jetsons. I doubt we'll see flying cars in cities that float on anti-grav, you know, stuff. However, I do see robots doing chores around the house and I certainly hope Roomba or somebody else is working on that.
But closer to the present day, I do envision a day when white spaces, a true open 700Mhz network (hear that, Verizon?), or a national wireless network that allows us to be freed of the shackles the wireless providers, self-appointed gatekeepers, placed on us.
Right now, there are a lot of limitations with respects to the wireless networks, what you can do on those networks, and how much of it you can use. Earlier this week, I blasted ATT once again for trying to tell iPhone users what they can or cannot do. The same situation goes for Verizon only that the increasing number of app stores, changes in the mobile habits of their subscribers, and presence of new technologies and players like Apple has forced our wireless jailers begrudgingly adopt some changes to their business models.
However, you might say that well, you have the option to not get wireless services and stick with landline Internet or cable access. While that may be true, it is an option that I cannot afford. Certainly not in the monetary sense but as society becomes increasingly mobile, certainly, a professional these days cannot afford not to be tethered to the Internet for too long a period in a given work day. Hence, the term "crackberry" if you recall.
So many issues comes to mind. How fast is society change with respects to mobile computing and wireless Internet uses? Is is society that is pushing wireless innovations or are these innovations changing how we do things and freeing us from offices and offices and allowing us to enjoy the freedom of working and playing wherever we want?
Another issue that comes to mind is the hardware. You've heard of smartphones. Devices like the ubiquitous Blackberry. That's what I consider to be a smartphone. But then there are also devices like the iPhone that I hesitate to call a "smartphone" but rather think of it as a mobile computing device that fits in the palm of your hand that happens to make phone calls. Going back, the Treo is closer to the iPhone than the Blackberry as the Palm OS first existed as a computing platform before telephony functions were added.
However, this smartphone or mobile device debate will not matter too much soon as more true mobile platforms emerge. You've likely heard of Google's Android that has so far existed on the G1. Let's not forget the Windows Mobile platform. Like Palm, it was a mobile computing platform that had telephony services added.
And that is where Blackberry OS and Symbian will be headed. Soon, every mobile hardware company out there will have true mobile platforms that serve as the backbones of mobile devices that happens to make calls.
Let's assume you agree with me. Where does this stand with the not-so-benevolent gatekeepers? Certainly, losing that $65 and above a month portion of their cell phone portion of the bill wouldn't sit well with their shareholders.
And that is just one of the fears they have as a number of mobile users begin to evolve their mobile behaviors and use less of the telephone function. It's why texting is a $6 billion a year business in the US that the wireless providers will fight tooth and nail to protect. It's why ATT has restricted Skype app on the iPhone to Wi-Fi use only and not over their 3G network. ATT would sooner admit to their 3G network deficiency as the reason for the restriction than admitting that they've got no answer to VOIP.
So sitting in an area of a mall with Wi-Fi access, I longed to be able to not have to consider if there is Wi-Fi access wherever I want to go to relax and do some a little work. I'm good at Starbucks because off ATT's hotspots but no go at Borders where they only have T-Mobile's hotspots. I'm good at some malls but the open network does prevent me from doing my bills online or checking my e-mails.
One day, those worries will be gone. Wether it'll be the Zune phone, iPhones, iPod Touches, tablets based on WM or WebOS, mobile users will be able to use their devices to connect wirelessly to the Internet and make VOIP calls and gatekeepers will not be able to do anything about it.
But closer to the present day, I do envision a day when white spaces, a true open 700Mhz network (hear that, Verizon?), or a national wireless network that allows us to be freed of the shackles the wireless providers, self-appointed gatekeepers, placed on us.
Right now, there are a lot of limitations with respects to the wireless networks, what you can do on those networks, and how much of it you can use. Earlier this week, I blasted ATT once again for trying to tell iPhone users what they can or cannot do. The same situation goes for Verizon only that the increasing number of app stores, changes in the mobile habits of their subscribers, and presence of new technologies and players like Apple has forced our wireless jailers begrudgingly adopt some changes to their business models.
However, you might say that well, you have the option to not get wireless services and stick with landline Internet or cable access. While that may be true, it is an option that I cannot afford. Certainly not in the monetary sense but as society becomes increasingly mobile, certainly, a professional these days cannot afford not to be tethered to the Internet for too long a period in a given work day. Hence, the term "crackberry" if you recall.
So many issues comes to mind. How fast is society change with respects to mobile computing and wireless Internet uses? Is is society that is pushing wireless innovations or are these innovations changing how we do things and freeing us from offices and offices and allowing us to enjoy the freedom of working and playing wherever we want?
Another issue that comes to mind is the hardware. You've heard of smartphones. Devices like the ubiquitous Blackberry. That's what I consider to be a smartphone. But then there are also devices like the iPhone that I hesitate to call a "smartphone" but rather think of it as a mobile computing device that fits in the palm of your hand that happens to make phone calls. Going back, the Treo is closer to the iPhone than the Blackberry as the Palm OS first existed as a computing platform before telephony functions were added.
However, this smartphone or mobile device debate will not matter too much soon as more true mobile platforms emerge. You've likely heard of Google's Android that has so far existed on the G1. Let's not forget the Windows Mobile platform. Like Palm, it was a mobile computing platform that had telephony services added.
And that is where Blackberry OS and Symbian will be headed. Soon, every mobile hardware company out there will have true mobile platforms that serve as the backbones of mobile devices that happens to make calls.
Let's assume you agree with me. Where does this stand with the not-so-benevolent gatekeepers? Certainly, losing that $65 and above a month portion of their cell phone portion of the bill wouldn't sit well with their shareholders.
And that is just one of the fears they have as a number of mobile users begin to evolve their mobile behaviors and use less of the telephone function. It's why texting is a $6 billion a year business in the US that the wireless providers will fight tooth and nail to protect. It's why ATT has restricted Skype app on the iPhone to Wi-Fi use only and not over their 3G network. ATT would sooner admit to their 3G network deficiency as the reason for the restriction than admitting that they've got no answer to VOIP.
So sitting in an area of a mall with Wi-Fi access, I longed to be able to not have to consider if there is Wi-Fi access wherever I want to go to relax and do some a little work. I'm good at Starbucks because off ATT's hotspots but no go at Borders where they only have T-Mobile's hotspots. I'm good at some malls but the open network does prevent me from doing my bills online or checking my e-mails.
One day, those worries will be gone. Wether it'll be the Zune phone, iPhones, iPod Touches, tablets based on WM or WebOS, mobile users will be able to use their devices to connect wirelessly to the Internet and make VOIP calls and gatekeepers will not be able to do anything about it.
The key question is how we get there. Honestly, I have no answer. We had not been going through a global recession, wars, fixing a failing healthcare system in the United States, I think the Obama administration might be able to turn their attentions to issues such as this one. Nevertheless, I remain hopeful.
It's my belief that the wireless providers will face stiff competition. The competition between WiMax, LTE, and 3G networks will go on for many years as the wireless providers battle one another for shrinking pool of available users. New wireless technologies will also emerge to empower users.
In fact, I'm happy to say that Dell, Google, and Microsoft are moving forward in the white spaces area and hope to have a database framework for consumer devices in months - a database that will allay fears of interference.
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