TekTidbits

Google Goes Wireless

We live in a Google world, or so it seems.  Today, the Mountain View giant announced that it is joining in on the bidding for the 700 MHz spectrum along with many of the service providers.  Hmmm - will this pit Google against the Sprints and Verizons of the world?  Most certainly, but do they care?  Certainly not. 

Google is expected to bid on Monday, along with AT&T and Verizon Wireless.  If they are successful, Google can start and operate a complete wireless network service.  This definitely trumps the news of a Google phone.   

A New Comparison Shopping Site - Just in Time for the Holidays

The holidays are upon us, and it pays to comparison shop!  A new comparison site, which appears to be designed mainly for UK shoppers, is Save Buckets.  This appears to be a great place to find an mp3 player, and allows the viewer to search ALL stores, or only by stores they are familiar with.

You can sort by best price or by name, and the site had more MP3 player name brands than I had ever heard of before!  I also thought they featured quite a few iPods and accessories. 

A new way of comparison shopping is featured by Save Buckets; you can enter the maximum price you are willing to pay, called "My Price", and your email address into the site.  The engine will then do a search and email you if your price is found.  This is a unique and useful feature, and appears to be taken from the popular Priceline.com site concept.   

We are all looking for a way to save a few bucks this holiday season - here is a way to Save Buckets!

[Paid post for Smorty.com]

Use Peer-to-Peer Networks to Download Music in France, Lose Your Internet Access!

A new strict antipiracy law was unveiled Friday in France that could mean many closed Internet accounts for those who download music illegally.  This plan, drawn up by the Chief Executive of FNAC, one of France's largest music and bookstores, was developed in conjunction with government officials and service providers. 

Under this plan, service providers will begin issuing warning to illegal peer-to-peer music network users.  If they ignore the warnings, their service could be suspended or deleted altogether. 

This is the world's toughest move so far to stop music piracy - and may set a world precedent. 

I am not sure this is the right way to address this issue - it seems incredibly harsh!  What do you all think?

LCDs in Short Supply? Samsung to the Rescue

South Korean electronics giant Samsung Electronics has just announced plans to invest $2.2B in the expansion of its LCD manufacturing 8th generation line.  Although the company has collaborated on LCD production with Sony in the past, this announcement states that Samsung is investing on its own.

LCD shortages have hampered the introduction and development of new handheld devices, and demand is increasing.  This looks like a good, and timely move by Samsung.

Happy Turkey Day Everyone!!!

This is a wonderful time of year, and before you start dreaming of all the new electronics gadgets you will get for Christmas, it is time to give thanks.  This year, I am thankful for many things:

1) The opportunity to work for a great wireless company like Wi2Wi!

2) All the life-changing possibilities that new technology has brought us this year,and will continue to bring.

3) The iPhone for all the great journalistic opportunities it has given us!

4) All the wonderful engineers in the Valley who work so hard to actually make this stuff work.

AND

5) My family and friends for putting up with my gadget addictions and incessant blogging.

Happy Turkey Day Everyone!!

The Social Impact of the Internet -A Great Elder Care Resource

Lately there has been a lot of bad press about how the Internet has impacted our lives.  I say it has also impacted our lives in many positive ways. One great example is the ease at which families of the elderly or the elderly themselves can find information about care homes, health and exercise tips, and overall care and financial options.

Bettercaring is a great UK based site with an easy-to-navigate site with lots of information regarding elder care.  There is a discussion section also, so visitors can discuss their personal experiences with care both positive and negative.

There is a care home search function, a news section regarding care, and a healthy living function that today features a very well done article on Tai Chi.   

The Internet is a tool - one that can be used for good or ill.  The team at Bettercaring is helping to make the social impact of the Internet a positive one.   

Enter the Lantronix MatchPort Design Contest - Win $6K

Lantronix is now running their annual MatchPort™ b/g design contest, with categories for student and professional designers.  MatchPort™ b/g is an embedded wireless device server with two serial ports, a full TCP/IP stack, tons of security, and full FCC certification.

According to contest rules, entrants receive a reduced price on the Lantronix development kit and sample.   

Last years winners include an embedded system implemented in an FPGA that is used by a trucking company to acquire objective data on driver's behavior to improve training and fuel efficiency, a WiFi enabled alarm clock, and a WiFi enabled aquarium. 

This would be fun to enter - but I think I am not eligible given that I work for a WiFi company!

Now, Gamers Can Experience the Action From a Chair Made for Gaming

Ultimate Game Chair has released the Renegade, a chair equipped with headrest mounted stereo speakers, 12 vibration motors synchronized with gaming action, and under the seat "ground-effect" lighting. 

This chair is released to retail stores today, and retails for about $299 in stores.   

The Renegade is compatible with most gaming systems, including PS III, the Wii, and the Xbox and helps make your gaming experience more like reality.

These would make great Christmas gifts.

Now, Men Can Get Directions Without Letting Their Wives Know

Google has announced that it is bringing its famous map function to a gas pump near you.  That means that all you males out there (and I must admit that even though I am female, I have trouble asking for directions in front of anyone) can get directions without embarrassment. 

Just tell your significant other you need to stop for gas, punch in the address, and voila - there it is!

A new partnership between Google and gas pump maker Veeder-Root will soon make printed directions possible from many pumps around the US.   

Just act like you had the Google print out all the time, and they will never know the difference.   

Sprint Drops Clearwire Relationship - Scales Back WiMax Plans

WiMax is heralded as the next greatest thing since sliced bread - and why not?  It is faster, longer distance, and consumes less power.  But it does require a hefty infrastructure, which is what Sprint plans to bring to the party.

Sprint and Clearwire inked an agreement in July that provided for sharing the costs of reaching 100M WiMax subscribers in 2008.  Sprint cited differences in the partnership that just couldn't be resolved - causing Clearwire stock to drop by 17% in today's trading so far.

Sprint is also under pressure to review its business plan and scale back on the aggressive $5B plan to roll out WiMax completely by 2010.

Sprint has lost 37% share value since buying Nextel, probably because the service level and quality of Nextel dropped dramatically after the purchase according to many.  The company is under considerable pressure to reduce costs, and innovate at the same time.

Public statements have been made reaffirming Sprint's commitment to WiMax.  Sprint desperately needs a differentiator and new service model -let's hope the powers that be continue to see the big picture and don't sacrifice the future for today's balance sheet.