Google Inc, the uncontested leader in Internet services
announced it has shipped its 5 millionth “free” computer, only 14
months after starting up the “Free Computer Program”. The Google
Product Manager, Pierre Lindsely, stated he is overwhelmed by the
success of his project and they are trying very hard to keep up
with demand.
People now have to wait more than three weeks to get their
“G-Tops”, as they have become known as, instead of the three days
when the program started. Pierre Lindsely: “People will wait for
anything if it’s free, so I am not worried that this will impact
the enthusiasm for this product. We are attracting some new
suppliers and we will see the waiting time decrease gradually.” The
free Google computers come with a free broadband connection that
connects only to Google WI-FI hubs (aka as G-Spots). (cont.)
Wouldn’t it be nice to have cheap, high-speed wifi blanketing
the entire United States? You’d be able to access the internet from
anywhere, which would allow you to stream entertainment during long
road trips, keep up-to-date on mass transit arrivals and
departures, fall back on google maps when you become lost, or just
not be tethered to an ethernet cord when you really just want to
watch your kids play in the backyard while doing a bit of
home-work.
Sound appealing? Google thinks so too. And they’ve proposed yet
another solution to make this high-speed internet dream a
reality.
Here’s the plan: The February 2009 conversion of all U.S.
televisions from analog to digital will free-up an extraordinary
amount of
white space (basically, gaps of bandwidth in the previously
saturated television spectrum), that could be used to project
wireless internet signals throughout every home in America
relatively risk-free.
Google’s ex parte filing with the FCC
states that “[t]he unique qualities of the TV white space – unused
spectrum, large amounts of bandwidth, and excellent propagation
characteristics – offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide
ubiquitous wireless broadband access to all Americans. In
particular, this spectrum can provide robust infrastructure to
serve the needs of underdeployed rural areas, as well as first
responders and others in the public safety community. Moreover, use
of this spectrum will enable much-needed competition to the
incumbent broadband service providers.”
Sound like a win-win for everyone. So what’s the problem? TV
broadcasters, wireless phone manufacturers, and even the
NFL are worried that utilizing this white
space will interfere with their programming, service or wireless
devices. Google argues that this would not be a problem due to
low-cost “spectrum sensing” which would prevent signals from being
crossed.
New
Scientist has posted a great vid detailing a major breakthrough
in wireless information transfer that could dramatically increase
download times and the overall speed of internet communication.
Using off the shelf components German researchers made the
first wireless video transmission in the terahertz range –
potentially 1000 times faster than existing wireless
technologies.
Such a breakthrough seems totally necessary if exponential
growth in technology and information is to continue, as those are
both dependent on faster human-to-human, human-to-machine and
machine-to-machine communication.
National Wi-Fi is a hot topic lately. We’ve recently reported on
Google’s plan to
make it happen and Intel’s new wi-fi platform.
Now, a new product has launched that may satisfy our need for
around the clock connectivity.
TapRoot
Systems announced it’s WalkingHotSpot software
yesterday, which offers a new way to get connected using your
handheld device. If you own a Wi-Fi and mobile broadband-enabled
cellphone, the software turns it into a Wi-Fi router, effectively
transforming your phone into a hotspot.
There are a few kinks to be worked out before this can be widely
adopted. The service will be sold to carriers, not directly to
consumers, so we’ll have to wait and see who picks it up. Also,
only phones based on AT&T Wireless’ service would allow
internet access and phone calls to be made simultaneously. To
narrow it further, only phones using Symbian S60 or Windows Mobile operating systems are currently
supported.
Tired of those boring, cramped 4-hour flights? Wish you could be
more productive or at least distracted? You’ll be glad to know that
the in-flight internet connections that have been hyped over the
past year are finally on the verge of reality.
Several companies are locked in a race to be first to offer
the service with airlines. In a matter of months, we’ll be able to
surf the web from land or sky.
Panasonic
Avionics is on the verge of penning a deal with a
yet-to-be-disclosed airline to offer wireless service via
satellite. Their rates are a bit steep at $5.95 per half-hour of
access, but because they connect to satellites instead of towers on
the ground, internet would be available during trips across the
ocean.
Several companies are locked in a race to be first to offer
the service with airlines. In a matter of months, we’ll be able to
surf the web from land or sky.