Wireless Muse: Reiter's Wireless Internet Weblog

On the way to CTIA Wireless 2008 in Las Vegas

I'm heading to the CTIA's Wireless 2008 conference and exhibition in Las Vegas (see above).  Despite misgivings about the economy, it should be a fascinating show that will highlight the continuing vibrancy and diversity of the wireless ecosystem.

Some of the major subjects of the conference will be the effects of so-called "open" cellular networks, making money with multimedia (music, videos and mobile TV), moving ahead with mobile advertising, the ramifications of the Apple iPhone, the development of 4G networks (cellular and WiMAX) and wireless security.

I'm booked for numerous briefings, receptions and dinners, and I also must find time to attend some of the panels and walk the huge exhibit hall.  I've got much to accomplish and not enough time!

My "Internet Evolution" column: What's the truth about municipal WiFi?

It hasn’t been a good 12 months for the proponents of municipal WiFi.  Many publications are writing about the “death” or, at least, the failure of many municipal WiFi efforts.

Earthlink’s abandonment of the business — for which it created a specific venture and won multiple city contracts — has helped to spark the large number of articles.  It’s a complicated issue, and there isn’t one specific reason why large-scale WiFi systems have had problems.

I wrote about the problems in my weekly mobile communications column for CMP’s “Internet Evolution” Web site (see below).  Municipal WiFi systems have had to face such challenges as cost overruns, in-building penetration, underestimating the number of hotspots required and trying to satisfy too many target markets.

However, this isn’t the end of WiFi for cities.  There are potential opportunities in smaller cities, for vertical market applications and also as a component of other telecommunications networks.

For more information, check out my column, including some of the interesting links to other articles provided in the comments.

My cellular medical monitoring article -- more prescient than I thought? Apple's fitness patents

Earlier this month I wrote my weekly CMP “Internet Evolution” column about the development of medical monitoring products and services for cellular.  Perhaps I was a bit more prescient than I thought because Apple might be developing something a bit similar.

According to AppleInsider, Apple is developing a variety of products for fitness/health uses, including medical monitoring.  The publication has posted about 20 photocopies of potential features, with multiple screen shots (see below). 

The article says, “A series of patent filings discovered by AppleInsider this week provides an overview of four distinct components that will comprise the system, including an iTunes-like software application, hardware-based heart rate and physiological sensors, a rewards tracker, and a component to facilitate synchronous group activities.

“Akin to a more advanced version of the company's Nike + iPod sport kit, the companion system would utilize a new software application for Macs and Windows PCs that would serve to ‘interview’ the user via a series of dialogs.”

Nokia’s efforts

Nokia is arguably the most innovative cellular phone manufacturers and conducts a tremendous amount of research.  It has debuted a beta version of a health application, Sports Tracker, for keeping records of workouts (see below).

Sports Tracker works with GPS devices to plot the location of jogging and walking.  The software is compatible with many Nokia Nseries and Eseries handsets as well as other models, such as the new N82, which I discussed in my camera phone weblog.

(As I was researching the Sports Tracker, I came across an interesting post from Jenifer Hanen, a Web designer and blogger who takes lots of photos with Nokia phones, including the N82 and N95.  She writes how the Sport Tracker could be used as a camera phone photo application with GPS tracking.)

Verizon Wireless discusses "open network" requirements for developers, vendors

Verizon Wireless this morning is holding an “open development” meeting with manufacturers and developers in New York to discuss the requirements for certifying cellular phones for Verizon’s new “open network” service.  Verizon has an “open development” Web site (see below).

The Wall Street Journal reports handset manufacturers may either buy airtime minutes and data usage at wholesale prices and sell them to consumers along with phones or have consumers purchase just the phones and deal with Verizon for the airtime/data plan.  Verizon won’t sell these phones, but manufacturers may sell them any way they want, such as online and in retail stores.

CNET News reports consumers “will be able to choose from Verizon's existing rate plans.”  That’s a bit of a surprise.  I thought the airtime/data prices would be more expensive.

Consumers with these “open network” phones would deal with Verizon online, not in stores, to activate the phone, obtain billing information and receive support.  Verizon will offer a “limited” toll-free 800 number, although the WSJ doesn’t report what “limited” entails.

No Verizon contracts

Subscribers will not have to sign two-year contracts with Verizon, but this means the phones could be considerably more expensive without Verizon’s handset subsidy.  For example, Nokia sells a variety of unlocked GSM phones at its two retail stores (New York and Chicago) as well as online, but they are much more expensive than if offered by a cellular operator.

However, some manufacturers might be able to offer inexpensive phones, based on volume.  Top-brand vendors as well as lesser known vendors are developing a variety of low-cost phones for developing nations.  Perhaps such inexpensive products would appeal to people who want Verizon’s network and don’t care about advanced features.

Verizon continues to say that consumers may download any application onto these “open network” phones.  This approach offers fascinating possibilities.

Update (3/24/08):  I discuss those "fascinating possibilities" in my latest CMP "Internet Evolution" column about Verizon's open network conference.

Asus Eee PC 701: First impressions - Everything's fine except keyboard, touchpad

This afternoon I received my Asus Eee PC 701 (see below; BlackBerry Curve 8320 photo).  Although there are so many reviews and discussions about this subnotebook, I’m adding my initial impressions after using it for about an hour.

I read so many reviews about the Eee PC before I ordered and received it that there aren’t any surprises.  Although I have only spent an hour with it, I’ve used so many computers (desktops, laptops, subnotebooks) that an hour is fine for me to have a good idea about what I like and dislike.

I got the $400 “4G” version.  No, that has nothing to do with cellular.  It means it has 512 MB of RAM, a 4 GB Solid State Disk (SSD) and a built in video camera.

What I like

1.  Nicely constructed.  Feels solid and sturdy and looks good — not at all cheap.

2.  The seven-inch screen is fine.  Bright enough.  Sure, the relatively low resolution of 800 x 480 means I have to sometimes scroll to see entire Web pages, but that doesn’t bother me.

3.  It connected very quickly to my WiFi router and the signal remained strong and fast.

4.  I’m a keyboard fanatic and the keys feel good.  The tactile feedback is fine.  However, more about the keyboard in the next section.

5.  The Linux-based OS and bundled applications software are fine.  With OpenOffice, Firefox, Gmail, etc., I have no problems using the Eee PC for most, if not all, of what I typically do with a computer.  Also, I’m a fan of using “the cloud” for many applications, as I’ve written.

6.  The speakers, albeit tiny, are better than the crappy speaker on my much more expensive and larger IBM/Lenovo X41 Tablet PC.  I was listening to music from Pandora while several Firefox windows were displayed, and the music sounded just fine. (I really like Pandora.)

7.  The charger is, as others have written, closer in size to a cellular phone charger than the typical large, heavy power brick of laptop computers.  Also, the prongs fold into the charger so they don’t stick out when traveling.

8.  When I plugged my Microsoft wireless optical mouse transceiver into a USB port (see the photo), the Eee PC immediately recognized it.  I use the Microsoft mouse for another computer, so I might get a Logitech wireless mouse that seems to have received good reviews.

What I don’t like

There are many more things about a Eee PC that I like than I don’t like.  However, one or two of the “don’t likes” might cause me to return the computer.  As with the “likes,” I had read about the dislikes in the reviews and user comments, but there’s no substitute for spending time using the computer.

1.  The touchpad is small, but that’s not a problem for me.  However, I really dislike the responsiveness — or lack thereof — of the single, silver mouse button bar directly below the touchpad, as you may see in the photo.  The mouse bar is narrow, of course, but the main problem is it’s really stiff and difficult to press.

However, this isn’t too much of a problem because I can use a travel mouse.  Carrying a mouse is a bit of a pain because it’s an extra device to carry, but it isn’t a big deal.  I can live with it, and the Microsoft mouse I plugged in works well.

2.  The keyboard’s space bar isn’t as responsive as I’d like.  I seem to have to hit it harder and perhaps more in the center that I’d prefer.  I have been running words together when I type because the space bar isn’t recognizing my touch.

Perhaps I could get used to that.  All the other keys seem to be sufficiently responsive.

3.  The keyboard is cramped and I make many more mistakes than when using a full sized keyboard.  Of course I knew it was a small keyboard, but I needed to test it.  I need to spend more time using it to see whether it’s acceptable.

The right shift key is small — the same size as the other letter keys — and it’s more difficult to hit than the larger left shift key.  I knew about this, too, and I think I can get used to it.

I don’t have huge hands, but I found my fingers were getting a bit cramped when typing.  However, I found that that when I sat at desk using a chair that was the proper height, it was much much.

3.  Wireless modems require hacking the Linux OS or installing Windows XP (Asus includes drivers for XP).  As a wireless data consultant I test a variety of tethered handsets and standalone cellular modems.  Again, I knew all about this and I certainly can install a copy of Windows XP that I already own.

Perhaps I shouldn’t even place this in the “don’t like” section because installing XP should eliminate the need to hack Linux to recognize the modems; all manufacturers include drivers for XP.

Return for updated model, new manufacturer?

Some time between April and this summer, Asus is slated to offer the Eee PC 900 that features an 8.9–inch screen at a resolution of 1024 x 600, either Linux or Windows XP installed, more RAM and a larger SSD.  Again, I’ve read and seen a lot about this.   The jkkmobile video notes the touchpad and mouse bar are slightly larger, and the mouse bar might be more responsive.

Those certainly are significant upgrades.  However, the keyboard is basically the same size.  So if I can’t get used to my Eee PC’s keyboard, the 900 isn’t going to make a difference.

By this summer, supposedly, HP will be introducing its Eee PC “killer” — the 2133 (see left).  If the rumors are correct, the 2133 will feature a keyboard that is 95 percent of “normal” for a laptop.  The HP subnotebook will weigh a few more ounces (2.5 pounds) than the two-pound Eee PC or the two-pound-plus (I haven’t seen the exact weight) of the Eee PC 900.  Also, the 2133 is expected to be more powerful.

Looking at competitors

I don’t need a more powerful subnotebook than the Eee PC.  But a larger keyboard would be a huge advantage — perhaps the deciding factor — assuming the 2133 isn’t heavier than 2.5 pounds.  For me, once a notebook computer gets close to three pounds, it’s no longer a take-without-thinking-about product.

I really want to like the 4G.  I might take it to the CTIA’s Wireless 2008 conference in Las Vegas next month, which is a major reason I purchased it now rather than waiting for the 900.

But if I can’t type fast enough on the keyboard without making too many mistakes, I’m going to return it to Costco — that has a 90–day return policy (that’s reason I bought it there!).  I’ll wait to see what HP and any other competitors have to offer.

Apple creates "killer" Internet software sales ecosystem with superior ease-of-use, distribution

Apple’s public announcement on March 6 to allow developers to write applications directly for the iPhone and iPod touch, rather than just as Web-based apps, will be a very big deal.

In fact, I believe Apple is creating a “killer” ecosystem of easy-to-use hardware and mobile software downloading that will result in iPhone users downloading more software, per-person, than any other single cellular phone.

I discussed “Apple’s Amazing Mobile, Internet Sales Ecosystem” in my most recent “Thinkernet” column for “Internet Evolution” (see below).

"Internet 'Addiction' Is Good for You" generates most comments on "Internet Evolution"

Wow — my most recent “Thinkernet” column on CMP’s “Internet Evolution” site (see below) has generated more comments than any other column published on that site.  There were 54 comments (including my replies), compared to the second highest number of comments, 39.

Perhaps it has something to do with the headline I wrote and the subject:  “Internet ‘Addiction’ Is Good for You.”  It seems that lots of people don’t think the ability to access the Internet 24 hours a day is a good thing.

They are wrong.  Read my column to find out why!

Apple iPhone needs new package for typing, mobile computing

Now that Apple has proclaimed its intention to get its iPhone into the enterprise (see above), the company needs to offer a hardware/software package that provides a much better typing and document management experience.

Despite the fulsome crowing of Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs and other Apple executives about the wonderfulness of the iPhone’s virtual keyboard, it’s not that good, even with the predictive text. 

Instead of trying to compare the keyboard in a more favorable light to Research in Motion’s BlackBerry keyboard (see below) — which is a joke if you’ve ever used the superior BlackBerry physical keyboard — Apple ought to transform the iPhone into a significantly better portable computing device for enterprise users.

Based on the state of technology, the iPhone’s virtual keyboard will remain inferior to good physical keyboards on cellular phones.  Also, the iPhone’s current lack of good business software, especially office suite software, is a big problem.

Creating a great MID

I believe the iPhone can be one of the best so-called “Mobile Internet Devices” (MIDs) without a great deal of effort.  Today’s MIDs are computing devices — either without keyboards or with keyboards that are small, cramped and difficult to type on. 

Here’s what Apple needs in order to blow these MIDs out of the water:

1.  End the iPhone’s crippled Bluetooth profiles (and people complained about Verizon Wireless crippling Bluetooth functionality in its phones!) so they support, among other things, external keyboards.

2.  Offer a great office suite for the iPhone — at least Apple’s iWork ‘08 and, preferably, Microsoft’s Office 2008 for Mac.

3.  Take advantage of Apple’s brilliant industrial design capabilities to develop the best Bluetooth portable folding keyboard.

4.  Again taking advantage of its design expertise — create a beautiful and functional carrying case for the iPhone + keyboard, including the ability to prop up the iPhone.

5.  Then, sell this hardware/software combination as a brilliant mobile computing solution:  Prop up the iPhone in its carrying case, unfold and pair the keyboard to the iPhone, launch the office suite and you’ve got a great lightweight (under two pounds) package for typing long documents, creating spreadsheets, entering long e-mail messages, etc.

One more thing….

And while Apple is enabling the iPhone’s Bluetooth profile for external keyboards, it should also enable it for tethering as a modem.  I assume AT&T would demand users pay an extra fee for the modem function.

Many business users would love to use the iPhone as a modem with their laptop computers, especially once the pokey EDGE phone is replaced later this year with a 3G (HSDPA) version. 

I sometimes use BlackBerry EDGE phones on T-Mobile, connected to my laptop via a cable.  EDGE is okay for downloading most e-mail and browsing most Web pages.  It’s far inferior to 3G or WiFi, but good enough when they — or an Ethernet connection — aren’t available.

I prefer to use either a regular 3G data modem, preferably Sprint or Verizon CDMA Rev. A because it’s much faster and more reliable than AT&T’s current HSDPA implementation.  Or, I’ll connect a phone as a modem with a cable rather than using Bluetooth because it’s typically easier, faster and more reliable.

Cellular phones for personal medical monitoring on the way

One of the most interesting and useful cellular phone applications — that’s still very esoteric — is medical monitoring.  Imagine using a cellular phone to measure your blood pressure, heart rate, glucose levels, temperature and other medical/wellness parameters.

This is under development right now.  Some medical monitors will be built into handsets while others will be standalone devices that will wirelessly connect to phones.

Some of the biggest names in technology — Microsoft, Google and Qualcomm — are involved in the medical field for wireless, record-keeping and cellular networking.  In my latest weekly mobile communications column for CMP’s “Thinkernet” section on its “Internet Evolution” Web site, I write about the tremendous potential — and potential problems — of medical monitoring via cellular phones (see below).

I also write about a semi-stealth company, Fullpower Technologies, that’s headed by one of the most well known entrepreneurs in computer and mobile technology, Philippe Kahn.  You might remember Philippe as one of the founders of the camera phone platform company, LightSurf Technologies (sold to VeriSign), and the mobile/computer software synchronization company, Starfish Software (sold to Motorola).

And if you’re “of a certain age,” you might remember him as a founder of the computer languages and applications company, Borland International.  I loved Borland’s “Sidekick” personal information manager software.

Mobile medical monitoring will offer numerous benefits, but there also are significant pitfalls.  It’s a very complicated subject.  I suspect we’ll begin to see more of these devices in a year or two.

Expensive keyboard-based MIDs likely to fail

I really hate to be negative about the new crop of MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices) that are designed to fit in your pocket (a big pocket) or a small purse or carrying case because I’d love them to succeed. 

I’d love to find a carry-around-all-the-time device for browsing the Web and entering text for long blog posts and documents, but I don’t think the current crop of MIDs are likely to succeed.  And the devices now being displayed at CeBIT in Hanover, Germany aren’t changing my mind, even though they certainly have value.

I discussed MIDs in one of my weekly CMP “Internet Evolution” columns.  I said MIDs probably will be squeezed out of the market on one end by smartphones that are incorporating many more features and on the other end by new extremely lightweight and inexpensive subnotebook computers.

The Gigabyte M528 unveiled

The Gigabyte M528, by the Taiwanese company Gigabyte is, unfortunately, a prime example of a device that’s poised to fail.  The UMPC Portal and jkkmobile conducted an interview with a Gigabyte representative who demonstrated the device at CeBIT (see below).

On the surface, it seems as if it would be a huge success because for such a small, portable device it’s packed with features.  The slider form factor offers a physical keyboard and a touch screen.  It incorporates HSDPA, WiFi and Bluetooth for connectivity and GPS.

The M528 uses the Ubuntu operating system and the new Intel Centrino Atom microprocessor that’s designed to maximize battery life and provide snappy performance for these types of devices.  The M528 operates at 800 MHz with 512 MB of RAM and a 4 GB SSD (Solid State Drive) for storage.

The device uses a beta version of Ubuntu Mobile.  It also includes a three megapixel camera with auto-focus on the back and a low resolution camera for video calls on the front.  In addition, it incorporates an SD card slot and two USB ports.

What’s the problem?

It seems like a great do-everything device.  However, there at least two major problems.

1.  The slide-out keyboard looks awful.  I have not tried it, but I have used several MID keyboards that are of a similar size.  They are all too small for touch typing, too shallow for much keyboard feel and too large to work as a “thumb” keyboard, the way the Research in Motion BlackBerry devices function, for example.

In other words, all these MIDs with slide-out keyboards are adding weight, bulk and expense without offering a good keyboard experience.  They might as well just use a virtual keyboard on the touch display where the keys would actually be larger than on the physical keyboard.  (Some MIDs do offer just the on-screen virtual keyboards.)

2.  The prices for many of these MIDs are ridiculous.  The tentative price for the M528 is 700 euros ($1,064).  Certainly the M528 crams a great deal of functionality into a small device, and you have to pay for miniaturization.

But more than a thousand dollars?  That’s insane.  It’s a non-starter.

Reducing the cost?

Too be fair, the Gigabyte spokeswoman who was interviewed in the video said it was just the initial price, that could be changed based on market conditions.  Also, there are two other price considerations:

1.  700 euros includes the European VAT, so perhaps it would cost only, say, 550 euros or 600 euros without the tax

2.  The M528 functions as a cellular phone, so if cellular operators sell it, the price could be subsidized.  However, like the HTC Advantage, using the M528 as a phone is rather awkward, although a Bluetooth headset certainly would facilitate calling.

Two great tech bloggers, James Kendrick of jkOntheRun and Matt Miller of The Mobile Gadgeteer, love the Advantage.  But they afford these type of devices -- and many more -- as well as being uber gadget lovers.  They are not mainstream or even modest tech users.

Keyboard's advantages

The folks at UMPC Portal/jkkmobile really like the M528.  In their podcast, they say it's their favorite device at CeBIT, although they admit it's just the first day of the show!

They like the rubberized-like keyboard that has raised keys to facilitate typing.  They say the keyboard is much better than Nokia's N810 Internet Tablet (see below), that I discussed in a previous weblog article where I used it during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The M528 looks similar to the N810, with a slide-out keyboard and touch screen, although it's more powerful in many ways.  The UMPC/jkkmobile guys say the M528 will "kill" the N810 because of the former's superior capabilities.

Much better alternatives

I’m sorry, but these type of devices aren’t going to fly, except for a small percentage of geeks and early adopters with disposable income.  Success is not dependent upon cramming in as many features as possible! 

The majority of people who want wireless connectivity combined with Internet and multimedia functionality will use a feature-rich cellular phone -- that is easier to use as a phone than the M528 -- and smaller, and every month brings more phone models.

Or, people who are willing to carry a larger device could use one of the new subnotebook computers, such as the current Asus Eee PC 701 with its 7–inch screen or the Asus 900 with an 8.9–inch screen that’s slated for availability in a few months (see below).  The Asus 700 line costs from $300 to $550.

Interestingly, jkkmobile says his favorite UMPC device is the Asus 900.

Asus 900 competitors

The Asus 900 will be joined by several competitors, such as the $400 Everex Cloudbook, that’s now available at Wal-Mart, and the HP 2133 (see below) that looks as if if could be a terrific machine.  The 2133 will weigh about 2.5 pounds and cost about $600, although there likely will be a few models at different price points.

I think there’s an Asus Eee PC or an HP 2133 in my future!  Either one would be great for carrying around when I’m wandering around hundreds of exhibit booths at computer and wireless conferences or just going to lunch where I might want to type a blog post or do some consulting work.

(This South Korea-only Samsung Anycall SPH-P9200, with WiMAX, HSDA and WiFi looks great, too, although I'd need to test that fold-out full QWERTY keyboard (see below).  No word on price.

These extremely lightweight subnotebook computers, such as the Asus and HP along with even smaller cellular phones, such as the Apple iPhone, will be the “MIDs” of the future -- not devices like the M528 or N810.