Cell Phones, GPS and Wi-Fi Take Center Stage at DemoMobile
By: Jim Louderback
2004-09-10
Article Rating: / 0
Reporter's Notebook: Jim Louderback liked what he saw in a number of the mobile devices displayed at DemoMobile.
Cell Phones, GPS and Wi-Fi Take Center Stage at DemoMobile - ' Page 2 ' (
Page 2 of 2 ) DropZone Networks: Want to add a wireless network into a hostile environment? Maybe you want to enable wireless multiplayer gaming at an event like Burning Man in the Nevada Desert or a groupthink network at the next Rainbow Gathering. Thats what DropZones new outdoor wireless LAN platform, IntelliEdge, offers. The solar-powered network technology lets service providers add networking just about anywhere. If you dont need Internet connectivity, it can be deployed completely off the grid in any location with sufficient sunshine. Connect it up to the Internet, and it quickly enables a wireless hot spot. The system will support B, G, A and WiMax.
The company sees significant potential in deploying networks and VOIP (voice over IP) to rural areas and developing countries where power supplies are spotty at best. It can also bring emergency phone service to areas where the power is completely out. IntelliEdge is currently in testing and will be available soon. Its an interesting mobile product that lets service providers and large companies deploy networks in areas that could be difficult to "wire up" otherwise.
Skype for Pocket PC: Heres a nifty VOIP application. Skype announced Thursday the availability of its free software for Pocket PC devices that lets you make calls to other Skype users worldwide, for free, over any Wi-Fi network. The company demonstrated a call from just outside the conference session to the company founders in Luxemborg. It also enables calls to users on the traditional phone network at local rates using the companys SkypeOut service. Its a neat application of VOIP, although I wish it bridged to SIP as well.
Linksys: The Cisco division showed off two of its new products—both of which shipped in the last month. The Linksys Phone Adapter delivers Vonage-based VOIP service, and costs just $59. The phone adapter is currently available at Staples and other office stores.
According to Linksys Vice President of Engineering Malachy Moynihan, the product is so popular they cant keep up with demand. The company also showed off its new Network Storage Link, a $90 device that turns any USB 2.0 external hard drive into network-attached storage. In addition, Linksys showed off its new $190 802.11g-based Internet video camera, which supports up to 30 frames of 640-by-480 video. All three are very cool products.
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