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GSM Association Calls for MMS Push
The GSM Association last week issued a rallying call to the wireless industry to speed the arrival of enhanced, fully-interoperable Multi-media Messaging Services (MMS) services and devices. One objective of the GSMAs Board is that 3G Partnership Projects Release 4 specifications concerning network functionality are implemented by December 2003, and that all new MMS terminals are based on the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) standards. The influential trade association wants to drive the acceleration of MMS roaming, national MMS network interworking and terminal interoperability by promoting the adoption of new standards.
Read the full story on: The Register
RedPrairie Ships RFID Accelerator
RedPrairie Corp. last week shipped software to help suppliers comply with demands from retailers to adopt wireless inventory tracking technology. RFID Accelerator provides software agents that collect and verify information embedded in radio-tagged chips placed on palettes and cases in warehouses and distribution centers, the company said. The retrieved inventory data can then be sent to warehouse management or legacy systems, and eventually passed on to retailers in advanced shipping notices.
Read the full story on: Techweb
Research Firm Says Wi-Fi Will Go Bye-Bye
According to West Technology Research Solutions, ultrawideband (UWB) will eventually beat out both the current Wi-Fi wireless networking standard and Bluetooth, the research firm said last week. If those bold predictions come true, then the research firm promises that standards battles for wireless networking will continue into the next decade. Another report predicts that the Zigbee Protocol, which promotes the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for low-power wireless applications, will become ubiquitous and dominant in two-way low data-rate wireless applications for the home. UWB works in what is sometimes called the “garage door spectrum,” the unlicensed frequency of the spectrum commonly used for garage door openers, portable telephones and baby monitors. But its high speed data transit capabilities of 40 to 60 megabits per second, in some cases nearly ten times as fast as Wi-Fi, low power requirements, its ability to penetrate walls, and use of GPRS information make UWB an attractive option for all kinds of handy machine-to-machine communications.
Read the full story on: InternetNews.com
Motorola Backs UWB Startup
Motorola has invested in an Ultra Wideband startup, hoping that the wireless technology can eventually be used in its home multimedia products. The amount of backing raised by Appairent Technologies was not disclosed. The Monroe Fund, managed by the Trillim Group, also contributed to the round. Motorola isnt alone in exploring UWB. Several companies, including Intel, Time Domain, XtremeSpectrum, Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics and others are working on chipsets. Intel is bouncing around the idea of implementing UWB technology into all of its chips.
Read the full story on: InternetNews.com
AT&T Offering Remote Access To VPNs From Hot Spots
AT&T plans to offer remote wireless access to its VPN service users from more than 2,000 access points in 20 countries. The carrier is tapping into an 802.11b access service from GRIC Communications to deliver the service, slated to become available in the fourth quarter. AT&T already uses GRIC to deliver remote dial-up Internet access in more than 140 countries.
Read the full story on: CRN
Review: Dick Tracy Watch-Shaped Phone
Japans leading mobile carrier, NTT DoCoMo, sold 5,000 Wristomo wrist watch phones in two months. The handcuff-like Wristomo, weighing 4 ounces, works fine in its watch form a la Dick Tracy. And if you choose to use it as a handset, it wraps back around your wrist with an easy click — a watch again. Made by Seiko Instruments, Wristomo uses the Personal Handyphone System, a wireless technology used in Japan that requires less energy than conventional mobile phones.
Read the full story on: Yahoo! News