Subsidized Laptops Come To The US

Want a netbook for $99?  For that and $60 a month for two years, Radio Shack, Acer, and ATT will offer you an Acer Aspire One with 3G access.  Not bad considering.

Onxo had said this was coming because it made sense and if you live in Britain, such deals has already been available for a while now. 

Now, this isn't cheap.  It's a hefty amount over the lifetime of the contract.  However, this is not meant for the average mobile warrior like you or me.  However for someone like Dave the Mobile Warrior who works in a professional web and programming development and needs access at any time and any where, it makes sense.  Again, it's for folks who need it.

But I'll make another prediction.  This rate will come down over time in 2009.  We don't have a lot of these types of bundles at this time.  Look for the other wireless providers in the US to follow in 2009.  Even look for additional tethering rates.  Then look for these rates to be challenged as WiMax become more ubiquitous (Sprint, I live in CA - waiting for you still).

It's going to be an exciting 2009.  Beyond that, how we'll just have to wait and see.  But I would not be surprised see these netbooks offered for free.  So, with AWS-3 and white spaces potentially coming online in 2010, things are looking up for mobile users.

 Source:  Engadget

Note:  Now, if ATT would just get up and offer the new Macbooks, I'll totally sign up.

Related Onxo Posts:

• Another company offers netbooks with 3G access (this time in India)
• EEE PC offered with 3G in Euro zone
• 3G Modem Growth Set To Explode
• Should Apple offer wireless access option to Macbooks?

FCC Free Broadband Vote on Dec 18th

First white spaces and now maybe AWS-3.  If you recall, we've dicsussed the importance of the coming vote on AWS-3 because of the mandate that the winner of the auction would be required to allocate part of the bandwidth to provide for a free national broadband access.

This has been the brainchild of the outgoing FCC chairman Kevin Martin.  It was first proposed back in 2006 and on December 18th, it may become reality if the outcome by the FCC is in our favor.  This has gotten Dave the mobile warrior very excited. So excited in fact, he had to send me a remind in the form of an USA Today article.

And we all should be excited.  Forget the fact that it's free broadband access.  It means millions of Americans who do not have or cannot afford) fast access to the Internet and the vast treasure of information will now be able to get onto the information superhighway that many of us have taken for granted.  Education, jobs, competitions.  Free flow of information to even more people.

Be sure to stay tuned for the results and the impacts.  I'll say this now.  The future impact should the FCC do the right thing will mean a great deal to the future generations.

I also want to say this issue has not made everyone happy, particular T-Mobile (read here for reasons why) and telecoms in general who are in the market for profit.  At the end of the day, it is about profit, not about subsidies.  I don't care for subsidies.  But it is about parity, and that is important.

Via USA Today

Related Onxo Links on this matter:

• AWS-3 Saga Continues
• M2Z wants bring you free broadband.
• Wireless access like healthcare debate.

Mobile Update for November 10, 2008

Last week, we saw a busy few days with the Election and the forecasted blues that came with it.  Fear not, with the infighing on the GOP side, it is a sure sign that 2012 has already started.

The most dramatic news was the FCC's approval of white spaces use.  Here are some information on the matter:

• Washington Post 
• What white spaces mean for mobile users.
• Next step for white spaces.

For the days other headlines, please visit Mobile Digerati.

White Spaces - What It Means for Mobile Warriors

Yesterday, Onxo talked about FCC's decision to open up white spaces for wireless broadband access.  You're asking:  what does it matter?  It is just another wireless network like 3G and EDGE.  Also, like Wi-Fi.  Well, here is the fantastic news.

• Another option.  Will no longer beholden to wireless providers with ancient biz practices.
• Accessibility.  Convenience.  Innovation.  Whether you live in the cities or rural parts of the country, you will have an option for wireless connectivity.  It will also for wireless providers to compete in areas where they don't deem worthy of providing access to.  
• In the beginning, not even lower prices but over time with competition, we may be looking at White spaces services competing with 3G, LTE, and WiMax.  
• In due time, we will also see competition with the devices that support the different segments of the wireless market.  
• In due time, we will also see devices that let mobile warriors access one network to another without having to buy a brand new network card or mobile device.
  

PC Mag did a nice article about white spaces and I suggest you head over and read about it.  Just so you know how fast this is moving, Dell has already indicated it will add wireless receivers to future laptops that will be able to access wireless Internet through white spaces services.  HP, Microsoft, Motorola, Dell, and Google are among the lead proponents of white spaces.

White spaces is everywhere.  And that is what so cool about it.

• We already know it does video.  We can see greater and faster video communication.
• Use it like you use your Wi-Fi now.  In fact, you already know this but the fact that it can go through walls will make it one of the better wireless network deployments.  
• If you are out in the middle of nowhere, you may be able to set up a wireless hub that uses white spaces.
• Though not initially as cheap as DSL, it's competitive to those of wireless broadband for 3G.  However, costs may go down if there is an ad supported business model.  You don't think Google is doing this out of the kind of its own heart do you?  It's a corporation, and by nature, it has no heart.  
• 50-mile radius per access point.  How far does your current Wi-Fi network go now?

So, when can we expect this new magic?  According the PC Magazine, demo on 2009 and finished products in 2010.  

Links:

• Wireless Innovation Alliance
• TG Daily
• PC Magazine
• Washington Post
• Onxo - FCC endorses white spaces
• Onxo - Model for expanded Wi-Fi coverage
• Onxo discusses mobility for political junkies
• AWS-3 Saga Continues

White Spaces Approved: Next Step

You may know by now that a smaller kind of history was made on November 4th.  The FCC voted to approve use of white spaces for wireless broadband use over heavy lobby by oppononents who usually have a lot of clout with the FCC and Congress.

Not to be deterred, the commissioners unanimously approved the unused air waves for mobile use.  The plans for its use can start after Feb 2009 when analog TV signals end, with only digital signals roaming about.

This is fantastic.  If anyone who reads this blog knows, I'm for competition and giving wireless providers less control and stimulating innovations.  Not just technologies but ideas as well.  So, what are the impacts of such a move?

I'll be back later today to talk about that.  Meanwhile, know this.  This is truly "change" mobile warriors can believe it.

Link:

• Washington Post
• Onxo - FCC endorses white spaces
• Onxo - Model for expanded Wi-Fi coverage
• Onxo discusses mobility for political junkies
• AWS-3 Saga Continues

Mobility For Political Nut in 2012

We're not even done with 2008 yet and why am I talking about 2012?

I'm watching CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CSPAN, and ABC News all at the same time. And I want to go get my hot chocolate from Starbucks. What do I do? Ideally, I want to be able to take them all with me.  But I can't.  Not all the channels.

I can't do that in 2008 so I'm looking forward to 2012. WiMax. Maybe a more liberal 3G policy. Forget 3G. Maybe we can be looking forward to the 4th generation, LTE.

Four years from now, we can also look forward to fast mobile devices that runs not hours per charge but days. We will not have to make sacrifices. No more switching to EDGE because 3G takes up too much power.

We will have instant information that is similar to push mail. Any piece of information you require will be available whenever you want and presented in ways you want.

We will not just have phone calls but video calls. This will happen in four years. Video will be the norm. And it'll happen over wireless broadband.

Not only that, we will choose between traditional wireless providers, providers using AWS-3, Cox's wireless network, or white spaces networks.  It will be affordable, less strictive, and ubiquitous.

More importantly, we will be able to take our television channels with us, wherever we go.  Political junkies, rejoice.  Blogging, Vlogging, Twittering.  They will still be around.

2012.  Ubiquitious wireless broadband, crazy battery life, and new ways to sharing and processing information.

White Spaces Battle Update

We last updated you on Monday when the broadcasters, NBA, MLB, and the NFL lobbied the FCC to delay the November 4th vote.  And other the other side, we got Dell, Google, Microsoft, and Motorola.  Sprinkled on top are national legislators.

Guess who else got involved?  Dolly Parton.  I'll cut to the chase.  I'm guessing someone wrote the letter to the FCC and Dolly just signed it.  Seriously, she's cool.  I mean it.  She knows music, the business, and she looks great.

But white spaces she knows not.  She's joined by a lot of other singers who fear interference from white spaces devices on their performances.  I'm not dismissing their concerns.  However, according to Cnet, "The report noted that geo-location technology, which uses a database to help devices identify and avoid spectrum bands known to already be in use, worked very well in avoiding interference".

Anyway, my feeling is that this will go ahead on November 4th.  There'll be a lot of election results to watch on Election Day.

Links:

• Onxo summarizes latest White Spaces battle.
• FCC Endorses White Spaces Use For Wireless Internet.
• The Register
• CNet News 
• Information Week 
• Fierce Wireless explains more about the performers' concerns 

White Spaces Battle - Latest From the Front

Here is a recap on the latest white spaces battle on whether the FCC will vote on November 4th to go ahead with a proposal to allow white spaces use and supported devices (think Android).


White spaces are unused channels in the spectrum that some tech companies hope to develop a national wireless broadband network.  Such a system would not have the same overlords we are traditionally familiar with:  cable and satellite companies and wireless providers.  In theory, it's a good thing.

On one side, Dell, Microsoft, Google, and a few other tech giants are trying to convince the FCC to move ahead.  The tech groups are not alone as they are joined by consumer groups in this effort.

On the other side, the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NASCAR joined forces with the major broadcasters in opposing a vote on November 4th.  They claim even the FCC's won tests showed the devices failed 50% of the time and require the use of geolocation in white spaces devices.  They requested more time.

The coalition against innovation, consumer choices, and competition (yeah, I am being blatantly biased here) are joined by Harrah's Entertainment, and 49 other broadcast associations.

On behalf of these cronies, they are joined by eight United States Representatives being lead by NY's Carolyn Maloney who I'm sure in an expert in all this.  She wants more hearings.  We've had four years of public hearings and testing.

Just as much as an expert like Maloney, is John Kerry playing for the tech side.

Sorry, folks.  I am being biased as I've mentioned at the top.  I sympathized with those guys who are against white spaces out of interference concerns.  I really do.  But to use that to keep consumers from better technology, choice, and, generally, trying to obtain a better standard of living so that they protect their bottom line is just un-American.

Broadcasters are the evil villains of the week.

Link:  NY Times

Onxo Update For the Week

I was all over the place this week.  Just like me.  I like that.  The week started with G1's arrival at my backdoor and, seemingly, about to end with my time playing on my MacWind.

Also this week, we touched on wireless providers, Android, iPhone (of course), and a couple of tips to help mobile warriors stretch their hard-earned dollar.

Mobile Issues:

• iPhone's effect on innovation, market dynamics, and revenues for everyone.
  
• Mobile Savings - 25-30% savings by using live.com and ebay
• Economic relief for T-Mobile users
• Tough times may lead to great deals this Holidays.
• Netflix and telecoms winners in economic crunch.
• Living from a mobile device.
• AWS-3 update
• Wireless providers needs a Christmas Carol moment.
• Sprint's WiMax needs Android
• Data from Wired is goodness for telecommuting
• No open-source for RIM

Mobile Devices on Onxo:

• October or November surprises for gadget lovers?
• Indian telecom offers netbooks with wireless broadband.
• New Benchmarks from Macworld for the new Macbooks
• Apple's netbook won't be a netbook.
• Nvidia's 9400M rocks! 

Saturday Mobile Headliners - White Spaces and Nvidia Mobile GPU

First up, white spaces update.

As expected, broadcasters have asked the Federal Communications Commission to hold back the vote on use of white spaces for broadband access.  Earlier in the week, we discussed with excitement about the FCC finding that white spaces can be used to provide wireless broadband with limited (we could have "no" but that would not be accurate) interference.

I'm sure there are things that still must be worked out but if the FCC, which I regardless as somewhat evil at times, thinks this can work, heck, talk is over.  Let's get this game started!

Still, I do agree broadcast concerns should be addressed.  Nevertheless, I doubt the FCC went ahead and endorse white spaces without input from them.

Source:  NY Times 

Nvidia's New 9400M:

Now, something very exciting may be going on with respect to using the GPU to help with video encoding.  Macrumors has posted a report from an user (now with more confirmations) that when playing 1080p trailers, the new Macbook was able to handle the video with the CPU not having to work as hard as an older Macbook Pro.

The main different here as far as anyone can tell is the Nvidia chipset.  Speculations in the forum now is that a special version of Leopard, the current name for the Mac OS 10.5, along with the GPU allows HD video to be played without taxing the CPU as hard as older Macs.  If true, many, not only Mac machines, will benefit from this new architecture.  

An user from the Macrumors forum said, "also, of note, playing the same H.264 trailer on a Quad Core (2.66GHz, 12MB L2 Cache, 1333MHz FSB) produces 40-50% CPU usage, whereas the MacBook Pro produces 100-110% CPU usage and the MacBook does not exceed 20% CPU usage".

Keep in mind this is far from a confirmation.  While it may be argued that if this development is true, Steve Jobs and Apple would have made this announcement at last week's unveiling of the new Macs.  We're keeping an eye on this development.  Apple's forthcoming OS update, Snow Leopard, boasts the ability to use OpenCL to make certain processes faster with the help of the GPU.  Also, Nvidia has heavily promoted CUDA.

Stay tuned as we monitor this welcoming news, if true.

Source:  Macrumors

FCC Endorses White Space

Motorola, Philips, Google, and Microsoft.  What do they have in common?  Correctly.  Microsoft and Google, together.  Sort of.

White space, of course!  FCC are just on a roll here, trying hard to get on my good side.  First the AWS-3 spectrum for national broadband service and now white space, the unused TV channel airwaves.

Supporters, according to Yahoo Reuters, are happy with FCC's report backing the use of white spaces for devices that would have limited interference.  Monisha Ghosh (cool name) of Philips believes devices could be out within a year.

Could 2009 be the year of Androids?  Sure, why not?  But I digress.

Don't think this will go down smoothly, my friends.  Just like AWS-3 for M2Z, broadcasters, wireless providers, and others with a turf to protect in the wireless realm are likely to fight this to the bitter end.  On Nov 4, FCC will be voting on this just as Americans (those registered to vote) will be voting for a new President.

Onxo will be watching this one for you.  Stay tuned.  Get excited, it's okay.  This is huge!

Source:  Yahoo News