Kile Mullen: WiFi

Fri, 09 Jan 2004 18:09:46 GMT

Sputnik's launches two new products: Sputnik Central Control 2.2 and the AP 120 WiFi Access Point.

Fri, 25 Jul 2003 03:10:10 GMT

Saw this in the Post-Dispatch as well. Not sure how well it will work. 6 APs over a 42 block area.

St. Louis-Fi. Couple sets up 42-square-block area with free Wi-Fi in St. Louis: Following Michael Oh's model with Newbury Open Network, the folks behind O2Connect donated $25K of gear and their time plus what they estimate as ultimately more than $1K per month for the pure good will of it all. [via David Ponder]... [Wi-Fi Networking News]

Fri, 11 Jul 2003 17:06:59 GMT

If the price is right, this could be useful...

Geiger Counter for Wi-Fi?. Kensington intros WiFi Finder: Small, lightweight, and useful? I don't know the price, I don't know when it ships, but it'll tell you when you're within sensing range of a Wi-Fi network (802.11b or g) using three lights to indicate signal strength. [via Cord Campbell]... [Wi-Fi Networking News]

The only question is, what's the right price for a toy like this. I certainly wouldn't pay more than about $30 for one.

Fri, 20 Jun 2003 21:31:39 GMT

This keeps getting better and better...

Martian NetDrive adds iTunes Music Sharing support. Martian Technology has announced the addition of iTunes Music Sharing capabilities to its NetDrive Wireless products. Music Sharing is a feature introduced with iTunes 4. Leveraging Rendezvous, Apple's term for zero-configuration networking technology, iTunes Music Sharing enables iTunes 4 users to share their playlists with each other, streaming music (though not downloading it) between computers. With iTunes 4.0.1, that streaming capability is restricted only to local area networks (LANs) working on the same subnet. NetDrives are fanless, wireless Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems that provide dedicated file sharing and storage capabilities for IEEE 802.11b-equipped home and small office networks. IEEE 802.11b the wireless networking specification used by Apple's AirPort products and downwardly compatible with Apple's newer AirPort Extreme hardware. NetDrives use the SMB file sharing protocol, and are compatible with Macs, Windows PCs and Linux boxes. [MacCentral]

Thu, 06 Mar 2003 21:19:51 GMT

IOXperts offers 802.11b PC card drivers for OS X [MacCentral]

Tue, 25 Feb 2003 15:55:34 GMT

Something to look at later... A lighter kind of Pocket PC VoIP [infoSync]

Tue, 25 Feb 2003 02:37:38 GMT

More good advice on setting up a personal wireless network

Smart consumer advice for managing Wi-Fi security: A brief intelligent piece (quoting our favorite Wi-Fi pundit, Nigel Ballard, of course) on using Wi-Fi without giving up your secrets. Although VPNs are beyond consumers today, I wouldn't be surprised to see tunneled services become more prevalent in the near future.

[80211b News]

Wed, 12 Feb 2003 06:14:43 GMT

Fuel Cells keep making inroads

Fuel cells to power future laptops to keep Wi-Fi flowing: Intel Capital and others have invested in Neah, a company that plans to make fuel cell-based batteries with stable, less hot reactions than competitors that could have three times the longevity of today's laptop battery. My iBook's 4+ ampere hour (AH) battery, which I gather is about 50+ watt hours (WH) (watts over 12.8 volts equals amps), gives me about three to four hours of carefully husbanded use or two hours of playing a DVD with the screen brightness up. I've tested an external NCharge battery from Valence weighing just over three pounds which has 10 AH or 128 WH and costs about $300. This NCharge battery uses conventional technology; the fuel-cell battery would fit in an existing drive bay while ostensibly reducing weight as well (though that's not spelled out). [via Dana Blankenhorn]

[80211b News]

Fri, 31 Jan 2003 13:59:27 GMT

A true Wireless GPS to PDA connection. This makes sense in so many ways. NavMan Bluetooth GPS for PocketPC [InfoSync via PDABuzz.com] Although on an overall cost basis the new Garmin Palm OS based GPS is a good choice if you don't have a PDA already or need to upgrade it in order to use the new software.

Mon, 16 Dec 2002 18:11:43 GMT

Good news from Vivato. They have type acceptance from the FCC to market their new phased array antenna as a Part 15 device. That means users won't have to apply for special licenses to use it.

FCC approves Vivato's antennas
FCC approves Vivato's antennas: Vivato received a splash of attention a few weeks ago with the demonstration of their phased-array antenna, a device which can essentially create individual focused beams of Wi-Fi access that follow devices as they roam. Their technique apparently offers a cost-effective way to light up entire buildings and offer long-haul wireless service.
[80211b News]

Fri, 13 Dec 2002 22:17:19 GMT

Moblogging Tool

Todd Courtois sends along news of KABLOG, his new blogging tool for mobile phones and PDAs.

"KABLOG is a tool for mobile phones and PDAs that allows you to post new blog entries to Movable Type. (It may also work with other blog services supporting an XMLRPC interface similar to Movable Type's, but this has not been tested.) KABLOG currently runs on the J2ME (MIDP 1.0) platform. Devices supporting this include:
PalmOS devices running PalmOS v3.5 or higher with a network connection. For example, the Handspring Treo, or Palm Vx.
Sprint PCS phones that can download J2ME MIDP games and other applications.
NexTel Motorola iDen phones that can download J2ME MIDP games and applications.
RIM Blackberry devices that can run J2ME MIDP applications.
Symbian OS devices that can run J2ME MIDP applications. (Note that some Symbian OS devices may only run the PersonalJava applications.)"

The software is shareware, but it only costs $10. Unfortunately, my Sony Clie N710C doesn't have any type of a network connection so I can't try it out. I'm definitely intrigued, though. The only other PDA blogging software I know about is PocketBlog, which is for Pocket PCs (and is free). Are there others out there?

It's great to watch this software niche grow, because I'm a firm believer in the interactive, always-on, wireless future, and I think people will be blogging, taking pictures, video-conferencing, and more with their handheld devices in the (relatively) near future. I'd be doing it now if I had enough money for the right equipment. Consider this another reason for your public library to implement a wireless network for the public.

[The Shifted Librarian]

Fri, 06 Dec 2002 22:07:47 GMT

Feds Label Wi-Fi a Terrorist Tool
Speaking at an 802.11 conference, experts who participated in government-sponsored working groups to examine Wi-Fi's security holes say the message is clear: Secure your wireless networks or face federal meddling. By Paul Boutin. [Wired News]

Fri, 04 Oct 2002 22:47:42 GMT

Dave seems to imply Marketplace did a good job with their report on warchalking. Glen thinks they're fearmongering. My view is that the report dwells on the negative side. I think labeling of WiFi access points is a good thing but like any use people put to technolgy, it can be abused. I especially like Phil Windley's initiative to use warchalking symbols to mark open access points in his buildings. I intend to do the same thing in ours as soon a I get some agreement that this is a good thing from the powers that be. That may not happen if we continue to get articles in major publications focusing on the possible abuses rather than than the actual advantages.

Thu, 19 Sep 2002 17:27:40 GMT

OK... This is NEAT! Very StarTrek.

Vocera announces Wi-Fi-based communicator: Vocera announced at the DemoMobile conference today their Vocera Communications System which uses a small wearable communicator that connects over standard Wi-Fi networks to offer mobile workers voice-based intercom and telephony. The system relies in part on a voice-recognition system that lets people wearing these badges carry out tasks by speaking them, obviating the need for hands or an interface. The device has been beta tested with nurses where one nurse told the company they saved as much as an hour a day using the communicator, and the device is also expected to be a big winner in the retail environment. The company told me a few weeks ago about an aspect of their system which allows people to be grouped by function. A supervisor could say, "Find me the nearest cashier," and the system would use the group list and some proximity information from Wi-Fi access points to pick the likeliest person. More on Vocera next week.

[80211b News]

Mon, 19 Aug 2002 16:05:00 GMT

From 802.11b News...

Warflying or warstorming: spotting networks from the air: Over Perth, they spotted 90 networks. Does this mean we now need warweatherballoons to mark networks? Jason Jordan wrote to note: I reckon we're the first to brag about going "War Storming". That's a phrase I've coined to describe a combination of war driving and barn storming.

[80211b News]