network technology

The mPhone: The answer to Windows Mobile's woes?

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:00:00 -0400

The mPhone: The answer to Windows Mobile's woes?

Microsoft gets a lot of flack for Windows Mobile. Many tech journalists (yours truly included) have given the folks in Redmond a hard time for the mobile OS's UI, its cluttered home screen and the company's perceived indifference to ease-of-use. Sure, Windows Mobile might be an enterprise product, but does that mean that it has to be a pain to use?

The answer is no. As we've seen, Apple is gearing up to take the iPhone into the enterprise this June, and the company is certainly betting that there are a few disaffected Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and Palm OS users out there that are itching to jump ship. In fact, many have pointed to the iPhone when decrying Windows Mobile's lack of user-friendliness, as if to say 'If Apple can do it, why can't Microsoft?' As you and I know, however, the logic behind this statement is flawed, to say the least.

Microsoft, unlike Apple, is a mobile software company, not a hardware manufacturer. As such, Windows Mobile is built to run on a wide range of devices, CPUs and networks. For this reason, it's a challenging OS to update and while the company is doing its best to improve Windows Mobile--with the 6.1 update and the more distant versions 7 and 8--it's going to take them a while to get those updates out the door. In the meantime, the iPhone OS--which only needs to maintain compatibility with one device, one CPU and one type of network technology--will probably see a number of revisions, as it has during the past year.

So, what's the solution for Microsoft? Some have suggested that the company should consider manufacturing its own devices, in order to benefit from the sort of tight-pairing of hardware and software that the iPhone does. While we'll probably never see Windows Mobile become a closed ecosystem like the iPhone (after all, Microsoft's willingness to license Windows Mobile to just about anyone is what has allowed the company to dominate the U.S. enterprise market), it might make sense for the company to create a few "showcase" devices that demonstrate the full power of Windows Mobile, for users who are willing to shell out for that sort of premium experience.

And that, in fact, is what some are suggesting that the company's recent purchase of Sidekick manufacturer Danger is all about. As you'll see in today's article on Windows Mobile 7, some are already saying that the forthcoming OS is doomed to be a case of too little, too late--not because the OS is lacking in improvements but rather, because it's probably still more than a year away. The only way that the company could get it out faster, some have suggested, is on Microsoft hardware... which is why they bought Danger.

Personally, I think that this is a bit far fetched. Yet, everywhere you look in the mobile world, it seems that device manufacturers increasingly are moving toward a tighter pairing of hardware and software. Today Apple announced that it has acquired P.A. Semi, which will allow the company to be just about the only mobile device manufacturer that fabricates its own CPUs. Meanwhile, Palm is still hard at work on their proprietary next-gen OS and RIM, as always, is keeping things tightly integrated. Is a Microsoft-produced device the answer to Windows Mobile's woes? Hit me up in the comments and let me know what you think. - Mehan

Verizon 4G network coming

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:59:57 -0500

Cellular-phone carrier Verizon has announced that it is building its next-generation network based on LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology, making it the latest carrier to move toward genuine high-speed (100 Mbps) mobile network technology and leaving Sprint and Alltel as the only significant carriers in the U.S. sticking with CDMA as their network technology. The move should mean more non-phone devices with cellular network capabilities built in and an easier path for Verizon customers who want to go global roaming with the new phones.

For more on the new Verizon network technology:
- Read the hands-on heads-up at CIO-Today

How to pick the best wireless net technology

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 19:01:38 -0500

As an article under this issue's Quicklink's section notes, WiMAX is on the brink of rapid deployment, yet enterprises should carefully consider whether WiMAX is the best choice compared to mesh networks. As some tech leaders' experiences recount, the decision on which network technology to deploy depends on a few factors beyond the scope of cost. Network accessibility, stability and security are just a few issues to consider. Then there's the integration factor and which standard fits your needs best. As one outdoor amusement company learned, a mesh can be incredibly valuable as running wire was nearly impossible in such a business environment. Yet mesh has its own drawbacks as well--power outages and interference from other wireless devices. And then there's the fact that when you go mesh, you essentially marry your vendor. Learn why some enterprises are betting on WiMAX while others are putting their trust into mesh and determine which wireless approach best fits your business needs. Article

Attaining good wireless network service quality

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 20:01:36 -0400

Defining and achieving good quality of service (QoS) within a wireless network is a big task, especially in light of the move to mesh wireless communication with IP-based networking technologies. To get a good look at what's involved, the issues that might arise and how to improve QoS, check out this white paper over at TechRepublic. As the authors explain, IP-based network technology will be the "backbone of the next data generation network."

Editor's Corner

Sun, 16 Oct 2005 20:01:40 -0400

Despite all the news reports of how every kind of wireless and network technology seems to be gaining ground in the US and elsewhere (see the 'Worth Knowing' section below), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) isn't grabbing traction over in Europe. Analysts say it's due to two major factors: no compelling business application to lure enterprise use and cost. The Forrester Research study, IP Communications Adoption in Europe, states that just about 25 percent of European enterprises will have VoIP up and running by year's end, and that less than half of those polled have yet to spend a dime on IP telephony technology. Yet there is some hope that the trend will reverse itself as more companies determine the business case for using the technology. - Judy