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Hill
Associates Telecom Newsletter
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Hello!
Just in time for summer fun, the iPhone is due to be released for general availability on June 29th. The iPhone is a super three-in-one gadget: a truly innovative mobile phone, the next step in iPod technology with touch controls, and a handheld Wi-Fi device with the first truly creative approach to wireless email since the BlackBerry. Will this device have a huge impact in the market as the next generation multipurpose device? We think so. And, the iPhone is just one of several devices due to be released this summer.
Not to be outdone, Bill Gates and Microsoft have announced the new Surface, a very cool way to interact with digital content. (Be patient while the website opens.) For more on Bill Gates’s and Steve Jobs’s insights on all things cool and the future of technology, listen to Mark and Trevor’s recent tHAWT.
Well, I’m off to the deck to start the BBQ and enjoy this summer night. Hope you are too. Put another shrimp on, would ya?
Paul
President & CEO |
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| In
the News
How good is your typing?
Here is a fun little Flash application that we discovered on the Internet. It is not a technology site, but it will help improve your typing skills, assuming of course you use a keyboard and not Microsoft’s new Surface (see above). The application is called Fingerjig. Give it a try!
Speed dating, mobile style
We all know that the Internet has become a major player in the dating game. Now for those with more urgent companionship needs, several location-based, instant dating services are now available via cell phone. MeetMoi allows singles to text message other members located within ten miles, anonymously. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) has an interesting article reviewing these instant dating and flirting services.
History of (Apple) computing
June 4th marked the 30th anniversary of the release of the Apple II—part of the 1977 trio of computing devices (along with the TRS-80 and the Commodore PET) that kicked off the PC revolution. To celebrate this significant milestone, eWEEK staff members recount their first—and current—PC experiences. Eric Lundquist’s resurrection of his Apple II is worth a look, as is the cover story, which discusses the impact of the Apple II on the industry.
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| Industry
Analysis
The ROI of unified communications
The buzzword used to be convergence. Then it was VoIP. Now it is all about “unified communications” and their ability to reduce costs, improve productivity and business processes, and drive more revenue. In today’s world of multiple communication devices, how does one make the business case for migrating from the old world to the new? An article by Irwin Lazar, principal research analyst at Nemertes Research discusses this very point. For more on the technical aspects of VoIP, order your own copy of our recently updated ExperTech.
The expanding role of mobile
According to a Harris Poll survey, Web-based news will dominate as the source for news within five years, surpassing television as the number one news source for adults. How many of you already get most of your news online? Read more here.
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Talk
New authentication methods enhance security
Many banks are adding new authentication methods to help users feel confident that they are not at a phishing site. Perhaps you have recently answered a special series of personal questions, or had to choose a picture to identify during logon. So, are passwords becoming passé? Read about new authentication methods in Network World and a new initiative for protecting personal data, Utica College’s Center for Identity Management and Information Protection (CIMIP).
A low cost wireless alternative
Everyone is familiar with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. But what about ZigBee? Based on the IEEE standard 802.15.4, ZigBee is designed for low-power applications where radio signals travel 10-40 meters. It will be especially handy in industrial applications, such as transportation systems, where bus stations can track the arrival and departure of buses, using ZigBee’s low power, low maintenance, and low cost.
The Next NXTcomm
This year’s NXTcomm is just around the corner, and folks are already predicting the focus of next year’s conference. According to Kevin Fitchard, the editor of Telephony and Wireless Review, WiMAX will be the big thing. Sprint has already signed on to WiMAX. Major worldwide providers like British Telecom have also started expressing renewed interest. Now, suddenly, Tier 1 providers are interested in WiMAX. Look for more information about WiMAX in the current eNews from Telephony and in Hill Associates’ wireless ET 2.0.
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| Hill Associates News
Expansion of Web 2.0 content
Whether it’s the blog, wiki, or PodSnacks, Hill Associates makes a lot of content available. We have over 50 podcasts called “the Hill Associates Week in Telecom” (tHAWT), which discuss the previous week’s news. Our wiki has almost 400 articles on the subject of telecom, including five-minute PodSnacks that relate to over 100 of those! We appreciate your comments and requests for content. Remember, if you would like to augment your site, we can customize such content to meet your needs, requirements, and goals. Call us to see what we can do for you.
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