Large U.S. wireless carriers are asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke a requirement that they allow customers to keep their phone numbers when they change carriers. Under the current FCC rule, this local number portability requirement must be met starting Nov. 24 in 2002. The big carriers say meeting the requirement would be expensive and technically complex. Smaller U.S. carriers, who want to attract customers away from the bigger companies, say that without number portability, it is easier for the big companies to hold on to their customers. [from Raj Ray via the Los Angeles Times]
6:45:44 PM    comment   

Once again, ahead of the curve.
6:03:49 PM    comment   

Omar: that's right Mr. Gosling--don't lose sleep over it. When you do wake up, you might want to polish up your resume, especially after Microsoft takes out Java. While you're at it, quit perpetuating the myth that Java is something special just because it runs in a virtual machine (remember UCSD pseudo pascal? smalltalk?). Furthermore, just because MS is using a "Java-like" language doesn't mean it isn't innovating (it is) as Java itself is like C++.
4:08:40 PM    comment   

MobileStar update from Wireless Week: an excellent piece of reporting on the Starbucks/MobileStar relationship that continues to hammer home Starbucks's unwillingness to face the real marketplace reality for partnerships with wireless ISPs. VoiceStream should be nearing its acquisition of MobileStar's assets from the bankruptcy proceedings based on their original plan last year. More to come, I'm sure. (Note the quotes from the increasingly ubiquitous Alan Reiter who sent me this item.)

4:03:13 PM    comment   

"To prevent the odd gust from crashing you into a tree, the vehicle comes equipped with a sophisticated gyroscopic stabilizing system, which Moshier said is one of the toughest parts of the vehicle to develop."  This is what the Segway team has a good handle on.  They are going to be the ones that solve the problem.

Paul Saffo retorts:   he didn't think the flying vehicle was suitable for mass conveyance. "The moment you move through three dimensions, that takes special skills," Saffo said. "This is a specialty for military, police and less obvious things -- like power-line inspection."  Who made Saffo an expert on transportation?  A good control system (using todays high speed processors and microscopic gyros) combined with GPS would make flying a vehicle a "no-brainer" activity.  Flight is currently tough because it requires management of lift, airspeed, and altitude.  VTOL (vertical take-off or landing) directed thrust aircraft with advanced control systems don't use lift and can hover in place.  Bah!  This is going to be the next major upgrade to personal transportation -- for those that can afford it.  Live in Nantucket, commute to Boston.  Note:  the 80 knots limit is there because by regulation at under 80 knots of airspeed all you need to fly the device is a drivers license!    [John Robb's Radio Weblog]
3:12:32 PM    comment   

AT&T Broadband offers in-home networking via wireless: continuing a trend that RBOCs (regional telcos) and others have been pursuing for at least a year, AT&T Broadband will use wireless as another tool in helping users network multiple machines in their homes. They'll use Linksys equipment.

11:36:15 AM    comment