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Mobile Future heads to North Carolina

Posted: 05/28/09 by Mobile Future Team

Mobile Future heads to North Carolina next week for event with Local Tech Wire exploring how wireless technology is changing the consumer experience. Next week's discussion takes place in Raleigh, North Carolina, home to the state capitol and one of the hubs of "The Research Triangle."  

We're delighted to welcome Representative Ty Harrell, Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee, who'll open the session, as well as several local experts discussing the latest wireless trends.

Panelists include:

• Art Contreras, a former U.S. Marshall and longtime law enforcement officer in the City of Houston. He will discuss how law enforcement is using mobile technology to make us safer.

• Sam Matheny, general manager of News Over Wireless, the Raleigh-based operation owned by Capitol Broadcasting that is making mobile TV reality for TV stations across the United States.

• Jerry Paradise, executive director, notebook business unit at Lenovo, which recently unveiled its line of high-speed wireless capable "netbook" computers. Lenovo's worldwide headquarters are located in Morrisville.

• Matt MacPherson, Director of Marketing for Cisco, the world's largest networking gear maker that operates a campus in Research Triangle Park with more than 2,0000 employees. Cisco is working with Clearwire to develop the next-generation "4G" network while also working to make high-speed wireless networks in the home a reality.

It's sure to be an exciting discussion so check back next week for video coverage of the event!

Raleigh commuters first to get mobile digital television

Posted: 04/16/09 by Molly Kocour

Raleigh commuters' travel time is about to become much more entertaining.  This summer, Raleigh, N.C. will be the first U.S. market to commercially deploy mobile digital television (DTV) broadcasts to local consumers. CBS affiliate and Capitol Broadcasting station WRAL will deliver local, syndicated and networking programming to local Capitol Area Transit (CAT) buses throughout the city with help from some technology vendors, including LG Electronics and Harris. 

Instead of having to rely on books, newspapers or iPods for news and entertainment, commuters will be able to watch the latest episode of Survivor, the local news, or a rerun of CSI.  Additionally, WRAL will include updates on city news, real-time weather and other information on the digital screens inside the buses.

"We are proud to be the pilot to offer mobile digital television to the riders of the Downtown Circulator," said Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker in a statement. "We salute WRAL for being pioneers in mobile digital television as they were in high definition television. We look forward to the day when all of Raleigh's CAT buses will offer this means of information and relaxation."

Life is a highway - mobile apps for auto enthusiasts

Posted: 03/11/09 by Molly Kocour

From New York Times "Wheels" blogger John Quain:

"Indeed, our love affair with cellphones is increasingly being coupled with our love affair with the automobile, spawning applications - some silly, some sublime - that drivers can download to their mobile handsets for little or no money."  

True enough.  To satisfy your inner Brian O'Conner , there's a program called Dynolicious, which gauges your 0-to-60 times, supposedly to within 0.08 of a second. It also measures lateral G-forces.   Speaking of speed traps (we weren't but given the above, it seemed like a natural segue), some new apps give warnings of oncoming hazards.  For example, an iPhone app called Njection compiles feedback from subscribers and pinpoints speed traps along any route you input.   And when you hit a pothole going 80, you'll need a new struts.  But at least with RepairPal, you can get a quick wireless estimate for parts and labor costs, as well as nearby repair shops with customer ratings.   And those who are more concerned with reducing their carbon footprint can turn to greenMeter, Ecorio and other apps that suggest ways to save on fuel.   Just what we need now that the weather's warmer and Spring Break is here.

The “wallet in the mobile phone” trick

Posted: 11/14/08 by Allison Remsen

In the old "Get Smart" TV series, Maxwell Smart occasionally used a "wallet phone" when his shoe phone wasn't working.  Forty years later, life is once again imitating art.

According to ABC News, residents of Decatur, Georgia have the equivalent of a wallet in their mobile phones.  The Atlanta suburb launched one of the nation's first pay-by-phone parking systems this year as part of a drive to improve efficiency and offer a new payment choice to residents. 

According to ABC, drivers call a local number to set up an account with a credit card.  After that, they can just call the number each time they park, enter a code and draw down their balance.

Each meter is outfitted with a radio that transmits data and sensors for detecting a car parked in its space.  If the time runs out or the driver doesn't pay, the meter sends a wireless alert to parking enforcement, which dispatches someone to write a ticket.  The cost: about $200 per meter.

So no more fishing for quarters in your glove compartment or sprinting into a nearby drugstore to buy a pack of gum in order to get change.  Parking in Decatur: E123.