For more information, click here.

That's not the case for a Richmond, VA middle school.

Colonial Heights Middle school uses hand-held mobile devices to supplement the teacher and textbooks in a classroom. Instead of banning mobile technology, Colonial Heights is embracing it.

"This is their generation; this is aimed at their generation," sixth-grade teacher Richard Ridpath said. "They are a cell phone, iPod, Xbox generation. This is just meeting [students] where they are."

Ridpath uses mobile devices with video and interactive applications as a supplement to his more traditional lesson.

Chesterfield, VA Superintendant Marcus J. Newsome said:

"It the past, it seems as though [the cell phone] has been a tool that's been disruptive to the teaching and learning process, but if there's a way to turn it around to our advantage, we need to investigate."

Mobile learning used to be solely associated with online post-secondary education. As technology evolves and preconceptions are lessened, mobile education is beginning to apply to younger and younger students.

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Amid all the destruction, according to this New York Times report, mobile phones are helping aid workers’ rescue efforts in Haiti. The decision to focus on text messaging resulted from the damage Haiti’s telecommunications system suffered from the earthquake. Broken transmitters and overloaded networks made telephone calls nearly impossible. However, text messaging was still available.

Among the successes according to a Coast Guard volunteer cited by The Times, text messaging helped identify a tent city that the American military and relief workers were previously unaware of.

No question that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski laid out an ambitious goal this week for nationwide, affordable broadband. Leaving the details aside for the moment, the underlying concept is important: As Mobile Future consistently has repeated in this blog, all who care about mobility in the US should agree with Chairman Genachowski, about the urgent need to expand wireless capacity so that mobile users continue to have a good quality of service.

As he said only two months ago:

“There may be no greater spur to America's global competitiveness than getting this right. The record contains powerful evidence that the demand on our commercial mobile spectrum is on a course to outstrip the supply.”

Julius’ pledge, though ambitious, is vitally important. But its implementation also will be very expensive.

To effectively walk his talk, the National Broadband Plan he will be submitting shortly to Congress will need to include coherent and practical policies that actually encourage America’s wireless build-out, and enable the considerable private sector investment needed to support it.

The numbers speak for themselves: More than $300 billion invested in wireless during the past 25 years. And according to NY Times tech columnist Randall Stross, even in an urban setting, a typical wi-fi deployment cost in an urban area runs $75,000 to $125,000 per square mile just to install the equipment. The FCC itself as estimated that some $350 billion in new investment will be required to achieve our nation’s broadband goals.

The Chairman has identified a crucial need, and has offered a bold vision for meeting it. Now the pressure’s on for the FCC – and all of us who care about our mobile future -- to work together in creating innovative policies that will help solve that problem rather than exacerbate it.

This week at the Mobile World Congress, held in Barcelona, International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Secretary-General Dr. Hamadoun Toure discussed the growing role that mobile plays in providing Internet access:

"Even during an economic crisis, we have seen no drop in the demand for communications services and I am confident that we will continue to see a rapid uptake in mobile cellular services in particular in 2010, with many more people using their phones to access the Internet."

This increase in mobile connectivity can have positive implications for people around the globe.

"Even the simplest, low-end mobile phone can do so much to improve health care in the developing world," said Toure. "Good examples include sending reminder messages to patients' phones when they have a medical appointment, or need a prenatal check-up. Or using SMS messages to deliver instructions on when and how to take complex medication such as anti-retrovirals or vaccines. It's such a simple thing to do, and yet it saves millions of dollars--and can help improve and even save the lives of millions of people."

Rosen cites a recent Neilsen Mobile survey showing that from 2007 to 2009, the number of texts sent by the average teen increased by more than 600 percent. “If you have a teenager (or even a preteen),” he writes, “You must learn how to text, or you two will never ‘connect.’”

More generally, he says, America’s youngest two generations “are defined not by a letter or by their birth year but by their use of technology and media, their need and ability to multitask, their rapid acceptance of anything new and their view of the meaning of technology.” Any way you look at this, it means more texts, more social networking, more streaming videos – increasingly on a mobile network.

For more of Rosen's CNN commentary, click here.

Expecting parents should text "BABY" (or "BEBE", for Spanish texts) to 511411. They'll receive weekly texts geared to the baby's birth date that cover nutrition, immunization and birth defect prevention. The texts, which have been vetted by government and nonprofit health experts, continue through the baby's first birthday.

An added benefit: Several major wireless carriers have waived text fees for the service.

For more information, click here

"The technology uses a photosenstive dye to start its energy production, much the way leaves use chlorophyll to begin photosynthesis.  The dye-sensitized cells will be used to provide power for devices ranging from e-book readers to cellphones."

The cells are incorporated into panels that are sewn to a variety of accessories including: covers for e-readers, backpacks and sports bags, and will enable consumers to charge their electronics via a USB cord.  You can read more of the article here.

If the iPad is a success, watch for hardware and software developers to respond in kind – and fast.  Take hardware development: By the fall of 2007, consumers had shown clear interest in mobile phone touch screens.  A year later, at least three other companies had unveiled touch screen phones.  Since then, even more choices have emerged.

That, in turn, spurred the current surge in mobile apps.  If tablet computers become a success, expect to see a huge amount of resources deployed for software development.  Earlier this week, The New York Times’ Jenna Wortham once again showed why she has a reputation for being ahead of the curve on tech trends.   On Monday, The Times published this article by Wortham on the broader implications of the iPad [Link]:

“Apple’s move to open up the iPhone to outside programmers in 2008 started a software-writing frenzy. [The iPad’s 10-inch screen and other features] could inspire developers to create new twists on apps, like games that two or more people can easily play at once on the same device.”

As with mobile phone apps, the growth of the “tablet app” market will continue to hasten America’s mobile adoption.

For policymakers, the importance of allocating enough wireless spectrum to accommodate consumers’ expected surge in mobile usage becomes even more important.  Fortunately, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet recently approved a bill that’s a step in the right direction.

This is an important step toward identifying unused spectrum, which may be freed up or auctioned off to increase wireless spectrum.

"Additional spectrum for wireless services will be needed and will be needed soon," said Rep. Rick Boucher (D., Va.), chairman of the House subcommittee. An inventory of the nation's airwaves would be helpful in "revealing areas where relocations could occur or where spectrum sharing could be feasible," he said.

We are encouraged by these efforts to begin addressing our nation’s looming spectrum crisis and hope that Congress will continue to work quickly in passing this important bi-partisan legislation.

You can read the WSJ article here.

Seven days after the earthquake hit, a record $22 million had been raised by the American Red Cross for relief efforts in Haiti, a groundbreaking statistic. Within hours after reports first emerged of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, all major wireless carriers agreed to utilize the mGive software application to allow users to text SMS short code 90999 and type "Haiti." A user's account would be charged $10 for the donation on their next bill and a user could text up to two times. Cell phone carriers chose not to charge users to send the texts and some carriers fronted the donations to the Red Cross to speed up delivery of money that is typically held up until a user is billed and money from customers is received.

The post-earthquake, text-to-give campaign reflects the growth trends in mobile use and texting -- not just in the younger demographic but in the over-35 group. Text messaging has grown exponentially -- with texting volume increasing 600% in just the past two years; mobile internet traffic is expected to grow 100 times faster than wireless voice traffic over the next decade; and 1 in 5 Americans already connect to the Internet daily over their mobile device.  The ubiquity, power and reach of mobile phones make mobile giving a convenient and secure way to donate.  In fact, cell phone campaigns may be reaching people who might not otherwise have made the effort to get involved. 

This historical milestone in goodwill contribution is a hallmark of 21st century innovation and technology. For more information on how you can join the relief efforts please visit www.redcross.org

Woolley used the light from his iPhone to show him his injuries and diagnosed it properly as a broken foot.  Then, he used the instructions from the app to treat the excessive bleeding from cuts on his legs and the back of his head. 

Furthermore, he was able to figure out his location within the building using GPS and find an elevator shaft—which lead him to safety.  A true testament of personal ingenuity in the face of catastrophe. 

As wireless connectivity takes on an even more central role in our economy and our society, we must acknowledge that we have come so far, so fast primarily because of the decisions of consumers and the vision of innovators, rather than the interventions of government. There is so much potential still to unleash, if we chart a constructive and balanced path forward.

You can read Jonathan’s op-ed here.

The report, "Net Neutrality Regulatory Proposals: Operational and Engineering Implications for Wireless Networks and the Consumers They Serve,” provides an important technical perspective on the impact net neutrality regulatory proposals will have on the wireless services consumers demand and operators provide.  Find out more about the release and read the report.

Yet the real measure of wireless’ success isn’t measured in households, but in remarkable innovations that are suddenly on the verge of reality thanks to wireless.  Last week’s Consumer Electronics Show showcased a number of wireless advances.  Coincidentally, Rex Crum has a spot-on article in today’s Wall Street Journal about how wireless advances and new apps may finally mean that consumers will have a user-friendly tablet computer:

“Analysts say that while it is too early to tell how much traction tablets will gain among potential buyers, the state of technology is such that there might finally be the right mix of applications, hardware and mobility available to make tablet PCs more than just a niche device in a market already crowded with gadgets….”

 As Crum notes, “The growth of wireless networking and Wi-Fi technology, along with easy access to digital content… are seen as reasons why [computer makers] used CES as a platform for unveiling their latest tablet PC efforts.”
 
Stay tuned as a company in Cupertino, CA is supposedly announcing its wireless tablet later this month.

"It's pretty sweet, it advances the state of the art, and it's a welcome addition to the catalog of great app phones like the iPhone, Palm Pre and Motorola Droid.  You'll pay $529 without a two-year contract for service with T-Mobile, or $179 with one."

Well, if you're in Washington, DC, you're in luck.  All you need to do is snap a photo with your PDA and using the city's DC 311 mobile app, pair it with a GPS location.  You then upload it into a local government database.  This also works for graffiti, broken parking meters and any other public nuisance.

Other cities from New York to San Francisco have also moved to harness the power of mobile consumers.  The practical result, as CNN reports is that:

[T]ech geeks transform banal local government spreadsheets about train schedules, complaint systems, potholes, street lamp repairs and city garbage into useful applications for mobile phones and the Web. The aim is to let citizens report problems to their governments more easily and accurately; and to put public information, which otherwise may be buried in file cabinets and Excel files, at the fingertips of taxpayers.

San Francisco and other cities are trying to develop a national standard for municipal government data. That way, a mobile app that tracks, say, bus service in San Francisco could also be used in any other city.  That could enable cities that cannot afford to develop their own mobile apps to benefit.

The wireless sector employs nearly 2.7 million Americans - from applications developers to retail store workers to network engineers - and contributes $100 billion annually to our nation's economy. In the last year alone, wireless companies have invested more than $20 billion in networks that are expanding opportunities for the next generation of connected businesses.

You can read the rest of Diane’s op-ed here.

[M]obile devices should be the big story. New phones are likely to be unveiled by Palm, Motorola and others. There will be a host of new e-book readers; keep your eye on the QUE from start-up Plastic Logic. The netbook surge rolls on, aided by variants known as smartbooks -- generally Linux-based, with non-Intel processors, and offering handy features like instant on. Even now-mundane devices like cameras and camcorders will offer wireless connectivity. Also expect a host of new tablet-based PCs, taking advantage of special features in still-nascent Windows 7.

Incidentally, we're offering Savitz' insights solely for their own merits and not to help convince our bosses to approve our last-minute CES travel request.

"There may be no greater spur to America's global competitiveness than getting this right. The record contains powerful evidence that the demand on our commercial mobile spectrum is on a course to outstrip the supply."

That's FCC chairman Julius Genachowski speaking last week at an FCC public meeting.  This is a particularly welcome comment given the near-simultaneous release of a Morgan Stanley report concluding that the mobile Internet is growing faster than previous technology cycles, including the evolution of the desktop PC.

"The mobile phone is quickly becoming Santa's biggest helper.  Powerful software applications for [PDAs] are making it easy for bargain-hunting consumers to see if another retailer is offering a better deal on a big-screen HDTV or pair of shoes and to use it to haggle at the cash register.

 "Online retailers are revamping the mobile versions of their sites so consumers can make purchases without tedious typing. And offline retailers, battling for every last dollar, are sending cellphone users electronic coupons to lure them away from competitors."

Incidentally, while shopping and browsing may be national pastimes this time of year, let's also remember the holiday spirit and help those in need.  Yes, you guessed it - your mobile phone makes it easy to do that too.  The folks at the Mobile Giving Foundation are leading the way in helping non-profit organizations leverage the mobile Internet to generate fast and easy options for mobile users to donate from their PDAs.

The Radio Spectrum Inventory Act (H.R. 3125)  would require an inventory of the spectrum bands managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission.  The bill was introduced by Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and currently has 17 Cosponsors.  The Spectrum Relocation Improvement Act (H.R. 3019) would amend the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to improve the process of reallocation of spectrum from Federal Government use to commercial uses.  This bill was introduced by Congressman Jay Inslee and currently has 10 Cosponsors. 

The witnesses at the committee hearing included:

Michael Calabrese - Vice President and Director, Wireless Future Program, New America Foundation

Dale Hatfield - Adjunct Professor, Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Program, University of Colorado at Boulder

Ray Johnson, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Lockheed Martin Corporation

Steve Largent, President and CEO, CTIA - The Wireless Association

Thomas Stroup, Chief Executive Officer, Shared Spectrum Company

You can find all of their testimony here.

Answer: They're all state and local fees paid by New York's mobile phone users.

Fortunately, U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner is among those willing to say, Enough is enough. Weiner tells the New York Daily News that Big Apple mobile users pay 10 state and city taxes and fees - more than any other city in the nation. Combined, he says, this adds about 16 percent to the mobile phone bill. Among U.S. cities, only Chicago adds on a higher amount, with a 19 percent total. 

We've written before about the problem of excessive fees levied on mobile phone service  and bipartisan efforts in Congress to rein these in. Thank you, Congressman Weiner, for standing up for wireless consumers.

As an example, Siriwardane cites fuzzy bedroom slippers with pressure sensors in the soles which wirelessly transmit movement data, including information that the wearer may be more likely to fall. 

Of greater potential benefit, researchers are pouring research funding into the development of cost-effective wireless audio and video consultation services so doctors may interact remotely with patients in real time.

 The reason for this is not hard to discern:

Remote patient monitoring alone can generate between 20 percent to 40 percent in savings, said Chris Wasden, managing director of health industries strategy and innovation at PricewaterhouseCoopers....  Wasden [explained] that telehealth is much more common in developing countries such as India, where cell phones enable people to receive health care in remote areas that once lacked access to modern medicine. "They've already developed the ability to deliver mobile health care to their people, but we're behind the times on that."

Better healthcare.  More affordable access.  That's the mobile future.

Fast forward to today. Nearly 40 percent of mobile sales are smartphones and one in five Americans use the mobile web every day.  As a result, writes Roger Cheng in recent Wall Street Journal article, companies are increasingly looking to expand their mobile offerings:

"[As] people spend more time on their cellphones, many companies are considering taking their message boards, user forums and blogs to mobile devices.... The move to mobile isn't without challenges [because] different phones, screen sizes and platforms create headaches for site designers."

But that's a problem which R&D is already solving, as programmers benefit from the steadily increasing power of mobile phones.  For users, this is yet another sign that the mobile web has truly come of age.

Looking at data on Whitehouse.gov, [there is not] a lot of traffic coming from Afghanistan and Pakistan because Internet penetration in the region is relatively low at 2% and 11% respectively. However, mobile penetration is much higher. 52% of the 177 million people in Pakistan have at least 1 mobile device and 30% of the 28.4 million in Afghanistan.  Given this trend, [the White House] produced short video clips of the President's segment to Afghans and had it dubbed in Arabic, Dari, Pashto, and Urdu in order for them to be distributed locally on mobile devices. Given the small screens on phones, subtitling wasn't an appropriate option. The original version in English is also available.