Undiscovered Gem
Posted on March 31, 2011
Nearly everyone realizes smartphones and iPads are intensifying cellular congestion, particularly in major cities like New York and San Francisco. Since last June AT&T refuses to offer new subscribers an unlimited-use flat rate. Even though Verizon declines to impose metered usage for new iPhones, their contracts reserve the right to unilaterally limit bandwidth to heavy users.
Download audio narrative to iPad, iPod, or iPhone here - three minutes.
The chart below projects that smartphones will rise from 14% of domestic subscribers in 2008 to 90% by 2014. Even though LTE fourth generation cellular networks are coming online, they are not enough to handle the problem, particularly given the rise of iPads and other tablet computers. Read more…
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TV Band White Spaces Update
Posted on March 28, 2011
The Wireless Internet Service Provider Association (WISPA) held a two day conference in Orlando last week. Three points merit attention.
First, two companies demonstrated a wireless LAN over unoccupied TV channels. This is significant because many industry observers mistakenly assume vacant TV bands are only in rural markets. Although Orlando’s MSA population is over two million, at least four White Space TV channels were available.
To listen to audio narration now click here - three minutes.
One company is Silicon Valley based Adaptrum. They’re developing cognitive radio chips able to promptly identify available spectrum based upon geo-location and signal sensing. Apparently their ambition extends beyond TV bands. For example, the Nation Science Foundation concluded in 2005 that only about five percent of communications spectrum between 30 MHz and 3,000 MHz is used at any given time. Frequency agile cognitive radios could spontaneously identify and use such idle spectrum. The process would be transparent to the wireless LAN user who would merely experience reliable service without realizing where, or how, his smartphone or tablet computer obtained bandwidth. Read more…
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How the TV Industry Can Combat DVRs
Posted on March 24, 2011
During the past dozen years the percentage of American households with DVRs increased from zero to forty percent. Viewers became increasingly accustomed to skipping commercials and viewing shows on their own timetables as opposed to broadcast schedules. The growth intensifies apprehension among sponsors that TV advertising is losing effectiveness. While to date industry efforts to combat the trend have been unproductive, recent developments suggest the tendency can be mitigated, and even reversed. When combined with better ad targeting and commercials permitting viewers to segue into spontaneous online merchandise purchases, the TV industry could advance to a new era of prosperity.
Download audio narration to iPod, iPhone, and iPad, eight minutes.
The “trick” is to transform scripted shows into realtime events. As the chief executive of CBS noted last month, “Every major (live) event over the last year – Academy Awards, Grammy’s, etcetera – did exceedingly better than the previous year.” While live performances such as athletic contests and awards ceremonies are classic examples of events, it’s increasingly feasible to convert scripted programs into realtime shared experiences as well. The key is to involve audience members in silent chatter over social networks as they watch the TV shows at scheduled broadcast times. The two most important of such networks are Facebook and Twitter. Although viewers may actually be alone, they get a sense of congregating in the living room, watching the show together. Read more…
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TV Band White Spaces Report Now Available
Posted on March 23, 2011
Our research report Television Band White Spaces: Analysis and Forecast is now available from The Diffusion Group. A Summary, Table of Contents, and Exhibit List are provided below.
Download audio narration to iPod, iPad, and iPhone here — two minutes.
The price is $2,500, but those attending the FISPA/WISPA Conference in Orlando this week are entitled to a 10% discount. To access the discount attendees must place their orders with Wendy Stockard of The Diffusion Group. She may be phoned at 469-287-8061 or emailed at ws@tdgresearch.com.
Summary
TV Band White Spaces are the unused TV channels in each geographic area. The FCC set-aside almost fifty TV channels, but not a single city comes even close to using them all. That means there is unused TV spectrum in each locality that could be employed for other purposes including (1) wireless Internet service, (2) wireless local area networks, and (3) hot spots for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. The spectrum could be used without taking anything away from TV stations.
This report includes a five-year quantitative market forecast, as well as future business opportunities for TV Band White Spaces.
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Allergies to Innovation: Afterword
Posted on March 22, 2011
General George Ramsay replaced General James Ripley as the Chief Ordnance Officer for the Union armies on September 15, 1863. He and Secretary of War Stanton remained at odds. After a year Ramsay was replaced in September of 1864 when only about a half-year remained before a Confederate surrender.
By the end of the war in May of 1865 over 100,000 Spencer repeaters had been ordered, but only about 65,000 were issued. Similarly, just under 2,000 Henry’s made it into the field, although the rifle would evolve into the Winchester ‘73 that ruled the West during the cowboy era. By contrast there were millions of muzzle-loading single shot Springfield’s and Enfield’s used during the Civil War. They were almost immediately obsolete thereafter. The muzzle-loading Springfield was replaced by a breach-loading version a year after the war ended. Enfield’s, which were imported from Great Britain, were never again much used in America.
Download audio narration to iPod, iPad, and iPhone here - seven minutes.
Union forces only used Spencer’s and Henry’s in isolated incidents until the final months of the war. In one example, Colonel Wilder’s Brigade employed them to good effect at Chickamauga in September of 1863. The brigade may well have been partly responsible for preventing a complete rout of the Union Army of the Cumberland. Read more…
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Allergies to Innovation: Chapter 7
Posted on March 21, 2011
Shortly before 10:00 AM on Monday, August 17th, Christopher Spencer walked up to the sentry hut at the White House and announced he had arrived for a scheduled meeting with Secretary Hay. After a few questions the sentry left for the mansion, returned minutes later, had Chris sign the guest register, and escorted him into John Hay’s office.
To download audio narration to iPod, iPhone, and iPad click here (8 Minutes)
“Welcome, Mr. Spencer” said Hay walking from behind his desk and extending his hand. Two seats were in front of the desk and Mike Baron rose from the occupied one to wait his turn to shake Chris’s hand. When greeting were completed, Hay motioned for Chris to take the empty seat. Read more…
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Allergies to Innovation: Chapter 6
Posted on March 18, 2011
Since three strangers had him trapped in the tavern supply room and one was holding a revolver pointed at his chest, Mike had little choice but to take the seat suggested. But mainly he was perplexed. How could this guy know my name? How does he know about my brother? And somehow he looks damn familiar, but I can’t place it. It’s likely he’s General Ripley’s escort, but he looks familiar in some other way as well.
Download audio narration to iPod, iPhone, or iPad here - eight minutes.
Frank King put a foot on a nearby chair so as to rest his pistol arm on his knee while keeping the barrel pointed at Mike.
“We met in Boston and again in Washington City. I was the janitor in Spencer’s office and the man who met you in the ally behind Willard’s.”
Mike’s eyes widened as his face turned red with anger. Read more…
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Allergies to Innovation: Chapter 5
Posted on March 17, 2011
Before interviewing Ordnance Chief James Ripley, Lieutenant Baron wanted more information only a fly-on-the-wall could get. Earlier in the war Corporal Bobby Anders had accompanied Mike on several scouting missions and demonstrated a good eye for details. Baron arranged for Anders to be temporarily reassigned to the Ordnance Department, instructing him to be especially watchful of the General’s visitors.
Download Audio Narration to iPhone, iPod, iPad, thirteen minutes.
Gesturing for Bobby to take a seat in Mike’s hotel room, the Lieutenant asked “So, how was the first week?”
Bobby sat, scratched the back of his head and said, “The General is disciplined at his work and is respected – no, feared – by those in the Department. He arrives at 8:00 am and leaves at 5:00pm like clockwork.”
“What about visitors?”, queried Mike. Read more…
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