The first time Peyton Manning was in the Super bowl, I watched with 2,000+ others at the 2007 NTCA Annual Convention. Unfortunately for Manning, this year’s results weren’t the same and, unfortunately, for me, I didn’t get a chance to attend this week’s NTCA event, now known as RTIME. Fortunately, we have a video from the 2007 event that provides glimpses of my rural friends who, in part, are an inspiration for an all-consuming project described below in the Korner.
Click here to view the video shot before the advent of the smartphone or tablet.
The Machine to Human Connection
If the Internet of Everything is the future, then International CES 2014 is a good indication of where we are going. One word that describes CES 2014 is connected. Everything seemed to be connected in one form or another. This idea of machine-to-machine interfaces showed up in things ranging from sump pumps to door locks to automobiles.
Click here to read more and view and stay tuned for more of our exclusive coverage of CES.
A New Definition of Smart Water
Given the historic drought in California, finding ways to reduce water use is critical for homeowners and businesses alike. Products like the ones that Kevin Meagher, VP & GM Smart Home of Lowes, discusses a way to automatically detect water leaks and, if the leaks are really a flood, automatically shut off the water to the house. And, even better for earthquake prone Californian, Lowes has solution for detecting gas leaks and turning off gas to the home.
Click here to read more and view.
Smart Devices – Smart Network – Social Benefit
Luis Sosa, CEO of DDM Brands points out that a SocialMesh network approach to wireless will bring benefits to society. He brings an interesting perspective to this topic, as his company has been serving markets with less than ideal wireless infrastructures. As a manufacturer and designer that focuses on these markets, they have introduced innovations that fit the needs of the consumers in smaller markets.
Click here to read more and view.
FCC’s “All IP” Network Transitions Trials – What to Expect
At its January 30th Open Commission Meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve a petition AT&T had filed (in November 2012) to conduct trials of an “all-Internet Protocol (IP) network” that would eventually replace the PSTN and TDM networks now used extensively in the U.S. The transition will be from plain Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) delivered over 2 wire copper subscriber loops to feature-rich voice services using Internet Protocols, to be delivered over coaxial cable, fiber, or wireless networks.
Click here to read Weissberger’s thoughts on what to expect and who benefits.
Augmenting the Local Caregiver’s Abilities via Google Glass
Telemedicine is the kind of practical application that may make Google Glass and other wearable technologies into something revolutionary. Pristine, a company that claims to be the only company that has developed commercially available Glass-software that meets HIPPA regulations, has partnered with Wound Care Advantage (WCA) to be the first to use Google Glass to help deliver outpatient wound care.
Click here to read more.
Some Tweets and Short Thoughts:
- @CullenHMcCarty: “FirstNet present is too vague. Partner how? I don’t see it. You’re not selling me here. Message fail. #RTIME14“
- @AjitPaiFCC “Can I text in my vote” on the Text to 911 order. Laughter ensues.
- “Response from PSAPs has been underwhelming” w/regard to text-911 capabilities. “Time for them to do their part” FCC Wheeler
- Produced too late for last Sunday’s Super Bowl, check out this 30 second spot.
- Just got the heads up that TV white spaces pioneer Adaptrum will soon launch their ACS 2.0 product line, which allows for point-to-point or point-to-multipoint operation with up to 13 Mb/s throughput using a single 6 MHz channel over a frequency range of 400 MHz to 1 GHz. From the preview this reporter has seen, this could be a great tool for an operator to extend broadband to locations that would otherwise not be economically feasible. A good primer on deployment of technology in real-world conditions can be found here.
The Korner – Building a Playground – Building a Community
Readers and viewers who follow Viodi on various social outlets may have seen some somewhat odd messages lately about dancing bunnies, wiener dogs meeting Wienermobiles and S.J. Sharkie mixing it up with a bunch of kids. Let me explain the background and the bigger picture behind these seemingly off-topic dispatches.
One of the things that inspires me about the people who work for independent communications companies in rural America is how deeply woven they are into the fabric of their communities; the technician may be the mayor, the marketing person may sit on the economic development board and the owner might be a volunteer fire fighter. As locally owned telecommunications’ companies, these businesses become sort of commercial anchors connecting their communities both electronically and physically by their employees’ presence.
In the rural areas served by my telecom friends, the economics don’t support the same level of paid employees that one finds in urban areas, so citizen volunteers are essential to a thriving community. As a result, there appears to be less of divide between the governed and the local government in rural America, as compared to urban America.
And though income levels may vary widely in small town America, they don’t divide like they do in the urban areas. When you are in a town of 2,000 people, there isn’t much choice as to the restaurants you go to, the schools your kids attend or the church where you pray. People of different incomes are forced to live together and help each other out when disaster strikes. Kids grow up knowing that adults are looking after them, as well as watching them to make sure they are on the straight and narrow (see Search Institute’s 40 Assets).
Click here to read what the above has to do with building a playground in the nation’s 10th largest city.
