Work(ing Title)

On the heels of the trainwreck that has been the next generation DVD format, there’s some light at the end of the mobile network tunnel. Almost every major mobile provider (Vodafone, Sprint/Nextel, TMO…) have joined together to form the Next Generation Mobile Networks initiative to build a strategy for 4G network creation.

By the end of the decade, the NGMN hopes to be rolling out an entirely IP-switched mobile network protocol to replace the current disparate standards. This is what 3G was supposed to do, but I’m leaning on the axiom past performance has little bearing on future performance.

The possibilities for savings in software development and cross-carrier interactions are immense, not to mention the hope of a tremendously simplified device design. One ring to bring them all…

(via Phonescoop)

DSC_3990 by Absolut Alex

I’ve now had my BlackBook for about two weeks, and the lust that drove me to buy the hardest-to-keep-clean computer to date is bleeding into the other areas of my life.

After playing with Wyatt’s white DS Lite last week, and with more and more travel looming on the horizon, I’m beginning to think about obtaining one of these UK edition midnight devils. Seems like a great way to pass the time on those trans-atlantic flights.

Last night I braved the traffic into Seattle en route to the Satellite Lounge. There I met a cool Microsoft cat named Jordan Schwartz to test a piece of software he calls Pixie Hunt.

Shortly after I arrived Jordan explained the rules of the game and placed me on the team with Lars, Jen, and Brady. Our team got off to a slow start, but it wasn’t long before we took the lead and marched our way to victory 90 minutes later.

After a nacho-fuelled debriefing I excused myself to make my way back east. Before I left though, Brady clued me into the Where 2.0 conference he’s putting together next week. Some very intriguing talks are scheduled so far, as well as the Where Fair (the geeks really are taking that word back from its deep-fried mid-west roots.)

Many many thanks go out to Jordan, Brady, and everyone else who played last night! Hopefully next week I’ll be down in San Jose to see the larger-scale game in action.

Anyone out there in the market for a new phone would do well to read this in-depth review of Motorola’s blackberry killer. The hyper-svelte Q includes a gorgeous display, full QWERTY keyboard, and 1.3 megapixel camera into a compelling Windows Mobile smartphone package.

NTT DoCoMo, in partnership with mmO2 plc, that they will be extending their i-Mode mobile data services into the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany. According to the DoCoMo press release, English and Irish services are slated to begin in the second half of 2005, with German rollout planned for Spring 2006.

I have been spouting off about this for over a year to anyone who will listen, and now my wishes are beginning to come true. This move will definitely give Vodafone and their recent Vodafone live! 3G program a run for its money, and it will further strengthen DoCoMo’s position as a dominant force in the global mobile industry.

It seems that O2 needed this deal, considering they are the runner-up in the UK market, and Vodafone’s 3G launch spans across the majority of Europe. DoCoMo also needs to continue to make bold moves into foreign markets in order to grow beyond their current role as an extremely strong yet land-locked company.

Personally I would like to see DoCoMo increase their visibility in the US market. Their investment in ATT Wireless hasn’t borne much fruit aside from a minimal 3G launch in small pockets of ATT’s coverage. Vodafone could stand to increase their brand visibility in the US market, mostly because I dread hearing about Verizon Wireless and the next feature-stripped handset.

If mobile customers in the US will wake up and begin to demand handset portability from their providers, then hopefully we can push GSM into a more dominant position, which would soften the ground for a proper global market.