Trucking Technology Report - Sept. 4
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Both the online report and e-mail are sponsored by @Track Communications, a supplier of wireless communications and dispatch services.
Today's Technology Headlines:
- Japan's NTT Plans Faster Cell Phones
- Cell Phone Debate Heats Up
- Motorola Develops New, Faster Chip
- Sprint Debuts Tiny Mobile Phone
Japan's NTT Plans Faster Cell Phones
NTT DoCoMo predicts it will offer the world's first supercharged cell phone service that works as a videophone and zips information by Oct. 1; the technology is known as 3G.Due to software glitches, the release was postponed from May to October, and in the beginning, only commercial users will have access to the 3G service, which is expected to cost consumers as much as double the current price. Japan's top mobile carrier expects at least 150,000 users in the fiscal year ending March 2002, and hopes to attract 6 million users by the third year.
I>Associated Press (09/04/01)
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Cell Phone Debate Heats Up
Even though New York is the only state so far to prohibit drivers from using handheld wireless phones in the car, a number of other state legislatures will be considering the issue next year, reflecting a sharpening debate over how great a safety hazard and distraction cell phones represent.Supporters of such bans say they will campaign for the laws when most legislatures return in January, but whether such campaigns will lead to new laws is uncertain. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, laws to restrict or ban drivers' use of handheld cell phones were introduced in 43 states in 2001, but most of them were killed in committee before June, when New York's new law added momentum to the movement.
In a lot of states, lobbying by the cellular phone industry and by other industries that are dependant on wireless phones managed to stall the measures.
There are currently about 121 million mobile phones in use in the United States, and opponents of the bans argue that prohibiting cell phone use could cause serious safety problems as drivers pull off and on streets in using the phones.
In addition, opponents say that such prohibitions would represent a draconian response to what is in reality a limited problem. While a number of studies have indicated that mobile phones can distract drivers, there is no consensus on whether they are more to blame than other distractions for accidents.
I>New York Times (09/02/01) P. 18; Verhovek, Sam Howe
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Motorola Develops New, Faster Chip
According to reports in a number of national newspapers, Motorola has created a computer chip that company officials claim is 35 times faster than current models and could cut the cost of making electronics such as DVD players and mobile phones.The new chip represents a breakthrough in technology, analysts say, because it enables relatively cheap semiconductors to process at high speeds. The new chips will also be able to handle more functions than current chips.
In addition, the new chips could lead to lead to new semiconductor-based lighting systems and to the development of new wireless devices such as radar systems, which could be used to help motor vehicles avoid collisions.
I>Associated Press (09/04/01)
The phone is being touted as one of the lightest, smallest handsets currently on the market. According to senior vice president of sales and distribution for Sprint PCS John Garcia, the TP5200 is designed for all consumers, from professionals to young people.
In the meantime, LG InfoComm U.S.A. Is working with Verizon Wireless on a next-generation handset to be used with Verizon's new CDMA2000 1X network; while Sprint recently released the cell phone SPH-N200 by Samsung, a flip-up handset.
I>Wireless Newsfactor (08/30/01); McDonough, Brian
Sprint Debuts Tiny Mobile Phone
Sprint and LG InfoComm U.S.A. recently unveiled a dual-band PCS phone, dubbed TP52000, which features external caller ID screen, menu-driven navigation, voice memo, vibrating ring alert, bilingual display capabilities, among several other services.
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