Trucking Technology Report - Dec. 6
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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:
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LEDs On the Road to Acceptance in Trucking
Truck lighting based on LED technology is rapidly gaining acceptance in the trucking industry due to the number of advantages they offer.
The main caveat right now is the price of LEDs, but that is coming down all the time, and the number of fleets using LEDs is growing as the cost comes down and lighting manufacturers effectively communicate the benefits of using the technology.
Other things to watch out for: the cost of LEDs makes them a target for theft, which can be mitigated through theft-resistant mountings; snow and ice must be cleared from the lights, because they run cool and do not melt the snow as light bulbs do; and mechanics must be aware that LEDs are polarized. Commercial Carrier Journal (11/00) Vol. 157, No. 11, P. 57; Richards, Paul; Grabarek, Bill
Users Leery of Wireless Internet Access, Study States
A recent study conducted by Allied Business Intelligence indicates that very few mobile phone users have knowledge of their phones' wireless Web capabilities.The Mobile Wireless Voice and Data Use 2000 study compared the responses from two categories of participants: users and non-users. The study focused questions on consumer attitudes toward mobile voice and data applications.
Less than 5% of people participating in the study said the mobile phone would be a good device for accessing the Web. And a combined 49% of users and non-users said they had no opinion on the topic of wireless Web access via a mobile phone.
Meanwhile, the study indicated that only 26% of participants are willing to be billed an extra $10 to $20 per month for unlimited access to data. But 62% answered with no opinion, suggesting the industry needs to better promote its mobile data offerings. Cisco World (11/00) Vol. 6, No. 11, P. 12
Mobile Phones are Getting Data-Smart
As wireless technology advances, smart phones may become the device of choice for most users. Smart phones will combine the functionality of mobile phones with the data features of PDAs.While some current smart phones, such as the Ericsson R380, offer wireless Web access and a few data features, future phones will be able to run more powerful applets and access corporate databases. They will also support a variety of interactive services, including the latest stock quotes and e-commerce transactions.
Many vendors are adding local intelligence, such as the latest news or weather, and PIM applications for their mobile phone buyers, but the technology relies on network-based applications and services. In comparison, smart phones will have highly-advanced operating systems to run these applications and even store data.
As wireless technology advances, all these added features will be provided without increasing the size of smart phones, although screens will be larger for data applications. Phones with these feature could become commercially available in the next year or so. Infoworld (11/13/00) Vo. 22, No. 46, P. 84; Orubeondo, Ana
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