Trucking Technology Report - Feb. 16
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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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These Days, Even the Cars Talk
In-vehicle technology allows drivers to access a variety of information, including e-mail. Auto cell phone systems give users access to a large selection of location-based services, which can provide directions to such places as gas stations
The Onstar communications system provides users with a hands-free phone, which allows the driver to connect to an OnStar operator or access other information. In addition, the technology can send an emergency message to OnStar when the vehicle's airbag is deployed.
The GPS system can easily locate the vehicle for sending rescue teams to the scene of the accident. In addition, OnStar operators can unlock the doors and even turn on the headlights of vehicles installed with the system. General Motors plans to offer the technology in its entire line of vehicles. Meanwhile, Range Rovers will be equipped this year with a feature that automatically turns up the vehicles sound system when driving at high speeds. Edmonton Sun (02/16/01) P. DR36; Morris, Jerry
Md. House Panel Kills Bill on Car Cell Phone Use
A Maryland House Committee rejected a proposal Thursday banning residents from using cell phones while operating a vehicle.Supporters of the legislation had hoped that the deaths of two people along the Capital Beltway in Prince George's County would have encourage legislators to enact the ban. The two people were run over by a Naval Academy midshipman talking on his mobile phone while driving. The Commerce and Government Matters Committee rejected the proposal by a vote of 14 to 7.
The committee's vice chairman, Del. Maggie L. McIntosh, said that the legislation, which was created by Del. John S. Arnick (D-Baltimore County), was not needed. She also reported that other states had not passed similar bans, since their investigations show that less than 2 percent of vehicle collisions resulted from mobile phone use. Washington Post (02/16/01) P. B4; LeDuc, Daniel
Cultures Clash Over Next Mobile Phone
Motorola's decision to end its project with Psion is representative of many failed agreements between the wireless phone industry and the computer industry.The two companies, which had agreed to jointly develop a personal organizer with cell phone capabilities, could not agree on the final design of the device. Many wireless phone companies are concerned with the size and weight of the device, in addition to battery life, while computer firms are interested in the processing power and compatibility of the device. Other industry leaders, such as Microsoft and Nokia, have had similar battles as they attempt to expand into each other's industries.
Psion CEO David Levin says that a major point of disagreement with Motorola was whether the device should be more voice or data oriented. Meanwhile, Brian Kober, the Motorola vice president that headed the company's collaboration with Psion, says that his company is continuing to
evelop a hybrid device, but with a smaller screen and less computing power than Psion wanted. While, neither company would reveal the combined investment for the botched agreement, Motorola said it gave $8 million to Psion and has waived repayment. Meanwhile, Psion will continue to collaborate with Motorola concerning the Symbian software consortium. The consortium, which has other notable members such as Nokia and Ericsson, is developing operating systems for cell phones. Wall Street Journal (02/16/01) P. B6; Pringle, David
Telephone Hangups Bedevil Consumers at Every Turn
Consumers are increasingly having difficulty with their local phone companies, according to various surveys, for example, frustrated by waiting for customer service representatives to finish with the previous customer.Analysts say that intense competition in local phone service, caused by deregulation of the
ndustry by Congress in 1996, high-speed communications technology, high demand for Internet service, and general bad planning have all conspired together over the last five years to throttle the telecommunications industry. A lot of the problems are the shortcomings and lack of access to over-hyped new technologies, such as digital subscriber line and wireless hone services, as companies roll out such services neighborhood by neighborhood.
For example, people living over 3.3 miles from the closest phone company's central office cannot subscribe to DSL, due to technical problems with radio waves, while wireless phone calls can be extremely hard to make in particular neighborhoods due to a lack of a transmitter in the environs. Most analysts say that too many problems have hit the telecommunications industry at once, and that they will catch up within a few years and provide better customer service as well as technical solutions to a slew of problems. Dalllas Morning News (02/16/01); Bajaj, Vikas
Its Not Just AT&T: How Telecom Became a Black Hole
The decline in the telecom industry is evident by the struggles of many of its leading firms, such as AT&T. And in Europe, the industry is under even more scrutiny as many telecom firms watch their appeal to investors diminish.For instance, France Telecom had to sell a stake in its wireless Orange unit at a fraction of the price it originally anticipated. But the price continued to fall in public trading. Nortel Networks admits its business is struggling and confides that it will lose money during this quarter. The company plans to lay off some of its workforce to cut costs.
In addition, Lucent Technologies' credit rating has fallen to such an extent that it cannot sell
ommercial paper. AT&T's spinoff of Lucent Technologies was done during a time of heavy capital investment in the industry. Industry supporters believed, at the time, that the continual
xpansion of the Web and the wireless market justified the heavy investments. The strategies led to too much capacity in many regions. But with the financial markets more hesitant to back
elecom efforts, many companies still need additional financing to complete projects for which they acquired expensive licenses. New York Times (02/16/01) P. C1; Norris, Floyd
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