|
|
To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu
-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from ZDNet Australia. --------------------------------------------------------------
|
Tech Guide: Wireless demystified May 26, 2003 URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/coolgear/mobiles/soa/Tech-Guide-Wireless-demystified/0,139023387,120273908,00.htm
Engineers are better at inventing stuff than marketing them to the masses. We explain the most recent advances in wireless mobile technology in our Tech Guide.As you probably know, the world of technology is moving towards wireless. These days, we have wireless Internet, wireless gaming, and even wireless hifi. Going wireless is simply the next step towards achieving the dream of ultimate mobility. Perhaps, one day, we'll be able to bring our notebook or mobile phone anywhere in the world and still make voice calls, surf the Web and check our emails--as easily as if we were at home. But it so happens that our clever engineers are better at inventing stuff than marketing them to the masses. Just think about the arcane terms being bandied around in the mobile arena. What exactly is General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) supposed to mean? The man in the street will probably be stumped. So, in the hopes of clearing your confusion, here we'll try to explain the emerging connectivity technologies today, using the plainest words possible.
ZDNet Australia's Alex Kidman contributed to this report. Wireless basicsMost new wireless technologies make use of radio waves, which isn't a new concept. Cordless phones, radio-controlled toys, microwave ovens and even your FM receiver all make use of radio frequencies. These different types of devices illustrate the usefulness and versatility of radio waves. Likewise, although 3G, EDGE, Wireless LAN and Bluetooth are all based on the same technology, they offer different uses and appeal to different groups of users.
3G3G, or third generation networks, refers to a few emerging wireless technologies that allow mobile phones to transfer data at higher rates. 3G specifies theoretical speeds of at least 384kbps in urban environments, which means you'll be able to download or upload large files more quickly. Now, you may ask: Why do I need to transfer large files through my phone anyway? That's also the big question occupying our mobile operators. They envision users downloading and sharing MP3s as ringtones and watching movie trailers on their tiny mobile phone screens. The recent launch of Telstra's 3G-ish Mobile Loop service and Hutchison's fully blown 3G service in Australia does show that local telco providers are willing to dive into the 3G world headfirst; whether they'll sink or swim remains to be seen. Read More: Video mobile debuts in Australia 3's a company...finally Commentary: Why Hutchison's 3 will succeed Telstra Mobile Loop Review Telstra muddies Hutchison 3G waters Timing is right for 3G services: CSG
EDGEEDGE, or Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution, is a high-speed flavor of the networks currently deployed in Asia and Europe. Offering data rates of up to 384kbps, EDGE can be seen as a conservative interim step to 3G. Some operators, including Singapore's StarHub, have joined the clamor for it to be utilized but other service providers have elected to bypass EDGE altogether. Today, there are few EDGE networks in operation. AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless have launched such systems in the US, while some service operators are said to be trialing EDGE. Because of this lukewarm response, the technology may suffer from limited support by handset makers. One compatible phone announced is the Nokia 6200.
Wireless LANWireless LANs (Local Area Networks) started off as the cable-free alternative to your standard wired office networks. Today it has become a smorgasbord of different standards, and has penetrated homes and small offices. Without going into its various flavors, we can safely say that Wireless LAN or WLAN, in general, offers high transfer speeds at relatively low costs. 3G and wireless LAN serve similar purposes, allowing users to transfer data to and from the Internet quickly. Although wireless LAN has traditionally been found mainly in PCs, mobile phone makers are now talking about adopting the technology, too. This has led to suggestions of 3G's demise. For now, wireless LAN remains tethered in some sense, unlike the far-reaching mobile phone networks; the former's range is merely 30m, so walk a step too far and your Internet access stops working. Read More: ZDNet Australia's Wireless Product Reviews ZDNet Australia's Wireless News Coverage ZDNet Australia's Broadband SuperCentre
BluetoothBluetooth was widely touted as the next big thing, but the hype has fallen somewhat flat. It serves a very focused purpose--replacing cables in everyday devices. Bluetooth's direct predecessor is infrared, which we commonly use today to remotely control our electronic equipment and transfer data between mobile devices. Bluetooth's advantage over infrared ports is that it doesn't require line-of-sight. In other words, you don't need to have the two devices aligned side by side. These days, Bluetooth is commonly found in mobile phone headsets, replacing traditional wired ones. The technology is also being used in PDAs for remote synchronization with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. Read More: ZDNet Australia's Wireless Product Reviews ZDNet Australia's Wireless News Coverage Sony Ericsson's Bluetooth-enabled P800 HP's Bluetooth-enabled IPaq Microsoft's Bluetooth Keyboard
At-a-glance
Copyright © 2009 CBS Interactive, a CBS Company. All Rights Reserved. |
