GPRS is a radio technology for GSM networks that adds packet-switching protocols. As a 2.5G technology, GPRS enables high-speed wireless Internet and other data communications. GPRS networks can deliver SMS, MMS, email, games and WAP applications. It provides moderate speed data transfer, by using unused TDMA channels in the GSM network. Originally there was some thought to extend GPRS to cover other standards, but instead those networks are being converted to use the GSM standard, so that is the only kind of network where GPRS is in use. The most useful thing to know about the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) is that it is an international standard. If we travel in Europe and many other parts of the world, GSM is the only type of cellular service available. Originally, the acronym GSM stood for Groupe Spécial Mobile, a group formed by the Conference of European Posts and Telegraphs (CEPT) in 1982 to research the merits of a European standard for mobile telecommunications. Commercial service using the GSM system did not actually start until 1991. Instead of using analog service, GSM was developed as a digital system using TDMA technology. Using TDMA, a narrow band that is 30 kHz wide and 6.7 milliseconds long is split time-wise into three time slots. Narrow band means channels in the traditional sense. Each conversation gets the radio for one-third of the time. This is possible because voice data that has been converted to digital information is compressed so that it takes up significantly less transmission space. Therefore, TDMA has three times the capacity of an analog system using the same number of channels. TDMA is the access method used by GSM It implements TDMA in a somewhat different and incompatible way from IS-136. Think of GSM and IS-136 as two different operating systems that work on the same processor, like Windows and Linux both working on an Intel Pentium III. GSM systems provide a number of useful features: · Uses encryption to make phone calls more secure · Data networking · Group III facsimile services · Short Message Service (SMS) for text messages and paging · Call forwarding · Caller ID · Call waiting · Multi-party conferencing GSM operates in the 900 MHz band (890 MHz - 960 MHz) in Europe and Asia and in the 1900 MHz (sometimes referred to as 1.9 GHz) band in the United States. It is used in digital cellular and PCS-based systems. GSM is also the basis for Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN), a popular system introduced by Motorola and used by Nextel. The incredible growth of GSM is a big part of why the acronym is now commonly thought of as standing for the Global System for Mobile communications!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Important features for a hiking GPS:
What features are important for a particular use are a very personal thing. And.. The features needed for hiking are a bit more extensive (and a bit different) from those needed for automobile navigation use. Below are my "essential hiking feature list" of GPS receiver features.
1) "Map" screen (as opposed to just a numerical lon/lat position fix): Makes it much easier to see where you are relative to reference waypoints. 2) WaterProofness: Unit should be rated submersible to protect it from getting wet. 3) Long battery life: Keeps you from having to carry so many batteries. Some units with 2 batteries have longer life than some with 4.4) Built in Maps: Not absolutely essential, but big help in orientation and estimating distance to nearest roads. We now consider that any new GPS purchase should be one with mapping capability. 5) Route capability: Twenty Route capability is pretty standard, some have 50. Make sure you get one with at least 20 routes. 6) Waypoints: 500+ user entered waypoints are pretty standard, some can store many more. Make sure you get one that can store at least 500.. 7) Multiple Datum capability is pretty standard: Make sure all the datums you will want to use are included in the GPS you select. 8) Fit nicely in your pocket and lightweight: This is a very personal thing, but you should consider it when you are thinking about hauling a unit around in the wilderness. 9) Bearing to next waypoint: Almost universal, but essential to hiking use. 10) Screen Size and your ability to read it are important especially if you have problems with viewing fine detail. B&W screens are fine for hiking and many color screens are hard to read in direct sunlight. TransReflective Color screens are the exception.11) 12 channel parallel receiver system: Needed for best reception in difficult terrain and tree cover.
Know SMS 2.0 better
* Bharti Airtel, the country’s largest mobile phone operator, is test marketing SMS 2.0 — the world’s first upgrade to the popular SMS application — in and around Delhi in tie-up with the UK-based Affle and MobileOne Ltd. (M1), one of the main operators in Singapore.
* It creates an interactive channel for the non-intrusive delivery of relevant content and advertising on the SMS window. The consumer chooses his interest area, and the latest information is delivered unobtrusively, while he composes or reads an SMS message.
* The mass-media interactive technology is developed by Affle and only two companies the world over have exclusive rights to this nextgen SMS service — the $4.3-billion Airtel and M1 of Singapore.
* For advertisers, it’s a killer application that will ensure their message is carried to an audience that’s all ears for it. SMS 2.0 is an eyeball-assured media where content is free.
HOW DOES IT WORKS:
* The consumer chooses his interest area, and the latest information is delivered unobtrusively, while he composes or reads an SMS message. The application makes the most of the SMS screen area while retaining the simplicity of the familiar SMS entry interface.
* The default content stays at the bottom portion of the S60 screen and converts to full screen when either the message is sent or the consumer clicks on the content.
* The S60 device may either periodically or in real time update the content and ads.
* The data traffic for SMS2.0 contents and ads is not charged to the users.
* S60 2nd Edition versions are available now, and the S60 3rd Edition version will be available in Q4 2007. It is available for free.
HOW WILL IT IMPACT THE FUTURE OF SMS MARKETING?
* SMS 2.0 is different from other formats of mobile marketing as it treats the handset like any other popular mass media — that is, the subscriber uses a wide spectrum of the media to create contextual advertising opportunities.
* The user defines the mobile content by opting for advertisers in his or her area of interest. So instead of all advertisers targetting all users, the user will benefit by having only the advertiser of his choice.
* Receiving enhanced messaging features like colour SMS and emoticons will further engage the mobile SMS users.
* This will render the recently debated do-not-call-registry (DNCR) useless as it does not intrude the user privacy.
* This will also compell to redefine the strategies of recently launched “Get paid to receive SMS ads” types of websites viz. mGinger, admobi, 160by2 etc.
Technorati Tags: SMS, SMS2.0, Airtel, Nokia, Affle, Mobile Marketing, Mobile ads, SMS ads,
Samsung F490
0, a rich multimedia mobile phone with all-over 3.2-inch display, no hardware keypad and 5 megapixel camera running on the award-wining Croix UI.The tri-band HSDPA/EDGE-enabled Samsung F490, a phone we've recently wrote about, looks like the younger brother of Samsung F700 since it features no hardware keyboard and is completed in bar form factor. No doubt the F490 has its own strengths too, standing at only 11.8mm thickness with rounded corners and glossy surface, loaded with some nice features on board.
resolution occupies almost the entire front panel, leaving only a small space bellow for the call and end keys, which are also touch sensitive.The haptic feedback further facilitates the phone handling, offering tangible assurance that the touchscreen has accepted your command. The 16:9 widescreen ratio of the display benefits picture, video and internet browsing, too. The video player supports WMV, MPEG4, H.263, H.264 file formats in up to VGA resolution at 30fps.
Other intriguing feature is the 5 megapixel camera with built-in LED flash but sadly no autofocus. This is the first 5-megapixel camera fitted into a mobile phone that lacks autofocus to assist the user.
The camera is also capable of recording MPEG4 clips with QVGA resolution at 15 fps. Storing favorite video files, music and pictures is easy with the 130 MB on-board memory and slot for microSD cards.
Music addicts will appreciate the standard 3.5mm audio jack of Samsung F490. As the Bluetooth supports A2DP profile, users will be able to listen to music on wireless stereo headsets, too.
A nice final touch gives the pre-installed Google Search application and the optimized full HTML web browser (NetFront 3.4).
Samsung F490 will be available in some European countries from February at around 530 Euros.
