Get documents about "NEW NETWORKS _ APPLICATIONS AND ... - Killer App Expo
Document Sample
b r o a d b a n d p r o p e r t i e s
February 2007 • Vo1. 2 • no.9
M a g a z i n e
eMerging applications For a connected World
New Networks,
applicatioNs aNd
devices help us
maNage our homes,
coNNect to others
aNd expaNd our lives
: resid enti al a pplic ations
Building urBan
Magazine
eMerging applications For a connected World
February 2007 • Vo1 2 • no. 9
EDITOR Communities with
Masha Zager
editor@killerapp.com
high-speed networks
By Mike Whaling, InfiniSys Electronic Architects
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Irving Grunbaum
N
ow that the triple play portunities.
ASSISTANT EDITOR of telephone, video and Understanding the possibilities
Geoff Daily data services has become of a robust vertical network requires
a basic amenity, property a shift in mindset away from the sin-
owners and developers are looking gle-family home. For example, Veri-
for new services to “wow” apartment zon recently introduced a multiroom
CONTRIbuTING EDITOR
and condo dwellers. It’s no longer DVR that lets users access saved
Michael Render unusual to see security applications shows, as well as music and photos,
and community facilities delivered to from any room. For residents of large
residents over local networks.
CONTRIbuTING WRITERS But developers who are serious Developers can attract urban
Kassandra Kania
about using technology to at- apartment dwellers with new
networked services— like be-
tract and retain residents have
had to shift their mindsets and
ing able to access their music
Robert E. Calem
expand the range of services
even further.
playlists and DVRs from the
WEbMASTER, KillerApp.Com
achieve fitness center.
Doug Thompson communectivity
Residents of urban condos and apart- single-family homes, this new service
ments live differently from families in is exciting. For people living in small
single-family homes. When it comes apartments, on the other hand, multi-
to technology, lifestyle makes all the room DVR viewing capabilities don’t
difference. With their diverse demo- seem relevant at first glance.
graphics, varying needs and different But when the DVR is used to
expectations, urbanites represent a achieve communectivity, it suddenly
separate, unique market. becomes desirable for residents of
Urbanites still belong to commu- multiple-dwelling units. Residents
KIllER App VENTuRES nities – it’s just that the communities can access their password-protected
Steven S. Ross, Senior Advisor are vertical rather than horizontal. personal content from the clubhouse
Developers who think vertically – the lounge or fitness center. Although the
way urbanites live – can begin to find technology infrastructure is already
Himi Kittner opportunities for optimizing commu- there and the concept seems simple
nity connectivity … communectivity, enough, most service providers aren’t
president, Killer App Ventures if you will. Understanding the need thinking in these terms, and content
for this communectivity is key to serv- providers don’t want to face this real-
ing the urban, high-rise market. When ity … at least not yet.
bROADbAND pROpERTIES llC developers address communectivity
Scott DeGarmo, CEO, bbp llC they can serve their residents better, expanding services
make their products more appealing It’s a fact – the digital lifestyle is here
and even discover new revenue op- to stay. According to the Consumer
2 KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007
: Resid enti al a pplic ations
Electronics Association (CEA), the related products in student housing, ment. Likewise, when he leaves the
average American owns 26 electronic life-safety services connected to vid- unit, the RFID key can send a signal
devices. As residents become increas- eo cameras in active adult and senior to change the thermostat to its “away”
ingly tech-savvy, they expect their housing, touch screens to provide ac- setting.
homes to be as connected as they are. cess to valet and concierge services in In addition, RFID could change
CEA’s research shows that consumers high-end developments. the way residents track their workouts
are willing to pay for this high-tech These amenities -- which
connectivity, with a typical Ameri- provide additional ease and
can expected to spend over $2,000 on convenience -- appeal to ur- Developers who think verti-
home technology this year.
Let’s start with the Internet – the
ban, high-rise residents who
are increasingly accustomed to
cally can find opportunities
center of the digital lifestyle revolu- “on demand” technology. The to connect communities.
tion. Services that can be “stacked” “anytime, anywhere” appeal of
on the Web include: popular devices like the iPod
• Home control and automation can now be incorporated into urban, in fitness centers. The entire workout
– Residents can modify their home high-rise settings. For instance, fit- could be recorded on the chip and lat-
temperature, security and other set- ness center cardio equipment is of- er synced to allow residents to moni-
tings online. ten equipped with CD players. As tor their progress over time.
• Music downloads – Developers can portable music players and Internet Finally, consider the potential of
partner with subscription-based pro- radio services like Pandora change dynamic scheduling. By syncing cal-
viders, like Napster or Ruckus Net- the way we listen to music, CDs will endars of nearby businesses, appoint-
work, to offer residents individual ac- continue to decline in popularity. In- ment scheduling at the beauty salon
counts for music downloading. stead of connecting a CD player to ev- or fitness center could become much
• News subscriptions – Provide resi- ery treadmill in the fitness center, de- easier. Residents could view the ap-
dents with access to subscription- velopers can give residents access to pointment book at the beauty salon
based content from popular news pro- their own playlists and personal mu- downstairs and schedule haircuts via
viders, such as the Wall Street Journal sic. Life Fitness recently announced a Blackberry or Treo.
Online or New York Times Select. new line of products that will feature
For Internet service providers and integrated controls for iPods. With thinking outside the Box
property owners, the lack of network just a little creativity and a thought- We are surrounded today by high-
control is a source of concern. Today, fully designed network, this and much tech devices. From high-speed In-
wireless networks are installed at the more can become reality. ternet at work, to flat-screen TVs in
discretion of each resident. To bolster stores, to the digital signage that is re-
network security, owners must con- endless possibilities placing static advertising, technology
trol who gets on the network. Access As we look to the future, technology’s is everywhere. It is safe to assume that
can be limited to residents and their continued advancement will spur de- residents – especially those drawn to
guests by pre-installing in-unit wire- velopment of new amenities and ser- vibrant, fast-paced urban centers – ex-
less networks. Residents consider it vices for multifamily communities. pect to have the same connected life-
an additional amenity, and owners Just imagine the possibilities … style at home. Developers who think
welcome the peace of mind. Intuitive appliances will commu- outside the box, providing advanced
Beyond the Internet, there are nicate with the maintenance staff. technology-based amenities and ro-
additional opportunities for technol- For example, the refrigerator or stove bust, high-bandwidth networks, can
ogy-based amenities. Some forward- could send a warning if it needs main- exceed these expectations and remain
thinking developers already offer tenance. The result? Cost savings for one step ahead of residents’ diverse
video intercom services. These sys- the owner as late-night emergency technology needs.
tems create a direct connection for calls to fix broken appliances are
property managers to send notifica- eliminated. And with appliances re- about the author:
tions and messages to residents with porting deterioration, energy efficien- Mike Whaling is the Business Develop-
just the touch of a button. Robust cy can be improved as well. ment Manager for the InfiniSys Electronic
property networks can already sup- Keys with radio frequency identi- Architects, who provide technology con-
port this service; all that’s needed is fier (RFID) chips will “know” their sulting and design services to real estate
the interface for the resident. owner and stay one step ahead. For developers and property owners. He can
By assessing residents’ technology example, when a resident enters the be reached at mike.whaling@electronicar-
expectations, developers can target parking garage, his RFID key can chitect.com or 386.236.1530. You can also
services to specific niches -- gaming- turn on the thermostat in his apart- read more at mdutech.blogspot.com.
KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007 3
: V i d e o S t r e a M i n g
streaming new York: governor
spitzer orders weBCasts of
puBliC meetings
By Geoff Daily
O n January 1st, his first day
as governor, New York’s
Eliot Spitzer issued an executive or-
der promoting webcasts of state pub-
subject to the Open Meet-
ings Law and specifies a
timetable for ensuring all
such meetings are broad-
lic meetings. cast on the Internet. By
“In the order, it says that public July 1, the meetings must
businesses should be performed in actually be broadcast on
an open, public manner,” says Brad the Internet.
Maione, Spitzer’s spokesperson. “This is a big step in
“Governor Spitzer New York,” says Maione. “We’re go- about two years ago, there was a bill
has stressed since ing to work with the agencies to iden- but it never got out of committee,” he
the beginning of tify the meetings and also the time- adds. Granicus already provides the
the administra- table and how we’re going to carry it technology for more than 100 local
tion that transpar- out. It’s going to take some time to governments in California to stream
ency and public get it together, but once it does it’ll be their public meetings via Internet,
accountability are good for the public.” and Spengler anticipates statewide
very important, For companies in the business of legislation to be enacted in the next
and this dovetails webcasting, the order is a vindication few years.
nicely with that.” of their efforts. “It’s a great thing While Spitzer’s order is limited to
The order is an
extension of New
York’s Open Meet- By this summer, New Yorkers with broadband con-
ings Law, enacted nections will be able to watch state public meetings in
real time over the Internet.
in the mid-1970s
to ensure public
access to public
meetings. The law to see,” says Tom Spengler, CEO of state agencies, it may have a trickle-
calls for public business to “be per- Granicus (www.granicus.com). “It’s down effect to New York’s city and
formed in an open and public man- the first time that I’ve seen nation- county governments, spurring them
ner” and says citizens should be “able wide where the executive office said, to adopt streaming technologies. And
to observe the performance of public ‘Hey, we’re going to make it a prior- it also holds the promise of influenc-
officials and attend and listen to the ity to make all of our meetings avail- ing governments beyond the state’s
deliberations and decisions that go able to the public through streaming borders. “As an attorney general,
into the making of public policy.” audio and video.’ This is what we’ve Eliot did a lot of things that provid-
Governor Spitzer’s order extends been pushing for for years, so it’s re- ed resources and expertise to other
the Open Meetings Law through the ally nice to see the leadership at the states, so I’m sure that states will take
use of broadband. In it, he spells out state level make this big a step for- a look at this and consider it for their
a plan for implementing this tech- ward.” own communities,” says Maione.
nology across all state agencies. By Spengler says that legislation re-
March 1 of this year, every agency quiring Internet broadcasts of pub-
and public authority must submit to lic meetings has been proposed in Geoff Daily is the assistant editor of
the Secretary to the Governor a plan several other states but has not suc- Killer App. He can be reached at geoffd@
that identifies all meetings that are ceeded. “In California, probably killerapp.com.
4 KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007
: d i g i t a l d i V i d e
BroadBand aCCess empowers
low-inCome Families
By Masha Zager
A
lthough the Internet has pression; others say their children feel ternet access is often unavailable
changed the world for ev- less different from their peers in school. in the neighborhoods where these
eryone, it may be chang- In interviews conducted by an in- families live, especially in smaller
ing lives most profoundly dependent research firm, One Econo- apartment buildings. Getting these
for low-income families. For the my participants in San Jose and Miami buildings wired for broadband has
middle class, it has simplified com- credited Internet access with helping required technical ingenuity, finan-
munication and access to informa- them keep up with life in their home cial expertise and political savvy.
tion. For low-income Americans, it countries through newspapers, news McConnell says that One Economy
has opened up whole new channels of broadcasts and music; stay in touch has developed two primary strategies.
Cooperation between not-
communication and information One strategy is to link up with funding
that weren’t previously available. programs run by organizations such
One Economy Corporation for-profits, housing develop- as the National Equity Fund or New
ers and telecom providers is
(w w w. o n e - e c o no my. c o m) , York City’s De-
a not-for-profit that brings com- partment of Hous-
puters, broadband access, Inter- helping to overcome the digi- ing Preservation
net content and technical train- tal divide. and Development,
which aggregate
ing to residents of low-income
housing, has found that its programs with far-flung family members through tax credits for
encourage these residents to take on- e-mail, online chat or webcam; navi- housing rehabilita-
line classes, improve the quality of gate government bureaucracies; and tion. Typically the
their schoolwork, apply for jobs, start keep their children away from drugs rehab projects in
businesses and do their banking and and gangs. Others had become more which One Econ-
shopping online. Their job perfor- involved in community, school or busi- omy participates
mance and ability to care for their ness activities as a result of gaining In- include funding
families’ health are also enhanced. ternet access, and some had become not only for high-
Even more important, One Econ- more politically active or better able speed access net-
omy’s participants report feeling more to advocate for themselves and others. works but for com-
capable and less disadvantaged. Tech- Dave McConnell, One Economy’s puters, training,
nology not only empowers them to take vice president for access services, says technical support
action, but enriches their lives emo- that broadband access multiplies the and a private-la-
tionally. Some say that home Internet Internet’s benefits for low-income fami- bel version of One
access has helped them overcome de- lies. “Low-income families will do more Economy’s Web portal, Beehive.org.
with broadband than with dial-up,” he The second strategy involves lob-
says. “One of their biggest problems bying state governments to require
is time – and it takes time to get food developers to put high-speed access
stamps, take care of medical services, into low-income housing, or to provide
and so forth….[Broadband is] easier, incentives for them to do so. Over the
less frustrating and always available.” last three years, working together with
telecom companies, One Economy
One economy’s has succeeded in changing policies
in 42 states. They have also educated
two-track Strategy developers to understand that build-
But delivering broadband to low-
ing high-speed access networks is
income families
feasible and relatively inexpensive.
hasn’t been
“We’ve changed the way tax credit
easy. High-
financing works,” McConnell says.
speed In-
6 KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007
: d i g i t a l d i V i d e
Mount Hope Reaches “The computer is my friend.” — Hien, a Viet-
out to Verizon namese-American retiree in San Jose who uses the
computer provided by One Economy as a lifeline to
Visionary housing developers have
also taken the lead in bringing broad-
band to their developments. Mount loved ones and to the wider world.
Hope Housing Company (www.moun-
thopehousing.org), a community de- pecially businesses,” he says. “We’d two local newspapers to bring commu-
velopment organization that rehabili- like to have the network accessible.” nity news online. “We’ve gotten very
tates and manages affordable housing Hauser points out that, although positive feedback,” Belle says. “Folks
in Bronx, New York, reached out to tax credits were used in the first year, who haven’t used this typs of technol-
Verizon to bring high-speed access to the Mount Hope project was designed ogy before are very excited about it.”
the buildings it manages. Mount Hope to be self-sustaining in the long run. Other applications are still in the
manages 34 small buildings scattered Revenues from tenants and from planning stages. Belle envisions online
over 49 square blocks, ranging from neighboring businesses and property discussion groups, programs to help
about 6 units to 50 units per building. owners are expected to cover costs residents with money management, and
“Service providers don’t like to do going forward. “It only works if some- even internal applications like building
deals with small buildings,” says Kevin one is making money on it,” he says. security and work order management.
Donovan of Midtown Technologies, Belle agrees, saying that paying “It should have an enormous im-
the technical firm that worked with for the service is important for users, pact on people’s lives by expanding
Verizon and Mount Hope. (Midtown too, even if rates are below market their reach,” Belle says. “They can ex-
has also been involved in a number level: “Our philosophy is, don’t give plore the world without leaving their
of One Economy projects.) Dono- things away for free – there needs to neck of the woods, see things they
van devised a plan to bring Verizon be ownership….If people are paying couldn’t imagine, interact with others,
T1 service to Mount Hope’s largest something for it, they value it more.” and gather information in a large way.”
building and connect the other build- To promote use of the data net-
ings through point-to-point wireless. work, Mount Hope helps residents Creating
“It’s far less expensive than going sign up for Verizon service and offers Sustainable Models
below ground, and just as effective training through organizations such These pioneering projects have
in terms of uptime,” explains Herb as Per Scholas (www.perscholas.org) shown that broadband can be as af-
Hauser, Midtown’s president. About and Older Adults Technology Ser- fordable and as useful in low-in-
1000 Mount Hope apartments now vices (www.oatsny.org). Using a grant come housing as it is anywhere else.
have access to Verizon broadband, from Verizon, it also provides free or Over the last several years, Mid-
with download speeds of 1.5 Mbps. low-cost refurbished computers to res- town Technologies and other integra-
Shaun Belle, Mount Hope’s presi- idents who sign up for classes. A “tech tors have developed a set of methods
dent and CEO, plans eventually to carnival” in September brought an for bringing data networks into older
open up this network and allow lo- enormous response from seniors who buildings and overcoming design and
cal businesses and housing develop- wanted to learn how to use e-mail, structural complexities to distribute the
ers to tap into it, essentially making online banking, and other resources. network to apartments in cost-effective
Mount Hope the local ISP. “One of Mount Hope also engaged One and aesthetically pleasing ways. Mount
inadequacies in this area of the Bronx Economy to create a local Beehive Hope, One Economy and others have
is limited DSL service for anyone, es- portal with devised innovative financing meth-
i n for ma- ods and found ways to help residents
tion about take advantage of broadband access.
neig hbor- With all of the knowledge and ex-
hood edu- perience that these organizations have
cational accumulated, there is reason to hope
and medical that the digital divide may become
programs a thing of the past. One Economy’s
and com- McConnell believes it’s time to move
munity ac- on to the next phase: “The demos
tivities, and and pilots are over,” he says. “We’re
it has part- going to scale and creating sustain-
nered with able models. We’re going to institu-
tionalize what we do in the afford-
able housing industry as a whole.”
KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007 7
: B u i l d i n g M a n a g e M e n t
the evolution of the genius Building
By Herb Hauser, Midtown Technologies
Broadband is the lifeblood of the Genius Building
T
he Information Age, which efficiency. Although energy was still pants, Genius Buildings can articulate
has brought us robust com- inexpensive, automated energy moni- their own unique consumption pro-
munications, very rich en- toring systems began to be installed files, and in doing so, can have their
tertainment and, of course, as well. By the 1990s, buildings were financial fundamentals adjusted on a
plentiful information, has also en- being connected to multiple commu- real-time, ongoing basis.
hanced our lives with the creation nications providers. At the core of these characteristics
of the “Genius Genre.” This genre The year 1997 marked a watershed is, of course, the broadband informa-
includes cars that proactively report event with Rudin Management’s in- tion capacity that is available to the
their mechanical problems, heating troduction of a comprehensively wired building, and its subsequent utilization
systems that tell us about drafts in our building at 55 Broad Street in New and distribution within the building.
homes, and refrigerators that e-mail York City. This bar-setting building, Information has become the fourth
us with real-time shopping lists. also called the New York Information real estate utility, after electric power,
Of all the emerging Genius devic- Technology Center, was wired for all HVAC (heating/ventilation/air condi-
es, none have the potential to change forms of communication from all pro- tioning) and water. Broadband is the
our lives so much as “Genius Build- viders, including those that were sat- lifeblood of the Genius Building; with-
ings.” Genius Buildings are more than ellite-based. The building made use out it the building
rest stops along the information super- of fiber optics and prewired spaces would simply be a
highway; they are the destinations to as well as advanced security, envi- static structure in-
which we are headed, the scenery that ronmental and building management capable of expan-
attracts us. They are the places where systems. sion or change.
we choose to live and work. Ten years later, the wired building In order to
What is a Genius Building, and has begun its metamorphosis into the maximize broad-
why is it the next evolutionary step in “Genius Building.” band, two things
real estate? must be present
Characteristics of in the building:
Forerunners to genius Buildings bandwidth and
genius Buildings Like their ancestors, Genius Build- distribution. A
The early ancestors of Genius Build- ings are wired and designed to facili- c omprehen sive
ings were buildings whose fire alarm tate communications inside and out- distribution net-
systems were wired to telegraph lines. side the building. They are built with work must be
When a fire was reported, a switch a convergent infrastructure – a single both wired and
was thrown and a prepunched card infrastructure that supports many ap- wireless, since
sent a Morse-code message to the fire plications including voice, video, data, there are always
department. A little later, builders be- security, building management, ener- applications or
gan to install telephone infrastructure gy controls and operations. locations for which wireless is the pre-
into new buildings and connect them They are green – green as in their ferred method of transport.
to telephone exchanges. relationship to the environment, and With adequate bandwidth and
As the 20th century progressed, green as in the color of money. They distribution, the task of converging
still more features were added to are dynamic, not static, in the sense applications can begin. Application
buildings: radio and television an- that they are interactive with their convergence begins at the physical
tennas, electronic security systems, owners, managers and tenants. layer of the infrastructure. The essen-
elevators that monitored load and Finally, like their human occu- tial rule is that the more applications
8 KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007
: B u i l d i n g M a n a g e M e n t
that can share bandwidth on a single tunities for developers. How can a static, monolithic operations we are
infrastructure, the more efficient and green building maintain the color of used to seeing. A Genius Building
cost-effective the installation will be. money? may have a security system that uses
In practical terms, this means that Often, broadband can provide the facial recognition to “learn” who is a
voice, video, data, security, building bridge between the good intentions of regular, who is a guest and who has
management systems, energy man- a green building and the realities of the been to the building but not sought
agement and other systems all utilize real estate business plan. Any building entry.
a common infrastructure. Some de- that achieves a high energy-efficiency In another example, Genius
velopers are not comfortable having rating and/or can anticipate and fol- Buildings can allow remote moni-
diverse systems sharing a common low the climate so as to purchase ener- toring of critical systems so that fa-
infrastructure, due to the potential for gy in real time will be able to save and, cilities-based staff can be reduced
global disruption in the event of a fail- in some cases, earn dollars in the new during evenings, weekends and hol-
ure. While these concerns are reason- energy economy. But maximizing en- idays. One day, Genius Buildings
able, they can be dealt with through ergy efficiency and anticipating ener- may even track individuals’ loca-
appropriate network design and back- gy demand in real time is an informa- tions during off-peak hours so they
up planning. tion-intensive operation. Broadband can provide climate control only to
can provide the real-time connection the parts of the building that are ac-
Why genius between the building, its external and tually occupied.
Buildings are green internal environment and the systems Finally, a Genius Building can
The issue of “Green Buildings” and that produce and deliver energy. With not only provide proactive mainte-
their role in the movement towards the right information, green building nance and trouble ticketing to man-
Genius Buildings warrants special can work financially. agement, but can also learn about
consideration. Green buildings are in the ways in which its tenants and res-
vogue today. They are touted as energy a Machine for learning idents use the building, and provide
efficient, environmentally sound, and The interaction of the Genius Build- meaningful and timely information
socially acceptable. But what actually ing with its environment is only one in order to operate economically and
is a green building? And how does example of how these buildings func- efficiently. By designing to Genius
greenness relate to Genius status? tion dynamically, in contrast to the status, the value of “Information as
A building is considered green the fourth utility” can be realized.
if it is built from recycled materials,
uses low-volatility paints and glues, Genius Buildings are: about the author
recycles its black water, uses energy- • Wired Herb Hauser is the president of Midtown
efficient glass and has high- efficiency
• Converged Technologies, LLC, (www.midtowntech-
nologies.com) which helps real estate own-
• Green
HVAC systems – to name but a few
features. While greening a building is ers and telecommunications companies
an excellent idea in theory, the devil • Dynamic build technology into properties. He will
• Capable of adjusting
appears to be in the financial burdens be presenting a session on Genius Build-
that these features place on a project. ings at the Killer App Expo & Conference
Because green buildings are often consumption in real time on April 30 in Fort Wayne, IN.
designed in a nonstandard fashion,
their design costs may be relatively
high. For example, it isn’t a simple
task to design a water reclamation sys-
tem to attach to the waste water sys-
tem and perform recycling functions.
But while green buildings pose many
design, financial and operational chal-
lenges, they represent a step forward
in our attempts to reach an accommo-
dation and balance with our environ-
ment.
Green buildings would probably
attract more attention and be imple-
mented more frequently if they also
posed attractive financial oppor-
10 KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007
: c o n s u M e r e l e c t r o n i c s s H o W 2 0 0 7
Ces 2007: BroadBand Converges
with Consumer eleCtroniCs
By Masha Zager and Kassandra Kania
with additional reporting by Robert E. Calem
T his year’s Consumer Electronics Show was all
about connection – connecting devices, ser-
vices, networks, and people. Broadband content is
powering the drive to convergence.
The world’s largest technology trade enormous: According to research
show, the Consumer Electronics firm The Diffusion Group, the num-
Show, attracted record crowds to ber of broadband-enabled televi-
Las Vegas in January. More than sions will reach 162 million by 2011.
140,000 attendees flocked to the work together to make content from
show, which was sponsored by the Sony Electronics made a splash AOL Video available through Bra-
Consumer Electronics Association, with its Bravia Internet Video Link, via. Using the TV’s remote control
to find out what manufacturers are which it announced at CES. Sony’s and optional module, consumers
planning to offer this year. Internet video-ready televisions can can access the Internet and navigate
Of the show’s 20,000 product now receive streaming broadband through menus to browse and play
launches and partnership anounce- video, including high-definition videos from AOL Video.
ments, a large number reflected the content, via a small optional module
growing importance of broadband that is easily attached and concealed cultivating couch
content and of the new possibilities behind the TV. This feature will al- Potatoes
opened up by high-speed connec- low most of its new televisions to ac- Other companies also showcased
tions. When Dell Computer’s Mi- cess free Internet video content from their visions for bringing Internet
chael Dell spoke to an enthusiastic providers such as AOL, Yahoo!, and video content to TVs:
crowd about the need for ultrafast Grouper, as well as from related com- • Hewlett-Packard’s MediaSmart
fiber to the home and seamless net- panies Sony Pictures Entertainment TVs merge the PC and the TV with
working inside the home (see the and Sony BMG Music. In fact, Sony the ability to wirelessly stream digi-
excerpt from his speech on page 22), Electronics and AOL announced tal photos, music, and videos from a
he seemed to articulate what was on at the show that the companies will PC onto an HP high-definition LCD
the minds of many.
This roundup of CES news high-
lights areas of interest to Killer App,
including new devices for watching
and listening to broadband content;
new ways to bring television content
to the PC; home networking; and
home monitoring and control.
Bringing Broadband
content to the tV
As we’ve reported earlier, electron-
ics companies are vying to bring
Internet content to consumers’ tele-
visions, using a number of different
approaches. The potential market is
KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007 11
: c o n s u M e r e l e c t r o n i c s s H o W 2 0 0 7
display. The latest models feature Digital Entertainer HD is a set-top
1080p resolution and the new HP En- box that connects to a home-theater
tertainment Services Portal, which system to stream digital media from
provides access to online services computers, network storage, and
with the click of a remote. Services USB media players. It discovers,
include Snapfish for photo sharing, organizes, and plays high-defini-
Real Networks’ Rhapsody for music tion movies, TV shows, music
and, for movies, CinemaNow, whose files and personal photos as
progressive download technology well as Internet-based video,
allows consumers to begin watching news feeds, weather reports
before the download is complete. and radio programs.
• Sling Media, which became • SanDisk is betting that
known for devices that transmitted consumers will find it easier to
content from television to the PC, carry a memory stick from the PC to
announced a new product called the TV than to set up a new device net video to the TV via the
SlingCatcher that works in reverse, between them. Its USBTV will let Akimbo Service. Akimbo subscrib-
delivering content to the television. consumers transport downloaded ers will be able to browse video up-
Bundled with every SlingCatcher digital content from a personal com- dated regularly from Yahoo! Video,
are two applications: SlingProjec- puter with a small flash memory-en- access titles for free, and watch them
tor, which wirelessly projects any abled media player and then plug it on TV.
Web site or digital audio/video for- into nearly any TV to play. • TVNGO’s middleware applica-
mat from a PC to the TV, and Sling- • Akimbo Systems announced that tion enables Internet overlay on TV
Player, which sends content between its collection of video-on-demand broadcasting. Using a remote con-
televisions. SlingCatcher is based titles will be available to subscrib- trol, the viewer can shift between
on the PC2TV chip from Quartics, ers of AT&T Homezone, a video broadcast channels and Internet
which has also been bundled into and Internet entertainment service content, and even blend Internet and
products from Addlogix, DM Tech- launched in 2006 by AT&T. Inte- broadcast content in a single frame.
nology and others. grating Akimbo content into the • Satellite video provider DIREC-
• Netgear announced a collabora- Internet-connected set-top box will TV said that its DIRECTV Plus HD
tion with BitTorrent to promote let consumers download and watch DVR has been verified to work with
video downloads streamed to high- thousands of programs and mov- Intel Viiv technology. Customers
definition televisions through the ies on TV using the Homezone re- with a DIRECTV Plus HD DVR
new Netgear Digital Entertainer mote control. The company is also can send pictures and music from In-
HD (EVA8000) media receiver. The working with Yahoo! to bring Inter- tel Viiv PCs to their television sets.
• RealNetworks announced the
integration of its Rhapsody digital
music service with TiVo’s DVR ser-
vice. TiVo subscribers will be able
to stream Rhapsody’s 3 million-plus
songs to any broadband-connected
TiVo box in the house, as well as ac-
cess their personal music libraries.
Any song they flag using their TiVo
remote will also be available in their
personal Rhapsody library when
they access it from a PC.
One important PC-to-TV product
didn’t appear at CES at all. During
the same week, Apple showcased
its much-anticipated Apple TV at
MacWorld Expo in San Francisco.
Originally introduced in Septem-
ber as iTV, the new Apple TV lets
consumers watch content from Ap-
ple’s iTunes store on a television.
Though its choice of content is
limited, its choice of connections is
12 KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007
: c o n s u M e r e l e c t r o n i c s s H o W 2 0 0 7
very wide, including USB 2, Ether- the computer. Slingbox got some more competi-
net, HDMI, component video, op- NDS, in turn, is also working tion with the announcement of sev-
tical audio and three popular wire- with VBox to broadcast digital high- eral new place-shifting devices:
less standards – 802.11b, 802.11g definition television content to PCs. • Axion previewed its new iPTV,
and 802.11n. Apple TV comes with Showcased at CES, the VBox Cat’s which consists of a base station and
an IR remote control. Eye Premium is an HDTV receiver 7-inch wide-screen wireless LCD
optimized for reception of video, display. The iPTV lets consumers
Bringing tV audio and IP data. Connecting to watch home TV or Internet TV con-
content to the Pc the PC via a USB port or PCI slot, tent anywhere in the world with a
Suppliers at CES also showcased it provides digital set-top-box func- broadband Internet connection.
a wide range of options that allow tionality for the PC. • Monsoon Multimedia announced
viewers to stay glued to the tube, Sling Media showed new tech- the availability of HAVA, which al-
whether at home or on the road. nology called Clip+Sling, which lows the wireless streaming of video
Home PCs are looking and acting lets Slingbox customers share short content from any video source to
more and more like televisions, with segments of programming – live or multiple PCs in a home or business.
large screens, remote controls and recorded – with other Slingbox cus- Content can be viewed in full-screen,
software optimized for entertain- tomers, as well as with a larger au- DVD-quality video on multiple PCs
ment, while notebook PCs are being dience. Clip+Sling will be built into simultaneously, or viewed remotely
equipped to receive television pro- both the desktop and mobile ver- on an Internet-connected PC. Users
gramming over the Internet. sions of SlingPlayer software. While can control all the functions of the
Cyberlink and DiBcom, for ex- customers will need a Slingbox to video source such as a TV or TiVo
ample, have teamed up to make the publish clips, the content they post from their PCs. HAVA allows TV
notebook computer into a mobile online will be accessible by anyone. content on the PC to be stored, re-
digital television – DiBcom’s dual- Sling Media also showcased corded, and burnt onto DVDs and
antenna platform receives digital several other new products: A cus- enables the PC to operate as a per-
video broadcasts using either the tomized version of the SlingPlayer sonal video recorder with pause, fast
DVB-T or DVB-H standard, and software is designed to take advan- forward, and rewind functions. Win-
CyberLink’s PowerCinema soft- tage of Microsoft’s Windows Vista dows XP Media Center Edition PC
ware lets users play back TV con- Premium operating system (for ex- users can use HAVA as a wireless
tent. PowerCinema includes time- ample, the full-screen viewing mode tuner to add full multimedia capa-
shift playback, electronic program based on Vista’s Aero Glass overlays bilities to their PCs.
guides, scheduled TV recording, SlingPlayer controls and customized • Avid Technology announced two
and the ability to watch and record TV remote controls on top of the new versions of its Pinnacle PCTV
simultaneously. Cyberlink is also Slingbox video stream); and Sling- To Go: the PCTV To Go HD and
partnering with NDS, whose Video- Player Mobile for Palm OS lets Treo PCTV To Go HD Wireless. Both
Guard PC security device plugs into smartphone users watch and control offer high-definition and standard-
the computer’s USB port so that us- their home televisions at broadband- definition television viewing and are
ers can access paid TV content from like speeds. Windows Vista-ready.
tV or not tV?
Other companies that exhibited
hardware and software at CES are
continuing to blur the lines between
TVs and PCs:
• On HP’s Digital Entertainment
Center, users can record and view
TV shows anywhere in the home
and also view digital content such as
photos, music and videos.
• Sony is introducing a high-defini-
tion living room PC with integrated
Blu-ray Disc technology. In addition
to watching high-definition movies
on disk and recording, storing, and
playing back personal content on
high-capacity BD media, users can
browse the Web with a wireless re-
KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007 13
: c o n s u M e r e l e c t r o n i c s s H o W 2 0 0 7
mote and keyboard from the com- designed for Windows Vista. The console, the Xbox 360, as set-top
fort of the sofa. service lets consumers use Extend- boxes in those deployments. The
• Dell introduced Home Media Media’s OpenCASE software to Xbox 360 can act as an alternative
Suite, a bundle that includes a Win- download episodes from Showtime receiver and recorder. Xbox gamers
dows Vista desktop, a digital TV series and play them on a home PC will be able to play online, voice-
tuner, 27-inch flat-panel monitor, or transfer them to a portable player chat with other gamers, and watch
speakers, a full suite of entertain- for viewing on the go. television, all at the same time.
ment software, a printer, and an • Intel and CinemaNow also an- Zodiac Gaming is reaching be-
802.11 pre-n router and powerline nounced a download collaboration; yond gaming with the launch of a
AV bridge. The suite lets users re- movie download service CinemaNow broad range of interactive TV appli-
ceive and record high-definition is adapting its Burn-to-DVD feature cations under the new name Zodiac
digital cable and stream it wirelessly to work with Intel Viiv-based PCs, Interactive. At CES, the company
to other parts of the home. large-screen PCs that are operated demonstrated iTV applications in-
• The new model of AMD’s ATI via remote control from across the cluding the INSTA framework for
TV Wonder digital cable tuner turns room. Currently, the service only iTV content, high-definition games
a PC into a personal video recorder works with a standard PC interface, and interactive platforms, and a
with Windows Vista Media Center at a 2-foot distance. transactional application called
menus and interfaces. In addition to • MediaZone announced a beta “TVcallME,” which allows subscrib-
bringing premium HD digital cable version of its shared streaming So- ers to click a button from a standard
channels to the PC, it also supports cial TV platform. The platform let remote control in order to connect
over-the-air digital TV, analog TV users chat with others watching the with advertisers by telephone.
and satellite set-top box connectivity. same television show and rate, com-
• Corel, which just acquired Inter- ment on and blog about the shows. Home networking
Video, announced the InterVideo With PCs, televisions, game con-
WinCinema, a software application the Promise soles and other devices proliferat-
that turns ordinary PCs into Media of iPtV ing, sharing content and occupy-
Center PCs – complete with 10-foot- Telephone companies that are go- ing ever more central places in the
interface solution for watching TV ing into competition with cable TV home, the major unsolved problem
and videos, playing music, viewing providers are increasingly adopting remains home networking. As the
photos and listening to radio. Win- IPTV (Internet Protocol Televi- average American home comes in-
Cinema also enhances Media Cen- sion), a technology that promises to creasingly to resemble an enterprise
ter PCs with features like HD DVD enable new interactive TV applica- data center, will a dedicated IT staff
and Blu-ray Disc playback, TV sup- tions but is still fraught with risk and be required to run it? The consumer
port, DVD authoring and real-time difficulties. Microsoft announced electronics industry is working hard
MPEG-2 encoding. that telcos that are using Microsoft to let families remain in charge of
• ExtendMedia and Showtime Net- IPTV software to deliver video -- their own electronic destinies. New
works announced the first consumer such as AT&T and British Telecom devices are being designed ready
video download-to-own service — can now use Microsoft’s gaming for networking, and new networking
14 KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007
: c o n s u M e r e l e c t r o n i c s s H o W 2 0 0 7
technologies promise to tame the devices, powered by Oregan Media The biggest question of all is
electronic clutter. Browser software. Oregan Media how devices will be connected. No
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, Browser works on multiple operating universal strategy seems yet to have
in his CES keynote, announced systems and hardware platforms. emerged. Networks using in-home
plans for Windows Home Server, fiber, coax, power line, wireless and
home networking software that will Other home networking products a new contender, ultrawideband,
be available later this year. When included: were all showcased at CES:
implemented on forthcoming hard- • HP’s new high-definition TVs • Tenvera announced the Tenvera
ware such as HP’s MediaSmart are designed to let consumers view System, which connects consumer
Server and AMD’s Home Media and share high-definition content electronics through a high-capac-
Server, Windows Home Server throughout the home. For example, ity fiber network that allows video,
will help multi-PC households con- the MediaSmart TV SLC3760N can voice, and data to be transmitted
nect their home computers, digital stream high-definition DivX-encod- uncompressed, with no loss of qual-
devices and printers, and make it ed content over wired or wireless ity. Media servers, HDTVs, Internet
easier to share and manage digital networks, from a home theater PC service, PCs, and iPods can all be
media. The Home Server will also or from HP Media Vault network connected through this system.
enable centralized backup and re- storage. • HomePlug Powerline Alliance,
store, as well as centralized trouble- • AMD introduced the AMD an alliance of technology, service
shooting for Windows Vista–based LIVE! Home Cinema, a home en- and content companies promoting
PCs. tertainment system that consolidates networking through existing power
Amedia Networks took a some- audiovisual devices and related lines, said it had granted its “De-
what similar approach with its remote controls into an all-in-one signed for HomePlug AV” mark
Broadband Entertainment Cen- “living room” solution. to 14 products from 11 companies.
ter — an all-in-one gateway, home • Verizon revealed the FiOS gen- The latest round of HomePlug test-
networking appliance and personal eration of its Verizon One commu- ing is the first to identify products
media library. The Broadband En- nications device, which combines designed for a high-speed connec-
tertainment Center is designed to tivity solution. Linksys was one of
replace the computer as the media the companies announcing products
hub and central point of networking designed for HomePlug AV. Its Pow-
within the connected home. Users erLine AV Ethernet Kit connects
can store, organize, and search mul- computers, networked entertain-
timedia content in personal media ment products and peripheral devic-
libraries on the residential gateway, es at speeds up to 100 Mbps, using
and then play that content on virtu- in-home power lines.
ally any television, monitor, or net- • Pulse-LINK introduced its CWave
worked device. Whole-Home Interactive HD solu-
Backup issues were also ad- tion, which lets consumers share
dressed by Proxure’s new KeepVault high-definition content throughout
application, which uses Streamload the home using a combination of
storage technology to enable Win- existing coax backbone and wireless
dows PC users to back up media connectivity.
files online and access them from • Ruckus Wireless introduced a
anywhere. Through KeepVault, miniaturized wireless multimedia
files are backed up to MediaMax, a telephone, Internet modem and adapter, the MediaFlex USB Don-
Streamload’s online media center, wireless router with a high-resolu- gle, to connect in-home multimedia
for access via the KeepVault inter- tion touch screen that can be used devices like set-top boxes and me-
face or any Web browser. Users get for e-mail, text messaging and basic dia center systems. The MediaFlex
25 GB of free online storage for Internet lookup functions like news Dongle is an external WiFi adapter
their media. and weather. The device will accom- in a small form factor that enables
Oregan Networks’ novel ap- modate traditional and VoIP phone whole-home video distribution.
proach to home networking uses calls while streaming Internet mu- • WiQuest Communications dem-
mobile handsets as portable media sic to stereo speakers and preview- onstrated home networking via
hubs. Home videos, photos and mu- ing images from digital cameras or ultrawideband, a radio communi-
sic stored on WiFi-connected hand- camcorders. It will also play movie cations technique that is based on
sets, such as the Nokia N80 and N90 trailers from the Internet, connect transmitting pulses of short dura-
series, can be “pushed” onto media to a printer and support up to five tion and high bandwidth, using its
renderers, or Digital Media Player handsets throughout the home. WQST110/101 chipset in equipment
KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007 15
: c o n s u M e r e l e c t r o n i c s s H o W 2 0 0 7
How many consumers are ready
to spend money on these systems to-
day is another question. Parks Asso-
ciates’ Bill Ablondi says, “The home
control market has lacked consumer
awareness, not technical capability.”
But Ablondi believes the stage is be-
ing set for broad-based adoption of
connected home systems.
At the High end:
connectedlife.Home
The system that made the biggest
splash at the show was Best Buy’s
ConnectedLife.Home, a $15,000
package based on HP’s new z560
Digital Entertainment Center
(DEC), along with a Microsoft
Xbox 360 as a media extender and
Life|ware software from Excep-
tional Innovation. Along with some
networked appliances (lights, ther-
mostats, cameras) and a TV as the
command center, these components
provide everything the homeowner
needs to run a home – or nearly ev-
erything. On top of the $15,000, ho-
meowners must spend an additional
from Belkin, Hitachi-LG, Samsung Parks Associates forecasts a 10 per- $19.95 a month for Internet-based
and Toshiba Wireless Connectivity cent increase in the home-control access to the system’s controls.
Solutions. market this year and a rapid rise Parks Associates’ Ablondi says
over the next five years. No wonder the price of ConnectedLife.Home
Home Monitoring connected-home vendors came out precludes it from being “an impulse
and controls in force to CES. buy at the checkout counter.” In-
You’re at a business meeting, and Their products certainly piqued stead, he says, Best Buy is targeting
you have a strange feeling there’s consumer interest. The NextGen home builders, remodelers and elec-
an intruder in your house….you’re home at CES drew crowds willing tronic systems installers. Because
driving home from work and want to wait in long lines. A recent survey the package does not require wires
to turn the heat up before you ar- by the Z-Wave Alliance, the consor- to be pulled or walls to be dug out,
rive….you’re about to go to sleep tium backing the Z-Wave standard the company is touting it as an ideal
and realize you forgot to turn on the in wireless home control, found that retrofit solution.
dishwasher downstairs. Now there’s 72 percent of Americans wanted to
a one-click solution to each of these be able to see who was in the house More options for
problems. when they were away, and whether Home Monitoring
A workable solution for home their children had arrived home ConnectedLife.Home was by no
monitoring and control requires sev- safely from school. means the only connected-home so-
eral components: an easy-to-use in- In addition, two out of five con- lution at the Consumer Electronics
home network, a broadband Internet sumers wanted to be able to check Show. Other Internet-enabled offer-
connection, intuitive and powerful whether they’d left an appliance on ings included:
software and remote-control de- or a door unlocked. More than half • Control4 announced Composer
vices, and standard protocols that thought they could relax better on Home Edition, an add-on to its au-
manufacturers of lights, thermostats vacation if they could control lights, tomation software that gives home-
and other devices can follow. The home alarms or appliances from owners more flexibility in modifying
fact that all of these pieces are now Disney World. And millions thought their home controls. For example,
falling into place bodes well for the they could conserve energy better a user could program the system to
home-control industry; analyst firm with the help of automated systems. automatically dim the lights before
16 KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007
: c o n s u M e r e l e c t r o n i c s s H o W 2 0 0 7
a movie or create a custom wakeup form, a wireless whole-home au- and lighting from anywhere via Web
scenario with lighting, media and tomation system, with Intel’s Viiv browser or mobile phone, and also
temperature control. With an Inter- home entertainment platform and to monitor their homes with live
net connection, Composer Home Leviton’s Vizia –RF series of light- video from HomeRemote Wireless
Edition lets homeowners customize ing and home control products. Video Cameras. The use of Z-wave
and automate their homes from any- Lagotek provides a software-only technology enables compatibility
where. system that works with OEM hard- with accessories including lighting
• iControl Networks announced ware to give homeowners control and climate controls, video cameras
version 2.0 of its iControl home over home electrical systems. for monitoring and security, garage
monitoring solution. The upgraded • WiLife’s Video Security System is door openers and many others.
iControl is Z-Wave-enabled, letting a professional-grade video security
consumers use a wide variety of off- system for homes and small busi- new For Gamers
the-shelf cameras, door and window nesses. The solution, which installs Microsoft’s implementation of its
sensors, light modules, thermostats, in about 15 minutes, offers free re- IPTV software on the Xbox 360
smoke detectors, water and freeze mote viewing from any Windows wasn’t the only announcement of
sensors and other devices from cell phone or Internet browser, mo- interest to gamers, who are inten-
home improvement stores. (When tion-based recording, customizable sive users of high-performance
the devices are triggered, the soft- alerts and mix-and-match plug-and- networks. Other announcements at
ware proactively delivers real-time play cameras. It uses HomePlug CES included:
information via email or text mes- powerline technology to transmit • NDS teamed up with game de-
sages.) iControl says the new prod- digital video over existing electrical sign studio Rebellion to create a
uct offers a more intuitive Web por- wiring. three-dimensional gaming environ-
tal, a Web-based wizard for easier • HAI’s Snap-Link is a USB key ment for the popular Rogue Troop-
setup, an advanced mobile portal that plugs into any computer and er game, using NDS’s Xtreamplay
and an improved gateway design. In directly communicates through the technology. The game was demon-
addition to offering its new solution secure Ethernet port on an HAI strated for the first time on a digital-
via its Web site, iControl is conduct- home control system. Homeowners TV platform at CES.
ing trials with utilities, ISPs, telcos, can use it to check and adjust lights, • Linden Lab, developer of the
cable companies, MSOs and wire- popular Second Life environment,
less carriers. released the code of its Second Life
• InGrid showed its Home Connect Viewer to the open-source software
service, a protection network con- development community. Develop-
sisting of a portable handset and a ers can now access the source code
broadband-enabled base station that to the Viewer, which is the free client
communicates with wireless window software used by Second Life sub-
and door sensors that report any scribers, or “residents,” to control
change in activity that the customer their in-world avatars, chat with each
chooses to monitor. Broadband inte- other, create content, buy and sell
gration keeps the system always on objects, access multimedia content
and always connected to its moni- and navigate around the virtual en-
toring service, and all components vironment. Linden Lab is commited
can use telephone jacks for back- security, temperatures, Webcams to building the Second Life Grid as
up. Consumers can customize the and more. No installation or on-site an open, extensible platform for de-
system through a Web portal. An computer is required. velopment, rather than a closed pro-
innovative feature allows consum- • BuLogics displayed its latest de- prietary system; this release allows
ers to link their systems with those velopments for BaseCamp, a home developers to make modifications
of friends and families, so that they automation system for the mid-mar- and enhancements in the Viewer,
can monitor each other’s properties. ket consumer that uses the Z-Wave and to add new features.
Like iControl, InGrid hopes to dis- wireless technology standard. As a • Headplay unveiled the Headplay
tribute its product through broad- foundation for its new release, Bu- Personal Cinema System’s final pro-
band service providers; a venture Logics partnered with entertain- duction-ready design. The system
capitalist investing in the company ment, multimedia, home automation, is a portable, visual headset and
calls digital home security “the next and communications providers. media center that delivers an im-
billion-dollar revenue opportunity • Hawking Technologies announced mersive, high-resolution, cinematic,
for broadband service providers.” the release of its HomeRemote home big-screen viewing experience for
• Lagotek announced the integra- control system. HomeRemote lets gaming, movie watching, and In-
tion of its Home Intelligence Plat- users control household appliances ternet use. Connecting directly to
KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007 17
: c o n s u M e r e l e c t r o n i c s s H o W 2 0 0 7
game consoles, DVD players, iPods, ba’s gigabeat portable MP3 player, Car passengers can now also watch
PCs, and cell phones, the Personal using Windows Media Player 11, as TV from moving vehicles, thanks to
Cinema System can also read stored a preferred device for its service. DISH Network’s MobileDISH in-car
media on compact flash or USB. • Opening up a whole new channel satellite service, a programming pack-
for music delivery, Dresser Wayne age combined with antenna technol-
the sound of Music demonstrated how consumers can ogy from RaySat. The mobile satellite
Music downloading was the first pump music into their cars along antenna mounts to a vehicle’s roof
popular application to make heavy with gasoline. The Dresser Wayne rack and provides hundreds of chan-
demands on Internet bandwidth, Ovation2 iX fuel dispenser is an nels of digital DISH Network satellite
and music remains a driver for the Internet-ready, WiFi-capable gas TV with programming for everyone
current wave of networking. Many pump with a 15-inch touch screen in the family (except, we hope, for the
of the home networking products and speakers, which allows the driver). The technology is compatible
described earlier in this article are transfer of media content to other with most cars, recreational vehicles
designed to bring digital music files WiFi-enabled devices. As part of and trucks, and DISH claims that it
downloaded or streamed from the the demo, audio files were pur- performs well at highway speeds.
Internet to high-quality playback chased and downloaded from the Still other devices aren’t specifi-
devices elsewhere in the home. Dresser Wayne fuel dispenser to a cally meant for cars but will be ap-
Some of the announcements spe- compatible media device and then preciated by those on the go. Nokia,
cifically focused on music included: played through an Alpine Electron- known primarily for its cell phones,
• Sony Electronics has a new device ics stereo system installed in an au- branched out into Internet enter-
designed to untether music and In- tomobile. tainment devices with a new tablet
ternet radio. With the VAIO WA1 computer and camera. The Nokia
Wireless Digital Music Streamer, the open road N800 Internet Tablet offers easy
consumers can listen to digital mu- Dresser Wayne’s music pump was wireless connections, a high-resolu-
sic and Internet radio stations over only one indication of the Internet’s tion display, stereo audio and sup-
existing wireless home networks or intersection with car culture. Au- port for a variety of Internet appli-
peer-to-peer wireless connections. tonet Mobile debuted a new wire- cations. The N93i camera lets users
A USB wireless network interface is less service that turns the car into shoot DVD-like quality videos and
included. a WiFi hotspot. The company also record in stereo audio, and then up-
• Music service ZING Systems announced an agreement with a car load the videos to the Internet, us-
is giving consumers access to the rental company to offer a portable, ing an integrated personal video and
FON worldwide WiFi network from wireless Internet service that will let photo blogging service called Vox.
their ZING-enabled mobile music passengers check email, surf the Web,
players. ZING says it is working to play online games or communicate
create a new class of portable enter- via any WiFi-enabled device. Opti- About the Authors:
tainment players that use WiFi as mized for in-car use, the service is de- Kassandra Kania and Robert E. Calem
the key to discovering, sharing and signed to work on 95 percent of U.S. are freelance writers specializing in tech-
delivering music and entertainment. roads, regardless of driving conditions nology and contributing writers for Killer
• Toshiba America Consumer Prod- or location. It ensures a secure, broad- App Magazine. They can be reached at
ucts formalized its relationship with band-level connection to any WiFi- kkania783@yahoo.com and rcalem@op-
URGE, MTV Networks’ digital mu- enabled device in close proximity to tonline.net. Masha Zager is the editor of
sic service. URGE selected Toshi- the vehicle. Killer App Magazine.
18 KILLER APP MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2007
