How Google+ Can Improve Your Android
Posted on 20. Sep, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Apps
Android developers and Android lovers have flocked to Google+, making Google+ the perfect place for keeping up with the latest Android news, apps, shortcuts, tips and all things Android.
Combining the best of the social media services, Google+ makes it easy to connect with a variety of people and sort them by groups. You can sort people by groups in Twitter and Facebook, but Google+ offers one of the simplest platforms for sorting groups and guarding privacy at the same time.
Like Android, Google+ is easily customized to the preferences of a given users. This convenience can also be a bit confusing at first because there are so many options. This post offers an easy way to start using Google+ and incorporating it into your daily routine.
1. What if I don’t have Google+?
Google+ is still an invite only service, so you need a Google+ invite to get started. Invites are usually easy to get. First ask your friends on Facebook or Twitter. If not successful, search online using terms like “How to get a Google+ invite.” Or simply leave a comment here with your email address, and we can help get you one.
2. I’ve got Google+, now what?
Now you can connect with friends, colleagues, and potential contacts. Since I’m writing about how Google+ can help Android users, I’m going to focus on creating a circle of Android developers, Android enthusiasts, and Android writers that may share information that will helpful in using Android, choosing an Android device, and learning what’s on the Android horizon.
G+ lets you group people you follow into easily sortable “circles.” To start an Android circle, simply begin to follow people who talk and write about Android, and put them in that circle. I’ve listed a group of people on G+ that often focus on Android. You add them by entering each name in the “Search” box at the top of G+. When their profile appears, you’ll see a “red box” on the top right side.
Click on the box, select “Create new circle,” type “Android into the box
Now you can click on the Google+ logo in the upper left to return home. From there you can select, the all the circles you create. So if I want to track all my Android circle, I click “Android” and read that feed.
To help you get start on your Android circle, here is a list of Android enthusiasts I follow:
3. How do I find more people on G+?
First, you can simply type in someone’s name. Also, G+ will suggest names from your Gmail account. Here is a nice little G+ search engine that allows you search posts, profiles, buzz and Google Reader; http://gplussearch.com/
4. Don’t forget to download the G+ app from the Android Market.
5. One more thing. While your setting up circles, don’t forget to set up a photography circle. The G+ on Android renders the photographers nicely and it’s a great way to see some cool shots. Here are a few popular photographers on G+:
Romain Guy, Victor Bezrukov, Trey Ratcliff, Vivienne Gucwa, Giuseppe Basile, Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson, Sharon Thomas, Bryan Woodward, Patrick Smith, Thomas Leuthard, Kjetil Greger Pedersen
Author – Doug Floyd
How Google’s Big Prize May Help Consumers
Posted on 17. Aug, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Wireless Industry
Google just spent 12.5 billion on the future of mobile computing. On Monday (August 15), they agreed to acquire Motorola Mobility, the maker of DROID phones and many other devices. While this move has a variety of implications in the industry, the big question is “How does this move impact consumers?”
This is a potentially positive move for the consumer market, but at the present moment, this impact will not be immediately obvious. As Avi Greengart of Current Analysis has suggested, “Short-term, this won’t impact the customer at all” (Mercury News). Over the long term though, this could open a variety of likely possibilities for consumers:
Increased Competition
Google has taken a direct step against the dominance of Apple in the mobile computing field. By purchasing Motorola, they can play a stronger role in developing an Android ecosystem similar to the Apple ecosystem with the difference being that Google remains committed to the open platform of Android. In Google’s own words, “Our acquisition of Motorola will increase competition by strengthening Google’s patent portfolio, which will enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies” (Google Blog).
All this adds up to increased competition on a more even playing field. For the long haul, this can mean better prices, better user experiences, and better products overall.
Improved User Experience
By playing a direct role in both the software and hardware development, Google can help overall user experience with the Android platform. Industry analyst Will Stofega writes, “Google’s ownership of the manufacturer will mean a smoother experience, fewer glitches with new releases, and a more seamless integration between hardware and software” (Mercury News)
Accelerated Innovation
Google has a history of pressing change in the mobile computing world. As New York Times editor Evelyn Rusli writes, “Google has shaken up the mobile industry by pushing cellphone carriers to open up their networks, and by licensing its Android system at no charge, increasing competition” (New York Times). This latest move may increase innovation in mobile computing as well as in television viewing. The combination of smartphones and tablets with Google TV set top boxes could open new avenues for searching and managing video content.
What about the future of Android hardware partners like HTC, LG and Sony Ericcson?
Google reaffirms its commitment to an open platform that continues to support multiple developers. “This acquisition will not change our commitment to run Android as an open platform. Motorola will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. We will run Motorola as a separate business. Many hardware partners have contributed to Android’s success and we look forward to continuing to work with all of them to deliver outstanding user experiences” (Google Blog).
If Google sticks to its commitment, this merger has the potential to be a great boon for the whole mobile computing industry. By purchasing Motorola, they’ve secured patent protection in the short term, but in the long term, they’ve taken a direct step toward advancing the future of the Android operating system. In their own words, they are “always looking for new ways to supercharge the Android ecosystem.” As a result of this merger, we hope to see all consumer reap great reward in the years.
- Doug Floyd
Streaming Songs onto Your Smartphone
Posted on 13. Aug, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Equipment
I like to access my music all the time but there’s one problem. At over 178GB of music, I don’t have enough room on my smartphone. So I want a quick and easy solution to listening. I’m on Google’s Music Beta, waiting for iTunes iCloud, and played with the initial Spotify accounts that were available this week. Google is still forming, iCloud is still coming, and Spotify is cool, but to stream you gotta pay monthly.
While I wait for these various cloud servers to pan out, I’ve found two immediate solutions to my need for tunes: Amazon Cloud Player and Subsonic Music Server. Both services will stream to Android phones. iPhone and Windows Phone 7 offers several Subsonic apps but nothing for Amazon Cloud Player.
Here’s my quick take on both services:
Amazon Cloud Player – Amazon announced unlimited cloud space for free this week. Buy one Mp3 album from Amazon and you can upload your entire music collection to the cloud. The process is easy, but a bit slow when you’re trying to upload over 178GB of music. Visit the mp3 store at Amazon to learn more about their cloud player and to download an uploader for your music as well as an Android app (or Palm or Blackberry app). The cloud player has organizer songs by artist, album, genre, song as well as playlists. You can access your tunes from any computer, some smartphones and hopefully soon the Roku.
Subsonic is a music serve your install on your computer. Unlike some music and/or video servers, Subsonic is not hard to install and instantly indexes your music. I loaded and within 30 minutes was streaming music to my Roku as well as my phone. Subsonic does require a small online donation if you plan to keep using it over time, but otherwise, there is no charge. Then you can access the music on your computer from other computers, devices like the Roku, and your smartphone. Android, iPhone and WIndows 7 have Subsonic applications that you can easily install. There is a minor technical aspect of inserting your computer’s IP address, but the Subsonic directions will walk your through it. For now, Subsonic is the easiest and fastest way to start streaming your music to your phone.
- Doug Floyd
Why did you just check your Facebook on your Smartphone?
Posted on 11. Aug, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Mobile Applications
Smartphone are outselling PCs. Suddenly everyone is checking Facebook, reading emails and sharing videos on their smartphones. As more and more people use smartphones, more and more people stay connected online more often. All day. And sometimes all night. What do people do with all this online time? Many of us are sharing so many videos, stories, newspaper articles, emails and jokes that they become viral.
In the recent study, “Social Transmission, Emotion, and the Virality of Online Content,”
Jonah Berger and Katherine L. Milkman attempt to answer the question of what makes viral content viral. Their findings offer implications on one of the driving forces for our fascination with the smartphones, especially with checking Facebook, email and forwarding videos/photos/stories.
Did you know that somebody tweets a New York Times article every four seconds? Why do people share? Berger and Milkman examined 7,000 New York Times articles and tried to understand why some articles make the “most emailed” list. In the end, they determined that emotions are one of the most powerful drivers for sharing information and causing it to become viral. Some of their findings include:
- People share useful and practical information.
- People are more likely to share emotional content rather than non-emotional content.
- Positive content appears to be more viral.
- But anger and anxiety-producing content also tends to be viral.
Apparently, we all like to feel something. And we like it even better if it’s positive. According Berger and Milkman, we also like to share our experiences. 59% of the people surveyed said that they share online content frequently. Do you share stories, videos, or other content online?
The next time you grab your Android, iPhone or other mobile device to share a text, a tweet, a story or a video, you’re probably most likely sharing something that makes you feel good, bad or angry.
- Doug Flyod
Cellular Sales donates $15,000 to SOAR Youth Ministries
Posted on 01. Aug, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Company News
Paul Bankston of Cellular Sales with children from SOAR Youth Ministries.
Paul Bankston, member of Cellular Sales’ marketing team, has been involved with SOAR for approximately 11 years. He began working with the organization as a mentor for two boys and now serves on the board of directors. Bankston’s enthusiasm for the organization led other Cellular Sales reps to seek out ways to support the non-profit.
The $15,000 donation will primarily fund the six-week summer reading program that SOAR produces. Approximately 40 children are participating in the program this year.
“Cellular Sales is truly proud to support SOAR. The organization means so much to me personally but it’s inspiring that my company is also noticing the great work SOAR does,” said Bankston. “SOAR has really opened my eyes. I see some of the struggles that these kids endure and it feels good to find a way to really make a difference.”
SOAR Youth Ministries serves to establish long-term relationships with youth that facilitate spiritual and educational maturity in order to develop future community leaders.
“When we tested the kids at the beginning of the summer, we saw that there was a need to work with some of them outside of our typical reading enhancement program,” said Erica Wilson, SOAR program director. “To do that, we needed additional materials. Cellular Sales’ gift allowed us to help those kids that really needed it. Without their support, we wouldn’t have had the books and specialized personnel we needed to help those students that are really struggling.”
“We are thrilled to have Cellular Sales’ continuous support of SOAR,” Interim Executive Director Clayton Wood said. “They have helped make our summer reading program possible.”
To learn more about SOAR Youth Ministries, visit www.soaruponwings.com.
Sarah Malak – Ackermann PR
10 Best Apps For Selling Real Estate
Posted on 14. Jul, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Apps
Here are 10 apps that can help you manage and grow estate your real estate business.
Grow your real estate business using the power of your smartphone. Whether you use an Android, iPhone, Blackberry or a Windows Phone 7,you have a vital tool that gives you the ability to promote, build and manage your real estate business while you’re on the move, when your waiting for clients, and whenever you a get a brainstorm.
Propertybase Real Estate CRM
Website: http://www.propertybase.com/
Available on: iPhone, iPad, and Blackberry
Developed by the top sales application, Salesforce, Propertybase.com offers a fully integrated CRM for Sales, Leasing, Property Management and Marketing. Using the powerful Propertybase engine, you can
- Manage Leads& Contacts
- Market Your Properties
- Streamline Sales Process
- Track Financials
- Manage Partners & Referrals
Any changes made in Propertybase can easily integrate with your Real Estate web site, so that changes will automatically apply to site as well.
Evernote
Website: http://www.evernote.com/
Available on: Android and iPhone
Promising to help you “remember everything,” Evernote gives you an easy way to capture text notes, pictures, voice recordings, and websites. It can sync the note with a central database, so you can access any note from any where at any time. When you make a note using your smartphone, Evernote records the location, so you can also search notes by location.
Real Estates Agents are using Evernote for recording property research, saving PDFs, documenting home construction, capturing business cards, recording notes while driving (which can be automatically converted to text notes), documenting transactions and more. If you take pictures of business cards, signs or other notes, Evernote can search by those words. This is an amazing all around tool for on-the-go agents.
Common Sense Strategies for Smartphone Security
Posted on 07. Jul, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Equipment
Just about everyone can use a smartphone to make their lives easier, and while there have been some scary reports in the media about smartphones being hacked and personal data being compromised, it really isn’t that difficult to keep your phone and your data secure.
As Smartphone use continues to rise, so does the need for using common sense strategies for safeguarding information. In the RSA 2011 Cybercrime Trends Report, the RSA (The Security Division of EMC) reported that the growing tendency to use smartphones as computing devices subjects them to similar security challenges as computers. RSA identifies several smartphone usage trends:
- Explosive growth of mobile devices as computing tools
- Number of downloaded applications (25 billion in 2011)
- Use in smartphones in every day functions such as emails, web surfing, accessing online accounts, storage of personal data
- Introducing personal computing devices into the enterprise
Since your smartphone is used as a personal computing device, it is important to protect your investment. Here are five simple common sense steps that could safe you loss and worry:
Read On: Common Sense Strategies for Smartphone Security
Social Networking in the Wireless Office
Posted on 19. Jun, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Wireless Industry
Social networking is entering more and more businesses as a vital component in their strategic toolbox. In “Social Networking in the Enterprise,” Forrester Consulting explores how businesses are utilizing social technologies for a whole range of activities that support the strategic plan.
Make-a-Wish Granted at Cellular Sales 400th Grand Opening
Posted on 16. Jun, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Company News
Cellular Sales donates $5,000 to fulfill wish in partnership with Make-a-Wish Foundation at its 400th store opening in North Carolina.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Most often, grand opening events are a celebration of a company and the products or services it offers to customers. But on Tuesday, Cellular Sales did something a little out-of-the-box during its 400th store Grand Opening event. The day belonged to a special little six-year old girl from Fayetteville: Georgia.
Cellular Sales presents check to Make-A-Wish Foundation to help fulfill Georgia's wish.
Georgia suffers from Wilms Tumor, a form of childhood kidney cancer. But on Tuesday, she was granted her wish thanks to a partnership between Cellular Sales and the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Eastern North Carolina. Like many young girls, Georgia loves to play with her dolls and dress them in all kinds of different outfits, which is why her wish is to go on a shopping spree to Wal-Mart and Toys“R”Us.
During Tuesday’s Grand Opening event, Cellular Sales and the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted Georgia her wish. Georgia and her parents, Ashley and Anthony, and her brother and sister, Austin and Makyla, will share in the excitement of her special shopping day on July 5.
“Opening our 400th store is an amazing feat for Cellular Sales, but being able to make Georgia’s wish come true has certainly been the most rewarding part of the day,” said Ari Mendlovitz, North Carolina Regional Director of Cellular Sales. “We couldn’t think of a better way to kick things off here in Fayetteville and Hope Mills.”
Ribbon cutting ceremony held for the opening of Cellular Sales' 400th store in Hope Mills, NC.
Tuesday’s milestone event took place at the new store located at 3001 Hope Mills Road and despite a tough economy, Cellular Sales, the nation’s largest retailer of Verizon Wireless products and services, continues to open 30 to 50 new stores every quarter.
Cellular Sales invested more than $225,000 in the Hope Mills location and created 15 sales positions to service the store, according to Matt Henry, Regional Recruiting Manager for the East Carolinas Region.
“As we continue to grow, we are extremely excited to open our 400th store in this area,” said Mike Baker, Regional Director of Cellular Sales. “North Carolina is a great state and the Fayetteville/Hope Mills area is an area full of patriotism, community spirit and history. We are truly honored to celebrate this milestone in Hope Mills.”
Starting as a one-store company in Knoxville, Tenn., Cellular Sales is now a more than $300 million annual business that maintains an annual growth rate of more than 150 percent and has 2,000 sales consultants across the country.
“Cellular Sales has grown tremendously because we put customer service first,” said Dane Scism, founder and CEO of Cellular Sales. “Our business model is based on treating every customer as if they were our only customer. People notice it when you take care of them.”
Ryan Willis – Akermann PR
A No Nonsense Guide to 4G and the Future of Mobile Communications: A Series on 4G LTE
Posted on 14. Jun, 2011 by Cellular Sales in 4G LTE, A No Nonsense Guide to 4G
A Peak at the Future of 4G
4G LTE means much more than faster speeds and improved performance. 4G changes what is possible for wireless communication. The standardized communication protocols, dramatically increasing speeds and flux of 4G devices will change how consumers, business and even governments interact.
- 4G is forecast to deliver 100Mbps download times and 50Mbps upload times from anywhere in the world at anytime, this means super broadband speeds will be available to everyone.
- Cell towers will have a much wider range, which means 4G wireless access will eventually be available everywhere.
- 4G protocols require standardized communication networks, so devices will no longer search for compatible support, but seamlessly move interact in any environment.
- The design of 4G radio communication allows more devices to interact on a common network, which benefits both users and the addition of multiple devices.
- Reduced latency to 10 msec round-trip time between user devices and base station will mean that continuing online interaction will be invisible and function like desktop applications.
As 4G continues to roll out, increasingly of these features will be realized. This will lead to interactivity that few customers realized was possible. 4G will ultimately create an ecosystem of devices within the users’ world and throughout the globe. Applications can be developed that rely on multiple devices interacting with or without user engagement.
Imagine the possibilities. A customer has car trouble on a busy Interstate. The car will warn them to pull over and automatically contact local support to aid the customer while ensuring his safety in the midst of a high traffic area. At the same time, the customer car could communicate with other cars on the Interstate, increasing safety and helping manage traffic flow.
In fact, 4G could help traffic flow in everything from local traffic as red lights could communicate within 4G network as well as traffic rerouting in case of construction or accidents.
4G facilitates and supports global business transactions, planning and management. Last year, Gartner Research suggested that CIOs should already begin preparing for this coming mobile computing world where pattern-based technologies will thrive and context-aware computing will become the norm.[1]
This is just the beginning of some of the ways 4G will change communications in the coming years. From personalized computing to improved healthcare to changing workplaces to greater learning and entertainment possibilities, 4G will ultimately have an impact on every aspect of life.
-Doug Floyd
A No Nonsense Guide to 4G and the Future of Mobile Communications: A Series on 4G LTE
Posted on 11. Jun, 2011 by Cellular Sales in 4G LTE, A No Nonsense Guide to 4G
How does the 4G LTE Translate into Customer Experience?
Even as Verizon Wireless unrolls the 4G LTE network, they are introducing products and plans that deliver the speed, functionality, and support for the specific application of home and business customers. First a quick summary of the basic features of 4G LTE.
- Verizon advertises download speeds of 5 to 12 Mbps downloads and 2 to 5 Mbps uploads. But as multiple reports have demonstrated, these speeds are conservative estimates compared to the experience of many 4G users.[1]
- Network latency is below 50 ms and this means that the data response time when interacting online is comparable to wireline connections.
- The rapidly expanding 4G LTE network delivers a reliable consistent wireless environment for customers.
- The 4G LTE network is designed to deliver service compatibility across disparate networks, including global wireline, wireless, fiber and private networks.
- As customers move between 4G and 3G networks, they will experience a consistent, reliable experience.
- Verizon Wireless is the only carrier with contiguous 700 MHz 4G spectrum.
For wireless customers faster downloads and reduced latency means that you can enjoy media without the hassle of waiting, waiting and waiting during the dreaded “buffering.” From watching movies to downloading that cool tune just heard in the grocery store, customers enjoy entertainment in seconds not minutes. Take a picture and want to post online? How about photo uploads in 6 seconds? 4G LTE means that wireless customers can interact with online media in mere moments.
Business customers enjoy the speed and power of their office on the road, all across America. Conduct HD corporate training, teleconference, and video collaboration with colleagues all across the nation and even the world. Managers can stream database applications, manage cloud applications, and control all their digital devices from anywhere in the country.
Verizon is also using 4G LTE as a part of larger enterprise level solutions and industry-specific challenges. Some of the wide-ranging applications include improved healthcare delivery systems with comprehensive security management solutions to guard sensitive information. Verizon supports a true borderless network that connect multiple offices, mobile users and global partners in a fast and secure network.
- Doug Flyod
A No Nonsense Guide to 4G and the Future of Mobile Communications: A Series on 4G LTE
Posted on 09. Jun, 2011 by Cellular Sales in 4G LTE, A No Nonsense Guide to 4G
Comparing 4G Networks
Several companies advertise 4G networks or 4G speeds including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. If you compare the technology, the network performance and the coverage areas, Verizon Wireless dominates the field and will dominate for years to come. Why? For two main reason: they were an early adopter to the technology that is become the standard of transition into 4G: LTE (Long Term Evolution). Secondly, they have been aggressively preparing for this switch for several years, so they are ahead of their competition on the basis of network area launch time and network performance.
AT&T and T-Mobile focused primarily on improving network speeds by investing heavily in HSPA+ technology. But now AT&T is quickly trying to catch up by investing in LTE. HSPA+ is simply not a long term solution since it relies on old standards. As a stopgap measure between 3G and 4G, HSPA+ provides faster download and upload speeds in areas of availability.
So the main advantage of HSPA+ is faster speeds in the interim while these networks catch up with the newest technologies. Unfortunately, PC World has reported that some users of the new HSPA+ technology are reporting slower speeds than 3G.[1] Slashgear’s Shane McGlaun expressed disappointment that AT&T was promoting HSPA+ as 4G and said that the speeds weren’t terribly impressing.[2] In spite of repeated claims for 6Mbps downloading speeds, PC World reports that most users appear to be averaging speeds closer to 2.5Mbps.[3]
Even in places and on products where HSPA+ is delivering higher speeds, this technology is still not true 4G and will be superseded by LTE. In fact, the AT&T Mobility CEO admitted that AT&T is at least two years behind Verizon Wireless at the recent “All Things Done” conference.[4] This explains part of the drive for AT&T to merge with T Mobile, but even with a merger, both networks will still be behind on LTE coverage.
Sprint was the first company to advertise 4G speeds with their WiMax technology. While Sprint’s WiMax is a 4G technology, it’s performance speeds are still well below LTE. As a result, Sprint is now focusing on developing LTE coverage as well.
For those wanting true 4G LTE coverage, Verizon Wireless is the only real option and will be for several years to come. How did Verizon corner the market?
With the impending end of all analog signal transmission in the United States (June 2009), the FCC offered operation rights for the 700 MHz frequency formally used primarily by UHF channels. The United States 2008 Spectrum Auction (known officially as Auction 73) starting auctioning rights in January 2008.[5]
Verizon Wireless was the big winner.[6] As it turns, Verizon had big plans for the 700 MHz rights. They were looking ahead to the implementation of 4G and LTE technology across the United States. They started an aggressive rollout schedule for the 4G LTE Network.
On December 5, 2010, Verizon Wireless launched its 4G LTE network in 39 major metropolitan cities, covering more than 110 million Americans. By the end of 2011, Verizon plans to offer their 4G LTE network in more than 175 markets. Every month, more and more Americans are enjoying the blazing speed of this true 4G LTE network by Verizon.
PC Mag, PC World, ZDNet and a critics all across the mobile communications industry agree that the new 4G LTE network from Verizon is the fastest network available. [7] On the day Verizon launched the 4G LTE Network in December 2, 2010, Gizmodo tracked test results from across the nation. Speeds included:
MSNBC – 32Mbps download and 11.99Mbps upload
Engadget – 7.14Mbps download and 1.12Mbps upload
Slashgear – 12.44Mbps download and 6.73Mbps upload
GigaOm – 11.7Mbps download and 5.6Mbps upload
Network World – 7.5Mbps download and 6.5Mbps upload
Gizmodo – 9.5Mbps download and 2.9Mbps upload[8]
From the technology to network coverage[9] to performance to available 4G products, Verizon Wireless gives customers the ability to enjoy the full advantages of 4G now and in the years to come.
- Doug Flyod
A No Nonsense Guide to 4G and the Future of Mobile Communications: A Series on 4G LTE
Posted on 07. Jun, 2011 by Cellular Sales in 4G LTE, A No Nonsense Guide to 4G
4G Technologies
There are multiple companies promoting 4G networks, but actually they are using different technologies including HSPA+, WiMax, and LTE.
Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+)
HSPA+ is a temporary measure that addressed the increasing need for download speeds comparable with fixed broadband lines. This is primarily an upgrade to existing 3G technologies designed to meet the needs of users until full 4G implementation. While the ITU has allowed HSPA+ to come within the 4G definition, HSPA+ is only a temporary measure. It has no long-term viability and is a stop gap measure. Even though HSPA+ may demonstrate fast download speeds, it is still based on an old technology that will not move forward into the emerging 4G networks.
Comparison Chart: LTE 4G vs hspa+ vs wimax
Comparison Chart: LTE 4G vs hspa+ vs wimax
WiMax
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) is like a super wireless network. It delivers a performance similar to local WiFi networks. While WiFi networks deliver broadband access in a 100-300 foot range, WiMax can deliver service in a 30 mile range. Thus, it can offer broadband speeds to mobile telecommunication networks. Download speeds usually run much lower than local WiFi, averaging around 3Mbps to 6Mbps.
While some companies like spring focused their original efforts around WiMax, they are now moving toward adopting LTE technologies.
LTE
Long term evolution (LTE) competes directly with WiMax as a ITU-recognized 4G technology. As the name implies, LTE is part of a long-term evolution from 3G technology to 4G technology. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) provided the original standard for a 3G mobile system in 1998. In 2004, the partnership of organizations began developing the LTE project focused on radio access technology.
Unlike Wimax, LTE is a completely different technology that operates with frequency band allocations. Using top-of-the-line radio techniques, LTE achieves extremely high performance levels. LTE can coexist with 3G and 2G while also moving forward toward full implementation of LTE-Advanced over the next few years.
LTE appears to be poised as the single standard and natural evolution for the emerging 4G networks. FCC mandated LTE for all emergency responders.[1] Over 100 manufacturers currently support the LTE technology and that number continues rising as more and more mobile communication providers and consumers are turning to LTE.
Some of the many benefits of LTE include the following:
- Fast download and upload speeds such as 5 to 12Mbps (download) and 2 to 5Mbps (upload) with even faster speeds coming.
- LTE shifted from circuit-switched to packet-switched technologies, simplifying the overall network.
- Improved performance for streaming data and video to a mobile device.
- Low latency equals faster response times when interacting with applications online.
- Low frequency transmissions can reach longer distances and are less susceptible to interference, so this should improve reception and clarity of voice communications.
- LTE can support more users in a single area.
- LTE delivers a more consistent user experience as users travel between disparate networks.
Verizon Wireless anticipated the potential of LTE as the step forward in telecommunications and was an early adopter of this technology. Now Verizon Wireless is poised to benefit from the current adoption of LTE standards since their speeds, performance and LTE rollout dominate the field.[2]
-Doug Floyd
A No Nonsense Guide to 4G and the Future of Mobile Communications: A Series on 4G LTE
Posted on 06. Jun, 2011 by Cellular Sales in 4G LTE, A No Nonsense Guide to 4G
What is 4G? & A quick history of 4G.
What is 4G?
Just about the time everyone got use to talking about their 3G phones, 4G stepped onto the center stage of mobile communications. It might be easy to assume that 4G is just the newest version in a long line of mobile updates much like typical software updates such as 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and so on. Since 3G came offering faster speeds and clearer communication lines, it is once again assumed that 4G is now bringing even faster speeds and even better communication lines.
Actually, 4G is a game changer for mobile communications around the world. While it does mean faster, better wireless communications, it means much more. The key benefits of 4G for customers include:
• Speed – Faster data speeds for downloads and uploads
• Low Latency – Customer will spend less time waiting for information to process and respond on their devices
• Accessibility – Ultimately 4G will mean broadband access anytime, anywhere in the world with any technology
• Customization – Customers will enjoy greater personalization in the products they use
• Integration – 4G connects devices to devices, so now customers will enjoy easy integration of multiple technologies
But 4G is even bigger than these benefits. It has a long reaching impact on the way we communicate and the way our world interacts. To a get sense of the magnitude, here’s a quick history of 4G.
A Quick History of 4G
Alex Lightman, the man who is credited with coining the term 4G has suggested that “4G is the next and last generation of wireless communication.”1 In 2002, Lightman published, Brave New Unwired World: The Digital Big Bang and the Infinite Internet, where he anticipated the future of wireless communication, and how it would impact everything else in the world. In October 2010, Lightman accepted a Reader’s Choice Award from The Economist on behalf 4G as the invention that would most impact the world in the next decade.2
4G is not simply a better, faster 3G. 4G is standard that will connect telecommunication devices around the world, ushering in new technological possibilities that are still being realized. It is the wireless communications standard that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) established in 2002. They designated the new standard as IMT-Advanced and set specific goals for a global telecommunication platform that would connect developed and undeveloped nations and connect divergent technologies by focusing on four essential dimensions: spectrum, marketplace, regulatory, and technology.
• Spectrum refers to the frequency in radio and telecommunications where information travels in a wave along an assigned frequency range. This is the basis for all wireless communication.
• Marketplace represents the needs of the users and the demand for services within each market.
• Regulatory assures authorized controls within the spectrum, ensuring resources are properly shared among licenses.
• Technology utilizes the spectrum to deliver specific capabilities that meet the needs of markets and the regulations of markets.
IMT-Advanced (and later termed 4G) represents the combined work of over 200 standards organizations around the world, assuring that telecommunications can drive social and economic development through a borderless wireless broadband networks in every nation.
For the past decade, professionals from every nation have been developing the technologies that work with established the standards and protocols to introduce a form of wireless communications that is not limited to specific places, works between multiple services, and provides sufficient support for the levels of customer access that dramatically rise every year.
Implementing 4G technologies is a multiphase process. In 2010 and 2011, initial stages of the 4G broadband standards have been introduced. Over the next several years, 4G technologies and products will continue to develop and expand, offering more and more benefits to consumers, businesses, healthcare and societies all around the world.
-Doug Floyd
Reports on Cell Phone Radiation Can Be Misleading
Posted on 02. Jun, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Wireless Industry
Responding to Cell Phone Radiation
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued a statement on the “possible” threat of cell phones on May 31, 2011. Suddenly Facebook, Twitter, newspapers and news television blazed with headlines about the threat of cell phone use.
How should a cell phone user respond to this report?
First, it is essential to remember that the statement does say that cell phone use causes cancer. Inflamed headlines can cause inflamed emotions, and suddenly the cautious wording of the report is exaggerated across the web. The statement acknowledges that much of the research is inconclusive.
Secondly, this statement is based on a review of current research. Much of the current research on cell phone use is contradictory. Thus the FCC states on their website: “There is no scientific evidence that proves that wireless phone usage can lead to cancer or a variety of other problems, including headaches, dizziness or memory loss.” The FDA posts on their website, “The majority of studies published have failed to show an association between exposure to radio frequency from a cell phone and health problems.”
Research in the area of cell phone use, computer use, and other modern conveniences that emit radio frequency is ongoing and still inconclusive. In fact, the IARC panel which issued the statement acknowledges the inconclusive results. Dr. Jonathan M. Samet, led this panel and is quoted in New York Times as saying, “We found some threads of evidence about how cancer might occur but have to acknowledge gaps and uncertainties.”
Dr. Meir Stampfer, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School told the Times that the evidence does not support concern and compares this with exposure to the sun or “any number of normal everyday activities.” And Donald Berry, a professor of biostatistics at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, responded to the Associated Press by saying, “This is not something I worry about and it will not in any way change how I use my cellphone.”
Finally Dr. Christopher West, Director of the IARC, concludes, “Clearly it will not be the last word on the topic and in fact one of the interesting outcomes of the monograph is that it identifies where there are gaps in the knowledge on a certain research area. I think it’s a value of this process therefore it’s suggest interesting areas of future research that will improve the evidence base which we have in order to make decisions about the usage of mobile phone in the future.”
So how should a cell phone user respond? Cell phone users should feel safe to continue using their devices normally. If the exposure causes concern, users can simply choose to use a headset or speakerphone when possible.
-Doug Floyd
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