click logo for homepage
 
 

	Vol.7, No 30, October 20, 1999
	Wireless Internet explodes into market By Jose Corado Daily Forty-Niner The two fastest-growing technologies -- wireless communication and the Internet -- have come together to form a new industry: wireless Internet. Things like e-mail and news headlines can now be called up from a cellular phone, pager or laptop computer with a wireless modem. "This is a phone that does so much more," said Denise Crew, spokeswoman for CSP Communications Inc. "It is going to revolutionize the way we use our phones." Sprint PCS, a leading wireless communications company, released Sprint PCS Wireless Web on Sept. 20. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web combines the power of the Internet with the convenience of cellular phones. Sprint PCS phones come equipped with a mini browser called UP.com from Phone.com. While some wireless data services have been available for years, they have attracted few people because the devices were too expensive and often unreliable, Crew said. She said the product is now significantly cheaper and much simpler to use. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web service offers three services: Web Browsing, Yahoo! Updates and Wireless Web Connection. With Web browsing, users can access the Internet via an Internet-ready wireless phone that uses a mini browser. Phone.com Inc., a Redwood City-based company, came up with the software that connects wireless devices to the Web. Because of its innovative system, the company has persuaded other cellular phone companies to adopt its standards. With Yahoo! Updates, users can receive automatic and customized briefs including daily news headlines, sports scores and horoscopes. Wireless Web Connection makes it easier to connect a laptop to the Internet. The phone can be used in place of a modem, which allows users to complete the same tasks they would with a home computer. Many other companies are trying to make hand-held sets that provide much more than just e-mail services. Qualcomm Inc. of San Diego is putting the browser designed by Phone.com into their entire line of Thin Phones, which are smaller phones designed specifically for Internet applications. Meanwhile, Motorola Inc. is also putting Phone.com's browser into its i1000 Plus series of phones. 3com's Palm VII incorporates wireless access to a limited number of Web sites on a device not much bigger than the original Pilot. Apple Inc.'s new laptop, iBook, turns the computer into a wireless Internet surfing machine.  The iBook uses a new device called AirPort, which gives users the freedom to access the Internet from anywhere in their home, dorm or classroom.  The only limitation is the iBook can only go as far as 150 feet from the Airport device. Many technology analysts and industry groups had predicted the explosion of wireless networks, noting that society is fast-paced and information driven. "They [consumers] are on the go," Crew said.  "They want to have communication when and where they want it."		Plane crash victim mourned   Housing problem affects many   Wireless Internet explodes into market   Women's center offers support for ethnic women Quakes can be fun   Shoppers decide where to buy New show needs woman's touch   Attempted shooting of Dogg Pound in L.A.   The Best Man' features a wealth of talent   The Straight Story' has humorous characters Slow start takes Ice Dogs on long road trip Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.