The Copper Wire

We here at The Copper Wire have been focused on writing about the way we cope with the changing world of communications. In the world of video games, this is never more apparent. Last night people in the Northeast braved a severe storm and stood online for hours to only get a chance to purchase the new Sony PS3. While game system itself is sure to revolutionize the gaming industry, the impact it will have on continued use of the Internet will be significant. Considered a novelty with PS2 and Xbox systems, the ability to use the Internet to play people around the world has changed the way we play video games. Whether this is a good thing is for debate, in terms of the amount of hours we spend playing video games. What is clear is the Internet’s impact as a platform to communicate and socialize is more prevalent.

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Last month Verizon Business announced its eBonding initiative which will allow clients to order services directly through a Web portal. This eliminates having to place phone calls or keep track of e-mails when an order is placed. Clients can now order services through their third party telecom expense management provider, enabling them to have a centralized place to order services from all their carriers. Not only is this extremely important as the two major carriers look to provide enterprise clients with an easier way to order and change services, but also marks the use of Web services. Now can companies can extend their TEM systems to provision services more efficiently and accurately.

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Centralization has been an underlying theme with how we manage communications. With all the different types of devices and communication technologies, getting a handle starts with having a central place to view all this information for an enterprise. But at the individual level, what about actually operating and keeping all these different devices running?

You have two outlets available in your wall socket; however, you have to charge your cell phone, your PDA, your MP3 player, and your digital camera.

What to do?

The smart people over at Malleable Devices Inc. have solved the common socket-crisis with creating the SynCh Universal Sync Charger. The ability to manage the many facets of our communication devices is consolidated into a single, comprehensive tool.

What makes the SynCh a cinch is that you can purchase their MDI mTip, an adapter that makes it possible to charge an extensive variety of brands and devices.

Malleable Devices Inc. has added a mini SynCh which charges through a laptop making it ideal for charging on-the-go.

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The Oakland A’s have announced a deal with Cisco Systems on the naming rights for their new stadium. While this does not seem like a big deal, since almost every ballpark now has a corporate sponsor, Cisco will be using the field to showcase new interactive technologies. Digital tickets and personalized advertising are just a few things that are planned. Let’s just hope the focus is still on America’s Pastime, and some of the features include beaming live player stats and out of town scores to our cell phones, or the ability to order a hot dog. One thing is clear, that communication technologies are revolutionizing even our experience at sporting events.

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Remember the suit-case telephone? It was a mobile phone that required the user to carry around a little nap-sack with all the wires and connectivity do-wigs. Invented by Dr. Martin Cooper, the Motorola DynaTAC was a colossal, cumbersome cell phone that was all the rage at just $3,000 bucks in the early 80s. I see pictures of that phone and I can’t imagine. I freak out when my battery dies yet; this nifty phone of the 80s only had a talk time of about 30 minutes!

The phones on the market today can do just about anything. The November issue of Law Technology News had a small write-about the Sharp SH 903i. This telephone boast an array of features including facial recognition software linked through the 3MP camera so you can lock the phone with your face and even more impressive, an ultrasonic mosquito repellant.

You can talk on the phone, lock the phone with your face and zap mosquitoes all at the same time! Not sure why or when you would need this feature but today’s cell phone has certainly surpassed the DynaTac’s luxuries and the evolution is only progressing.

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