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Unwired - News About GPS, Wi-Fi, RFID, Bluetooth - May-27-2006 May 26, 2006

Here are some summaries related to wireless technologies (GPS, Wi-Fi, RFID, Bluetooth) for May 27, 2006:

Are Smartcards Becoming Too Niche-Focused? May 16, 2006

CardTechnology reported recently that Switzerland is trying out a new contactless payment card aimed at moviegoers. While this seems incredibly unusual, it seems to be one of the big problems with RFID and touchless payment systems. There are numerous RFID projects afoot all over the world, and no standards.

I’m not a big fan of digital money to begin with, but to aim cards at such a small niche seems a waste of effort. What’s worse, these cards will only work at Europlex cinemas. You have to open an account, deposit funds, then use your card to buy tickets and …

Ooh Baby It’s A Wired World May 11, 2006

(With apologies to Cat Stevens). Maybe it’s force of habit, but the title of this post is proof that even when I’m discussing wireless networks, I refer to a “wired” world. In a sense, the wiring is still there, it’s just organized differently. Then again, “unwired” world just doesn’t have the same ring to it. But regardless of what it’s called, no doubt the inhabitants of Iqaluit, in the Canadian territory of Nunavut, are more than happy to have their own free city-wide Wi-Fi network.

Nunavut simultaneously joins the growing list of cities and towns offering (or planning to offer) …

More RFID Technology Purchases May 10, 2006

In my last post, I talked about how a number of technology companies are buying up their suppliers. Given that RFID and NFC technology is behind most of the new digital touchless payment systems being tested in many parts of the world, it’s not suprising, then, that a company like NCR Corp (National Cash Register Corporation) recently purchased IDVelocity LLC, an RFID provider.

NCR has long been a producer of ATMs (automated teller machines), sometimes called ABMs (automated banking machines). Their technology is often branded with the logos of banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions, …

Some Interesting Technology Purchases May 7, 2006

It seems that some companies are being proactive and purchasing companies who are their suppliers or even software vendors. Now this isn’t exactly a new idea, but the actual technologies that are being gained haven’t typically been the subject of takeovers.

For example, Lockheed Martin is generally considered a defense contractor, but was often involved in NASA’s aeronautics projects as a supplier. Recently, they announced that they’ll be purchasing Savi Technology, a company that builds RFID solutions for defense and transportation. Apparently, it’s a huge purchase, in the 9-figures range.

Another similar recent purchase happened when John Deere, a …




  

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