Tech Talk

Firefox Smartphone Hits the Market

2013-07-02

ZTE and Telefonica have launched the first Firefox OS smartphone, the ZTE Open. Priced as low as $51 ($90 retail, with $39 worth of free airtime for prepaid customers), the ZTE Open is clearly designed for the mobile phone user who has never before been able to afford a smartphone. It goes on sale today in Spain, and is headed for Colombia and Venezuela this summer as well.

Mozilla’s Firefox OS is based on HTML 5, and has the potential to build a large portfolio of apps quickly because of the widespread use of HTML 5 in the developer community. “There are 3 million HTML developers around the world,” Mozilla CEO Gary Kovacs said last year. “It is the language that they are speaking and when asked to choose, they choose HTML 5. HTML 5 is optimized for what the web has become today: apps, video, music, and immersive experiences.” Apps that are already part of the Firefox Marketplace include Facebook, Twitter, AccuWeather, Nokia HERE Maps, SoundCloud, Terra, Time Out, TMZ, and some Electronics Arts games.

Still, Firefox OS has a long way to go to catch up with Google’s Android operating system, clearly its main competitor in the entry-level smartphone space. At last count there were roughly 800,000 apps in the Google Play store, more than in any other app store including Apple’s iTunes.

But if Telefonica’s ZTE Open is an indicator of what’s coming, Firefox OS phones will definitely be competitive when it comes to value. The ZTE Open’s specs are comparable to those of Android phones like the new HTC Desire. The Open has a 3.5-‐inch, HVGA TFT touchscreen display and is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It has 256MB of RAM, a 3.2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, A-GPS and Wi-Fi. It comes with a 4GM microSD card.

The phone is also meant to be intuitive for those who have not used smartphones before. Although many potential customers may not be used to using computers either, Mozilla has made the Firefox web search capability a central part of the OS experience. By swiping to the right on the touchscreen, the user can enter a term and get immediate search results, including videos and e-commerce options.

“We believe that smartphones need to be more open and that the web is the platform for making this possible,” said Luis Miguel Gilpérez, CEO of Telefónica España. “Consumers should not be locked to any one system but have the choice to consume the content they want and the flexibility to be able to take it with them when they change devices. This first open web device marks a significant milestone in making this possible. This is just the beginning as we plan to bring a wide range of Firefox OS devices to our customers.”

“In order for any mobile OS to gain critical mass, there needs to be a product that delights consumers, a platform that attracts and retains developers and an app ecosystem that can compete with iOS and Android,” said Jefferson Wang, partner at IBB Consulting. “Firefox OS has an entry-level international growth strategy which can help Mozilla build out these three key elements needed for a future offensive U.S. play.”

The next Firefox OS smartphone to hit the market is likely to be the Alcatel One Touch Fire, which was introduced along with the ZTE Open at Mobile World Congress. While the ZTE Open and the Alcatel One Touch Fire have both been approved by the FCC, but there is no word yet on when they might come to the United States. When Mozilla announced its roster of carrier and OEM partners for Firefox OS last year, the one U.S. carrier on the list was Sprint Nextel.

via Firefox smartphone hits the marketMobile Technology | Wireless Broadband | Wireless Carriers | RCR U.S. Wireless News.

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New Samsung Galaxy S4 Features Qi Wireless Charging

2013-06-29

New Samsung Galaxy S4 Features Qi Wireless Charging and the rapidly expanding Qi ecosystem now includes compatible phones from Samsung, Nokia, LG, HTC, Panasonic, Sony, Motorola, Sharp, Fujitsu, NEC, and Pantech

The new Samsung Galaxy S4 has adopted the Qi wireless charging standard in its optional back battery cover and wireless charging pad accessories, as demonstrated at Samsung Unpacked 2013. The accessories are fully compatible with all Qi chargers and Qi-compatible phones. The announcement further solidifies Qi as the mobile industry’s choice for fully compatible wireless charging.

Qi is backed by more than 130 leading companies of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) like Blackberry, ConvenientPower, Delphi Automotive Systems, Energizer, Haier Group, Hitachi Maxell HTC, Huawei, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Philips Electronics, Samsung, Sony, TDK Corporation, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, and Verizon Wireless.

Qi cuts the last remaining cord in consumer electronics – the charging cord. Any Qi-certified device wirelessly charges using any Qi-compatible charger, regardless of brand. It’s easy, you just set your Qi-supported device on any Qi charging spot and it instantly starts charging.

The Galaxy S4 is the latest addition to the rapidly expanding Qi ecosystem of mobile devices, charging accessories, charging locations, and consumer electronics with an installed base of more than 15 million units. Recently, McDonald’s began testing wireless charging with Qi-embedded tables in some of its European locations. In addition, Toyota announced that the 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited includes integrated Qi charging in the center console. The universe of Qi products includes over 170 products and Qi is the only wireless power solution directly integrated into flagship smartphones and automobiles.

Qi is an open, fully flexible standard capable of evolving its technology and features to offer the best user experience while maintaining compatibility products that have the Qi logo. It offers the widest range of features to optimize user convenience and product choices: support for both inductive and resonant charging, spatial freedom, and intelligent power management.

For more information, visit: www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com

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FCC Approves Google’s TVWS Database for Use, Whitespace Broadband Coming Soon?

2013-06-28

Two months after Google got permission to test its TV whitespace (TVWS) database from the FCC, the Commission is approving it for operation. Which whitespace channels are available for use depend on the region in question, and registered wireless devices will be able to use the database to automatically determine the frequencies they can transmit on after feeding it their encrypted location information. Individuals and organizations can also browse the database to see which bands are available for use in their area.

Google has pushed unlicensed TVWS for years as a cost-effective way to bring broadband service to sparsely populated rural communities whose economics don’t justify building out traditional cable or fiber lines. It initially got permision to start testing the database back in March and concluded a month later, in April. Competitor Key Bridge Global wrapped up its own database trial in April, but so far hasn’t received FCC approval to put it in action.

TVWS is still an emerging technology, but it’s finally moving out of the experimentation phase and into real applications. Back in April, California ISP Cal.Net launched the nation’s first consumer white space broadband service, bringing 2–4Mbps internet to residents of the state’s hilly Gold Country region.

via FCC approves Google’s TVWS database for use, bringing whitespace broadband one step closer | The Verge.

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Borqs Focuses on the Road Weary with Smart Vehicle Mounted Terminals

2013-06-27

Intimidated by road-trip getaways? Overwhelmed by boredom while driving? Like to work on-the-move but can’t access your office computer from your car? Well, quit worrying, because vehicle-mounted terminals are finally here! Boasting user-focused interactive features, these smart devices are designed to completely satisfy drivers’ demands in the modern age. What’s more, Borqs believes that their advances are sure to bring about an entirely new driving experience and radically change car culture.

In 2012, 15.495 million passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, and others) were sold in China, a growth rate of 7.1 percent from the previous year. An EnfoDesk report titled “The Quarterly Report of China’s Pre-installed Vehicle Navigator Market” revealed that shipments of before-market vehicle navigation systems had increased dramatically during the 2nd quarter of 2012 to 361,000 units in total. This represented an increase of 22.9 percent over the previous year. In the 4th quarter, this number rose further to 342,000 units, an increase of 9.3 percent over the previous quarter. Additionally, the after-market demand for commercial vehicle navigation systems is also rising by the day.

Customer demands in this large market are becoming more complex. On a driving holiday, car owners want to be able to simultaneously change destinations, check out local geography and weather conditions, enjoy unrestricted videophone calls and high-speed web browsing, watch HD video on demand, play online 3D games, interact via voice, and use other data-intensive interactive applications. The Borqs Smart Vehicle Mounted Platform meets all of these demands.

Borqs has redesigned Android for vehicles, and the result is an open, flexible, and secure vehicle-mounted OS that leverages satellite positioning and inertial navigation technology provided by Beidou. Borqs’ sophisticated systems also rely on network-assisted positioning technologies, guaranteeing accurate full-time navigation services across any and all topographies. TD-LTE also integrates a high-speed wireless data cloud, providing users with dynamic and intelligent navigation services. And thanks to the accurate positioning services and real-time data provided by Beidou and TD-LTE, Borqs’ Smart Background Vehicle Management System makes it easy to simultaneously monitor, supervise, and dispatch up to two passenger vehicles and one hazardous cargo vehicle, all in real time.

The Borqs Smart Vehicle Mounted Terminal uses Android 4.1, offering a feature-rich UI with simplified workflows, all adapted to the specialized habits of customers. The device is also future compatible, supporting mobile internet technologies such as HTML5 and IPv6. And Borqs has also expanded platform functionality to include cloud computing and safety control features. For our Smart Vehicle Mounted System, Borqs has collaborated with many of China’s premier car manufacturers, including FAW, Chang’an Automobiles, the GAC Group, and GEELY, providing customers with vehicle-mounted communication, recorded media entertainment, information services, route guidance, safety assistance, and car maintenance tips for vehicle monitoring, navigation, and entertainment.

via Smart Vehicle Mounted Terminals: For an Entirely New Way of Life — CUPERTINO, Calif., June 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ —.

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AGENT: The World’s Smartest Watch by Secret Labs + House of Horology

2013-06-26

QTOOTH loves the spirit of ingenuity… and competition. Here is the latest entry into the smart watch foray from Agent. QTOOTH still wonders about their successful adoption in the marketplace. Not too many people wear watches anymore and they are one of the few wireless devices that seem to be moving AWAY from hands-free. In fact, operating a smart phone usually takes two hands! Agent are well on their way to a very successful Kickstarter round of fundraising to bring their idea to fruition. Below are most of the details from their Kickstarter campaign. Use the link at the bottom of the post if you want to jump into the fray and become one for their sponsors.

Agent Smart Phone

The next generation smartwatch with brand-new technology. World-class developer tools, unparalleled battery life, Qi wireless charging.

If you missed our Kickstarter campaign, you will still be able to get your own AGENT smartwatch. Please visit agentwatches.com for more info.

Let’s talk about a generational leap forward in smartwatch technology.

Smartwatch batteries are less than 10% the size of smartphone batteries. Yet while we’re thrilled when a smartphone lasts the entire day on a charge, we’re frustrated when a tiny smartwatch battery doesn’t last the week.

So smartwatch designers have compromised to conserve battery power—limiting us to simple apps, minimal connectivity and primitive developer tools.

No Compromises

We weren’t willing to compromise. So we spent the last year testing and integrating the very best new technologies from around the world, eliminating limitations of the past.

We’ve created the first smartwatch that doesn’t compromise, with both unparalleled battery life and powerful watch apps. With two-way communication to smartphones and amazing developer tools that you can download today. And with so much more.

This is AGENT, a brand-new generation of smartwatch. Please join us on a tour.

Trendsetting Design

Watches are also fashion accessories.Watches are also fashion accessories.

We want to wear our watches everywhere, so Secret Labs teamed up with NYC watchmaker House of Horology to craft a beautiful watch that matches any outfit.

You can switch from one watchface to another with the press of a button, matching your style or your mood. And you can download additional watchfaces through your smartphone.

Works with your Smartphone

AGENT talks to your smartphone using Bluetooth, enabling convenient control of your music library and acting as a wrist-based display for smartphone apps.

Our powerful Bluetooth firmware makes it possible for smartphone apps to work with your watch, no inter-process communication or white-listing required.

Notifications and lost phone alert

AGENT also displays incoming calls and notifications. And it vibrates to let you know when you’ve accidentally left your phone behind.

Compatible with iPhone 4S or newer, Android 2.3+ and Windows Phone 8.

Connected Watch Apps (Bluetooth Classic + 4.0 LE)

Agent Watch Weather - QTOOTH — Running and Weather Apps

Like your smartphone, AGENT runs downloadable apps.

These apps can talk to traditional Bluetooth devices such as smartphones and heart rate monitors (for exercise apps) as well as the new generation of Bluetooth Low Energy devices such as door locks (so you can leave your physical keys behind).

Working with your smartphone, watch apps can also retrieve info from the Internet, keeping you up to date with the things that are most important to you.

Dual Processor

Agent Watch Sleep Mode - QTOOTH — Power-optimized dual processor design

Powerful watch apps demand a powerful processor. But powerful processors drain batteries quickly.

For long battery life, a smartwatch’s processor remains in sleep mode most of the time. While last year’s processors consume 300μA in sleep mode, AGENT’s brand-new ARM Cortex-M4 processor consumes just 33μA (11% as much power).

And to keep that processor in sleep mode as much as possible, we added a much smaller secondary processor. The second processor takes care of housekeeping duties and events and itself remains in a super-low-power 0.1μA sleep mode most of the time.

Precision Power Metering

Agent Watch Power Meter for Apps - QTOOTH — On-demand power consumption measurements for app developers

Because watch batteries are so small, watch apps must be designed for battery efficiency. But since power metering chips consume too much power, smartwatches have lacked the tools necessary to power-optimize watch apps.

So we’ve been stuck with simple apps that get decent battery life—or more sophisticated apps that can drain battery and ruin the user’s experience.

Thankfully, recent hardware innovations in coulomb counting, combined with some really smart software, enable AGENT to provide precision power metering on demand without sacrificing battery life. This gives developers the tools they need to create sophisticated Bluetooth-connected watch apps which are also battery friendly.

Managed Runtime

Traditional smartwatches run apps in an unrestricted environment. This can lead to memory leaks, lockups, and permanently disabled watches. Without access controls, apps can even steal private data from other apps.

Smartphones solve these issues through sophisticated security frameworks and managed runtimes. AGENT’s OS includes a managed runtime, optimized for our low-power architecture. It is called the .NET Micro Framework and it makes watch apps trustable.

This feature-rich managed runtime also offers developers modern features they crave: event-based programming; multi-threading; garbage collection; lambda expressions; exception handling; automatic power management; and much more.

World-class Development Tools

Watch apps can be written in C# using Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 (including the free Express edition). Deploy your apps over Bluetooth and debug them interactively.

Developers can also use AGENT as a secondary display, interacting with it remotely via Bluetooth from their Objective-C, C#, or Java smartphone app.

We’ve also created a desktop emulator, making it easy for developers to start creating watch apps while we are hard at work getting your smartwatch ready for your wrist. We will release the preview version of the emulator right after the Kickstarter campaign ends and will release the final version this autumn.

High Speed Memory Display

Traditional LCDs can display smooth user interfaces, but they’re very power hungry. E-paper displays are very energy efficient, but their slow refresh rates don’t allow for animations.

So AGENT uses a new 1.28″ Sharp Memory Display which combines the best aspects of both technologies: fast animations; high clarity outdoor-readable display; and ultra-low (~20uA) power consumption.

This new memory display also runs at a lower voltage than the last generation, eliminating energy-wasting voltage boosters from our electrical design.

Wireless Charging

We love MicroUSB for charging our devices, but AGENT needs to be water resistant. And we are not big fans of proprietary charging cables.

Qi (pronounced ‘chee’) is a global standard for wireless charging, and we are building it into the AGENT smartwatch. Simply set your watch on the included Qi charging pad (or any other Qi charging pad) from time to time to keep the battery topped off.

No wires, no hassle. The included charging pad is compact and powered by MicroUSB. If you have a Qi charging pad from Energizer, JBL, LG, Nexus, Nokia, or Panasonic those will work too.

Motion and Light Sensors

AGENT senses motion in three dimensions with an integrated 3-axis accelerometer. Motion data is available to apps on demand and via timestamped motion events. Use your smartwatch as a pedometer, a sleep tracker or a game controller.

Two integrated light sensors (both broadband and infrared-only) work together to measure ambient light, enabling AGENT to intelligently illuminate the display in dim lighting conditions. And of course apps can retrieve the current ambient light level anytime.

Fail-safe Recovery Modes

Since AGENT firmware is updated wirelessly, we built fail-safe recovery modes into our hardware design. This ensures that firmware updates cannot disable your watch.

We incorporated bootable dual-bank flash, so we can store two sets of our recovery mode software. If a firmware update is aborted—even while updating the recovery mode software itself—its backup automatically recovers and lets you start the update over again.

And in the rare case that your watch gets into a bad state, our second processor can reset the watch and force it into recovery mode.

Advanced Power Management

7 days of battery life with Bluetooth. 30 days of battery life in watchface-only mode. This is the minimum standard we set for AGENT.

So behind all our premium energy-sipping components lies an advanced power management system. With three separate ultra-efficient power converters and custom power management software, AGENT is optimized to allocate every microwatt of battery power wisely.

And when the watch reaches 10% battery remaining, it automatically switches into watchface-only mode. This ensures that your watch still provides basic timekeeping functions if you’re away from power for a few days.

Watch Straps

AGENT features an accent-stitched watch strap. Available in six accent colors (orange, black, green, red, blue and white), these standard 22mm watch straps can be swapped without specialized tools.

UPDATE (22-May-2013): Thanks to extra funding from our backers, you will be able to choose between a genuine leather watch strap and a silicon rubber watch strap (leather straps pictured above).

UPDATE (31-May-2013): We now have an extra-long watchstrap (20mm longer) option. The extra-long watchstraps will be available in a subset of accent-stitching colors (black and white stitching), in both genuine leather and silicon rubber materials.

We will send you a survey before shipment, so that you can select your watch strap’s accent stitching color. The default accent stitching is white, as seen in the video.

Assembled in USA

Secret Labs manufactures its electronics products in the USA. Likewise, we plan to assemble AGENT’s advanced circuit boards and the watch itself in the USA.

Building AGENT smartwatches in the USA speeds our time to market, reduces our manufacturing risk, and enables us to build the watch with exacting standards. It also helps employ our neighbors, which we love.

Warranty

Every AGENT smartwatch will come with a limited 2-year warranty. This will cover the replaceable battery under normal usage circumstances.

Dimensions

Specs

120MHz ARM Cortex-M4 processor
with secondary AVR co-processor
1.28″ Memory Display (128 x 128)
with intelligent backlighting
Anti-glare glass lens
Bluetooth 4.0 BD/EDR + LE
3-axis accelerometer
Ambient light sensor
Vibration motor
7 days battery life (typical)
30 days in watchface-only mode
Qi wireless charging
Water resistant (ATMs: TBD)
AGENT OS 1.0
including .NET Micro Framework 4.3
RoHS, Pb-free
Designed for repair and recycling
including replaceable battery

About the Creators

Agnet Watch Creators Secret Labs - QTOOTH

Secret Labs engineers and manufactures electronics platforms for software developers. Our open-source Netduino product line (launched in 2010) is used by 10,000s of software developers worldwide as the basis for their custom electronics projects.

Secret Labs also builds hardware, software, and services in the smart home and building control industries—with years of experience working with wireless technologies and building robust protocol stacks.

http://www.netduino.com

Agent Watch Creators House of Horology - QTOOTH

House of Horology crafts fashion-forward, precision timepieces. Their Bedlam watches are popular on both runways and wrists. New York Magazine just named them “Best Men’s Watches of 2013.”

House of Horology’s passion is to create premium timepieces without the huge price tag.

http://www.houseofhorology.com

The Road to Your Wrist

Agent Watch Prototypes - QTOOTH — Prototype to production

The watches in the video are the latest prototype watches, with cases precision-milled out of aluminum and powder coated black. We are evaluating several premium case materials for production watches and will select the final material based on beauty and wireless performance.

Our prototype watches use ARM7 processors, Bluetooth Classic, and a wireless charging breakout board. For production, we are using our dual-processor design, a dual-mode Bluetooth radio (including Bluetooth LE), and our custom-designed wireless receiver coil (integrated into the caseback).

We have completed design of the electronic circuitry for production AGENT watches, and we have ported our operating system to the new Atmel Cortex-M4 microcontroller. We have also built validation boards using the production circuitry and are using those boards now to optimize our power management and to integrate Bluetooth Low Energy support into AGENT OS.

Upon successful funding of this Kickstarter campaign, we will use raised funds to create watchcase molds and production circuit boards. We will then obtain the necessary international certifications for wireless radio and wireless power devices (FCC, CE, Qi). We also need to pay for one-time engineering costs for items like our custom backlight assembly.

And most excitingly, we’ll be ordering a rather large volume of processors, screens, batteries, and more…to make AGENT watches for our backers.

via AGENT: The World’s Smartest Watch by Secret Labs + House of Horology — Kickstarter.

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Google Wireless Network Perfect For High-Density Urban Centers

2013-06-25

So, when will Google wireless be coming to an environment near you? Here’s a blurb from a little while back from TechCrunch:

When Google experiments, it can have earth-changing consequences. That might be the case with its latest project: the building of a wireless network on-campus at its Mountain View headquarters, reported by the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. The small-scale network wouldn’t have much range, and it would be incompatible with most current-generation iOS and Android mobile smartphones and cellular-capable tablets, given the frequency it would use, but it could work very well in dense urban centers.

Already, China, Brazil and Japan are building networks using the same frequencies, which means that eventually devices will likely be made to work on these networks, and if Google’s building a small-scale version of those networks, it’s probably going to be running experimental hardware that can take advantage of it, too. Google declined to share more info with the WSJ on what it was building the network for, but part of the application it filed with the FCC for its deployment includes launching the network in part from the building that houses the team responsible for Google Fiber.

Part of Google’s extended plan for the experiment could be eventually offering a wireless service for Google Fiber users, expanding their coverage to an entire metropolitan area when they’re outside of a house, for instance. That’s just speculation from BTIG analyst Walter Piecyk, in conversation with the WSJ, but it’s a plausible enough notion given where the project is spinning up at Google HQ.

There has been lots of talk in the past of Google’s potential desire to build its own wireless service, sparked recently by news that it was in discussion with Dish, the TV service provider that has said in the past it was seeking a partner for building a wireless network. The company also aims to deploy free Wi-Fi access in NYC, beginning in Chelsea where it has its East Coast headquarters. A new project at its Mountain View facility to build a network using licensed spectrum, rather than Wi-Fi, indicates it could be looking to ramp up those efforts to a whole new level down the road.

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