A Networked World

What Happens When EVERYONE Has a Wireless Web Cam?

This story from the New Scientist raises an interesting question that has been niggling me for a while. Right now our individual liberty is at risk because of the increasing amount of government surveillance, but what happens when cellphones with built in cameras, or cameras with built in cellphones, become common? How will that affect the way both citizens and governments act, and react, to each other? For a look at the technology and regulatory issues, click here, for a look at the social and political issues, stay tuned.

Wireless Everywhere

While the Telcos are busy wondering where the hell their business model went, and how they are ever going to get us to pay ever higher rates for broadband to pay of those debts, the news just goes on getting worse. This. Free Wireless on Newbury Street A computer reseller in Boston is spearheading a new form of "philanthropic advertising" that offers free wireless Internet access to the local community, with subtle branding. This: In a further sign of the spread of wireless Internet technology, McDonald's restaurants in three U.S. cities will offer one hour of free high-speed access to anyone who buys a combination meal. And this: Wi-fi chips make their debut must make really sad reading for the bean counters with the fibre optic networks and the massive 3G albatrosses hung round their necks. The road to oblivion for the Old Economy Telcos beckons very clearly, and it will not get better till it gets very much worse. Guess I can write off the Telstra Shares after all.