Mobile-IP devices are all about bringing the Internet to your pocket. That
doesn't mean just the web! The web is UI optimized for a desktop machine.
Who knows what specific applications might be developed for a user
accessing the Internet from a device the size of a bar of soap? What if I
want to write CUSeeMe for mobile phones? Or a scavanger hunt game?
Something that takes advantage of the mobility rarely found by a desktop
user?
It is these _form factor specific_ applications that will drive the sales
of devices that utilize this new network. Surfing the web is just the tip
of the iceberg that everyone already understands. If that's the only
application enabled by GPRS, then I don't forsee GPRS phones selling in
leaps and bounds. It seems like providers would be spending a whole lot of
money to upgrade their network for just one new application that only a few
customers are asking for.
Good points here. I think sometimes we miss the future direction and
possibilities that technology may take in our focus on making things work in
the present.
The presumption of the first several responders was that it was to conserve
addresses, which they pointed out is not actually necessary. I'm hoping
that was the case, and that maybe the choice of NAT can be revisited...
As I wrote to another poster, it's possible that I may have been too quick to
jump on the conservation bandwagon. I was directed to http://www.caida.org/outreach/resources/learn/ipv4space/ which, although
possibly dated, shows that plenty of space is available. Whether or not this
is easily assigned/accessible space is something else. I think merely
reclaiming some of the legacy A blocks assigned years ago that are being used
sparsely, if at all, would eliminate any lingering doubts about space, at
least for the time being. The chances of companies giving up their unused
blocks, or trading for smaller ones, is probably pretty slim though.
>The average customer buying a "web-enabled" phone doesn't need a
>publicly-routeable IP. I challenge anybody to demonstrate why a cell phone
>needs a public IP. It's a PHONE, not a server.
I'm not buying a phone I can't run ssh from. End of story. My current phone
does all that and more. Why step back into the dark ages of analog-type
services?
*grin* Mine runs ssh too. I just wish I had time/talent enough to hack it
to do key-based auth and ssh v2. Note my use of the phrase 'average customer'
though. Readers of this list probably do not qualify as such.
> I'm not buying a phone I can't run ssh from. End of story. My current phone
> does all that and more. Why step back into the dark ages of analog-type
> services?
The average customer doesn't even know what telnet is, let alone ssh.
All they care about is browsing pr0n.
Your phone can surf porn? Maybe the technology revolution has finally arrived
after all ...
No, it's still in the "dancing bear" stage. There's the question of whether
it's worth doing on that class display device....
On the other hand, if somebody's looking for a *business* opportunity, I
could see a *big* market for "Where do I find?" databases for GPS-capable
phones - I think somebody already did a "public restrooms in Manhattan",
and I know I've been in strange cities, known there was a specific restraunt
or store somewhere within 10 blocks, and been willing to pay for a reliable
hint for the parking garage nearest...
that is an excellent idea. I know one thing I would LOVE to have is a search
engine that can answer my question, "Where can I find a coffee house
{optionally: with 802.11b} open after midnight during the week in Los
Angeles {optionally: the Valley}?"
No good answers so far ... at least, none that involve driving less than 30
minutes.
Ha! I've been in Burbank (in the Valley north of LA) for 7 months now, I
moved here from London. I've looked and looked and looked for *ANYTHING*
other than the odd gas station or supermarket open passed 9pm!
Coming from a place where restaurants are regularly open until 3am, even
far into the suburbs, this is a serious culture shock :-/
Ha! I've been in Burbank (in the Valley north of LA) for 7 months now, I
moved here from London. I've looked and looked and looked for *ANYTHING*
other than the odd gas station or supermarket open passed 9pm!
??
Plenty of gas stations around here open after 9, some all night long.
Same with groceries. Drugstores close pretty early though.
> >
> > It's prevalent elsewhere. I'd be surprised if there aren't more GSM
> > subscribers in the world than non-GSM subscribers.
>
> GSM is *the* standard in Europe. Australia, Korea, Japan and a couple
> other Pacific-Rim countries are primarily CDMA. South America is primarily
> TDMA. Most of the rest of the world is GSM, if I'm not mistaken.
>
correct on all counts but japan.. no gsm in japan as of nov 2001
Read again, I said Japan is CDMA.
Although I think I was corrected on that.
I just wish I had time/talent enough to hack it