WiMAX Watch: Wherefore Art Thou, Apple?
I had two questions on my mind this week as Gus and I were covering XOHM Sprint Nextel's WiMAX launch at the Bond Street Wharf in Fells Point on Wednesday.
The first question was something that had our friend, Mario Armstrong, that digital dynamo who hosts tech shows on NPR and WYPR, scratching his head. And the second question is something my work spouse and resident tech guru, Gus, has been trying to find the answer for since we heard about WiMAX, which is like one big "hotspot" for wireless Internet connectivity.
Now, we realize the actual XOHM WiMAX launch happened on Sept. 29. But c'mon. The official launch on Wednesday was quite a big to-do. Filled with lots of top executives from Sprint, Nokia, Intel, Samsung and the like. They rented a $1.6 million house, water taxis, Kali's Court and more to show off their baby. It was a big event that attracted press from across the country. Lots of ubertechgeek eyeballs all trained on our great, big little city, Baltimore.
And yet --- Mario, please correct me if I am wrong since I didn't have time to hang around after the press conference -- I didn't spot a single high level politician anywhere in sight to support the event. Odd? Methinks so.
This was a big event that put Baltimore on the map. This is a hot new technology. Where was the love, B-more?
If you were there and spotted a politico, clue me in. Maybe I missed them standing behind a tree or something.
The second question was something that Gus was wondering about, and one that would affect both of us since we both use Apple products. With all these other companies jumping on board the WiMAX train, what's up with Apple? Will Apple grace us with some nifty WiMAX gadgets any time in the near future?
Barry West, chief tech officer and President of XOHM Sprint Nextel, had an answer for us after the presser:
"I hope [Steve] Jobs will wake up one day and say, 'God, I really made a big mistake. I want to put WiMAX in Apple products."
So there you have it. An answer to our Apple question, sorta. I guess we won't be seeing WiMAX-enabled Apple products anytime soon. But maybe Apple's Genius CEO will one day wake up and make the leap, and maybe one day he'll let iPhone owners pick their own service provider.
Ah. Dreamer, I am.
Categories: Cellular/Landline/Voice over Internet, Computers, Technology, WiMAX Watch
Comments
I would absolutely love an iPhone but I use Verizon and won't leave them.
I was asking a Verizon Customer Service person about getting the iPhone, and he claimed that Verizon was the first company to be offered the iPhone and turned them down because they had too many bugs.
Well, that was a huge mistake. They sell the Treo's, and I am on my 7th (or so) Treo 700w in that time. They keep having to get swapped out (no charge) because they freeze up completely. THey have lots of bugs.
I really want an iPhone.
Sob!
DD: Susan, I'm with you. I'm not leaving Verizon. At least, I see no reason to leave them now. My cell phone works just fine. I'd consider the iPhone if they allowed me a choice between networks. It's a shame Apple isn't opening their products up to that.
Posted by: Susan WSNAJ | October 10, 2008 11:36 AM
DD: There wasn't a single political participant at the WiMax launch event. This is REALLY REALLY irritating and absolutely a major mistake for the City. Let's understand the context Sr. VP's from Intel, the CEO of Sprint, Sr level Motorola execs and the President of XOHM were all together on 1 stage in Fells Point and NOT 1 politician was there? A total missed opportunity these companies are ripe to deliver city-wide projects that prove the concept, value of WiMax and creates "low-hanging fruit" success stories for their nationwide rollout. WE ARE FIRST to get this technology - they read the papers right? their staff had to know right? The answers: YES & YES. From my experience working for the Mayor's Office under O'Malley, I assume they had to know. Maybe they weren't prepped and truthfully they may be looking at this as a consumer play not realizing the Public Service, Healthcare, Workforce, Entrepreneurial & Educational opportunities that could be afforded. Here's the BOTTOM LINE: we have a window of opportunity before the service is available in DC & Chicago - do we want to read the Washington Post and find out that DC has placed WiMax in all the schools, created entrepreneurial opportunities for software developers and have enabled the most advanced healthcare services or should that be us? Kevin Maloney of Intel, also pondered the miss opp. I could feel his passion and I know Intels record of wanting to delete the digital divide and bring more tech tools to education. He wants to be engaged and he's passionate about making it happen. I told him, Dan Hesse of Sprint and XOHM officials that it's time to make something special happen in B'more! We have too much tech talent here. I told them that I have decided to plan a WiMax Baltimore summit to bring B'more entrepreneurs, XOHM, Intel, Sprint, Nokia and City leaders together to discuss opportunities. Stay tuned...hopefully soon I will no longer be scratching my head :-)
DD: Mario, how did I know I could count on you to say that so succinctly and with so much passion? heheh. I totally agree with you. What a misstep on the part of city and state politicians. Totally good news for the city and on the tech front (er... what happened to our dreams of being a digital harbor?) and not a single show of support from our elected officials.
Posted by: Mario (still scratching his head) Armstrong | October 10, 2008 2:32 PM
But you can use the XOHM Modem on a Mac to access the signal,correct?
DD: I believe so, Don. But Gus is warning me that the steps are a little more complicated. I've been trying to find the time to run out and buy one of these XOHM devices to try out on my Mac laptop, but haven't had a chance yet. If you beat me to it, let me know how it works for you.
Posted by: Don | October 14, 2008 11:01 AM