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Qualcomm Offering Up A BYO Screen Internet Terminal For Developing Nations
from the interesting-ideas dept
Over the years, there have been many different attempts to bring back the old school terminal-mainframe computing paradigm with various internet terminals, but for the most part, they've failed to catch on. More recently, with the growth of various internet application suites, the concept is starting to seem a bit more viable, and the rise of super cheap "netbooks" have taken advantage of that. Qualcomm is apparently looking to take this a step further, with an attempt to basically turn any screen into an internet terminal using 3G connections in developing countries.
Qualcomm, obviously, makes money wherever there's more mobile data usage, so it has every incentive to create new ways to get more people online. The article is a bit short on details, but it sounds like Qualcomm will be offering up a small device that can easily connect to certain televisions or computer monitors, and connect them to the internet. The idea is that someone with one of these devices can turn an existing screen into an internet terminal, without having to go purchase a computer or netbook or whatever. As an idea, it's intriguing, but as with all of these things, it's the execution that really matters. And, my guess is that the folks who already have screens that would work with such a device, are more likely to already have other means of internet access already.
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Not for everyone
I do not see how this would be economical, even if 100% of your computer needs were online. Free services, for how long ?
I would not trust online apps with a plug nickel, but that's me. Others might find it useful.
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Made me think
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Of course, things have improved there enormously since so it would look very different today. But a TV is one of those things that people with almost nothing will still spend money on. So I'm not going to buy that having a TV in a developing nation means that you likely have a computer.
The real question is how do they expect someone who cant afford a basic PC to be able to afford the data usage fees?
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the rules in the thrid world are different
wireless networks can connect just about anything but they aren't required to connect back to the internet. that's why there is a version of wikipedia on DVD:
http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/charity-news/2008-wikipedia-for-schools.htm
and why there is a voip system that works via a self healing wireless mesh:
http://www.rowetel.com/blog/?p=70
wireless access doesn't mean internet access. it doesn't even mean national access. it could just mean a giant intranet or darknet for the village, city or region.
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