Scholars develop protocol for ‘LBS,’ new wireless internet technology

In the not-too-distant future, Location Based Services, or LBS, will become as ubiquitous as cell phones are today. And the new technology is expected to change the way we do business, interact with each other and navigate through our daily lives.
“Location Based Services are the new face of the wireless Internet, says T. John Kim, a professor of urban and regional planning at the University of Illinois. Kim, along with U. of I. postdoctoral fellow Sung-Gheel Jang, developed the protocol for the international standard for Geographic Information Systems, described by the U. of I. professor as “the backbone” of LBS.
Source: University of Illinois news release, May 8, 2007

Three Wishes for a Future Internet? GENI Project Will Soon Be At Your Command

If the proverbial genie gave Internet users three wishes for an improved network what would they ask for? Peace of mind about secure financial transactions? Protection from hackers? Inventive new applications that improve the quality of life?
With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), researchers are working together to design a bold new research platform called GENI, the Global Environment for Network Innovations. As envisioned, GENI will allow researchers throughout the country to build and experiment with completely new and different designs and capabilities that will inform the creation of a 21st Century Internet.
Source: National Science Foundation news release, May 21, 2007

New software can identify you from your online habits

If you thought you could protect your privacy on the web by lying about your personal details, think again. In online communities at least, entering fake details such as a bogus name or age may no longer prevent others from working out exactly who you are.
That is the spectre raised by new research conducted by Microsoft. The computing giant is developing software that could accurately guess your name, age, gender and potentially even your location, by analysing telltale patterns in your web browsing history. But experts say the idea is a clear threat to privacy - and may be illegal in some places.
Source: Paul Marks, New Scientist, May 16, 2007

Work bill would create new ID database

The U.S. Congress is poised to create a set of massive new government databases that all employers must use to investigate the immigration status of current and future employees or face stiff penalties.
All employers–at least 7 million, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce–would be required to verify identity documents provided by both existing employees and potential hires, the legislation says. The data, including Social Security numbers, would be provided to Homeland Security, on penalty of perjury, and the government databases would provide a work authorization confirmation within three business days.
Source: Anne Broache and Declan McCullagh, CNET News.com, May 21, 2007

Blogs replace blackboards as Singapore schools go high-tech

Blogs are replacing blackboards as Singapore moves high-technology into its classrooms as teaching tools, newspapers reported Wednesday. Under the FutureSchools@Singapore programme, blogs, video-conferencing, tablet PCs, podcasts, 3-D software and interactive whiteboards will be available for learning, The Straits Times reported. Five schools in the city state have been selected to pioneer the use of innovative teaching methods that harness info-communication technologies (ICT), the education ministry confirmed in a press release.
Source: AFP, May 23, 2007

Phones that tell you where to drive, meet, eat

Ever wish you could find directions to the nearest bookstore or coffee shop without asking a stranger? Maybe you’re having trouble keeping tabs on your adventurous children? Your cell phone could be the answer to such problems, as wireless companies have started to make commercial use of technologies originally developed to help emergency workers find callers in danger.
Source: Sinead Carew, Reuters, May 25, 2007

Wi-fi and RFID used for tracking

The combination of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and wi-fi allows real-time tracking of objects or people inside a wireless network. Angelo Lamme, from Motorola, said tracking students on a campus could help during a fire or an emergency. “You would know where your people are at any given moment,” he said. Marcus Birkl, head of wireless at Siemens, said location tracking of assets or people was one of the biggest incentives for companies, hospitals and education institutions to roll out wi-fi networks.
Source: BBC News, May 25, 2007

Scholars develop protocol for ‘LBS,’ new wireless internet technology
In the not-too-distant future, Location Based Services, or LBS, will become as ubiquitous as cell phones are today. And the new technology is expected to change the way we do business, interact with each other and navigate through our daily lives.
“Location Based Services are the new face [...]