wifi – Page 7 – Graves On SOHO Technology

Hulu, VoIP, Hospitals & Ineffective Network Filtering

This past weekend it happens that I spent a day at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital. The why is a long story and not especially important for the moment. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the facility has an open guest Wifi network. That allowed me to do some work, blogging, etc while I was there.

A little later in the day we were moved to a room without a TV. Since we were going to be waiting a while I pulled out the Mini 2140 and logged into Hulu so that we could watch some TV. We watched last weeks episode of Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles.

Broadband Internet Access In Hotels

March 26, 2009
Michael Graves
Broadband

Just recently both Andy Abramson and Rich Tehrani had posts describing their experience with broadband internet access at hotels. I can barely convey how this is a topic that strikes a nerve with me. At times during my working year I travel extensively. Anyone who has been following my Twitter stream will know that I’m been to and from SFO so often recently that I’m starting to feel like a migratory bird. The local taxi drivers are starting to recognize me!

Suffice it to say that I stay in a lot of hotels. In the past month of activity on the west coast that includes two Hiltons, Le Meridien, the MarQueen Seattle, a La Qunita and a Club Quarters. Next week I’ll be appearing nightly at a Hyatt. Talk about a diversity of establishments!

Truphone Extends Reach With IM, Twitter & Skype Integration

January 6, 2009
Michael Graves
mobile, VoIP

Truphone issued a couple of press releases today. The first release announces full interoperability of IM with MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and GoogleTalk in its iPod Touch and iPhone applications. They have also integrated Twitter into the TruFriends view of the Truphone application.

In the case of GoogleTalk users can also make and receive voice calls using the Truphone application. Similar voice capability is in the work for users of MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger.

Review: Polycom Spectralink 8002 Wireless Telephone

January 1, 2009
Michael Graves
VoIP

Originally published July 1, 2008 at Small Net Builder
Product	Polycom SpectraLink Wireless Telephone (8002)
Summary	Wi-Fi SIP phone designed for small business use
Pros	• Durable construction
	• Supports strong Wi-Fi encryption
	• Centrally managed provisioning
	• Good voice quality
	• Reasonable battery life
	• WMM works as promised
Cons	• Fiddly initial network configuration
	• No support for compressed codecs like G.729
	• Relatively expensive

Polycom is a leader in the IP communications space. Not only are their longstanding SoundPoint series of desktop IP phones class leaders, but their voice technology can be found in many products under many names.

Seeing a need to expand their product offering to include cordless mobility, Polycom recently acquired SpectraLink, a leading maker of Wi-Fi-based telephony systems, and Kirk Telecom, a leader in DECT-based cordless telephony systems. These acquisitions, now consolidated under the Polycom name, give the company a comprehensive product suite addressing the mobile IP communications needs of various vertical markets.

Meraki Networks Wifi Mesh

November 24, 2008
Michael Graves
Broadband

Fast Company TV's Robert Scoble recently paid a visit to Meraki Network's to profile their newly announced wifi mesh products. He shot a nice interview video with their CEO. They mention streaming media both for video and audio (Skype) Use…

A Little More Graphic Appreciation For Boingo

November 11, 2008
Michael Graves
Broadband

Today I was tasked with making a trip to the Los Angeles area. So I found myself on the way to the airport at 8am, counting my blessings that I didn’t need to take the extremely early first flight out of Houston, but rather the more sensible 9:30am departure. I get to the airport an hour before the flight and breeze through the security process with 45 minutes to get to my gate.

Normally I’d go to the President’s Club lounge for coffee, a bagel and a last minute check of email. Unlike many other airlines Continental provides free wifi in their lounges. Of course, you pay annually for the lounge membership.