iPhone 3G firmware has FM radio support, FOTA

At 22 Jun 2008 21:32:03 +0000 Larry wrote:

> > Cellular carriers have control of the network- they don't need to
control
> > devices.
> >
>
> You're, obviously, not looking at it from THEIR side of the tower.

True- I'm looking at it from the current marketplace. The CDMA carriers
keep a tighter reign over devices than the GSM carriers, at least at present.


> They
> always want full control of everything, making damned sure whatever is
left
> running on the phone DOESN'T USE BANDWIDTH and does SELL PRODUCTS and
> advertising.

Which the GSM guys "control" on the network side (blocked ports/protocols)
or via restrictive Terms of Service. Crippling low-end devices (limiting
bluetooth to headset profiles, or restricting unsigned apps from installing)
is done, but higher end devices are typically left alone. Regardless, you
can Buy completely uncrippled devices directly from manufacturers or
resellers and bypass arrier handsets completely.


> Why do you think there's still BREW and its ****ty DOS-like browser?!

Simple- because you "vote with your wallet" and choose a carrier that
authenticates users by handset rather than SIM card, limiting you to
devices they'll agree to activate.

---

› See More: iPhone 3G firmware has FM radio support, FOTA

On Sat, 21 Jun 2008, Todd Allcock posted:
> But if the iPhone's bluetooth wasn't crippled

Talking about uncrippled iPhone bluetooth is like talking about the
Republican landslide of November 2008: although some people would love to
see it happen, in all practicality it is extremely unlikely. ;-)

>> Barring the advent of standardized detachable radio modules (no,
>> not the PCMCIA or USB bricks used for laptops) that can be interchanged
>> with multiple devices, a good compromise seems to be Bluetooth to
>> an el cheapo RAZR.
> For data, yes, but having the device itself be the phone is more convenient-
> one device to carry, one charger to pack traveling, etc.

I'm not so sure. Sometimes all you want to carry is a phone, and the
smaller the better. In such cases, an iToy is a brick, much less a
Windows Mobile smartphone, BlackBerry, or N800.

>> And yes, that's what I'd like to see; a detachable radio module, with
>> a form factor similar to a battery, that could be inserted into any
>> phone or other mobile device.
> That would be cool in the short term,

Indeed!

> but I suspect technology will
> eventually make it unnecessary- I assume radio modules will eventually go
> the way of the DSP chip (those programmable all purpose chips that do
> sound, modem, fax, etc.) Someday we'll probably see a flashable radio chip
> that can adapt to whatever frequencies are needed, and whatever protocol
> (within reason.)

The problem that I see is the antenna. A good antenna for 400 (and yes,
there is GSM 400 now...) is probably not good for 2100.

Otherwise, yes, software radios would be a great idea. And SIM cards are
absoluely the right way to go. Now, if only more phones supported
multiple SIMs.

-- Mark --

http://panda.com/mrc
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what to eat for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote.

Mark Crispin <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>>> And yes, that's what I'd like to see; a detachable radio module, with
>>> a form factor similar to a battery, that could be inserted into any
>>> phone or other mobile device.
>> That would be cool in the short term,
>
> Indeed!
>

I have a detachable radio module on my N800. It's called the Motorola ROKR
Z6m, a tiny little brick in my pocket. I don't even have to plug it into
the N800, which is really cool.

If I were to change to some other system, I wouldn't have to replace the
expensive computer part, I just swap "detachable radio modules".

The module even plays MP3s, takes 2M pixel pictures on its tiny camera and
makes phone calls! How cool is that?!

I can also connect the N800 to the module's memory, internal and microSD
card to move files in and out of it, mostly from its camera or for its MP3
player. Playing music on the "detachable radio module" frees up CPU load
on the main computer N800 so it doesn't slow down my gaming...(c;