JunxionBox -- WiFi Access Everywhere

By: Steve Bralovich

Now you can more easily access the Internet wherever mobile phone carriers offer high-speed data service coverage.

The Junxion Box enables multiple computing devices with Ethernet or Wi-Fi (like laptops, desktops, handhelds and remote computers) to connect with the web through your mobile phone service provider's wireless PC Card modem. (continued...)

You can also use the Junxion Box to share the Internet connection, files or printers among multiple devices.

Mobile work groups, landline back-up, event connectivity, vehicles, telemetry, home or business landline replacement...with Junxion, it's easy to stay connected.

The JunxionBox (www.junxionbox.com) is a unique device that combines a cellular data card with a Wi-Fi router and runs on both 12 volts and 110 volts. This combination of features lets you establish a hotspot nearly anywhere you go—and even while you're on your way there.

THE BOX
The JunxionBox is pleasingly simple. It has one PCMCIA slot for your cellular data card, a connector for power (both 110 volt and cigarette lighter plugs are included), and two Ethernet ports (one for connecting directly to a computer, and another to connect to an Ethernet LAN). In addition, there are two LEDs, one power indicator, and one cellular connection status indicator.

Even that short list makes the box sound harder than it is. To use the unit, simply plug it in to a power outlet with an activated cellular data card installed. The power LED turns red, and then the connection light changes from blinking to solid green. At that point the unit is active and you're good to go.

USAGE
The JunxionBox's $500 - $700 price tag is overkill for a single-user environment where you could just as easily slide the air card into your laptop. But for corporate environments there are several uses that could easily justify the cost of the unit, even for a single-user connection.

Conventions and trade shows are natural targets for the JunxionBox, where the cost of a single dialup line for a three-day show is likely to cost more than the acquisition price of the JunxionBox. Not only would you get the better connection speed to the booth, but you can have multiple connections for the same price.

OTHER APPLICATIONS:

• VEHICLE

cars, trucks, RV’s
mobile command units
commercial service/fleet vehicles
shuttles, carpool/vanpool
transit (busses, trains, ferries)
taxis/limos
private/commercial vessels


• PORTABLE

landline data/voice service back-up
mobile work teams
events, trade shows, conferences
visitor “mobile hotspot”
incident response
vacation


• FIXED

landline data/voice service back-up
broadband alternative (w/3G service)
dial-up alternative
telemetry


• TEMPORARY

interim (waiting for landline)
seasonal hotspots
trial hotspots
kiosks

I'm certain there are more uses that make sense for the JunxionBox, such as providing a backup Internet connection for critical environments like retail stores.

This category of device is still just beginning, and hot spots are likely to emerge wherever user demand and financial incentives exist.

For example, Google (the company) has setup JunxionBoxes in its shuttle buses so its employees can connect and be productive while commuting from the parking lot to the office.

SERVICE
The box will accept any air card from any wireless service provider using any connectivity technology such as CDMA, UMTS, EDGE, etc. Travelers needing guaranteed connections can carry a variety of different cards with them and simply slide the appropriate card into the JunxionBox depending on their location and service area.

Most cellular carriers have unlimited data plans for $80 per month. These generally assume single device connections, so it's possible that as this market matures, carriers will begin to offer premium plans that recognize multi-user cellular connections.

Next time you're riding the commuter bus or train, check your laptop for a WiFi connection. You may be able to connect through a JunxionBox riding along with you on the same vehicle.

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FuelCells - Gas-Up Your Laptop

A fuel cell developer is claiming twice the power density of lithium batteries in a new methanol fuel cell for mobile gear.

What Is A Fuel Cell?
A fuel cell is like a battery in that it relies on chemical reactions to silently release energy in the form of electricity. However, it is also fundamentally different than a battery in how it is ‘refueled’: fuel cells do not need to be thrown away or undergo time-consuming recharging. Instead, just like your car engine, they keep going as long as fuel is available. (continued...)

UltraCell Corp. (Livermore, Calif.) said Tuesday Aug. 23,2005 its reformed methanol fuel cell scheme uses "micro reformer" technology developed under a military contract to generate hydrogen from a highly concentrated methanol solution used in fuel cells.

UltraCell says its portable power system achieves the power density of a hydrogen fuel cell while using cheap methanol fuel. The unit weighs 40 ounces, the company said.

The UltraCell website has lots of great information including complete details on their innovation. Plus it has some explanations on fuelcell basics and a few good graphics to help clarify fuelcell concepts.

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Heliodisplay -- Interactive Free-Space Display

By: Steve Bralovich

Computer and TV Video With No Screen

Science-Fiction meets reality with this new video display technology.

The Heliodisplay includes patented and patent pending technology to transform normal ambient air and display video images into free-space. Some Heliodisplay models are interactive allowing a finger or hand to move images around in the air as if one were grabbing a tangible object. (continued...)

The Heliodisplay requires a power outlet, and a computer, TV, DVD or alternate video source. The current version of the Heliodisplay projects a 22' to 42' (depending on model) diagonal image that floats above the device.

The Heliodisplay system is backward compatible and accepts most 2D video sources (PC,TV, DVD, HDTV, Video game consoles). For connection to a computer, the Heliodisplay uses a standard monitor VGA connection; for TV or DVD viewing, it connects using a standard RGB video cable.

Interest in this new technology has been so strong, that curious visitors have crashed IO2Technology's website.

Obvious Applications :

Advertising and Promotion, e.g.: trade shows; in-store displays; museum, movie and casino displays; theme parks.

Collaborative Decision Making, e.g.: board meetings and presentations; command and control; architectural and engineering design; teleconferencing.

Simulation & Training, e.g.: virtual targets; pre-operative planning.

Consumer, e.g.: video games; home theatre.

Less Obvious Examples:

Transparent teleprompter.

Heads-up displays in new fields.

Build one into a door jamb and have a walk through image or virtual privacy screen.

An in-store end cap advertising display and demonstration through which the customer can reach and grab shown product.

Build the Heliodisplay into furniture, e.g. project from desk.

While the new video capability will doubtless usher in a new era in computing and home entertainment, I wouldn't rush out and buy one just yet. That is, unless of course you have a burning desire to part with some extra cash in hurry.

I haven't seen the system in person, so I can't say for sure, but the old computer axiom of "Never buy version 1.0 of anything." probably applies here.

Odds are that the price is out of line for most people. Also, all the kinks in the system are probably not perfected yet.

I get this impression because IO2Technology is taking only limited orders right now. This tells me that the company has limited production capacity and is not fully prepared for demand. They probably haven't sold enough units yet, to account for all possible systems and usage scenarios. So for now, I'd steer clear of a buying one.

Still, the announcement is impressive because it is bound to create another era of "Star Trek" type innovations and change some of the ways that we react with our computers and televisions.

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