TV Guide is working on bringing its familiar grid-style program guide for cable TV to the mobile phone.  This reinforces the move towards mobile TV and video content, as well as other data-rich phone services.  The company wants to give users a good experience with video on the small screen, bringing a fresh, consumer-friendly perspective to the mobile interface.  See article. 

It seems that many workers will stay connected to the office through the holidays, based on findings from a recent survey on employee work habits.  There are no surprises here; the survey says 39% of professionals on vacation check in with the office, increasing to 87% for managers.  Are we over-connecting and under-relaxing, stifling long-term creativity and health?  Or, are we less stressed by having a small but steady tether to the office so we are not bombarded with work upon return?  This no doubt varies by individual, though the survey reports that 38% return to work more stressed or about the same.  It’s a matter of personal time management coupled with organizational culture that supports flexibility for connecting and disconnecting depending on the joint needs of the business and the individual—throughout the year.

The nationwide WiMax network that Clearwire aims to build is expected to be as disruptive as the first nationwide cellphone network of the early 1980s.  The mastermind behind both is Craig McCaw, who thrives on disruptors. 

WiMax, the more powerful relative of Wi-Fi, is measured in miles rather than feet and is much cheaper to build and maintain than traditional networks.  As noted in Connected World (p.27) and this article, Clearwire has major backers including Intel and Motorola, who are eager to provide chips and equipment that support WiMax.  Meanwhile, Sprint is building a competing WiMax network and currently owns more spectrum than Clearwire.  The WiMax race is on, potentially disrupting telecom and cable as it provides an entirely new way to connect.

Nicholas Negroponte’s $100 laptop for Third World students (now $150) is becoming a reality after years in the making.  The purpose is education via connection – that students will learn how to learn once equipped with a laptop and wireless connection.  The project has been controversial (should precious funding be targeted at teachers and curriculum rather than tools?), but it strikes me as the right way to go.  Put information in the hands of students, directly, and empower them to learn.  It follows the philosophy of the Internet and seeds the developing world’s future.

Our county ultimately voted down a proposal to give a laptop to every middle school and high school student and teacher.  An innovative idea got sabotaged in politics and funding.  It looks like Negroponte’s dream will fare better – production is expected to begin in mid-2007.  See article.

Okay, so you’ve been following our blog and are aware of the upcoming wave of dual-mode phones.  These new gadgets will allow you to use your mobile phone either via the traditional cellular providers or through an available Wi-Fi connection.  But what about the ethical and legal issues of piggy-backing on open wireless networks that you happen to come across?

As a consumer, not only will you face service issues such as potentially increased numbers of dropped Wi-Fi calls, but you may also wrestle with questions about the appropriateness of “borrowing” open Wi-Fi connections in order to get your call through.  Would you consider this an act of air wave piracy or one of simply making use of what’s not protected from outside use?

For some perspectives about whether the “Air Is Free” and related isues, read the NY Times article to help you “make the call” on this topic (pun intended).