Communication Developments

I think that the most important new development in communications is the mobile availability of the internet. With the internet right in the palm of our hands, there is no need to sit at a desk in front of a computer screen — e-mails, news, weather, sports, GPS directions, and internet access can be directly forwarded to your cell phone or PDA. The BlackBerry pushes e-mail, mobile telephone, text messaging, internet faxing, web browsing and other wireless information services right to the phone. The new iPhone allows you to automatically sync all your contacts from a Windows PC, Mac, or Internet service. You can then select and listen to voicemail messages in whatever order you want. It also doubles as an iPod or a camera (video or still)! An interesting article on SignOnSanDiego.com talks about how cell phones are used for multitasking and are becoming smarter. The article refers to the cell phone as converting from “voice device to high-tech Swiss Army knife.”  http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080127-9999-1n27phone.html. 

Trip Idea

Now, don’t laugh… I know it’s not anything high-tech, however, WDVR (located in Sergeantsville, NJ) broadcasts a remote, live country music show every Saturday night. The Heartlands Hayride show is 6-8pm at the Kingwood Township Fire Company on Route 519 in Baptistown, NJ. I’ve never been to it, but I have worked with the guy who sets up the remote equipment for the station’s broadcasts — he works with us at the Somerset County 4-H Fair each year. Like I said, it’s not high-tech but it does show what you can do without a bunch of high-end equipment. It would be interesting to compare older technology with the new advancements we’ll probably see during other trips. The station’s website is www.wdvrfm.org.