Subject: [NEXTEL-1] Wireless web gets a set of wheels

From: NEXTEL-1
Date: Tue, 01 Jun 2004 15:28:56 -0400

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3726347.stm

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 
Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar.
Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/61FxlB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 

-- 
    "NEXTEL-1 IT'S NOT JUST NEXTEL"
  Note The New address 
Subscribe to Nextel-1: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/NEXTEL-1

  "NEXTEL2 FOR iDEN SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS"
Subscribe to Nextel2: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/NEXTEL2

  "WIRELESS FORUM HOMELAND SECURITY GROUP"
     The Complete Resource for Wireless Homeland Security.
Subscribe to WFHSG:  http://www.groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/WFHSG

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEXTEL-1/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
     [email-masked]

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
     http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
 
Home

TV

Radio

Talk

Where I Live

A-Z Index

Low Graphics version | Change edition

About BBC News | Feedback | Help

News Front Page

World

UK

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

Business

Politics

Health

Education

Science/Nature

Technology

Entertainment

-----------------

Have Your Say

Magazine

In Pictures

Week at a Glance

Country Profiles

In Depth

Programmes

Last Updated: Saturday, 29 May, 2004, 07:37 GMT 08:37 UK

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version

Wireless web gets a set of wheels

Wireless hotspots are springing up in buildings and homes all over the world but one New York artist has literally taken the idea onto the streets, turning his bicycle into a wi-fi hub.

It may look like a simple bicycle but it hides a wireless hub

Yury Gitman describes himself as a wireless and emerging-media artist and for his latest project has turned to cycle power to create the wireless bike.

It has been capturing the imagination of New York's trendiest urbanites and has been described by one New York paper as one of the hippest hotspots in the city.

"As well as being cool and stylish, it is also mobile," said Mr Gitman.

Grassroots

The wireless bike, or Magicbike as Mr Gitman prefers to call it, is not just a trendy alternative to the wi-fi cafe or office.

NET ON WHEELS

One US company offers internet kits on scooters to developing world

In the 1980s a Washington resident created a connected bike based on office networks

Copenhagen taxi-bikes offer net access

It can fulfil an important function in bringing internet connectivity to areas ignored by the traditional telecommunications industry.

"A grassroots bottom-up wireless infrastructure can be formed and pedalled to any place accessible by bicycle," said Mr Gitman.

In a wired city such as New York, he envisages it being used at art and cultural events, public demonstrations and for emergency access.

In communities at the fringe of internet connectivity it could become a more permanent lifeline.

Community interest

The wireless bike has wi-fi antennas which mounted on the bike's frame and feed into a laptop hidden in the saddle-bag.

The connection is received either from the cellular network or from nearby hotspots.

It is arguable that it is sometimes illegal

Yury Gitman

Mr Gitman admits that borrowing bandwidth from nearby open networks is something of a legal grey area.

"There is not a one world legal answer but it is arguable that it is sometimes illegal," he said.

There is however plenty of bandwidth to go around and Mr Gitman believes that hotspot owners will not be aware of the bike sharing the signal unless large video files were being downloaded.

The idea has proved popular and Mr Gitman receives hundreds of e-mails to his Magicbike website from people interested in setting up similar ideas.

Mr Gitman is considering setting up a community based website for wireless bikes as they spring up in other cities and countries.

The closest he thinks the idea has come to being commercially available is a similar idea used on bike taxis in the Danish capital of Copenhagen.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version

LINKS TO MORE TECHNOLOGY STORIES

SelectOnline newspapers tempt readersChina censors online video gamesReturn of Colossus marks D-DayCosts of calling mobiles to dropWallace makes pledge on broadbandMother's winning chatroom deviceE-mail controls loom in ZimbabweCinemas seek out Potter piratesNew 'music' chart for ringtonesUndercover agents fight net piracyWireless web gets a set of wheelsGoogle faces Gmail advert limitsHeated wool offers cosy feetNext GameCube set for 2005 debutLegal music sites break 100 markPikachu boosts GameCube salesSing Star hits the high notes

SEE ALSO:

Estonia embraces web without wires

05 May 04

|
Technology

Wireless internet stumbles ahead

19 Mar 04

|
Technology

Wi-fi networks step up security

29 Jan 04

|
Technology

Wireless web reaches out in 2004

05 Jan 04

|
Technology

People confused by wi-fi jargon

10 Aug 03

|
Technology

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:

Magic Bike

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

TOP TECHNOLOGY STORIES NOW

Online newspapers tempt readers

China censors online video games

Return of Colossus marks D-Day

Costs of calling mobiles to drop

News alerts |
E-mail services |
Desktop ticker |
Mobiles/PDAs |
Headlines for your site

Back to top ^^

News Front Page
|

World
|

UK
|

England
|

Northern Ireland
|

Scotland
|

Wales
|

Politics

Business
|

Entertainment
|

Science/Nature
|

Technology
|

Health
|

Education

Have Your Say
|

Magazine
|

In Pictures
|

Week at a Glance
|

Country Profiles
|

In Depth
|

Programmes

BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >>

About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC