Working Anywhere

Who Says You Can't VoIP on Aircell, I just Did It

This post is dedicated to my father, the late Master Sergeant Bernard Abramson, who in the USMC fashion taught me that "the impossible we do right away, but miracles take a little longer."

He would be proud.

Tonight I got an email from Laptop Magazine's new News Editor (recently promoted) Joanna Stern, asking me to get on SightSpeed while she was flying on an Aircell equipped American Airlines flight to New York.

We actually saw each other for about ten seconds on SightSpeed, before the voice and real time video sensing technology cut the connection off. Bummer as that was the supposed "impossible."

Then I thought what Dad had always taught me, about "miracles." So, faster than I could figure out my HOSTEL TAKEOVER Ambush Wedding at a hotel that shall remain nameless, that many of the VoIP crowd witnessed last year, I realized how to have a VoIP call with Joanna. It took about 10 seconds to suggest we try Flash Audio. And guess what? It worked.

Phweet. Yup, the unfunded brainchild of pals Stuart Henshall and Mr. Blog David Beckemeyer (who I consider one of the true great minds in VoIP) made it happen.

I invited Joanna, she replied and once I figured out how to get Phweet to answer (I had to use Safari, not Firefox) Joanna and I were having a lovely conversation while she was on an Aircell flight. I don't mean a five second hi, hello. I mean, a real conversation, as she held her Lenovo UMPC up to her face. I even heard the announcement from the flight attendants as she was about to land.

Here's the logic. Flash audio is embedded inside Flash. Unless Aircell wants to block all Flash traffic, this is the way to talk.

So, if you want to talk in the air, just Phweet.

WiFi In the Air is Back

TechCrunch reports that Aircell is launching WiFi in the Sky today.

As a person who used to choose his flights by which airlines had Airfone and later which airlines offered the ill fated Boeing Connexion service for International travel, I'm happy to hear this service is now a reality.

So, while there's no VoIP allowed, at least we can all chat and email.

Truphone-Saving The Day

Rob Evans, a highly respected exIBMer, who now is the UK Telecoms Sourcing Manager for the Orange FT Group in the UK. has been writing a series of posts describing how client Truphone has been saving the day for him, on his blog called Rob's Digital Life.

His most recent one talks about being somewhere where phone service was only available from the hotel as cell coverage was non-existent.

With WiFi access, Rob was able to make a call to check on his children who were being watched by "grandmum."

Net Net here is with Truphone and WiFi, Rob can be working anywhere.

SkypePhone V2 Comes Out in the UK

3, my favorite carrier when I'm in the UK, has launched the SkypePhone Version 2 and does it look mighty tasty.

First their offering includes both post paid/contract as well as Pay as You Go. The fact that they make this available for Pay As You Go, and their data plans are are low as 2.50 pounds a week or 5 pounds a month makes this a real killer device.

When combined together, calls to your Skype buddies on the go, plus to anyone else with the 3 calling plans for international that were available last time I was in the UK, make it an unbeatable offer.

Now add in that they've opened up the phone to be tethered to a PC or Mac and you have the play of the year for the on the go, Working Anywhere type user.

New Laptop From HP-Built to Take It

Network World reports that HP has come out with a new ultralight in weight laptops that they call it ruggedized. That's a fancy word for "built to take it" and is designed to compete with the line of laptops from Panasonic called "Toughbooks."

What's neat though is the use of Qualcomm technology called GOBI, that lets users switch between EVDO and HSUPA technology for Wireless Internet access that lets you be Working Anywhere.

These kinds of computers are great for job sites, remote working where conditions aren't exactly pristine, or even in a place like a pet store, flower shop or pottery barn where there's always something you don't want touching your PC.

Jott For The Blackberry

With so many people who like to text and drive out there, who are also Crackberry (Blackberry) addicts, this new beta application from JOTT may be something that just about changes the game for smart phone users.

Now remember, it's beta. First you install the Blackberry plug-in that lets you reply to messages using your voice. To use it, simply click like you normally do, but choose Reply with Jott, or Replay to All with Jott, follow the simple audio prompts, talk, review (if you want to) then send.

Jott transcribes it, and sends the message on to your intended recipient, with a copy back to the speaking party.

One use I see for this is when I'm getting off the airplane. Usually time is tight, so after firing up the Blackberry, I tend to scan the messages and type off quick replies. This lets me do the same thing, but I don't have to type any more.

While you won't be using this for long notes, you will want to use Jott for short, quick replies, one line instructions or quick questions when you're on the go.

My initial testing shows it works. Names and domain names should also always be spelled out.

What's more, you can also click through from a web browser and hear what was spoken.

This application is quickly heading to the status of "Working Anywhere Approved" but not until its out of Beta.

Laptop Magazine's Top Travel Tech Checklist

The heavyweights in the lightweight arena of technology over at Laptop Magazine have pulled together there "must take with you" list of essentials for the person who wants to be Working Anywhere.

Popular Mechanic on Getting Connected

For those cheapskates out there who just can't afford a WiFi/Hotspot account from AT&T, T-Mobile or Boingo (to be transparent my agency represents Boingo) you can take the advice of Popular Mechanics and find some airports offering WiFi for free. You can also learn about some cool apps that make it easy to find the open, unsecured hotspots too.

What's more the article suggests camping outside the doors of airline clubs that offer free WiFi. I have to admit in the early days of WiFi that was the one way I could get access to T-Mobile's Hotspot service and I've done it. It's not exactly the best experience, especially when the only seat is the hard floor.

Now, with the clubs offering free access to their own WiFi network this "camping out and latching on" idea would in theory make sense for the Bandwidth Bandit, a first cousin to users of Minute Stealing services. But it's not really, as many of the airport lounges have begun using WEP and WPA to limit the access to only their own patrons. Unfortunately, the perception is you have to join the club. That's not exactly correct. Sure you can purchase a day pass, but there's a better option.

I suggest investing in the Working Anywhere Approved Priority Pass to gain access to the airport clubs and all the free coffee and drinks you want. Between Boingo, T-Mobile and Priority Pass in the last two years I've always been able to find HotSpots that make it possible for me to be Working Anywhere.

A second way into the clubs of American Airlines and Continental Airlines is using an American Express Platinum Card. That's a benefit which makes the card's annual fee worth it.

A Look At Voice over WiFi

This is the kind of story I like to see, not only because it has direct benefit to clients (Truphone and Boingo) but also because one of the company's whose advisory board I sit on Agito, is smack in the middle of this whole Voice over WiFi game.

Voice over WiFi works. And it works very well. Just last week I had a series of VoWiFi calls via my AT&T 3G connection using client Truphone on both a Nokia N95 and an Apple iPhone that was tethered to Joiku Spot on my Nokia E71 from the 30th floor of the Intercontinental San Francisco.

Joiku, which recently announced a deal with FON, takes an incoming 3G signal, then sends it out the WiFi side of the handset, much the same way an Apple Mac Book can do with an incoming broadband connection via the Ethernet port and out via WiFi. What makes Joiku so useful is that it can be used virtually anywhere there's a 3G connection, and thus eliminates the need for other data cards, or things like Cradlepoint.

Want proof that this voice over WiFi is happening? Look at all the companies creating new devices and services that do exactly that in one form or another. Comcast, Sprint, T-Mobile.

As someone who has used both Truphone and T-Mobile's Hotspot @ Home services, I can safely say, they both work as promised, with the edge to Truphone in quality and ability to get around hotel NAT/Firewall issues.

The Los Angeles Times Looks at Videoconferencing

The Los Angeles Times takes a look at video conferencing, but is only telling part of the story.

Over the past few days I've been holed up my friends hotel in Carmel Valley as the house remains under construction. The hotel, the Hilton branded Homewood Suites, and its neighboring Hilton Garden Inn, would never have a room based video conferencing system like the ones described in the article.

Why not? Price.

On the other hand, I've had perfect video conferencing experiences using client SightSpeed and some use of Skype from my hotel room, using my own laptop computer. Candidly, the experience is far more pleasing that having to go to a special room, where some IT guy has to help.

What's more, I don't have to "reserve" the room (there's usually only one.) Think of having to go to the restroom and someone's inside or there's only one stall. That's what room based video conferencing is like.

By having video conferencing software and a webcam on your laptop delivering a 640 x 480 pixel size image at 30 frames per second you get one heck of an experience. Toss in really good bandwidth and you have everything the room based systems promise, but anywhere you are.

One other point. I've used both SightSpeed and Skype over AT&T's HSUPA wireless broadband network on both my Mac Book Air and a series of Acer Aspire One and Asus eee PC's (901 and 1000) from multiple locations without even a room around me.

So while the room based conferencing systems may be a nice "status symbol" or perk like a company car or club membership was or is for the corporate types, those of us who are Global Nomads and accustomed to Working Anywhere know better, and how to stay connected.