Knowledge's Blog

There’s been a lot of talk in 2009 about the next generation of wireless technology, known as 4G wireless broadband, but the current generation of 3G wireless technology is far from dead.

For many wireless operators, especially those that have built their networks using the global standard GSM, the current 3G wireless technology called HSPA still has some legs left.

And while many carriers are planning their 4G networks, hundreds of wireless providers throughout the world are also expected to upgrade existing network infrastructure with the latest versions of the 3G wireless technology to increase speeds and offer new services.

And because these network speeds will match current 4G speeds, consumers will likely see no difference in capability.

For this reason, the next few years will likely continue to be all about 3G technology. And 4G services, where they will be available, will likely appeal only to niche audiences.

“The average consumer doesn’t care about peak data rates or network acronyms,” said Dan Warren, the GSM Association’s director of technology. “They just care about the experience. They want to be able to watch YouTube or get live traffic updates on their smartphones. And they don’t care whether it’s a new network or a current network that is being upgraded.” Click here to read more.. »

The explosion of Craigslist’s online classifieds. The death of Napster. The “Twitter Revolution” in Iran.

All big moments on the Internet. In fact, they’re among the 10 biggest of the past decade, according to the Webby Awards.

The group that runs the awards — itself an online institution for more than a decade — on Wednesday released what it considers the 10 most influential Internet moments of the 2000s.

The list includes both high-profile moments and quieter events that would prove to be turning points in the years that followed. It does not rank the 10 in order of importance.

“That depends on who you are and what you’re interested in,” David-Michel Davies, the executive director of the Webby Awards, said. “The Internet is life in a way … . What’s the most important moment in the world is a broad question.”

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