Posts by Andrew Burt

Japanese operator to test quake-proof floating phone-mast BLIMPS

If the blimps and their power tethers need to be pre-deployed, why not just use telescoping masts on top of buildings or, better yet, provide provisions for microwave backhaul at existing cell sites? This eliminates the cost and complexity of having to dynamically "aim" your backhaul.

Credit cards get colour screens

Why?

What problem are they trying to solve with this? My credit card with the mag strip on the back costs pennies to produce and works year after year without having to recharge it or worry about a cracked display. Sure, I have to take it out of my wallet and swipe it in order to use it but is this really such an inconvenience to many people?