en Passant

By first quarter 2009, all over-the-air transmission across the VHF/UHF spectrum will end. No longer will tin foil and rabbit ears be sufficient to watch prime-time television. To keep the TV running, your TV will soon need to access a digital signal, either via cable, satellite or over-the-air HD (where available). There is talks of subsidies to help pay for the box cost, but you still need wiring running to your TV.

Why? Well, the FCC plans to sell this spectrum off. Google has already made suggestions, and has hinted at buying it. Personally, I think a company like Google, owning and controlling the spectrum could be interesting. I could possibly get a single device that could replace a laptop, but provide wireless Internet, (maybe) voice, and streaming video. I could travel anywhere in the US and access this, no longer needing to worry about "roaming". Heck, those smart people at Google, may even tie in my Gmail account, so my voice mail would just be another item in my Inbox. They own Postini, so maybe they could get rid of those pesky cold-callers, and political announcements coming into my Google phone. Combine that to Google's acquisition of GrandCentral (which acts as a smart, phone redirector), my Google Phone will now only ring if called by my select group of friends.

1. GrandCentral receives a call from an unknown caller.
2. Postini reviews and determines that it's not spam.
3. Home phone rings, but no one is home.
4. Caller leaves a message, and it is posted to my gMail account.
5. My gPhone pages me with an alert that a new voice mail has arrived.
6. I click a button to listen and respond to the caller while on vacation.

I don't know about you, but I look forward to it!