Suitable for business people and tech buffs who want a look at what's ahead in the world of telecommunications, this overview describes technologies on the drawing board at research laboratories around the world.

Introduction. Information Portal. Back to Me. I, Telecom Junkie. 1. On the Menu—Telecom Services. 1.1 End of the Line for Wireline? 1.2 The Broadband World. 1.3 The Upcoming Mobile Stall. 1.4 Fourth-Generation Mobile Service. 1.5 Modular Components. 1.6 A Considerate Telephone. 1.7 E-Mail Leads to Instant Messaging. 1.8 Fun and Games. 1.9 Flying Phone Service. 1.10 Speech Integration. 1.11 Telemedicine. 2. Nuts and Bits—Telecom Hardware, Software, and More. 2.1 Personal Computers. 2.2 Home Automation. 2.3 Wearable Computers. 2.4 Smart Fabrics. 2.5 Embedded Systems. 2.6 Project Oxygen. 2.7 The Obje Software Architecture. 2.8 BARN Opens the Door. 2.9 Phone Awareness. 2.10 Cognitive Software: Anticipating User Intent. 2.11 Devices That Understand You. 2.12 Turbocharging Data. 2.13 MEMS. 2.14 Storage. 2.15 More Efficient Base Stations. 3. Connections in the Air—Wireless Technologies. 3.1 Wireless LAN “Hotspots”. 3.2 WLANs to Come. 3.3 WLAN for Emergency Communications. 3.4 Smart Brick. 3.5 Wireless Smart Stuff. 3.6 Wireless on Wheels. 3.7 Mesh Networks. 3.8 Wireless Sensor is a “Spec”. 3.9 Collaborative Sensing. 3.10 Optical Sensors. 3.11 Navigating the Real World. 3.12 Wireless Underwear. 4. The Future is Fiber—Optical Technologies. 4.1 Faster Networks. 4.2 New Optical Materials. 4.3 Nanophotonics. 4.4 Wave Polarization. 4.5 Optical Communications via CDMA. 4.6 Light Emitters. 4.7 Optical Antenna. 4.8 Keeping Copper. 5. The Internet Rules—IP Technologies. 5.1 VoIP Telephony. 5.2 The Next Internet. 5.3 Grid Computing. 5.4 Infostructure. 5.5 Tele-Learning Opens Horizons. 5.6 A New Approach to Virus Scanning. 5.7 Putting a Lid on Spam. 5.8 The Meaning Behind Messages. 5.9 Internet Simulator. 5.10 Untangling Tangled Nets. 6. Something in the Air—Radio and Location Technologies. 6.1 Digital Radio. 6.2 Software-Defined Radio. 6.3 Ultrawideband Radio. 6.4 Asset Tracking. 6.5 Radio Monitors. 6.6 Vehicular Telematics. 6.7 Helping Ranchers From Space. 6.8 Seeing Inside Walls. 6.9 Microscillator. 6.10 Antenna Technologies. 6.11 Interference. 7. The Unblinking Eye—Security and Surveillance. 7.1 Testing Security. 7.2 Location-Based Privacy Software. 7.3 Securing Privacy. 7.4 The Seeing Eye. 7.5 Smart Roads. 7.6 Chip Implants. 7.7 Encryption. 7.8 Quantum Cryptography. 7.9 E-Mail “Cluster Bombs”. 8. Energy to Go—Power Generation. 8.1 New Materials. 8.2 Smaller, Lighter Power Adapter. 8.3 Fuel Cells. 8.4 Microcombustion Battery. 8.5 Power Monitor. 8.6 Cooling Technologies. 9. The Critical Last Inch—Input and Output Technologies. 9.1 A Finger Phone. 9.2 Voice Input. 9.3 Improved Audio Output. 9.4 Touch Input. 9.5 Projection Keyboards. 9.6 Thought Input. 9.7 Output. 9.8 A New View. 9.9 Paper-Like Video Displays. 9.10 Finding Information. 9.11 Disabled Access. Glossary. Index.

An insider's guide to the exciting future of telecommunications The last great telecommunications revolution brought us fiber optics, mobile phones, videoconferencing, and a host of other innovations that improved life and business and connected individuals in ways never imagined. Now emerging technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), radio frequency identification (RFID), wireless networks, and Web videoconferencing are poised to become tremendous, society-altering forces. Telecosmos: The Next Great Telecom Revolution offers a fascinating preview of the exciting new telecom technologies currently under development and the impact they will have across a broad range of industries, from medicine to data storage, security to energy, transportation to communication. Engagingly written by one of the nation's most prolific authors on the subject of technology, the book gives you firsthand information and predictions from the movers and shakers in the telecom industry. The book covers hundreds of innovative telecom concepts that will become available to businesses and consumers in the years to come, including: Cognitive softwareWearable computersChip implantsTele-medicineSmart roadsVehicular telematicsHome automationSpeech-controlled prosthetics Telecosmos is both an informative and fascinating read for technical professionals, business managers, and potential investors looking to explore up-and-coming business opportunities, and offers an important resource for managers who want to be prepared for the next great telecommunications revolution.

"…this volume should be acquired by college and university undergraduate and graduate libraries supporting degree programs in computer science, telecommunications, and business." (E-STREAMS, April 2005) "If you enjoy reading about the very latest technological revolutions, pick up a copy of this book...we love the book." (Start Your Own Business, Summer 2005)