Friday, October 26, 2007

Hangup Call from a Telemarketer

I got a call from 702-520-1152 on Oct 26, 2007 at 7:32 pm. Caller ID identified as "BIZ to BIZ". I picked up and the caller hung up. I called back a few times but the phone just rang and rang and rang. No one answered.

I'm curious who is behind the calls., as there are a few hangup messages on my machine.

I've done a little research on the number 702-520-1152 and a lot of people seem to be getting the same runaround. Someone calls, they hang up without leaving a message and attempts to call back are fruitless.

Whitepages.com gives the following information on the number:

(702) 520-1152 is Unpublished or Unavailable
Type: Land Line
Provider: Digitcom Services
Location: Las Vegas, NV

While I did find some hints as to who might own the number, I didn't see anything really interesting or verifiable.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Microsoft to be an "also-ran" in "Ultra-Mobile Devices" Market?

A report from ABI Research predicts devices based on Microsoft's Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) specification will ship 4.68 million units by 2012, while Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), frequently based on Linux, will ship 90 Million units in the same time, outselling UMPCs 19 to 1.

Microsoft's UMPC specification, code named Origami, defines and ultra portable PC capable of running desktop applications without modification. While significant growth is expected, the market faces the technological barriers inherent to all mobile devices plus the need to run XP and Vista on an ultra-portable platform with a small form factor.

MIDs are more specialized devices aimed at consumers. The lower cost and broader appeal are expected to increase overall sales. ABI uses the Apple iPhone and Nokia N800 as examples of MIDs, showing just how fuzzy the line between UMPCs and MIDs can be. The Linux Devices article "UMPC expected to spawn family of devices" explores the nature of UMPCs in more detail.

Together, MID and UMPC make up a category known as "Ultra-Mobile Devices" (UMDs). Featuring "Always on" wireless connectivity, UMDs are expected to ship close to 95 million units by 2012.

ABI's 77 page report, "Mobile Internet Devices and UMPCs" costs $4,200 USD and is available from their website. The report explores the MID market, its users and its potential applications.

Related Links:

Nearly 95 Million "Ultra-Mobile Devices" to Ship by 2012

UMPC expected to spawn family of devices

UMPC next Linux hacker target?

Early UMPC ships, but decent Linux support may lag

How would you change the UMPC?

Via unveils "ultra mobile device" reference design

Intel debuts Linux-based "Mobile Internet Device"