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Targasys said it would work with Sun Microsystems to create telem...
November 19, 2001 |Miscellaneous

Targasys said it would work with Sun Microsystems to create telematics architecture based on Sun’s Java language. Targasys, Fiat’s telematics service provider arm, is seeking open software system to deliver services to vehicle telematics systems. Java is best known as development platform for software run by Web- browsers on PCs, but also is used for applications in cellphones and PDAs, Sun said. Companies said Java-based architecture would enable Targasys to: (1) Download software components and manage on-board telematics equipment over vehicle life cycle. The ability to update software components helps to negate obsolescence of vehicle electronics and allows for new applications. “This enables a telematics control unit in a motorist’s vehicle to download and dynamically install services like real-time traffic monitoring, on-demand navigation and mobile commerce operations,” said Sun spokesman. (2) Use Java as back-end service delivery infrastructure that would tie into Targasys’ customer resource management and billing system. Java also will allow other telematics service providers and other developers to build easily shared services for any platform that adopts the open architecture, company said. Targasys said it would use new architecture to deliver services to automobiles, cellphones and PDAs with goal of becoming major telematics provider in Europe.

Ericsson of Sweden announced it would sell its cable modem busine...
November 19, 2001 |Miscellaneous

Ericsson of Sweden announced it would sell its cable modem business, based in Lynchburg, Va., to Aastra Technologies of Canada. Under agreement, Ericsson will transfer its consumer cable modem design, marketing and sales resources to Aastra. Decision was part of continuing portfolio review, Ericsson said.

‘There are hundreds of millions of dollars in pork barrel spendin...
November 19, 2001 |Miscellaneous

“There are hundreds of millions of dollars in pork barrel spending” in conference report (H.-Rpt. 107-278) on FY 2002 Commerce, Justice and State Depts. appropriations bill (HR-2500), Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) said. McCain, who cast lone dissenting vote against measure Nov. 15, expressed particular concern with Advanced Technology Program (ATP) of National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) which would get $184.5 million under bill. ATP provides financial and technical support to R&D projects, but not to product development, of industries ranging from computers and communications to batteries and electronics imaging. McCain said White House had asked Congress to suspend ATP funding until Dept. of Commerce re-evaluated program: “The Secretary of Commerce has not released the results of that review nor any recommended changes to the program to the Commerce Committee. As we all know, the nation currently is involved in both war and economic downturn, and this $184.5 million should be spent on higher priorities than a welfare program for special corporate interests.” NIST spokesman referred questions to Commerce, which hadn’t responded by our Fri. deadline.