Who: Mike Rowehl Title: Scalability architect Company: Skyfire Labs, Mountain View, California. Product: The hot new Skyfire mobile Web browser, now in limited beta for Windows Mobile devices The job: The Skyfire browser is hosted on servers; Rowehl has to make sure each server can support the maximum number of users sessions, and that the software scales smoothly over multiple CPUs.
Rowehl, a mobile software programmer, dropped out of Rochester Institute of Technology's computer science program after three years. That's not been a drawback: he has nearly a decade of experience designing and building open source, mobile applications for companies such as AdMob, Ning, Bitsplitter (his own company) and Feedster. He'd been consulting for Skyfire before being hired July 1, the first high-profile employee since Skyfire won US$13 million in Series B funding in June. With Russell Beatie, his co-founder for now defunct Mowser, Rowehl launched Mobile Monday Silicon Valley, a monthly open meeting for folks interested in mobile applications.
When did your interest start in the mobile Web?
My first tentative experience was in 2003 and 2004. I was working in Europe for a company that did home automation and security. Our embedded Linux device was installed in the home, and we worked on a Web interface so home owners could access the device and check a security camera or change heating settings from their mobile phone.
Where did things stand in 2003 for the mobile Web?
Until recently you had to develop a custom Web site for mobile content. There were different markup languages and different protocols. Even if you were developing to an industry standard like WAP [Wireless Application Protocol, for presenting Web information on handhelds, developed by the WAP Forum, which folded into the Open Mobile Alliance, certain devices supported different capabilities. Some accepted certain kinds of shortcuts, some didn't. It was very difficult to get even a minimal functional set of features on a device.
What's changed over the past year?
There's been a convergence of the desktop Web and mobile device Web. There's still a need to tell your application [about the device] a lot of times, so the information displayed is relevant to users on the go or with a small screen device. And if you choose to optimize that further, you now have tools to do it with. It's not a major porting effort anymore.
The iPhone in particular has done a fantastic job. Since 1999, we've been asking 'what's the application that will cause people to pull out their phones and engage with other data services?' The iPhone really cracked that open, and people are starting to think differently about the services on their device.
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IP BASED PHONE SYSTEM
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D-Link VoiceCenter is an IP based phone system designed to meet the needs of small businesses. D-Link have solely partnered with Microsoft to package Microsoft’s Response Point software to bring you VoiceCenter. For more info on VoiceCenter's products and events please visit: http://voicecenter.dlink.com.au -
AWARD WINNING STORAGE
DNS-343 4-Bay NAS Enclosure
D-Links new 4-bay network attached storage enclosure has just received ZDNet's Editor's Choice award and a rating of 9 out of 10 by Craig Simms from CNET See the review here. The DNS-343 release followed the great success of its smaller sibling the 2-bay DNS-323. Targeted at both the home IT enthusiast and commercial users needing a flexible storage solution the DNS-343 is showing good market performance. -
EVERY BUSINESS NEEDS ONE
DSA-3600 Multi-Service Gateway
Any business that’s serious about networking must consider installing this gateway. Feature rich the DSA-3600 multi-service business gateway is a complete network solution that delivers reliable and cost-effective services to SMB and enterprise branch offices. Perfect for setting up a commercial grade wireless connection for the office the unit is simple and easy to manage. -
WI-FI FOR MOBILE WORK SITES
DIR-451 Mobile 3G Router
Perfect for mobile and temporary work-sites the mobile 3G router quickly and easily can connect your site back to the office. Recently the United States Air Force has used D-Link Mobile 3G routers on its remote base camps to connect soldiers with other Air Force departments, local agencies, friends and families. To see the complete case study click here.
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DIR-855
The highly anticipated simultaneous broadcasting dual band wireless N router has arrived. The DIR-855 is set to make massive waves and take home/SOHO wireless networking to a new generation. Unlike other networking manufacturers who promote dual band the new DIR-855 will provide users simultaneous dual band wireless networks, opening up another range of opportunities for wireless networking. - DUAL BAND USB ADAPTER
DWA-160 Xtreme N USB Wi-Fi
The new dual band wireless N USB adapter is ideal for simultaneous dual band environments. For example in apartment buildings where there are heavily congested 2.4GHz Wi-Fi or at the home stream HD video over the network and making VoIP calls at the same time.
Coming Soon
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WI-FI ACCESS POINT/BRIDGE
DAP-1522 Xtreme N Duo
A new addition to the Xtreme N family this wireless N access point/bridge effectively doubles available wireless bandwidth. Designed for users looking to get a true wireless connection that can handle multiple High-Definition video streaming throughout the house it can take the home network to a new level. - GOT NAKED DSL
DVA-G3670B ADSL2+ Wireless G VoIP Modem Router
Naked DSL customers now have the perfect feature rich product solution the DVA-G3670B to take advantage of naked DSL features. This ADSL2+ (naked DSL compatible) modem Wireless G router comes with 2 VoIP phone connections and is ideal for the growing market who don't want to pay the unnecessary line rental fee. Ultimately this unit is an ideal all-in-one home network solution and even SOHO small business solution.
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