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Return to the Colonies

Posted Jun 8, 2010, by Mark Forbes

Tags: Expedition Enterprise, Radio, EMI, Wireless, RF, RF Solution

I’ve just returned from two weeks in Europe. While I was doing the usual tourist things, I also took note of the generally subtle differences in technology use in Europe versus the U.S.

Having been a radio nut since I was a teenager, it surprised me a bit at some of the greater proliferation of wireless devices in Spain, France, and Italy compared to the U.S.

What caught my eye was the use of wireless technology in restaurants. Every restaurant (except a couple of pretty good self-proprietor ‘hole in the walls’) extensively used wireless. The wait staff each had a wireless PDA with the entire menu. They simply made a few taps with a stylus (why not a finger?) and the order was transmitted to the kitchen. When the order was ready, the server was wirelessly notified and they promptly took to the kitchen to pick it up. At the end of the dinner, the check was printed on the PDA, and if paying by credit card, the card swiped, approved, and a receipt for signature printed on the spot.

Now a couple of friends believe they have seen a restaurant or two in the States with similar technology, it is in no means as prevalent as in Europe (those three countries anyway).

Why it isn’t is an interesting question. It would seem to be a lot more efficient, and only a nominal fixed cost to implement. It will be interesting to see if/how this technology infiltrates American markets.

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About Mark Forbes

Mark has worked in the electronics industry for more than thirty years, beginning while in college. The first 8 years of his career was spent in R&D, where he received his first patent for a remote communications system for reading electricity meters. During that time he also worked on the weapons management system for the F-16 fighter. He then moved into product marketing, eventually leading a team of 6 product managers. For two years, he shifted gears and was editor-in-chief of a computing industry trade magazine. The 16 years prior to joining Mentor Graphics Mark spent as a consultant, working for Microsoft, Intel, Sharp, HP, and other industry-leading companies. Mark’s career ranges from laying PC board with red and blue tape to defining five-year product plans. Mark earned a BSEE degree from Bradley University in Peoria, IL, and did MBA work at the University of Santa Clara. Mark has written five books, including three university-level textbooks, more than 115 technical and business articles, and has been issued two patents. Visit What Do I Know?

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2 Comments on this Post

Commented on 3:23 AM, Jun 11, 2010
By Gary Dare

Actually, Mark, I saw this technology in action over a decade ago, while attending DATE 2000 in Paris! :) Maybe it was running at slower data rates, then ...

Return to the Colonies