Google unveils internet beaming balloons
The future is Google :O)
Google has launched giant balloons into the stratosphere with the goal of providing internet access to the entire planet.
The translucent, jellyfish-shaped balloons were released from a frozen field in the heart of New Zealand's South Island. They hardened into shiny pumpkins as they rose into the blue skies above Lake Tekapo.
Developed in the secretive X lab that came up with a driverless car and web-surfing eyeglasses, the flimsy helium-filled inflatables beam the Internet down to earth as they sail past on the wind.
Still in their experimental stage, the balloons were the first of thousands that Google's leaders eventually hope to launch 12 miles into the stratosphere in order to bridge the gaping digital divide between the world's 4.8 billion unwired people and their 2.2 billion plugged-in counterparts.
"Two-thirds of the world's population or about 4.8 billion people don't have the internet right now. And some of them are living in remote places, but some of them are actually living right here in New Zealand, and we think that Project Loon can play a big role in connecting many of those unconnected people," explained Project Loon founder Richard DeVaul.
If successful, the technology might allow countries to leapfrog the expense of laying fibre cable, dramatically increasing Internet usage in places such as Africa and Southeast Asia.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/10122249/Google-unveils-int...
See this KR
And btw the range will be 60,000 feet above sea level
I wonder how long a balloon is going to be good for, and how fast the service will be hmmm
Suli, You are right, we never did imagine all these when we were kids...but these are just some questions cropping up out of my inquisitive mind.
When I saw the video, I noticed drifting of a balloon like a cloud, so the question was inevitable!
KR ,, Come on man,, Be a lil bit positive :)
All your Questions really needed to be asked,,, but i think nothing is Impossible,, all what we have to do is to wait and see the results ,, wishing that it will be GOOD.
Did you Imagine that you will have something like Wifi before it came, what about the Internet ,, Bluetooth ,, IR
It seemed Impossible but now it is REAL. :)
These balloones will keep drifting from one location to the other with the wind, so is this not going to affect the wifi connectivity of people?
Also, what is the range of connectivity of one balloon? And then, the next question is, how many such balloones would be required to cover the world population?
Very nice indeed, They are really smart and in away they care about people.
By the way brit
Yesterday I've seen a Movie in Villaggio Cinema
"The Internship" a Comedy movie, The film stars Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
The movie is talking about Google the company, their Aim, the team work, how comfortable is the work place, and it is really inspiring.
You might like to watch it as you are interested in Google, really nice movie.