Microsoft to dispute FCC findings on 'white space' device

Hot on the heels of the "white space device" test flop of 2007 (i.e., last week's news) Microsoft is regrouping and firing back at the FCC's findings, claiming that the initial prototype was "defective," but a new model works correctly. In an attempt to convince US regulators that use of the soon-to-be-abandoned 700MHz spectrum is "safe" for wireless internet services, Microsoft (along with White Space Coalition cohorts such as Google and Intel) is claiming that the technology is sound and can work side by side with its broadcast television neighbors -- and they have proof. As you'll recall, the first round of tests apparently produced "static" on nearby channels -- leading the FCC to send the coalition packing -- but Redmond is claiming that a new study carried out by the airwave-controlling agency yielded positive results. So, what might have been a major wind-out-of-the-sails-moment for the 700MHz-champions is starting to look more like a healthy gust of air.

[Rainier @ Aug 13th 2007 12:14PM]

...it's alive, IT'S ALIVE!

[paloooz @ Aug 13th 2007 12:22PM]

I know this is off topic, but ... just out of curiosity, is your last name Wolfcastle?

[Rainier @ Aug 13th 2007 12:27PM]

Hahahaha....nah, but I get that alot from The Simpsons fans. ;)

[nih @ Aug 13th 2007 12:16PM]

It's so cute how you guys have pictures of monkeys with all your Microsoft posts.

[IdiotBash @ Aug 13th 2007 12:28PM]

Is that Nosferatu?

[seamus d dog @ Aug 13th 2007 12:34PM]

Steve Ballmer: the most photogenic person in the world, hands down.

[Cole @ Aug 13th 2007 12:40PM]

So thats why my television keeps getting bad reception on random channels.

[Bob @ Aug 13th 2007 12:42PM]

Are you saying that I put an abnormal brain into a seven and a half foot long, fifty-four inch wide GORILLA?

[newgalactic @ Aug 13th 2007 1:02PM]

Nice Young Frankenstein reference. I thought the same thing when I saw that picture.

[Ozzy @ Aug 13th 2007 2:17PM]

So THAT'S his real name, Abby....Abby Normal. On a serious note, I hope that Google, Intel and MS can get this white spectrum system working, it could entail a reduced price, greater-coverage model for wireless internet spread through individual cities. I own houses in 2 cities that utilize city-wide wireless, one premium, the other free, and both work very well, with the rare addition of a small signal repeater.

[Samo @ Aug 13th 2007 12:45PM]

I'm sorry, but does anyone else think ol' Ballmer here always looks scary, idiotic, or generally bad? I would hate to have seen his childhood photos...

[Bob @ Aug 13th 2007 1:22PM]

This is a childhood photo!

[papafew @ Aug 13th 2007 1:10PM]

scary enough for me

[Matt B @ Aug 13th 2007 1:26PM]

"I swear the fish was this big!!"

To me, it looks like he is rapping.

[Rainier @ Aug 13th 2007 1:29PM]

He reminds me of the Penguin from Batman Returns.

[JimDave @ Aug 13th 2007 1:35PM]

I was thinking of the weird dude from Pans Labyrinth with eyes in his hands. I think this calls for some photoshopping!

[Scabrous Vermicelli @ Aug 13th 2007 4:57PM]

JimDave: I was thinking exactly the same thing. Didn't even require any photo manipulation, just placed the two images side by side:

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/helvetica/separated.jpg

[KR @ Aug 13th 2007 1:37PM]

Agreed. Steve Ballmer is one ugly man.

[BooKahKee @ Aug 13th 2007 1:56PM]

Yeah, he's definitely something you'd see in your nightmares as a kid. I think he looks like Darth Sidious:
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z243/otakonx/DarthBallmer.jpg

[Harry Wagstaff @ Aug 13th 2007 2:30PM]

That is just fantastic.

[BooKahKee @ Aug 13th 2007 2:35PM]

haha Thanks, slow day at work.

[Sir Jake @ Aug 13th 2007 2:00PM]

He looks like the Penguin.

[joe @ Aug 13th 2007 2:34PM]

I must be alone on this but I think Balmer looks cool (but not in this pic). Like he has 14 billion dollars and could kick your ass.

[BooKahKee @ Aug 13th 2007 2:37PM]

How about in this pic?
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/images/ballmer_tongue.jpg

[IdiotBash @ Aug 13th 2007 2:55PM]

GAY!

[joe @ Aug 13th 2007 2:55PM]

I like that one. Here is a pic of the last thing you see before Balmer rips you apart and hides your body under a pile of cash.

http://www.flyteblog.com/flyte/images/balmer.jpg

[Chicksta @ Aug 13th 2007 2:41PM]

In an attempt to convince US regulators that use of the soon-to-be-abandoned 700MHz spectrum is "safe" for wireless internet services, Microsoft (along with White Space Coalition cohorts such as Google and Intel) is claiming that the technology is sound and can work side by side with its broadcast television neighbors -- and they have proof, in the form of several hundred unmarked bills now sticking out of the research papers...

[misog @ Aug 13th 2007 4:49PM]

Anyone else thinking perhaps the government is already using the spectrum this will interfere with and that is the real reason why this is not being permitted?

[Casey @ Aug 13th 2007 10:25PM]

Here's one for the caption contest. I didn't write it myself but, I think it fits here:

"I'm only a CAVEMAN! You're 'white space' frightens and amazes me."

[ronh @ Aug 13th 2007 11:35PM]

I may not know about your technology, I'm just a cave man. But one thing I do know...