The country has gone eclipse-crazy as it gears up for the big event on Monday. Eclipse glasses are sold out everywhere. Airfares to cities within the “path of totality” have skyrocketed. Mobile carriers are boosting coverage along that path in preparation for the expected boom in traffic.
If it doesn’t feel like the end of the world just yet, this Washington Post article is happy to fill you in on all the things that could go wrong during the eclipse itself:
The worst things that could go wrong during the total solar eclipse — and how to be prepared https://t.co/y6eBkpxC8q
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 15, 2017
FEMA, it should be noted, has made some recommendations on eclipse-related gear. Don’t forget your phone charger! Oh, and snacks!
If you're traveling to see the eclipse, prep your car with jumper cables, snacks, & a phone charger. https://t.co/QXARjzTY79 [poster: @NASA] pic.twitter.com/Yi9bunqxIc
— FEMA (@fema) August 16, 2017
Mentally preparing for a gazillion blurry cell phone photos of a somewhat-dimmed sun in 3 … 2 … 1 …
How to safely capture the 2017 eclipse on your phone https://t.co/a0Khuk0fEf pic.twitter.com/nTCoWD5sw4
— InForum (@inforum) August 18, 2017
But there is more than eclipse-mania going on. The First Responders Network Authority (and network partner AT&T) was busy at APCO this week, talking to a packed house about everything from applications to state plans. Three more states decided to opt in to the FirstNet network build this week: Arizona, Kansas, and Nevada. That brings the total of opt-in states to 15, although the big fish like California, New York and Texas (with their large metro markets that would really help FirstNet, in terms of their potential first responder customer bases) haven’t yet jumped in one way or the other.
Mobile data is turning police cars into "mobile offices" – Buffalo County, NE Sheriff Neil Miller #APCO2017 pic.twitter.com/4EyTB8w1DO
— FirstNet Authority (@FirstNetGov) August 16, 2017
"#FirstNet's unique networkID 313-100, its own core and encryption protect public safety traffic" @jrbratch #apco2017 pic.twitter.com/oUtvojfb2O
— Bill Schrier (@billschrier) August 15, 2017
But Verizon isn’t ceding any ground on public safety customers and said this week that it plans to build its own public safety core network to serve first responders.
If permitted, this is new ground & technically challenging: Verizon to build own public safety core https://t.co/PHzQtpDAgh @rcrwirelessnews
— Kit Kilgour (@kitkilgour) August 17, 2017
Meanwhile, T-Mobile US made good on its promises to get its new 600 MHz spectrum in use as quickly as possible. The carrier lit up its first 600 MHz site this week, in Cheyenne, Wyoming:
We just made the world's first 600 Mhz call in Cheyenne, WY.
New sites will be popping up all year because…yep…#WeWontStop #LITitUP pic.twitter.com/Srwr7YLWDG
— T-Mobile (@TMobile) August 16, 2017
For your Friday time-waster, let’s take a moment to consider the use of robots in football. Okay, not robots exactly. They’re called mobile virtual players (MVPs!) and are more like drones for the football field: remote-controlled tackling dummies. They weigh in at 180 pounds and can move at up to 18 miles an hour. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers have tested them out, and college teams like Dartmouth have begun using them as well. Mesmerizing video below:
Robots in football? 🤖❌🏈
Mobile Virtual Players are popping up at colleges and even NFL training camps pic.twitter.com/iIp0AL9JqB
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 17, 2017
