Mobile Biz Buzz[TM]: wireless fashion for the security conscious.

Mobile geek fashions are becoming mainstream; isn't a visible mobile phone the hottest fashion accessory? Buzz has even spotted the utilitarian SCOTTeVEST on popular TV crime dramas, where the investigators literally wear their technology. The SCOTTeVEST gives them pockets to pack every gadget, and a clever way to hide all the wires of their personal-area network.

Researchers at National University of Singapore are taking fashion more seriously by looking for ways to create "safe clothing." They've come up with a Bluetooth-equipped shirt (is it blue?) that detects when wearer falls. The shirt then connects to a nearby Bluetooth phone or computer to call for help. Buzz can see how this could be a literal lifesaver for older folks, but he's a wondering how fashionable the researcher's next endeavor will be: adding a personal airbag to the shirt. All Buzz can picture is Woody Allen's balloon suit in "Sleeper."

"BUZZ TO BEAM UP"

Buzz can be transported almost anywhere, even on a trek into the stars, via eBay. That's where he found a Bluetooth communicator with an amazing resemblence to, well, check the photo. This enterprising device can be used with any nearby Bluetooth 1.1 mobile phone to make and receive calls. You can leave your phone in your pocket and receive calls by flipping open the communicator and pressing a button. Another button makes all the right chirps and beeps. Buzz tried to lock on, but the final bidder boldly went where no one else would go: 274 [pounds sterling] (more than US$500). Subscribers can check out photos of the device at http://Advisor.com/doc/14912.

NEC STANDS UP FOR WHAT IT BELIEVES

Electronics manufacturer NEC is finding out what is means to go high-tech, all the time. With the goal of streamlining every move its employees make, NEC is experimenting with 500 workers on ways to be more efficient. For instance, meetings are no longer a place to sit around and chat, because there are no chairs or tables in the conference rooms[ Buzz has heard executives in various fields say standing results in shorter meetings, but NEC may be the first to adopt it as policy. He hopes NEC meeting room floors at least have extra-cushy carpet. Rather than using printed agendas or drawing on white boards, meeting participants use collaborative software on giant plasma screens, which also provide videoconferencing. NEC has also removed all old-fashioned phones. Instead, workers use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) "softphones" through headset-equipped laptops.

Buzz is all for shorter meetings, but he doesn't think doing away with conference tables and chairs is the solution. But, he knows the value of collaboration software, so he thinks NEC is on-track there. And Buzz would love to see a nice, big plasma screen in the conference room down the hall (or maybe even his office). As for VoIP softphones? They're poised to be the next big thing in business, so Buzz looks forward to giving them a try, too.

SECRET SMS 

An Australian company has promised a text message service that lets the senders remain anonymous. Normally, when you send an SMS, your number is displayed to the recipient. This secret service would let you hide your number or replace it with someone else's name or number. The idea is that shy admirers can send text messages without revealing their identity. This might go over in a "cool club" scene, but who else would want to risk responding? And doesn't this help SMS spammers? Curious, Buzz checked the service's Web site, only to find a message that it is "Temporarily Suspended." No surprise there.

LOCAL NUMBER PORTABILITY AT WHAT COST?

Can there really be a wireless service provider who could be passing costs to its customers, but isn't? Verizon Wireless is eliminating the extra fee it's been charging customers for Local Number Portability (LNP), the FCC requirement that wired and wireless phone service providers let customers take their phone numbers with them when changing carriers. Verizon Wireless has been collecting $0.40 per customer since March 2004, or approximately $15 million per month, to help cover its LNP program costs. But now that the system is in place, Verizon says costs have dropped, and it's willing to pass that savings to its customers. Buzz pictures a Verizon executive shouting, "Hey competitors, can you hear me now?"

Buzz wonders if all the U.S. mobile service providers have discovered LNP costs less than expected? If so, Buzz applauds Verizon for being the first to remove the excess charge from its customers' bills. Or, perhaps Verizon can afford to be generous because it's a Local Number Portability winner. Analysts say Verizon, along with Nextel, gained the most subscribers and lost the fewest after LNP went into effect.