What about a system which, instead of requiring an Ethernet connection and an internet connection, uses the cellular network for data transmission, for example SMS? This is a simple, two-way, text-based messaging system that should be relatively easy to take advantage of, except for the cost.

I suppose this is why people haven’t done this type of system more. I know this must be a thought process that Ambient went through a decade ago. And countless others, I’m sure. I guess that I need to accept that most everyone interested in the type of device I propose, has an internet connection, so this is free. And on the other side of the coin, there is as of right now, a commercial cellular model in the US where, though everyone has a phone, voice minutes are free but data bytes cost a fortune. Silly, and completely unnecessary, but true.

Cellular providers could take over the world if they got their minds around offering their networks for data communications. But, at this moment, I don’t think there is any way to support this. Until such time as I can send and receive data for free, or buy a data-only plan in addition to my voice plan, with an additional SIM, for my device network, forget it.