Project Loon • Hacker News Board

Re: Project Loon

#61

Post by sn0v » Sat, Jun 15, 2013, 4:15 AM UTC

jamesaguilar wrote: post #44

adamnemecek wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Project Loon balloons float in the stratosphere, twice as high as airplanes and the weather."

But they're tethered, right? Or no? if they're untethered, that's just crazy awesome. If they're tethered, I'm still slightly worried about the cables. OH! They're just going to make enough that there is always one overhead! That's so damn cool. I can barely believe it. Wireless technology is some of the most amazing stuff.

Not tethered, as nostromo mentioned. The hazards created by cables in the air for airplanes would kill the idea before it could take off (pun not intended).

Re: Project Loon

#62

Post by joonix » Sat, Jun 15, 2013, 4:18 AM UTC

They are testing it in New Zealand hinterland.

I wonder what implications this is going to hvae for NBN in Australia. They are spending tons of money to launch two satellites to provide access to remote towns. Google is showing they can do it for cheaper, possibly, and with Fiber they are showing gigabit FTH can be done cheaply...

Re: Project Loon

#63

Post by gboudrias » Sat, Jun 15, 2013, 4:18 AM UTC

How long before they abandon the idea? Google is well known for creating projects for shits and giggles and abandoning them when it turns out giggles don't make money.

Re: Project Loon

#64

Post by smaili » Sat, Jun 15, 2013, 4:18 AM UTC

waterlesscloud wrote: post #3

There's a lot that I don't like about Google, but I do like that they're fucking insane.

Well said :)

Re: Project Loon

#65

Post by droidist2 » Sat, Jun 15, 2013, 4:21 AM UTC

I've often thought something like this would be good for providing internet access to the people of North Korea.

Re: Project Loon

#66

Post by rgovind » Sat, Jun 15, 2013, 4:23 AM UTC

nostromo wrote: post #46

I've always wanted a near-live satellite image for Google maps. If this takes off that'll be possible. I could find a parking spot from the sky. :)

Skybox is working on it

Re: Project Loon

#67

Post by wjruoxue » Sat, Jun 15, 2013, 4:24 AM UTC

If this could bring the INTERNET to places like China (where there is only INTRANET)!

Re: Project Loon

#68

Post by LoganCale » Sat, Jun 15, 2013, 4:25 AM UTC

hnriot wrote: post #38

LoganCale wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In some regards, so am I, though this comment made me think that in some regards, Loon is a necessary component of Glass's success. There are huge areas of even just the U.S. which don't have cell/wireless internet coverage and Glass would be fairly useless, or significantly less useful, there currently.

Yes, but do you really think those rural areas are going to want to walk around lie cyber dorks? The corp I work for has already banned glass on premises.

Whether people in rural areas will or not, someone not from a rural area who does use Glass may want to travel outside of cell coverage areas and keep using it. Furthermore, far in the future it's fair to presume such devices would be miniaturized and likely become more acceptable.

Re: Project Loon

#69

Post by blinkingled » Sat, Jun 15, 2013, 4:25 AM UTC

> Loon balloons are superpressure, which enable them to stay aloft for 100+ days at a time. This is far longer than typical weather balloons, which last for a matter of hours. Loon balloons are also unique in that they are steerable and entirely solar powered.

It's like they are putting up cheap, disposable, steerable satellites up in the stratosphere! Genius.

Would be pretty interesting to understand the monitoring and control system for the balloons - not sure if they can bring back the failing balloons to a maintenance site to refurbish and relaunch them or they just dump the debris along with the failed balloon. I suppose at least the electronics aboard must be reusable for a time longer than the 100+ days the balloon stays afloat.

Re: Project Loon

#70

Post by hhandoko » Sat, Jun 15, 2013, 4:25 AM UTC

joonix wrote: post #62

They are testing it in New Zealand hinterland. I wonder what implications this is going to hvae for NBN in Australia. They are spending tons of money to launch two satellites to provide access to remote towns. Google is showing they can do it for cheaper, possibly, and with Fiber they are showing gigabit FTH can be done cheaply...

I'm actually more concerned about what happens to the NBN if there's a change in government (looking more likely as each day passes).