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Hey Dummy -- Can you Hear Me Now?

Ever feel as if dealing with your wireless provider is like talking to a mannequin? Well New Jersey-based Magnolia Broadband Inc. has taken it one step further. They've hired an actual dummy. "Bob" is a mannequin with a liquid-filled head...
August 02, 2004

Ever feel as if dealing with your wireless provider is like talking to a mannequin? Well New Jersey-based Magnolia Broadband Inc. has taken it one step further. They've hired an actual dummy.

"Bob" is a mannequin with a liquid-filled head and a cell phone strapped to its hand that the company has been driving around the streets of NYC and Kansas, in an attempt to determine how their new wireless technology -- called "antenna diversity" -- does in different areas.

The new technology includes a second internal antenna in the wireless phone. Magnolia hopes that the two separate signals from the two antennas will produce better reception and faster data rates.

No word is the dummy will be replacing the "Can You Hear Me Now" guy in those commercials.

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