Feb 19
As smartphones and tablets land in the hands and bags of more and more people. users start consuming more amounts of data than a network can handle. Slow loading times, … Continue reading
Nov 21
FCC reportedly proposing that passengers can use cellular service in mid-flight (update: confirmed)
Posted in: Today's Chili
While the FAA has cleared the use of electronics on US passenger airplanes at all stages of flight, there’s still one major restriction in place: you have to shut off all cellular access. That rule may not exist for much longer if the FCC has its way, according to sources for the Wall Street Journal. The agency will reportedly use its December meeting to propose letting passengers make phone calls and use cellular data whenever they’re flying above 10,000 feet. Don’t be too eager to start chatting in mid-air, though. The FCC hasn’t publicly confirmed the proposal, and any new policy wouldn’t be mandatory — carriers could still ask for radio silence, and special equipment would need to be installed in order for each plane to communicate with towers on the ground. If implemented, though, the relaxed rules could make your phone’s airplane mode seem like more of a relic than a necessity.
Update: Chairman Tom Wheeler has issued a statement about the earlier report:
“Today, we circulated a proposal to expand consumer access and choice for in-flight mobile broadband. Modern technologies can deliver mobile services in the air safely and reliably, and the time is right to review our outdated and restrictive rules. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues, the FAA, and the airline industry on this review of new mobile opportunities for consumers.
Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation, Wireless, Mobile
Source: Wall Street Journal, FCC
Sep 30
NTT Docomo had been busy here at CEATEC 2013, during which it presented the concept for its next-generation 5G mobile network, something that would be a higher-performance offering over current LTE-Advanced network technology. At the event, Docomo has shown off this concept, including where it is in the process and its ambitions for the future, […]
Jul 31
We got a look at the nifty little Trakdot luggage tracking device back in January during CES 2013, and as promised it went up for pre-order in March. At the time, a late-June shipping date was given, but things were delayed and a few extra weeks went by uneventful. The company has updated on why
Jul 15
Femtocell Verizon hack allows exposure of phone conversations, text messages
Posted in: Today's ChiliHacking into mobile phones isn’t anything new, but a recently-discovered hacking trick has gone undetected for years, and it has opened doors for hackers to expose phone conversations, text messages, and even web browser activity. Research has revealed that low-cost low-power cell base stations called femtocells have been able to hack into mobile phones for years.
Femtocells are devices that bring wireless service to low-coverage zones and hard-to-reach spots that a regular cell tower couldn’t reach to. You may not have had a need for one if you’ve been living in the a city for most of your life, but analysts predict that 50 million of them may possibly be in use by the time next year rolls around.
Security consultant for iSEC Partners Tom Ritter was able to hack into NPR host Laura Sydell’s phone to find out her phone number and when she called someone, with the ability to record and playback the entire conversation with ease. Ritter says he was able to do it all with some free software and a $250 femtocell that you can buy at Best Buy.
Ritter points out that he’s able to “see everything that your phone would send to a cell phone tower,” and this includes phone calls, text messages, picture messages, and mobile web surfing. Ritter was using a Verizon femtocell at the time, and the wireless carrier says that they have patched all of their femtocells since then, but other carriers’ models could still be left open.
How easy is it to hack into someone’s phone using a femtocell? iSEC doesn’t provide details, but Ritter notes that “you do need some level of technical skills, but people are learning those skills in college.” However, “breaking into one of these devices, or a device like this, is within the realm of people working at home.” Ritter will be presenting his femtocell findings later in August at this year’s DefCon hacking conference.
VIA: CNN Money
Femtocell Verizon hack allows exposure of phone conversations, text messages is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.
May 22
eTrak GPS+ melds WiFi, cellular and GPS tracking, launches at CTIA (hands-on)
Posted in: Today's Chili
We’ve come across a number of GPS-based tracking devices over the years but most are rather bulky and difficult to setup. eTrak’s attempting to remedy this here at CTIA 2013 with GPS+, a fob-like product that combines WiFi, cellular and GPS tracking in a small, light and easy-to-use package. The device, which is about the size and weight of a box of licorice-flavored Tic Tacs, features a panic button, multicolor status LED and charging contacts. It’s meant to be attached to a keyring, and comes with a matching charging base which includes a standard micro-USB connector. Battery life is about 5 days per charge — not too shabby for a product that packs WiFi, cellular and GPS radios. Speaking of which, eTrak’s partnering with Verizon Wireless for CDMA-based network positioning. The company provides a web-based interface which supports geo-fencing with SMS and email notifications, along with iOS and Android-compatible apps. GPS+ will retail for $129 and be available soon (production’s been under way since May 1st). Two plans will be available: $10 per month with a one-year subscription and $15 per month commitment-free. Want to know more? Don’t miss our gallery below and follow the source link for more info.
Gallery: eTrak GPS+ tracking device hands-on
Filed under: Misc, Wireless, Mobile
Source: eTrak
Mar 08
Back in early January, we talked about the Trakdot luggage tracking device. At the time, we knew a lot of the details on the product with the exception of one of the most essential – when you could buy it. That final piece of the puzzle has now been unveiled.
GlobaTrac has announced that the Trakdot tracking system is now available for pre-order and will ship in late June. The pricing remains the same at $49.99(US). The device uses a cellular network to triangulate your bag’s location rather than GPS.
There is an activation fee of $8.99, but those the pre-order before April 27 won’t have to pay that particular fee. The annual service fee is $12.99 for a year of cellular-based tracking. You have to be seriously concerned about the whereabouts of your bag to resort to this sort of equipment. I have a much easier method of keeping track of my bag, I simply don’t fly anywhere where everything I need can’t fit in a carry-on.
Mar 08
Back during CES, we talked a bit about a real-time luggage tracking device called the Trakdot. When the device was unveiled for the first time during the show, we knew it would be launching in March. March is now here and as promised, GlobaTrac has the Trakdot up for pre-order right now.
The actual launch date for the device will be late June. Pricing for the luggage tracker is $49.99 and it’s roughly the size of your palm. The idea is that you can slip this device into your luggage and keep an eye on your bag as you travel. The tracker doesn’t use GPS signals for tracking; it relies on cellular technology to triangulate an active device’s location.
All the user has to do activate the tracking is turned the device on and slip it inside the bag. The Trakdot is able to turn itself off just before the aircraft takes off and will then turn back on when the aircraft lands. It’s able to quickly determine the city where the bag is located and text that information to the owner.
Users of the technology can also go to a dedicated website to locate where their bag is. There will be an activation fee of $8.99 and an annual service fee of $12.99. People who pre-order the device before April 27 won’t have to pay that $9 activation fee.
[via Trakdot]
Trakdot Luggage tracking device up for pre-order is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Feb 22
By March 1, foreigners in North Korea will be able to access the Internet via a 3G mobile network. This is achieved by using a SIM card that is available for purchase for a lowish fee, but is unique to visitors. Those who live in North Korea are limited in their access to mobile services, and still won’t have access to the World Wide Web. The network will be provided by Koryolink.
The service is set to launch by March 1, though it could happen earlier. This follows a change in North Korean law not too long ago that allows visitors to bring their own smartphones into the nation so that they can be used with the carrier’s SIM card. This is something that was never before allowed, and provides visitors with a level of connectivity with the outside world that has never existed in the northern Korean nation before.
The SIM cards are available at Koryolink retail stores and at the airport, priced at $70USD. The call rate is reported by the Associated Press as being 5 Euros per minute to the United States. Not surprisingly, calls to South Korea are not allowed. The hefty price tags will no doubt prevent travelers from using their cell phone as they would elsewhere, but does provide a necessary service to visitors, giving an (expensive) way to contact home.
In addition, users will be able to purchase a per-month mobile broadband plan via the service, using the SIM card in their mobile data device (USB modems will be supported). The cost of the monthly plan has not been released yet, however, but we’re guessing it’ll be pretty high if the per-minute rate is any indication.
[via Yahoo]
North Korea to switch on 3G network for foreigners by March 1 is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Feb 19
T-Mobile has announced a new service that gives users access to inexpensive unlimited prepaid plans. Call the GoSmart Mobile plans, they start at $30 a month, and are aimed at those who don’t want to be locked into a contract, and who want to avoid high monthly costs without sacrificing in their mobile usage. According to the Seattle Times, this is the first time T-Mobile has unveiled its own separately-branded service.
The service is aimed at consumers who make annually between $30k and $40k, as well as the younger consumer crowd that spends most of their mobile usage texting and checking Facebook. GoSmart’s marketing director Shailendra Gujarati said regarding the service, “We are looking at customers whose predominant needs when it comes to wireless are talking, texting or entry level data services.”
The service was already launched in nine markets in December, during which time it was tested. Today, however, the carrier has launched the service nationwide. Needless to say, it runs on T-Mobile’s own network, and two handsets are being offered under the service – a $49 cell phone and a $99 Android smartphone, in addition to an $8 activation kit and SIM.
The cheapest plan is $30 per month, which offers unlimited text and talk but no mobile data, while the best plan is arguably the $35 plan, which offers text, talk and unlimited data access at slower speeds for things like checking email. The most expensive plan is $45 per month, and is the same as the $35, except that web access is high speed for those who want to watch videos and stream music on the go. There’s a 5GB cap, at which point the speeds are throttled.
[via Seattle Times]
T-Mobile announces GoSmart Mobile unlimited prepaid service is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
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