Hasta La Gadget!

Dodging the issues of spectrum auctions and more cell towers, researchers at MIT have discovered that they can use an algebraic equation to improve data speeds by reducing dropped packets. It’s these dropped packets that can build up congestion across a wireless network, as devices attempt to recoup these missing data nuggets. But instead of sending typical packets, MIT’s Research Laboratory of Electronics created an equation that describes a series of packets. If a packet fails to deliver, then the receiving device is apparently able to “solve” the missing chunk, with the processing load on phones, routers and base stations apparently negligible.

The tech, which can also seamlessly transition a data stream between wireless internet and LTE, has already been tested on WiFi networks over at MIT; when two percent of data packets were dropped, speeds were boosted from 1Mbps to 16Mbps. If five percent of packets were being lost, the researchers then saw bandwidth increase from 0.5Mbps to 13.5Mbps. Companies are apparently already licensing the tech, although MIT isn’t revealing more on this just yet. Muriel Medard, project lead, said that there were currently “very severe inefficiencies that should be remedied before you consider acquiring more resources” — namely more spectrum and hardware, although the gains seen in these early tests are yet to be replicated in real life. There’s more on the science and development at the source link below.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Science, Mobile, Alt

MIT researchers use algebraic equation that improves WiFi and LTE data streams: boosts speed, reduces network congestion originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 07:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile silently killed off its $10 per month 200MB data plans, a leaked document reveals. A company spokesperson verified the news with Fierce Wireless. This decision is most likely due to the growing demand for mobile data as smartphone applications continue to evolve. Grandfathered customers will not be affected by this new policy, but will need to pay full price for a device and sign up for a “Value” plan when upgrading in order to maintain their existing service plan. T-Mobile now requires its smartphone customers to have a minimum data plan of 2GB or higher, which starts at $20 per month. While this change may make sense for most smartphone users, existing customers who are light on data and heavy on savings might have a different perspective when it’s time to buy a new phone. Check out an extreme closeup of T-Mobile’s document after the break.

Continue reading T-Mobile drops 200MB smartphone data plan, 2GB now the new standard

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, T-Mobile

T-Mobile drops 200MB smartphone data plan, 2GB now the new standard originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you were wondering where the internet is housed, you’re asking the wrong question – but if you want to know where Google’s corner of the internet lives, you’re in luck. This week Google has released not just a high-definition set of photos from several of their data centers, they’ve got a lovely Street View look at one in particular. Google’s Lenoir, NC data center has the greatest little look-around you could hope for this afternoon.

This exploration begins at “Google Data Center, Lynhaven Drive, Lenoir, NC” in Google Maps, this leading you to [this exterior look link] and a very wide-open look at the building from out in the open. They’ve also jumped in the [front door] of the building and allow you the freedom to get down to the [data center floor] as well. You can get around quick, that’s for sure! Be on the lookout for Stormtroopers.

Above and in the Where The Internet Lives site you’ll also see several more data centers that make your internet what it is today – if you use Google on the regular, that is. There’s “The Tech,” “The People,” and “The Places” for you to look forward to in Google’s large gallery, with what we expect to be more on the way. Note that with this exploration comes a visually expansive look at a collection of places normally not connected to aesthetically stimulating ideas – when you think about where your data is stored, it looks like a big black hole, right?

Of course there’s always the idea that it’s all like TRON. Here we’re given the real lowdown: Google’s data centers are expansive halls of perfectly situated masses of technology. Boards and storage, metal, stone, and atmosphere cooled to keep it all safe. This is where your Gmail is, this is where your Androids live, here is where Google’s business exists in the virtual universe.

Google NC data center gets Street View treatment is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Ever fancied a look inside one of Google’s cavernous server farms? Given the security issues, the company isn’t likely to just let anyone mooch around — but understands if you’re curious. That’s why it’s adding a special collection to its Street View data that lets you wander inside without a big trek to Iowa, Belgium or Finland. If you’d like to sample some of the delights, you can check out our gallery or head down past the break to get a video tour of the facility in Lenoir, NC.

[Image Credit: Connie Zhou / Google]

Continue reading Google takes us inside their data centers, shows you where the internet lives (video)

Filed under: Storage, Internet, Google

Google takes us inside their data centers, shows you where the internet lives (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 09:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Like counts are interesting, but they don’t tell you how a link spreads on Facebook. That’s why Stamen Design has explored how viral photos spread across the network—and the visualization they’ve created is damn pretty. More »