May 14
May 14
Insert Coin: Connectify Switchboard bonds all your internet connections into one
Posted in: Today's ChiliIn Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you’d like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with “Insert Coin” as the subject line.
When we last saw Connectify, it had brought its Dispatch internet connection combining software to Kickstarter, doubled its funding goal and launched the product into market. However, customers using it said they wanted more than the web browsing and BitTorrent streaming speed-ups the load-balancing app provided, and were looking for so-called connection aggregation tech that’d allow quicker video streaming, VPN access and Skype calls, too. As a result, the company has just launched Switchboard, a cloud based app that combines all your internet connections but appears as only one IP address.
To make it work, the company built new software from scratch and put together a network of cloud servers across the world. The result is a “channel bonding” system that Connectify says will speed up all your online activities: Dropbox or SkyDrive uploads and downloads, Google Hangout video conferencing and video streaming from the likes of Netflix, to name a few. A quick test of the beta software on our end has worked seamlessly so far, requiring just a software installation and two or more internet connections (two ADSL lines in our case). On top of speeding everything up as promised, we also noticed that our IP address appeared as that of the server we were connected to instead of our local one, which could be a bonus for those trying to access US internet from abroad. Connectify’s looking to grab $100,000 in funding this time around, with pledges starting at $50 — so if you’re looking to finally click that “HD” button on Vimeo, hit the source.
Filed under: Networking, Internet, Software
Source: Connectify (Kickstarter)
May 10
The FCC released a report yesterday detailing plans to free up 500 megahertz of spectrum, in an effort to supercharge our nation’s ground-to-air mobile broadband infrastructure. The proposed spectrum would fall within the 14.0-14.5 GHz band, which is currently utilized for satellite uplinks. The FCC references an earlier Qualcomm proposal, which suggests data speeds of 300 gigabits per second with refreshed equipment operating over the new spectrum. With that bandwidth, all of the 15,000 WiFi-equipped aircraft that are estimated to be operating by 2021 would be able to offer significantly improved performance for passengers, and at a much lower cost.
Based on verbiage in the report, the FCC’s proposed date of 2020 sounds ambitious — even with the agency completing “a great deal of ongoing work,” it could be a decade before we can take advantage of gigabit connections from 37,000 feet in the air. Gogo’s next-gen system and ViaSat’s promised satellite rollout should be hitting planes before 2013 is through, however, delivering notable improvements of their own.
Filed under: Transportation, Wireless, Internet
Via: Phone Arena
Source: FCC
May 07
Boingo, the WiFi hotspot service, has updated its iOS app with the ability to pay for Boingo’s monthly subscription using your iTunes account. This means that Boingo users don’t need to enter in their credit card information in the app, but instead just link it with their iTunes accounts, where users will be billed monthly using the payment method they have on file with iTunes.
Boingo has roughly 600,000 WiFi hotspots located around the world, and if you can’t get free WiFi on your laptop and you dare not choose to pay extra for tethering, you can use Boingo, which charges $7.99 per month. This really only seems reasonable if you travel a lot, but if you need WiFi and don’t just a free public network, Boingo is always an option.
Of course, if you don’t want to use the new method of paying for your monthly Boingo subscription, you can still stick with the old ways of doing things and manage your payments through the Boingo service itself. The iTunes payment method is just a few cents more than the traditional method, but that’s really not a huge deal.
For those wondering, yes, Boingo is most likely giving Apple a 30% cut because of this new feature, since it’s technically an in-app purchase, but it seems the company is willing to take the risk of losing money at the chance of getting more users to hop on board now that they have an easier payment method to take advantage of.
Boingo iOS app updates with iTunes subscription billing is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
May 07
Notice some fresh spring in Boingo’s step? It’s probably the new iTunes integration, bringing streamlined subscription billing to the company’s Wi-Finder app. Free WiFi is always our first pick, followed by LTE, then 3G, EDGE, GPRS, a short-term WiFi pass, and then, far down at the bottom of the list, a monthly subscription from Boingo. But hey, someone must be keeping the lights on — there are now a whopping 600,000 compatible hotspots worldwide. And if you’re one of those aforementioned subscribers, there’s a convenient new option for handing over your cash. Beginning today, iOS users can have the $7.99 monthly tariff billed directly to their iTunes accounts, joining up with a single tap. The new offering will presumably cover multiple mobile devices, but it’s unlikely to get your laptop online — you’ll need to splurge for a much costlier plan for that. iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users can download the updated app today.
Filed under: Wireless, Software
Source: Boingo (iTunes)
May 06
Insert Coin: BRCK wireless router packs a fallback 4G connection, internal battery
Posted in: Today's ChiliIn Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you’d like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with “Insert Coin” as the subject line.
Staying connected to the internet can be a challenge at times, especially for Kenya-based Ushahidi, a non-profit tech organization that battles with power outages and flaky ISPs in Africa. Though the outfit typically makes software used in situations ranging from natural disasters to election monitoring, it’s taking a hardware project to Kickstarter that aims to ease connectivity woes for itself and others. Dubbed BRCK, the solution is a rugged wireless router that connects to the internet via Ethernet, WiFi, 3G and 4G, and can switch its source on the fly if a connection dies. For example, if your home service goes out, it can start using a cellular signal instantly — if you’ve slotted in a sim card, that is. During power outages, the brick can stay online for up to 8 hours thanks to an internal battery. The package can support up to 20 devices on WiFi and has 16GB of built-in storage, which can hold data synced directly from Dropbox, connected devices or other apps.
Filed under: Wireless, Internet
Source: Kickstarter
May 06
This week the AT&T Samsung GALAXY S 4 has been discovered to have a bit of a bug in its build affecting users’ ability to work with stock wi-fi hotspot and tethering. While some third-party services still work to allow tethering and wi-fi hotspot, AT&T’s direct menu support is not appearing working on some (if not all) units at the moment. SlashGear has reported this issue to Samsung and they are currently looking into it.
While working with an extended internet connection from your Samsung GALAXY S 4 may not be working straight from your normal menu right this minute, you do have options outside the regular fold. The widget set Extended Controls is one which allows quick-access to your mobile hotspot, Bluetooth, music, and a few other bits and pieces. There’s also the Koush-made USB tether app which makes tethering undetectable by your carrier of choice.
The Samsung GALAXY S 4 has appeared earlier today in the newest CyanogenMod 10.1 release for T-Mobile and has appeared earlier this month for AT&T. This setup allows you internet tethering and mobile hotspot abilities that we’ve not yet gotten the chance to test with this particular bug – but chances are there are good things to be said about the build. If you’re using the AT&T version of the Samsung GALAXY S 4 and CyanogenMod 10.1, be sure to let us know if you’re up and running!
The Samsung GALAXY S 4 is headed out to – or is already on – each of the major mobile device carriers in the United States right now and is spreading abroad as we speak. Have a peek at our full review of the Samsung GALAXY S 4 and let us know if you’re planning on checking one out in the near future!
AT&T GALAXY S 4 bug hits Wi-fi tethering: fix in the works is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
May 03
Spark Core board adds WiFi to almost everything, takes input from anywhere (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili
Spark Devices wants the inclusion of WiFi in devices to be a matter of when, not if — and if its new Spark Core gets to market as planned, tinkerers might never have a moment of doubt. The tiny board combines an Arduino-compatible ARM Cortex-M3 platform with a TI CC3000 WiFi chip that not only simplifies getting online, but could save the DIY crowd from having to touch projects afterward. Owners can flash the firmware with new code over WiFi, for a start. A free Spark Cloud service also allows for custom apps that interface with the Core through seemingly anything with an internet connection: if you want to reconfigure a homebrew security camera from your phone, you can. While Spark Devices is relying on crowdfunding to fuel its connected strategy, the company is comfortably past its $10,000 goal and should deliver both the Spark Core ($39) and optional shields to new contributors around September.
[Thanks, Greg]
Filed under: Misc, Networking
Source: Kickstarter
May 01
Samsung‘s latest smart camera has broken cover, the NX2000, pairing a 20.3-megapixel APS-C sensor with a sizable touchscreen and integrated WiFi, NFC, and remote app support. Replacing last year’s NX1000, the Samsung SMART Camera NX2000 can fire off stills at up to 8fps or record Full HD 1080p video, as well as swap lenses with Samsung’s range of twelve options, including a 3D capture lens.
On the camera side of things, there’s Samsung’s DRIMe IV engine for processing noise reduction and colors, with a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000th of a second and ISO 100-25600. There’s also a smart mode, for macro and panoramic shots, as well as more gimmicky photography like “best face” and “beauty face” which automatically processes those in-frame to smooth out skin and remove blemishes.
For video, there’s 2D capture in 30fps or 24fps and 3D capture – with the right lens – at 30fps. The NX2000 outputs in MPEG4 AVC/H.264 format with AAC audio, saving to microSDXC card.
On the “smart” side, meanwhile, there’s a 3.7-inch WVGA touchscreen to control the camera, and integration with social networks for directly squirting off your images over a WiFi connection. WiFi Direct is supported, over WiFi b/g/n, and an onboard email client can be used for more old-fashioned sending of shots. Pair the NX2000 with Samsung’s SMART CAMERA App – a simple matter of tapping it with an NFC-enabled phone – and you can use the software as a remote viewfinder, as well as take advantage of its data connection.
Samsung will offer the NX2000 in three color variants – white, black, and pink – priced at $649.99.
Samsung NX2000 SMART Camera packs NFC and WiFi is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Apr 30
Amped Wireless’ long-gestating TAN 1 may look like a chocolate bar, but you’d probably regret dunking it in your coffee. The high-powered WiFi adapter connects over USB to Windows 8 laptops and tablets, promising to triple the range of your device’s built-in wireless gear. After what seems like an age, the hardware is finally making its way to stores, and will set you back $59.99 when it goes on sale today!.
Filed under: Wireless
Source: Amped Wireless
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