Photo: pouype / Flickr

While having wi-fi in your home is incredibly convenient, meaning you can work anywhere from your study to your kitchen to by the side of your pool, it does have one major downside: speed. A new study has found that home wi-fi connections are a notable 30 per cent slower than if you were to connect to the internet using a fixed line.

Findings

Epitiro, a broadband research firm, conducted the study. The firm says that the speed difference is barely noticeable when simply browsing the Internet, but the increased latency is very noticeable when doing data intensive tasks like internet telephony, online gaming and video streaming.

The firm says this dramatic drop in transfer speed is attributable to physical barriers – like walls – as well as interference from other devices in your home, such as microwaves. So rule of thumb, if you use your computer in rooms other than where your router is, and you happen to have the microwave on at any point, you’re internet experience will decline.

Best practices

So as to limit the reduced quality of your online speed, there are a few best practices you should follow. For online gaming on consoles, always use fixed Ethernet cables. Try run them along your home in as discreet a manner as possible to your router, but never use wi-fi.

When you’re making video calls, online calls or playing online games from your PC, wire up your computer to the Ethernet, too. The rest of the time, when you’re just browsing, you can stick to your home wi-fi, since the drop in experience won’t be dramatic.

Incidentally, this means when buying networking gear, make sure you buy a wi-fi and Ethernet router. They are a little pricier than purely Ethernet routers, yet the convenience is so great you want to spend the money. By extension, this also means you want to avoid having a purely wireless router in your home, too.

Photo: BBC

Everybody’s favourite TV catch-up service, BBC iPlayer, is on its way to even more mobile devices. The broadcaster just confirmed in a blog post that the iPlayer would be available for the iPad and Android 2.2 soon.

Soon, soon

BBC’s Daniel Danker wrote a blog post finally addressing the murmurings about the BBC iPlayer’s mobile strategy. He says ‘Having stuck our toe in the water last year with the iPad, this new native app is a significant improvement on the existing experience. And it’s great to be on the Android platform too.’

Speaking to how soon we can expect the apps on each of the devices, Danker says: ‘We’re just applying the finishing touches to the apps as we speak, and all things being well we plan to have Android and iPad apps in [app] stores by the end of the week.’ Great news then for the many fans of the streaming TV service that happen to have mobile devices.

iPad uniformity, Android hobbled

However, with the good news comes some bad – as can no doubt be expected. While the iPad will see one native app released that functions on all of Apple’s tablet PCs, the Android strategy is a little different. Much like only Android 2.2 devices could use the iPlayer in browser form, only Android 2.2 devices will be able to play the application natively.

While the snarky will immediately cry out Android fragmentation, Danker says ‘for technical reasons we can’t bring the app to every single Android device’. He continued, saying ‘Our Flash streams need a powerful mobile phone processor and a Wi-Fi connection to ensure a smooth viewing experience, which means that only newer, more powerful Android 2.2 devices connected via Wi-Fi can support the Flash 10.1 streaming experience.’

While that’s a bummer for many earlier Android adopters, it is what it is. Ultimately what matters most is the BBC iPlayer mobile strategy is working, and the broadcaster clearly has plans to bring the streaming TV service to as many platforms as possible.

Photo: Stock.Xchng

What’s better than readily available wi-fi in public spaces? Well, if it’s free, of, course, which is exactly what carrier O2 plans to do with O2 wi-fi. Shake and dance, free internet! Free internet!

Won’t need to be a customer

The free wi-fi hotspots will be available in public spaces and retailers all across the UK, and will be available for all to use. What’s more, you don’t even need to be an O2 customer to take advantage of this opportunity! The carrier plans to bankroll the system by making money from the venues that provide the wi-fi, as opposed to the customers who use it.

Game changing

MD of O2, Gavin Franks, told Techradar that: ‘We’re going to transform the stagnant wi-fi market.’ He continued, insisting the demands of public wi-fi have changed from being always-connected at a coffee shop with your laptop, to just sneaking onto Facebook briefly and updating your status.

‘Our main aim was to make it better than what’s already available; with consistent data speeds and a focus on usability. I genuinely believe it will transform the market and force [competitors] The Cloud and BT Openzone to reassess their services,’ he proclaimed.

Not quite benevolence, though, is it?

Economics students no doubt know the theory that there is ‘no such thing as a free lunch’. TechRadar suspected this, quizzing O2’s Business Development Director, Tim Sefton, on whether the move was to ease strain on O2’s 3G data networks. Obviously, he denied this, saying the ‘network is in a really good position’ and that ‘reducing strain on the network is a secondary benefit to the wi-fi network, and not a primary driver’.

Free wi-fi

Whatever O2’s motives are, quite frankly we couldn’t care less. All that matters is we’re getting free wi-fi! The O2 wi-fi offering, which will no doubt commercially benefit network equipment manufacturers who make routers and set up networks, is set to go live in March in O2’s retail stores, while commercial partners will join the party in Q2.

Photo: Retinafunk / Flickr

While we have for months argued that the more money folks plough into their smartphones through the purchase of applications, the more unlikely they are to switch brands, a fascinating GfK survey concludes otherwise. The survey, published on Monday, 29 November, found that a large percentage of smartphone owners were open to switching mobile OS platforms.

Loyalty complications

Ryan Garner, who is the lead analyst of this survey, told Reuters that ‘Loyalty with a handset is a lot more complicated these days in that people buy into experiences at the high-end level,’ before continuing to say that ‘If a phone doesn’t do what it says it will do or what the owner hopes it will do, the maker will lose loyalty.’

What the survey found was that handset features, such as wi-fi, high-res cameras, and GPS have become commodities on smartphones, so mobile OS platforms are responsible for supplying additional value added services, primarily through app stores. Aha, see, apps are everything on smartphones.

The findings

One of the most surprising findings was that only a quarter of smartphone owners professed brand loyalty to the mobile OS platform currently running on their smartphones.

Broken down by operating system, Apple user loyalty was way ahead of the pack at 59 per cent user loyalty. Behind that was BlackBerry with brand loyalty at 35 per cent, Google Android at 28 per cent user loyalty, and Nokia at 24 per cent user loyalty. Making up the rear is Microsoft with user loyalty at a dismal 21 per cent, but, and it’s worth noting, this is from users who are mostly using Windows mobile 6.x, which even Microsoft would like to see die as soon as possible, so that may distort matters a little.

So what?

The big takeaway here is that the mobile OS platform war, let alone the general smartphone war, is far from over. This should be extremely encouraging for most every competitor in the game, since it’s confirmation there is time to catch up for the stragglers and time to stretch the lead to for those currently dominating. Being the comeback kid on the block, Windows Phone 7 in particular should be buoyed by this news, considering how many were saying its arrival was too little too late. The OS and handsets are rock solid, so who knows what’s still to come?

Photo: BlackBerry

Well, well! News is spreading across the web at a break neck speed, with claims that RIM’s first tablet, the BlackBerry Playbook, will start at a very agreeable $399 for the 8GB model of the tablet.

Pricing for all models

Mobility Insider got the scoop from what it’s calling a trusted source, and in addition to giving the pricing for the 8GB model, the site has been able to uncover the pricing for each variation of the BlackBerry Playbook. So, while the 8GB model comes in at $399 (£254), the 16GB model will be available at $499 (£317), and the 32GB model will cost $599 (£381).

Tether-only 3G

In addition, as was previously unveiled, the tablets will have wi-fi only, with 3G cellular data achieved by tethering the tablet PC to a BlackBerry smartphone. This seems an odd strategy to us, since it’s a value-added feature for people who are already loyal RIM customers, when the company really should be courting newer users who aren’t already using their handsets.

We have a very hard time believing folks will buy BlackBerries just to be able to use their Playbook’s data on the road. An alternative for those who do not plan on purchasing a RIM mobile just for 3G data is to purchase a mi-fi router, and tether that way.

It’s still 7 inches

While the news that one of the big players in the tablet space has realised that you need to compete on price in order to be competitive, a part of us is still a little disappointed that RIM had to sacrifice hard drive space to be able to offer its products at that price point. Seven-inch tablets are more affordable to manufacturer than 10.1-inch tablets, so while the BlackBerry Playbook shaves off $100 from the entry-level iPad’s price, it also shaves off screen real estate and halves the Apple tablet’s base model’s storage.

Play ball!

The BlackBerry Playbook is only scheduled for release in 2011, with February the rumoured time frame. As more and more tablets get released, the slate PC landscape begins to feel like a competitive space instead of one company’s way of stockpiling more and more profits.

Photo: Josh Bancroft / Flickr

Google has recently, along with Facebook, been held under scrutiny for its unethical infringement on privacy law within various countries. There has been some upheaval over Google’s acquiring of personal information through the process of mapping certain areas for the Google Street View application on Google maps.

Google has been using special multi-angle cameras to photograph streets all over the world for the past few years, allowing Google maps users to navigate pretty much any street on most of the earth, as though they were actually in it.

Issues faced

The problems arose when the Google Street View camera cars began mapping wi-fi transmission hot spots in Canada and recently the UK. According to Google the Google cars unintentionally picked up personal information on residents and businesses through the wi-fi connections. Google says it had no intention of using the payload data which consisted of millions of e-mails, wi-fi addresses, and passwords, for commercial use or gain. The information was merely picked up through the wi-fi tracking process due to negligent observation of the mapping system.

Consequences

The UK information commissioner said that Google will not face any fine or punishment but is responsible for deleting all the acquired information and rectifying the problems within the system at once. Google humbly apologized for the breach and will delete all the acquired information as soon as it is ‘legally cleared to do so’. The UK’s ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) has declared that it will be administering strict moderation on Google’s systems through a team of qualified auditors. Google also announced that it would that it would appoint a head of privacy and ensure that all its engineering teams followed strict privacy protocols.

Public reaction

Google Street View has been criticized in a number of countries where residents have not welcomed the new technology on the basis of privacy invasion. It is now possible for anyone to have their picture or home removed from Google Street View if required. Italy and Germany have declared that Google must allow people to opt out of the mapping process if they desire to do so. Czech Republic has currently banned Google from taking any more pictures. Google Street View is active in 20 countries around the globe at present.

Photo: Ford

Recent technology advancements have been able to make the experience of driving your car far more luxurious. A few years ago, a limousine was the only car you’d find that actually had a movie screen in it. In-car DVD players and screens have now become very popular, along with satellite GPS systems. Digital technology has made driving a lot safer and simpler in some respects.

The MyFord Touch is a new development by Ford which aims to provide a really comfortable and enjoyable driving experience through the use of an easily navigable digital dashboard.

The interface

The MyFord Touch system uses touch sensitive buttons, a touchscreen and voice recognition to operate a variety of digital devices. There is an 8-inch touchscreen in the centre which uses colour coded tabs in the corners to switch the screen between four main functions. The four menus are listed under audio entertainment, navigation, phone and climate control and a ‘home’ option which allows for personalized settings.

The steering wheel has touch sensitive buttons on either side and interacts with two smaller screens on both sides of the speedometer. From here, you can control the temperature within your car or adjust music volume and playlist options, all without having to take your hands off the wheel.

Features

The whole MyFord Touch system is able to use voice commands to control pretty much every function on the menu. This is great for the GPS system, which requires little interaction with the main screen. This also makes handling phone calls far simpler and less dangerous while driving.

A USB drive or mp3 player can easily be attached to the system and operated via voice command or the navigation buttons on the steering wheel. Plugging a phone in is a simple procedure and the Touch interface even allows for the setting up of a wireless network, although the feature is only compatible with certain modems.

Is it safe?

Overall the MyFord Touch is a useful addition to a snazzy car, yet the question still remains whether it really is safer. Some would argue that having the least distractions as possible is the only way to drive but from a luxury point of view this system works well and is probably as safe as you can get – for now anyway.

Photo: mathowie / Flickr

Messing around with games and apps on an iOS device this weekend, I was alarmed by how many applications both supported Facebook/Twitter integration and also forced me to share some information in exchange for a key feature or function.

And then, I began thinking, given the rise of location-aware devices and applications, we’re even sharing where we are. Add to that Facebook wherein we share who we are. The question is how much sharing is too much sharing, and do we need to rethink privacy concerns fundamentally?

The future is interconnected

We all know that the future involves the interconnectivity of almost every device in the home. The tablet looks to be the control panel to the long talked about ‘smart home’ connecting everything over wi-fi to one hub – Samsung is already testing it. But what’s more is that each of these devices will have the ability to transmit information to the world, too. Not only does this mean people will finally get to take their ‘Twitter meal sharing’ messages to the next level through automatic oven tweets, but that people will be able to get a sense of our everyday life.

The smartphone – the great conduit

And at the heart of all our constant sharing and updates is the smartphone, a device that reveals its scope to fundamentally alter computing more and more each day we use it. A smartphone is the lighter fluid to the social networking and sharing bonfire, and, in many respects, reaffirms why Google, Microsoft, Apple, RIM, Nokia and many others a prepared to fight to the death for a stake in this market place.

What is over-sharing?

While some people cry ‘privacy concerns and foul play’, others just keep sharing. It’s gotten to the point where folks are sharing even their credit card transactions and purchases. At which point have we crossed the line, or is society’s conception of privacy antiquated, and in need of serious review?

Photo: dear Edward / Flickr

How far we have come. Less than a year ago, the idea of wi-fi in aircrafts was a novelty and something of a minor competitive advantage. Today, according to Computerworld, wi-fi is said to be available in one in three US airlines.

Some teething problems, still

Even though the technology is becoming ubiquitous, many potential users remain confused over which airlines offer in-flight Internet. Add to that the general perception that airline Internet is too expensive, costing over $13 dollars for north of three hours’ service, and consumer adoption still faces some slight hurdles.

The big winners

Outside of the airlines that attract customers as a result of in-flight Internet access, the other winners are wi-fi components manufacturers. The really big winners, though, are the two prominent companies providing the airline Internet services – Aircell and Row 44.

Photo: djking / Flickr

Aircell is easily the most popular platform used to deliver wi-fi to most air US lines. Row 44, critically, is the exclusive in-flight Internet provider for South by Southwest airlines, who plan to have its entire fleet airline Internet enabled by 2012. In addition, by infrastructural design, Aircell is limited to the US, while Row 44’s service could go global, with South Africa’s Mango Airlines and Norway’s Norwegian Air Shuttle being evidence of this.

It’s about time, too

With more and more mobile devices becoming online enabled, ranging from smartphones to tablet computers and handheld gaming consoles, wi-fi adoption has only spread. Major cities are blanketed in wi-fi hotspots, with the adoption of wi-fi equipment exploding. Airlines, which by definition have wealthier clients, are a ripe breeding ground to make money off of those customers who would prefer to not be disconnected at any point.

This is too big a deal to fail, and though it is unclear whether Row 44 and Aircell will be the long-term winners, someone will validate this as a high revenue market soon.

Photo: Stock.Xchng

As broadband technology proliferates and more and more laptops come without Ethernet ports, wireless technology has finally come of age. We look at what you need to consider for a wireless home network setup, ranging from choosing the right broadband service providers to purchasing the right router.

One: Your needs

Do you really need any broadband service in your home? An odd question to probably 95 per cent of our readership, but not everybody needs broadband in the home and at £15 per month for a decent service, it isn’t altogether free. So, for the small handful of you that are concerned Internet in the home and performing a wireless home network setup would be more unnecessary luxury than necessity, think hard and carefully about whether you want this package at all.

Two: Picking a broadband service provider

Many broadband services in the UK are tethered to landlines, so if you have a line in your home, your service provider can easily add broadband connectivity too. But if you are considering switching your broadband service provider, or do not already have a service provider, tools like Broadband Choices are fantastic for selecting the right product relative to where you live.

Three: Your home network

Now that you have a broadband line in your home, you’re going to need to get a broadband router and setup your home network. First things first – do you want to a wired or wireless router setup? The truth is wired routing is dying and many of today’s latest gadgets – most notably smartphones and tablets – can only connect via wi-fi. As such, we’d recommend you stay away from wired only and choose a hybrid wireless-wired routing solution for those devices that do still run on Ethernet.

Make sure it supports the latest 802.11n routing technology (if it does, it will say so on the box), and buy only from reputable companies. We’re partial to Netgear routers for the home user due to their simple yet sophisticated interfacing, which makes wireless home network setup dead easy. The Netgear DG2000 is an established stalwart in home networking, and has plenty routing capability for even the most demanding home user.

Four: Getting your network working

You’re pretty much there, now. All you need to do is insert your user details into you router and off you go. These details you will receive from your service provider, while details on entering them will be specified in your router’s manual.

Is there anything we’ve overlooked, or any additions we could make to make this list even easier for beginners setting up their own home network? Let us know in the comments.