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Wireless Traffic Jam at Super Bowl 46

2012-02-09T01:18:58Z

The American football Super Bowl has drawn a sellout stadium crowd along with a huge worldwide television viewing audience for several decades. But only recently has wireless data traffic been part of the event. This year's Super Bowl XLVI (46) set new wireless records including an aggregate 218 gigabytes of Internet traffic through the AT&T provider network. The game was also broadcast to mobile devices for the first time through the Verizon network, although specific traffic figures haven't been made available yet. While the mobile networks were extremely busy, no major services outages were reported, showing the providers' advance preparations to increase network capacity worked.
→ See also - Bandwidth Requirements for the Super Bowl (2010)

Super Bowl XLVI (46) - Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Wireless Traffic Jam at Super Bowl 46 originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at 01:18:58.

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What Is LaunchPort?

2012-02-04T20:22:49Z

LaunchPort is a product that enables wireless re-charging of Apple iPad 2. The LaunchPort system utilizes inductive charging, a method where electromagnetic fields transfer energy from a charging station to a device's internal battery. The manufacturer claims it can fully charge an iPad 2 in roughly the same time as when using Apple's power adapter, roughly four hours. Similar wireless technology is also being used in a few other types of consumer products including electric toothbrushes, but LaunchPort equipment is not cheap: base stations retail for USD $199 and the required iPad case an additional $149.

Some people know from their school days that inductive charging systems generate heat. The LaunchPort Frequently Asked Questions page doesn't say exactly how hot it gets but claims it's within safe levels.

→ See also - What Is Qi Wireless Charging?

LaunchPort BaseStation - Photo: www.launchport.com

What Is LaunchPort? originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Saturday, February 4th, 2012 at 20:22:49.

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Is It Dangerous To Use Wireless On Planes?

2012-01-30T00:56:27Z

When traveling by air, it's normal that the flight crew asks everyone to turn off their wireless devices during takeoffs and landings. Why? The thinking is wireless radio signals could somehow interfere with an aircraft's own radio antennas. Although Wi-Fi and cell phone transmitters are designed to be safe, it's difficult for scientists to precisely model the effects of radio interference, and the airlines don't want to take any chances. CBS News recently asked a few knowledgeable folks about the dangers, and they seemed to agree the in-flight precautions are warranted. What do you think?
→ More - Is Using Devices On Planes Really Dangerous? (cbsnews.com)
→ See also - Introduction to Wi-Fi Wireless Antennas

Is It Dangerous To Use Wireless On Planes? originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 00:56:27.

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How to Remotely Control Computers (Using VNC)

2012-01-27T11:47:16Z

The idea of connecting to a computer in another room, building, or country and being able to see its desktop screen is cool. Being able to interact and control the remote desktop is even cooler. One of the technologies that makes these things possible is VNC (Virtual Network Computing). VNC is based on different technology than the Remote Desktop feature of Microsoft Windows and works with other kinds of computing devices including Mac and Linux. One limitation of many VNC products is lack of network security on remote desktop sharing sessions, but with a little know-how and the use of SSH, you can have that too.
→ More - How to Remotely Control Computers Over VNC Securely With SSH (businessinsider.com)
→ See also - Top VNC Free Software Downloads

How to Remotely Control Computers (Using VNC) originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 11:47:16.

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The Kendall Research Wireless Router for Brains

2012-01-26T01:36:51Z

Not for human brains (at least not yet), but the startup company in Cambridge, MA has developed prototype wireless devices that control brain cells of mice using pulses of light. The devices get their power from a wireless charger and are designed to induce movement or other physical behavior changes in the mice. While these gadgets don't yet have the capability to collect data from the subject's brain and relay that out to a receiver, this too is in the company's future plans.
→ More - Startup Makes Wireless Router for the Brain (technologyreview.com)
→ See also - Was Judge Judy a Victim of Wireless Noise? (2011)

The Kendall Research Wireless Router for Brains originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Thursday, January 26th, 2012 at 01:36:51.

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Wireless Networking in Microsoft Windows 8

2012-01-21T15:30:37Z

Windows 8 is Microsoft's new operating system coming soon to eventually replace Windows 7. Among the many changes expected in Windows 8 is significantly improved support for wireless networking. For example, Windows 8 will include integrated mobile broadband (connections to 3G/4G cellular networks) capabilities, not just Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. While mobile broadband can also be set up on Windows 7, the process can be difficult and details vary greatly depending on the type of service and provider. Mobile broadband networking in Windows 8 promises to be simplified and streamlined.

Among other features, Windows 8 will keep track of your network preferences and automatically disconnect from one and re-connect to another if desired, such as when preferring to use a free Wi-Fi link whenever possible to reduce data charges on a cellular one. Windows 8 also has the ability to connect faster and keep connections maintained longer.

→ More - Details on Windows 8 Mobile Broadband Improvements (pcworld.com)

Windows 8 Wireless Settings Page - Screenshot: blogs.msdn.com

Wireless Networking in Microsoft Windows 8 originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Saturday, January 21st, 2012 at 15:30:37.

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Gigabit Wi-Fi Routers Announced at CES 2012

2012-01-16T01:15:20Z

At this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), several networking vendors including Buffalo and D-Link announced their intentions to start selling 802.11ac Wi-Fi gear before the end of 2012. Demonstrations of a Buffalo 802.11ac prototype router at the show generated some immediate interest, but until actual products hit store shelves, it will be difficult for the average consumer to get too excited yet.

With network speeds designed to be four times faster than 802.11n, 802.11ac will make gigabit Wi-Fi a reality in our homes. Will you be first in line to buy?

→ See also - Gigabit Wi-Fi - Will 802.11ac Be The Next Big Thing? (December 2009)
→ See also - Readers Respond: Do You Need to Upgrade to 802.11n?

Gigabit Wi-Fi Routers Announced at CES 2012 originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Monday, January 16th, 2012 at 01:15:20.

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What Are Magnet Links on P2P Networks?

2012-01-14T18:27:50Z

Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks commonly use magnet links to identify files being shared. A magnet link is a specially constructed name that allows a P2P network to uniquely identify each file, a form of URI. Unlike torrents, these links do not include information about the file's network location. BitTorrent sites more commonly uses magnet links instead of torrents or BitTorrent network trackers nowadays as it simplifies Web site and download management. P2P networking doesn't receive nearly the level of press it did in years past, yet BitTorrent, Inc. announced this week their clients have exceeded 150 million active users, an impressive accomplishment.
→ See also - Pirate Bay To Abandon Torrent Files For Magnet Links (arstechnica.com)
→ See also - uTorrent & BitTorrent Surge to 150 Million Monthly Users (torrentfreak.com)

What Are Magnet Links on P2P Networks? originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Saturday, January 14th, 2012 at 18:27:50.

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What Is A FritzBox?

2012-01-08T17:17:31Z

A FritzBox (proper product name Fritz!Box) is a brand of network router made by German company AVM. Beside basic wired Ethernet routing and switching functionality, Fritz!Box devices also (depending on model) include various other features:

Wi-Fi local networking
broadband modem for Internet connectivity
ports to connect analog telephone lines for phones or fax
support for managing Internet voice over IP (VOIP) phone calling and services including telephone answering machine and cordless phones
USB port for connecting a shared printer, external alternate modem, or memory stick

These devices are sometimes called residential gateways or small office / home office (SOHO) gateways as they integrate a wider range of connectivity features than typical home network routers. Though popular in Europe, they are difficult to find in the U.S.

Fritz!Box Fon - Photo: www.fritzbox.eu

What Is A FritzBox? originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Sunday, January 8th, 2012 at 17:17:31.

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Google VP Chooses Apple AirPort Routers for Home

2012-01-04T15:58:09Z

Personal lives of high-profile business executives get a lot more attention than an average person, but often these execs are dealing with the same everyday problems as the rest of us. Case in point: Google VP Marissa Mayer was facing some very typical home wireless network issues last year including weak signal strength around her house. After some trials with a single router setup, she recently settled on a three-router network using Apple AirPort equipment. While news outlets are likely to jump on the choice of Apple gear, it's actually the benefit of having multiple Wi-Fi base stations in a home that's the key point here.

Those in the press who like to play up any disputes between Google and Apple will also love this one.

→ More - Google Exec Marissa Mayer Impressed with Apple's AirPort Wi-Fi Base Stations

Marissa Mayer - Google - Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Google VP Chooses Apple AirPort Routers for Home originally appeared on About.com Wireless / Networking on Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 at 15:58:09.

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