If you have ever spent any time in a major Chinese city, you would be under the impression that everyone is connected to the Internet in some way or another, whether through mobile phones or Internet cafe’s or home Internet. And you would be right, as the majority of Chinese do have access to Internet, but there is still (a lot) of room for growth.

For 2013, China has pledged to increase home broadband coverage by 70%. The new initiative plans to bring extra connectivity throughout China’s more rural areas and schools, and will see the erection of 180,000 new 3G base stations along with 1.3 million addition Wi-Fi hot-spots.

[ Source ]

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This is strictly a software solution, so you still won’t be able to use the standard Wi-Fi radio on your notebook PC to connect to multiple hotspots, but you can make use of multiple Internet connections in other ways. For example, you might tether your smartphone’s 3G/4G connection over a USB cable, plug in an Ethernet cable, and utilize a USB WiFi stick, in addition to connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot using your internal radio. Given that configuration, you have four Internet connections at once.

Dispatch will then work to manage the traffic based on which network connection is the strongest, the clearest, and offers the greatest bandwidth. This way, you get the best possible Internet experience at any given time, whether you’re uploading massive files to Dropbox, streaming HD videos from YouTube, or playing some intense online game. Given this dynamic management, Connectify is saying that Dispatch can provide up to three times the speed for torrent downloads. Of course, your network has to be able to provide that speed in the first place. In the video below, Dispatch was able to combine five 10-15Mbps connections into a unified 65Mbps connection. And by going to the roof, they got to 85Mbps. That’s impressive.

They’re looking for money on Kickstarter and it looks like Connectify has a pretty good chance of reaching its $50,000 goal in the next 14 days. They’ve raised over $31,000 to date.

[Connectify via Gizmag]

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It’s not quite as advanced as Superman’s X-ray vision, but this newest innovation from the world of science is particularly noteworthy, because it makes use of pre-existing Wi-Fi networks. The new detector was created by Karl Woodbridge and Kevin Chetty of University College London and it taps into the Wi-Fi signal that is emitting from a regular old wireless router.

Have a look at the image above and follow along. You have a group of police officers who need to go and rescue a hostage, but they can’t see past that wall. The moving object (1) is the bad guy and because he’s moving, he’s creating a Doppler effect with the Wi-Fi signal coming from the office router (2). Remember that the radio waves compress if an object moves toward the source of the Wi-Fi signal and they “expand” if an object moves away from the source of the signal. This is fundamentally the same way that radar works, except they’re tapping into the existing wireless network.

The detecting device has two antennas. The first (3) is used to establish a baseline radio signal inside of the room beyond the wall. The second (4) is used to detect the “shifted” signal that results from the Doppler effect of the moving object. This changes the frequency of the radio wave and by comparing the signals from the two antennas, the device is able to calculate the bad guy’s location (5) within a few feet. It can even figure out speed and direction.

This is still very much in the early stages of development, but the UK Ministry of Defence is funding more research in the area that could one day have devices that can scan buildings during urban warfare, getting so precise that they can “pick up on the subtle motions the ribcage makes during breathing, which would allow the radar to detect people who are standing or sitting still.”

[Source]

The post Detector Can Use Wi-Fi Signals to Literally See Through Walls appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

If you are someone who loves to stay connected all the time, you will certainly love the iPavement - sidewalk paving stones that are also Wi-Fi hotspots. A Spanish tech company has incorporated hardware into the tiles that allows them to provide Wi-Fi Internet and Bluetooth connectivity.

Weighing around 24 kilograms and measuring in at 15.75 x 15.75 x 2.76 in, the iPavement tile is coming equipped with a 5 GB microprocessor that connects to a mobile device via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

A hard-wired 1,000-watt cable supplies power and internet access to each stone, and you don’t have to worry about losing connection while walking as the stones will be installed no more than 20 meters from one another.

You will be able to use most of the common browsers and will also get access to a number of cloud-based apps while in the area. The apps are available in different languages and the list includes a digital library, maps showing local restaurants and other attractions, a music service, and there’s even an app that provides statistics on local foot traffic, although that requires special footstep-registering stones. And your device will receive promotional messages via a Bluetooth service, something that most people won’t enjoy.

But internet usage can also be offered via equipments mounted on the surface, but it looks like the iPavement will make sure that everything is neatly tucked inside. The thing will only work between -10 and 45 ⁰C, so its installation in some countries will be a challenge.

The post iPavement: Wi-Fi Hotspot Under Your Feet appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Samsung is known for incorporating new technology into their cameras and they have just introduced three new cameras into the company’s NX Series of compact, mirrorless, interchangeable lens cameras – the NX1000, NX20 and NX210. Unlike other large sensor cameras which might require you to use an Eye-Fi memory card for getting online, the new NX models are coming with built-in Wi-Fi.

Coming equipped with Samsung’s own 20.3 megapixel APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm) CMOS sensor, all the models feature ISO100 – 12800 sensitivity, one button upload to social networking sites, in-camera editing, 2D and 3D Panorama modes, the i-Function system which will allow you to control parameters at the lens, and are compatible with the full range of nine lenses.

The cameras will wirelessly link to a Samsung smartphone via the SMART technology and you can use the handset as a remote viewfinder, and the Samsung Mobile Link will allow you to enjoy the shots you have taken on internet enabled TVs or tablets. The models also feature Full HD 1080p H.264 video recording, and also offer an unusual 1920 x 810 pixel resolution setting.

Among the three new cameras, the above pictured NX1000 has the best resolution display at 921,000 dots on a 3-inch TFT LCD panel. Its 1030mAh battery promises 320 shots between charges and it will be available in black, white or pink in June, but no hints on the price tag. And no built-in flash, but you can attach external lighting.

The NX20 has a DSLR-like body and features an SVGA-resolution electronic viewfinder and a 3-inch, 614,000 dot AMOLED swivel display. It also comes with a fast 1/8000 shutter speed, a pop-up flash, and will allow you to take 360 stills between charges all thanks to its 1300mAh rechargeable battery. If interested, you can pick one up next month for $1,099.99.

The NX210 is also coming next month and it will take the place of the NX200. Featuring the same AMOLED display as the NX 20, the NX210 is coming with 8 fps continuous shooting. No built-in flash for this one as well, but external units can be attached. Similar to the NX1000, the NX210 has a 1030mAh battery for taking 320 stills in between charges. The camera comes with a price tag of $899.99.

So, which one has caught your eye?

The post Samsung’s New NX Series Mirrorless Cameras With Built-In Wi-Fi appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

A range of different issues have arisen concerning Wi-Fi on the third-generation iPad. Some users are saying that their connection drops out unexpectedly. Some say that they’re getting remarkably slow download and upload speeds. Others say that the device is unable to pickup on local WiFi networks altogether. On Apple’s online support forum, a thread has popped up with hundreds of people saying they’re having Wi-Fi problems. Interestingly, this only appears to affect WiFi-only models, as the 4G LTE versions are just fine. There’s an Apple solution for you: buy the more expensive one.

This is above and beyond the overheating issues that already plague the new iPad. For now, Apple support isn’t offering a definite fix, so they’ve been instructed to “capture” the affected iPads and replace them with new units for customers.

[Source]

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High speeding down the slopes, you cut through a half dozen trees before lifting off and grabbing huge air, you think, shouldn’t I be recording this?  If you did, you have to wait until you get to a computer before uploading your adventure to the world.  That’s not the case if you own the ION Air Pro HD camera. It lets you share your clips in real time to social networking sites.

The new cam will record your rides in full 1080p HD and there’s also an option for snapping 5-megapixel stills. It features a 170-degree wide-angle lens, which is more than enough to record all the action.  The catch is there is no display on it. But there is no need to check whether or not it is recording, just flip a switch and your broadcasting live.   Aside from that critical button, there’s two more; for switching it on and off and taking stills.

Engadget got a their little hands one one, they say that the cam feels comfortable.  Weighing just 123 grams, about 20 less than GoPro in its housing. The new cam also comes with a tripod mount,  memory card slot, HDMI port, AV out all accessible from the rear removable panel.

The realtime feature is not built into the camera itself, you will need to attach a Wi-Fi “Podz” on its rear. You just have to download a free app and you can see what your camera sees (and yes, there is a range limit). The app will allow you to upload clips directly to Facebook and YouTube too.

But that’s not all. You get 8GB of cloud storage. That’s really sweet. Head here to check out a few stills snapped with the cam and check out the first video to know more about it. The second video is a sample and it’s a bit shaky, but you will understand its capabilities.

[ION]

The ION Air Pro will be available next month. As for the pricing, it’s £229 (about $365) for the camera alone, £249 ($395) if you are interested in the bike mount and tripod kit, and £299 ($475) for the full Wi-Fi kit.

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Rumors about the iPad 3 suggest that Apple has plans to bring out an awesome tablet to stay at the top of the market this year as well. But that does not mean that the task is going to be easy. It appears like Samsung has been secretly designing not one, but two different tablets (maybe even more) and the new slates will likely be unveiled at the upcoming Mobile World Congress later this month.

Two unknown devices, with model numbers GT-P3100 and GT-P5100, from the South Korean manufacturer have got Wi-Fi certifications issued by the WiFi Alliance.

Although these devices are being listed as smartphones, the GT-P prefix suggests that we might be looking at new additions into the company’s tablet line-up. Models beginning with GT-P7 have been part of their Android tablet range. Yes, the prefixes differ slightly, but Samsung might be trying to throw us off the trail here.

We doubt whether one of these devices is the earlier rumored monster tablet from the company which is said to be equipped with a quad-core Exynos processor and a 2560 x 1600 display that measures in at 11.6″. And the other one might end up as their answer to affordable slates like the Kindle Fire.

Whatever these are, we believe that MWC will witness at least one Samsung tablet introduced. We will let you know when any new info arrives prior to that. So stay tuned.

The post Samsung iPad Killers To Be Unveiled At MWC? appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

For those of you who are wondering about that “Nintendo Network” logo which appeared on a dummy box for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, it’s certainly a reality and it has now become official. The Nintendo Network is the new name for the company’s online service on the 3DS and it will also be available on the Wii U after it arrives late this year.

The new service will be different from their existing Nintendo Wi-Fi connection services. According to company head honcho Satoru Iwata, the network will offer “competitions and communication among users, as well as the sales of digital content“. They are planning to offer retail games for sale via digital download and add-on content will be available as well.

Iwata revealed that the 3DS already has the infrastructure built into it. “This concept was built into the design of the Nintendo 3DS, and we already have the necessary infrastructure“, he said, “We will prepare the same infrastructure for the Wii U. However, we have not decided the concrete timing of when we will start it“.

As for the Wii U, the service will enable multiple personal user accounts per system, which will finally end their policy of tying software purchases to a single system.

It’s certainly a good thing that Nintendo is finally thinking seriously about the internet. What do you think?

[ source ]

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As we reported earlier, the new update was supposed to bring “enhanced GPS speed”. It was said to allow the device to obtain satellite information via Wi-Fi, which would enable the GPS radio to lock-on quicker. But that is not happening at the moment and complaints have started to pile up.

Before the update it was thought that the Prime’s metal back plate was the reason for the device’s poor GPS performance. But that seems less likely now since the satellite information is being provided via a data connection. And also many users are reporting that the GPS no longer works after ICS was installed, but was working prior to the update.

Although some users are saying that the GPS is working fine, for many others it is completely borked. And where is Asus when all this is happening?

The company earlier stated that the tablet “is not a professional GPS device” and they have already removed details of a GPS radio from the device’s product page. That’s definitely not a good way to keep their customers with them, let alone attracting new ones.  Asus UK is offering refunds or extended warranties to ease customer tension, but that’s not really a good fix either.

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