Sarah Jones19 asked:


Wi-Fi is the popular term for Wireless Fidelity, a technology that enables a user to connect to the internet without wires and share music, video and many more things. The technology has been growing popular these days. But many users face problems with Wi-Fi connection. Sometimes they can not access the internet because of low connectivity and pretty often they face problem with the router or can not just secure their network. Five common Wi-Fi problems are listed below along with the solutions.

Router Connectivity

This is the most common problem among the worldwide Wi-Fi users. But you can easily face this. Just to make sure that your router is configured well for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. Reset the configuration if required. If that also does not work, immobilize the wireless security as because occasionally a mismatched WEP (Wired Equivalent Protocol) key may crash the IPA. At the same time, you need to check the hindrance of external gadgets such as cordless phones, microwave ovens etc. and immobilize them and then regenerate your Wi-Fi connection. If that does not click anyway, you need to reboot the router and that will surely do the needful.

Security Issue

No less than two widespread form of security is offered by the Routers. They are WEP and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) encryption. These two are simple to turn on but the maximum protection is provided by WPA. To switch on your security, you should go to the router’s browser-based direction software (the default addresses are //.192.168.0.1 and //.192.168.1.1) and search for the wireless protection part. WPA entails a simple security axiom (8-63 characters) and in some routers it is a bit complicated to remember. On the same hand, WEP also demands a 64-bit to 128-bit encryption and then you will be required to put numeric hex phrase though some routers are there that offer an input of a easier ASCII phrase. Be cautious about disabling the SSID or the network name of the broadcasting service. If you do so, the mischievous hackers will not be able to enter your network. Make sure that you have set the firewall of your system. Change the router’s default password and change it very often. Disable the ‘file sharing’ option. Your PC will be protected from the trespassers in this way.

Opening Ports on the Router

There are some applications like internet games, IP web cams, FTP servers etc. that need ports opened on your router. This will facilitate external requests to go to an internal machine or a home network. This process is termed as port forwarding. You have to identify the required ports at the very beginning and then open the particular ports on the Wi-Fi router. All models differ from each other, but the procedure lays almost the same.

You have to open your router’s configuration tool and find the port forwarding tab. Following that, you have to put the service or software name over there and type the provided numbers for Start Port and End Port. The other things that you need to do is to check out the router’s website for availing the instruction set.

Extension of Reach of the wireless Signal

Improving wireless signal is not fully at your control. It’s basically a trial and error method no two problems are alike, similarly the solutions are also unusual. But there are some way-outs to this problem. The router’s antenna should be placed on a high place and that place should be free from obstacles. Avoid contact with water tanks and bricks and metal pipes. These can cause harm to the router connectivity.

If that does not click, a repeater can be added to enhance the internet connectivity. These devices will definitely enhance the speed of your internet by 50-70 percent. But the devices need a setup and certain configuration to offer perfection. There is although an easier way to fix this problem. There is a Garden’s Super Cantenna which is no t so good-looking but can be pointed at a particular direction to intensify the Wi-Fi internet connectivity. It’s an easy-to-install device.

Automatic Connection to the Wi-Fi Based Internet

If there is a necessary to connect to the wireless internet automatically, the Netbook can be set to do this. One has to go to the Control Panel> Network Connections and then right click on the existing Wi-Fi internet network. Then the user should follow these steps as stated:

Properties> Wireless Network> Advanced.

You have to ensure that the radio button which is positioned next to Access Point is switched on. Then you have to check the box “Automatically Connect to Non-preferred Networks”.

Tamoor Akbar asked:


Wi-Fi Technology

  Written By

Tamoor Akbar

(National Textile University,Pakistan)

October2008

                                                                   

  

 

 

 

 

What is WiFi ?

Wi-Fi is new technology enabling images from a computer to be transmitted to the projector without a hard-wire connection. Hence the use of a VGA cable to connect the computer and the projector is no longer required.

 

Why Wi-Fi?

The purpose of Wi-Fi is to hide complexity by enabling wireless access to applications and data, media and streams. The main aims of Wi-Fi are the following:

make access to information easier ensure compatibility and co-existence of devices eliminate cabling and wiring eliminate switches, adapters, plugs, pins and connectors.

 

 

How wi-Fi works?

 

It uses a new technology, which for the purpose of transmission of information over greater distances. Put simply, WiFi can transmit information up to ten times faster than Bluetooth, and up to six times further than Bluetooth.WiFi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11b or 802.11a to transmit data from the internet connection to the host computer (e.g. your laptop). These technologies provide reliable and fast wireless connectivity and to some degree a level of security (to be addressed below). A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks.

 

 

Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, with an 11 Mbps (802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11a) data rate or with products that contain both bands (dual band), so they can provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in many offices

Elements of a WI-FI Network

 

 

 

•         Access Point (AP) - The AP is a wireless LAN transceiver or “base station” that can connect one or many wireless devices simultaneously to the Internet.

 

•         Wi-Fi cards - They accept the wireless signal and relay information.They can be internal and external.(e.g PCMCIA Card for Laptop and PCI Card for Desktop PC)

 

•         Safeguards - Firewalls and anti-virus software protect networks from uninvited users and keep information secure.

 Limitations

 

 •         Interference

•         Degradation in performance

•         High power consumption

•         Limited range

 

 

 



Uses

 

 

·        Wi-Fi enabled device such as a PC, game console, mobile phone, MP3 player or PDA can connect to the Internet when within range of a wireless network connected to the Internet. The coverage of one or more interconnected access points — called a hotspot — can comprise an area as small as a single room with wireless-opaque walls or as large as many square miles covered by overlapping access points. Wi-Fi technology has served to set up mesh networks,

 

·        In addition to restricted use in homes and offices, Wi-Fi can make access publicly available at Wi-Fi hotspots provided either free of charge or to subscribers to various providers. Organizations and businesses such as airports, hotels and restaurants often provide free hotspots to attract or assist clients. Enthusiasts or authorities who wish to provide services or even to promote business in a given area sometimes provide free Wi-Fi access. Metropolitan-wide Wi-Fi (Muni-Fi) already has more than 300 projects in process.[2] There were 879 Wi-Fi based Wireless Internet service providers in the Czech Republic as of May 2008.

 

·        Wi-Fi also allows connectivity in peer-to-peer (wireless ad-hoc network) mode, which enables devices to connect directly with each other. This connectivity mode can prove useful in consumer electronics and gaming applications.

 

·        Many consumer devices use Wi-Fi. Amongst others, personal computers can network to each other and connect to the Internet, mobile computers can connect to the Internet from any Wi-Fi hotspot, and digital cameras can transfer images wirelessly.

 

·        One can also connect Wi-Fi devices in ad-hoc mode for client-to-client connections without a router.

 

In wake of recent mining tragedies, some technology companies have suggested extension of wireless real-time location technology using WiFi networks to pinpoint miners trapped underground – a solution that could save lives in the future.

 

           

 Wi-Fi technology has spread widely within business and industrial sites. In business environments, just like other environments, increasing the number of Wi-Fi access-points provides redundancy, support for fast roaming and increased overall network-capacity by using more channels or by defining smaller cells. Wi-Fi enables wireless voice-applications (VoWLAN or WVOIP). Over the years, Wi-Fi implementations have moved toward “thin” access-points, with more of the network intelligence housed in a centralized network appliance, relegating individual access-points to the role of mere “dumb” radios. Outdoor applications may utilize true mesh topologies. As of 2007 Wi-Fi installations can provide a secure computer networking gateway, firewall, DHCP server, intrusion detection system, and other functions.

Growth of Wi-Fi technology in some previous years clearly shows Wi-Fi will cannibalize all other wireless technologies.We can say “the future is of Wi-Fi”.

 

 

 

Stig Kristoffersen asked:


 

Pocket **** on the Iphone

The big screen fast internet connection combined with its user friendliness, makes lots of users attracted to the iPhone.

Men en stor skjerm, rask internett-tilkobling og brukervennlighet er det ikke bare mobilbrukere verden over som blir tiltrukket av iPhone.

The leading content providers for **** has according to Time Magazine embraced the iPhone to be the dream come through for pocket pornography. They are just looking forward to the iPhone firmware 2.0 that with 3G will have more speed than its predecessor.

iPhone is the most user-friendly telephone in the market and suited best of all phones to receive **** related stuff.

Apple does not comment on this issue at all so far, but has spoken out now;

”We do not tolerate the pornographic content is distributed via the iPhone, and we will ban adult content in our official applications in the same way we have limited the access to such content in our podcast section on the Apple Store”.

It is not (just) a Telephone – and We Talk About the Iphone 3G

Lots of people spend energy discussing what iPhone can and can not do, compared to its competitors like HTC, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Blackberry and many more. Some are of the opinion that iPhone is the largest invention since the wheel was discovered, and others think it is a hoax. What is the real strategy behind Apples’ work on this product?

iPhone is not foremost a telephone. iPhone is a small computer and media player that you also can make phone calls with.

Apple has made the first handheld computer platform that is so user friendly that you and me actually want to explore its potential it can offer you. Everybody that has dealt with the smart phones, PDAs’ and pocket PCs’ in the mobile and computer industry, knows that it is not something to be taken for granted. You will not be in love with a smart phone that is all other than smart.

On the iPhone you can read e-books, call for free on SKYPE, play electric guitar, drive car games, or play poker, check the TV programs, measure if my shelf is leveled right,. I can check my Twitter account, as I can check my e-mail, surf on the web and all the other things the phone is meant to do. I an also make my own programs on the gadget with the Apple SDK.

Several free or paid ad-on software like video recording and such, makes it possible to create some personality to my iPhone, which is not always something that can easily be done with the average cell phone.

The selection of free or shareware type of software is tremendous already, but is nothing to what will be available partly for free, and partly towards payment when Apple launches their shop for iPhone software in their AppStore.

Lots of the hacked iPhone software available now can be characterized as hobby projects, but after Apple opened up their platform for developers through their Software Development Kit for iPhone. Lots of serious software developers has entered the race to be the first and best iPhone developers in the market.

This is where the iPhone strategy differs. People are used to pay for music, movies and tv-series to their iPod or iPhone in iTunes Stores already. Then the road to shop software for a few bucks is short. All evidence points into the direction that user friendliness and shopping selection in AppStore will be in its own class, and differ dramatically from what the other cell phone producers can offer. How many times did you shop for software to your Nokia or SonyEricsson?

Just like with the iPod, Apple is building a closed eco system around the product. iPhone software will only be purchased through the AppStore, not very user friendly but it works. This is how the iPhone will become a money machine, that will tap into your account every time you just have to have that application you need.

With the 2.0 version of the iPhone release on July 11th Apple targets the business segment of the market as well. Integration towards Microsoft Exchange, high level of security and support for the push technology enables new email to automatically come into iPhone. At the same time the changes you make in your contact list or calendar at work will be updated on the iPhone.

 

Eleven Things You Will **** About the Iphone 3G

The iPhone 1.0 and 2.0 has been in the market now for a short while and has won the attraction of many users. However, one would expect some features to follow this high-tech gadget as it comes into the market in July. There are several features that Steve Jobs do not talk about when he launches this latest version of iPhone, identical to 2.0 version only with 3G and GPS on it. So what am I complaining about? Why do I just not get excited and tell everybody how great this new Apple gadget is?

Well, first of all, this is a cellphone, and should compete with other cellphones’ and their features and capabilities. It is just fair to let people know that there are cell phones in the market that can offer things that Apple iPhone can not. I am not saying that iPhone 3G is bad, oh no, I would say the opposite, it is a great all in one gadget, improved with its 3G and GPS ability, which maybe put it in the front line when it comes to smart cell phones. However, there are still some features I would like to see in this phone, in order to at least “talk” to my other gadgets I have at home or work.

1. No MMS. There were no words mentioned about MMS during the presentation at all, and there are no net pages that mention whether it will be available in version 2.0 of iPhone. Several blog sites have announced that they will integrate their services direct on the cell phone with the option to load pictures and text. We think that the telecom industry will miss this feature most, as they will loose their chance to offer more expensive animated picture services on their network. The opening for third party software on the iPhone makes it possible for the network providers to add this service on if they feel for it.

2. No video recording. The camera on the iPhone is more than capable to record videos, and with up to 16 GB storage it should be enough storage to record more than most of us need. But there is no video function, and this is a petty since Apple makes superior video editing software for their computers. If any programmers wants to, he can make a video recorder through the camera available. So for those who wants to make a software for video recording, it is just to start right away.

3. No docking station. The tiny plastic stand that comes together with version 1.0 of the iPhone is now extra add on. This is the same development as happened with the iPod, where Apple went from full package with charger and docking station to a package where you hardly got a power cable included.

4. No video conference. This is maybe the least missed features in the iPhone as this is a very little used feature in the network provider’s product portfolio.

 

5. Still only 2 Megapixles in the camera. It is a myth that more megapixles makes better pictures, but as long as all other factors are the same, it would be better with more mega pixles on the camera. iPhone makes very good pictures with the small camera available, so it is really a shame that Apple does not provide more megapixles on the camera than they do.

6. No wirless iTunes syncronization. You still have to connect through the cable to transfer music. With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G the cable should have been history for the small updates one have to perform daily, like music f.inst. The first synchronization of the iPhone has to be performed by cable, as 16 GB will take a while on the Wi-Fi, but the rest of the time should have been able to be performed through wireless connection.

7. No Adobe Flash. iPhone has a very good internet browser. It is so good that it is used for most mobile traffic to Google, this despite that iPhone is nowhere close to dominate the market on the cell phone side. It is therefore disappointing that Flash is not supported on the iPhone, and even more disappointing when you want to browse a web page that you need to see a flash movie before you can go further into the page.

8. No Java. This means that you still can not use several net banks used around the world on iPhone net browser.

9. No extra Bluetooth functions. Bluetooth on the existing version 1.0 of iPhone is limited in use. You can not send files between iPhone and other cell phones. Nor can it transfer between the iPhones or other iPhones..There is no option for using bluetooth head phones and there is no chance to connect to a PC.

 

10. No special price for you, my friend!  This marks the end where you can take your stronger currency and buy a iPhone in US shops and then hack it home. Sure, the hackers will find ways to avoid the blockings made on the iPhone, but you will need to pay anyway. The reason people could buy the first version of iPhone cheap, was because the consumer could sign the subscription at home. The consumer did not commit to anything in the shop, and this opened for using local SIM-cards. In the next version of the iPhone, the consumer will demand you sign a subscription in the shop before you can take the iPhone with you home.

 

11. Language selection. It is almost not understandable how Apple leaves the Arabic language out of its language selection. Arabic language is the 5th largest language in the world, and has a high potential user group with a great purchase power. So I still not get it Steve Jobs, why did you not include this in your new gadget?

Ten Things You Will **** About the Iphone 2.0

1. No MMS. There were no words mentioned about MMS during the presentation at all, and there are no net pages that mention whether it will be available in version 2.0 of iPhone. Several blog sites have announced that they will integrate their services direct on the cell phone with the option to load pictures and text. We think that the telecom industry will miss this feature most, as they will loose their chance to offer more expensive animated picture services on their network. The opening for third party software on the iPhone makes it possible for the network providers to add this service on if they feel for it.

2. No video recording. The camera on the iPhone is more than capable to record videos, and with up to 16 GB storage it should be enough storage to record more than most of us need. But there is no video function, and this is a petty since Apple makes superior video editing software for their computers. If any programmers want to, he can make a video recorder through the camera available. So for those who wants to make a software for video recording, it is just to start right away.

3. No docking station. The tiny plastic stand that comes together with version 1.0 of the iPhone is now extra add on. This is the same development as happened with the iPod, where Apple went from full package with charger and docking station to a package where you hardly got a power cable included.

4. No video conference. This is maybe the least missed features in the iPhone as this is a very little used feature in the network providers product portfolio.

 

5. Still only 2 Megapixles in the camera. It is a myth that more megapixles makes better pictures, but as long as all other factors are the same, it would be better with more mega pixles on the camera. iPhone makes very good pictures with the small camera available, so it is really a shame that Apple does not provide more megapixles on the camera than they do.

6. No wirless iTunes syncronization. You still have to connect through the cable to transfer music. With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G the cable should have been history for the small updates one have to perform daily, like music f.inst. The first synchronization of the iPhone has to be performed by cable, as 16 GB will take a while on the Wi-Fi, but the rest of the time should have been able to be performed through wireless connection.

7. No Adobe Flash. iPhone has a very good internet browser. It is so good that it is used for most mobile traffic to Google, this despite that iPhone is nowhere close to dominate the market on the cell phone side. It is therefore disappointing that Flash is not supported on the iPhone, and even more disappointing when you want to browse a web page that you need to see a flash movie before you can go further into the page.

8. No Java. This means that you still can not use several net banks used around the world on iPhone net browser.

9. No extra Bluetooth functions. Bluetooth on the existing version 1.0 of iPhone is limited in use. You can not send files between iPhone and other cell phones. Nor can it transfer between the iPhones or other iPhones..There is no option for using bluetooth head phones and there is no chance to connect to a PC.

 

10. No special price for you, my friend!  This marks the end where you can take your stronger currency and buy a iPhone in US shops and then hack it home. Sure, the hackers will find ways to avoid the blockings made on the iPhone, but you will need to pay anyway. The reason people could buy the first version of iPhone cheap, was because the consumer could sign the subscription at home. The consumer did not commit to anything in the shop, and this opened for using local SIM-cards. In the next version of the iPhone, the consumer will demand you sign a subscription in the shop before you can take the iPhone with you home.

Watch Out When Buying the New Version of Iphone 3G

The old version that has been available around the world as a hacked version, because it otherwise would not work in other countries than SIM cards bought in the USA.

Up til now it has been possible to go into an Apple store in the USA and take with you an iPhone without any subscription for a network provider.

The next version of iPhone with 3G net and assisted GPS will not be sold with this opportunity. Subscription will have to be signed in the store, and will last for 18 months in the USA. There might be a chance to open the new iPhone for other SIM cards, but the network operator will regardless get his money for the subscription.

A lot of auctions has appeared on the eBay internet site after the launch of iPhone 3G last Tuesday, despite the fact that the cell phone is not for sale yet. 11th of July the iPhone 3G will be launched for sale in around 70 countries around the world.

If you buy a iPhone 3G from an eBay auction now, it is not easy to tell what you will get in the mail. In the best case you will pay for another person to stand in line to purchase a cell phone locked to a network in the USA.

Future Apple Devices Looking to Solar Power

Apple ha filed a patent for integrating solar cells into portable devices by placing them underneath the layers of a touch-sensitive display, according to the delivered patent application.

Solar power could help make devices truly portable, freeing from the need for wires to connect them to a power supply.

The larger the solar cell panel is the better it is for generating electricity, but as the patent “Solar cells on portable devices” warns, after allowing space for buttons, screens and a way to hold the device, only a small area is left on most devices for solar cells.

One of the ways around this dilemma is suggested in the patent as to stack a touch-sensitive layer, a display and solar panel on top of one another. That could make Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch good candidates for such a power supply, as the display occupies almost the entire face of those devices.

The use of solar powered charging in portable devices is starting to get more attention, for more immediate consumer use as well.

When Vodafone announced its plan in April 2008, to reduce its emissions of the greenhouse gas CO2 by 50 percent by 2020, it also announced plans for solar-powered phone chargers and universal phone chargers for Vodafone-branded handsets.

At the recent ITU Telecom Africa 2008 conference, Ugandan Minister for Communications and Information and Communication Technologies Ham-Mukasa Mulira talked about trials of solar-powered charging conducted there, which had showed promising results.

Create, Design & Launch Your Iphone Application

The Apple iPhone is an amazing device that invites  creativity. You’ve probably said to yourself: ‘I wish I  could do that on my iPhone.’

With the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK), programmers can make your ideas reality – even if you yourself don’t know the difference between a C-pointer  and a SQLite database.

More than 200 iPhone application projects have already  been posted on Elance.com. Check out these tips in this article to get  your project kick-started.

We focus on the development of applications for the Apple iPhone, and we asked Nick Dalton, iPhone SDK specialist, to give Elance buyers a few tips on how to scope and post an iPhone Application project. Here’s what he had to say:

The iPhone is an amazing device that invites creativity. If you’re an iPhone owner I’m sure you’ve said to yourself: ‘I wish I could do that on my iPhone, or I have a great idea for an iPhone application’.

With the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK), programmers can make your ideas reality – even if you yourself don’t know the difference between a C-pointer and a SQLite database. But before you go ahead and post your application idea to the buzzing iPhone project area on www.Elance,com. here are some pointers to get your project kick-started:

Study the Masters

Apple has already spent a lot of time thinking about how to present information and build interactive applications on the iPhone. The applications that come with the iPhone are the results of this research. Study them in great detail and try to apply as many of the user interface metaphors as possible to your application.

Not only will Apple be flattered if you imitate the user interface in their applications, but they actually mandate it to a great level of detail as described in their Human Interface Guidelines.

Dream in Color Screens

Most applications for the iPhone will be very visual. Therefore it makes sense to provide your requirements as screen images or sketches. You don’t have to be a graphics artist to do this effectively. An iPhone programmer is looking for the following information:

- The type of layout each screen should have

- The buttons on the screens

- The actions associated with each button

The exact shape and format of your screen sketches is secondary. As long as they are readable, it’s a great way to communicate your application design to a programmer.

Be Realistic About Your Budget

Look at other iPhone projects posted on Elance to get a sense for the bid amounts on these projects. Read the descriptions of these projects to see if they seem to be larger or smaller projects than what you have in mind. If you set your budget to under $500 for something that is realistically going to take a programmer two months to implement, you are not likely to attract many bidders.

From a programming perspective, some things are easy to do on the iPhone, while other seemingly simple things are very time consuming. For example the beautiful cover-flow animation used in the music application on the iPhone should be simple to use in other applications. Unfortunately you can’t. If you want this animation within your application it will have to be written from scratch, probably costing a one month of work.

If you talk to an approved iPhone developer early in your application design process you can learn how to get most out of your budget by avoiding the things that are really difficult to do on the iPhone.

Don’t Be Too Original

iPhone users already know how to do certain tasks on their phones by convention. For example, if you tap an item in a list that has a > icon next to it, you expect to be taken to another screen with more information about that item. If your application needs similar functionality, don’t be creative and come up with a new way to solve the same problem. Use the conventions already established by Apple.

New conventions are difficult to establish especially with the touch interface because there is no way to discover how your application works on the iPhone. Unlike a website where you can hover with the mouse pointer over areas that look like you can interact with them and a tool tip or the status bar will reveal some clues to you.

Know Your Limitations

The current version of the iPhone SDK, which is used to write applications for the iPhone, has many restrictions and limitations. Some of them are common sense, e.g. you can’t send text messages from an application. Imagine an application that sends out thousands of text messages without your knowledge, who is going to pay the phone bill for that?

Other restrictions are maddening: applications cannot access the log of phone calls, or interact in any way with the calendar or the music stored on the iPhone.

To Apple’s credit, the iPhone SDK is an amazing piece of software especially given that it was publicly released as a Beta just three months ago. Some of the shortcomings listed above will likely be addressed in future releases of the SDK.

As a buyer with an idea for an iPhone application, you should educate yourself about these limitations before you spend too much time designing an application that is impossible to implement. Talk to a developer or company that specializes in iPhone development (and there are many available on Elance) and they can help you get on the right track from the start.

About

Nick Dalton (username: 360mind) is an experienced iPhone SDK specialist and Elance.com service provider. He has 15+ years of background in programming, and currently focuses his business, 360mind, 100% on the development of iPhone applications. For more information on Nick, check out his book, 101 iPhone Tips and Tricks.

A New Business Model Has Forced Its Way Forward for the New 3G Apple Iphone

A new business model has forced its way forward for the new 3G Apple iPhone

 

Why could we say this? There are two statements from Apple and AT&T that confirms this new trend is coming.

 Apple alerted the SEC that although it had signed deals with 70 countries…

“…Under the vast majority of these agreements, Apple will not receive follow-on revenue generating payments from carriers”

AT&T, for its part, warned investors of…

“…potential dilution to earnings per share (EPS) from this initiative in the $0.10 to $0.12 range this year and next.”

When the Apple IPhone was first introduced, Apple made some rather unusual terms connected to its launch. Customers had to pay full retail price for it  and carriers had to share a sizable cut of their monthly revenue with the manufacturer.

Now, the carriers will be subsidizing the cost of the phone, making up for it in monthly charges, and they are no longer funneling a share of that monthly revenue to Apple. Apple is now beginning to play by the rules that all other cell phone hardware manufacturers play by in the growing cell phone market.

This will also put some stress on the new market segment that made its way during the launch of the 1st generation IPhones, namely the unlocking business. The incentives for unlocking will disappear and that may make lots of unlockers around the world out of a job for the new generation IPhones under the new business model proposed now.

 

However, one major incentive for unlocking remains, especially for Europeans. Those who travel to other countries with unlocked phones can use local prepaid service plans rather than paying exorbitant international roaming fees to their home carriers.

The New Generation Iphone With 3G and GPS – an End to the Unlocking Business?

Twice as fast and half the price, and it is coming July 11th, it is a Phone, iPod, and Internet in one fast 3G device. 

 

The new iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of iPhone with 3G networking, built-in GPS, and iPhone 2.0 software that supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs hundreds of third party applications built with the iPhone SDK. Available in 22 countries on July 11, iPhone 3G comes in two models: an 8GB model priced at $199 (US) and a 16GB model priced at $299 (US). 

 

The iPhone will have fast 3G wireless technologies, GPS mapping, support for enterprise features like Microsoft Exchange, and the new App Store, iPhone 3G puts even more features at your fingertips. And like the original iPhone, it combines three products in one — a revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod, and a breakthrough Internet device with rich HTML email and a desktop-class web browser. iPhone 3G. 

 

The phone will be sold in more countries. Apple added five countries beyond the U.S. for the first phone, but the second one will go on sale in 22 countries on July 11. Apple has said it will add more countries at a rapid clip and reach 70 by the end of the year. That takes away one of main incentives for unlocking the phone. 

 

Apple is abandoning the unusual arrangement under which the iPhone was being sold. Customers could buy them from a carrier or from Apple without activating them on a service plan, and that meant customers could go home and unlock the phones — and never sign up with AT&T.

 

The new phone will be subsidized by carriers, which accounts for its lower price: $199 for the 8-gigabyte model, down from $399. This brings the phone’s marketing in line with standard industry practices.

 

The carriers plan to make back what they spend on the subsidy through service fees, which means they likely will require two-year service contracts from everyone who buys the phone. AT&T said buyers will have to activate service before leaving the store with an iPhone. 

 

This may put an end to the unlocking business that has been expanding on the internet and in various countries around the world. We just have to wait and see.

 

 

Video Recording With the Iphone is Possible and We Tell You How

DreamCatcher offers video recording for your iPhone

iPhone users would like to have the ability to perform video recordings. DreamCatcher tries to bring some advanced features to their product. They want you to choose them obviously, and are going to offer the capabilities to make that happen.

The DreamCatcher video recorder application uses the mpeg4 encoding method. Encoding with mpeg4 provides optimum quality vs size, with the ability to compress an hour of video taken from the iPhone to just 60MB. The application can record at up to 15 frames per second, allowing high quality video recording. The application realizes the stress put on the iPhone CPU when encoding the video during recording. DreamCatcher has devised a way to make this less of a limitation by letting the video be saved to the iPhone’s memory, and encoded at a later time. Alternatively, you can set the application to automatically begin encoding after the video has been recorded. If on the fly encoding is your thing though, you have that option too.

The DreamCatcher application is not for free. There is a free trial version if you would like to see the application in action before you buy. The application will cost you 20 USD.

http://www.iphonevideorecorder.com/index.html

 

There is another iPhone Video Recording which is Working and it is called  Drunknbass.

 

Monster and Friends have created an iPhone application which can record video up to 45 frames per second and working on the final version. Drunknbass beta allows you to record 5 seconds of video at 10 fps with a resolution of 2 megapixels. It doesn’t have any interface, so you just download it, put it in your iPhone’s Applications folder, click on the button and it will start recording. When Drunknbass is finished with the five seconds recording, it will replay the clip once. The final application will be able to record unlimited-sized clips (only constrained by your available space) with up to 30 frames per second and it will have an interface to save your clips (they are looking for developers to help with the graphical side of the software)

http://monsterandfriends.com/iphonevideo

 

 

Edge – Wifi Use on Your Iphone – How and Why?

So the iPhone works on EDGE networks. But what does this mean and is it good enough?

The iPhone has been designed to work on GPRS, EDGE and Wi-Fi networks but doesn’t include 3G support. Apple has stated this has to do with the power requirements of the 3G chip.

EDGE provides higher download speeds than the 2G network and GPRS (2.5G) but less than what can be achieved with Wi-Fi and 3G. and it has been labeled 2.75G.

The coverage of the EDGE networks around the world is very sparse, some places only 10s of percent actually. And that is disappointing numbers and not good news for the users of iPhone.

Trying to talk up the iPhone’s Wi-Fi compatibility and its deals for free hotspot are not doing the trick either.

EDGE is the existing standard for GSM data networks. GSM is a direct rival to CDMA. In the US, Cingular is the largest GSM provider.

EDGE offers service rated at about quarter Mb/sec. That’s about twice the speed of ISDN (.128 MB/sec), but significantly slower than even the slowest offerings of DSL (.3 to 1.5 Mb/sec), and a fraction of the throughput of 802.11b WiFi (typical: 6.5 Mb/sec).

EDGE is far faster than GPRS or old dialup networks however (both are about .03 Mb/sec), so while EDGE not capable of supporting iChat style video conferencing, it is useful enough to browse web pages, receive HTML emails, and support the other web service features demonstrated on the iPhone such as Google Maps.

EDGE is also widely deployed in the US. Newer generation technologies, including HSUPA and EVDO, are not. If the iPhone supported newer networks at launch, it would offer users less data service coverage at higher service fees. HSUPA does promise a future path for faster data, and will no doubt unlock new applications for future phones.

Along with the confusing acronym soup of HSDPA and HSOPA, HPUPA competes against other mobile 3G standards. Wikipedia says the next set of standards are edging out existing CDMA2000 and EVDO rollouts in some markets.

In addition to the factors of availability and cost, another reason for Apple going with EDGE rather than a faster network is that the iPhone won’t have to rely solely on mobile phone networks for data. It’s designed to use WiFi wherever it’s available.

WiFi is far faster than any mobile networks now in place, including EVDO and HSUPA (2.5 – 5.76 Mb/sec). Typical 802.11b and g offer 6.5 Mb/sec and 20 Mb/sec transfers. WiFi is so much faster because it is designed to serve a much smaller range of local service.

For iPhone users in a school, home, or office with existing WiFi service, automatic use of WiFi for data service will not only be far faster, but far cheaper: free in many cases.

Getting EDGE to work on your iPhone is simple, but require some knowledge about application set up in your iPhone.

You will need iBrickr to browse the file system of your iPhone (www.ibrikr.com)

There is a video turorial available for iBrickr if you want to learn how to use this system (www.i4u.com/article11028.html)

Once you have downloaded the iBrickr and the PXL files installed on your iPHone, you can launch iBrickr.exe. You will be able to see the main interface and click on files to browse your phone file system.

Locate your /private/var/root

Launch notepad and paste this code;

Function FindProxyForURL(url, host)

{

If (isInNet (myIpAddress(), “10.0.0.0”,

“255.0.0.0”))

Return “PROXY 216.155.165.50:808”;

Else

Return “DIRECT”

}

Save the file as proxy.pac and upload it to /private/var/root

Right click this file and select “save link as”, you need to save the file as

Preference.plist, you will then upload preference.plist into the following iPhone directory:

/private/var/root/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist

NOTE! If you are on firmware 1.1.3, upload the preferences.plist to this directory;

/private/var/preferences/SystemConfiguration

This will overwrite the current file that is already in that directory.

Now grab your iPhone and tap settings – General – Network – EDGE. The APN you will use is wap.voicestream.com, username and password will be guest. Reboot your iPhone and there you are, you should be able to browsw online using EDGE.

NB! After performing this hack you will notice that EDGE will interfere with your WIFI connections whenever it sees it. IF this happens to you, there is a solution for this as well.

Click on the Browse Application button, this will launch a list of 3rd party applications you can install at your will. For our purpose we will install an application called Services. Basically what this does is allow you to turn off the WiFi, Bluetooth and EDGE according to your needs.

Once you are done with the installation, iPhone will reboot and on your Springboard you should see a Services icon, tap on the icon and here you can toggle between EDGE and WiFi connection.

 

GPS on the Iphone – Navigation is Now Possible on the Iphone – However You Can Wait for Firmware 2.0 as Well to Get an Apple Solution

Apple has promised a real GPS solution to the iPhone during 2008 in the iPhone 2.0 version firmware release.

This is supposedly a solution provided together with globalmap and googlemap.

In the meantime there will pop up so many various solutions, it will be up to you to decide what solution you want.

Here is a hardware solution to come during 2008

http://www.gomite.com/

Mexens Technology, with its virtual Navizon GPS system has finally arrived for the iPhone. The program still utilizes “WiFi and cellular tower triangulation techniques,” but according to the firm’s CEO, “this is just as if the iPhone were equipped with a GPS chip.”

Of course, I am still doubtful that this peer-to-peer location approach works just as good as a bonafide GPS receiver, but considering that you won’t be forced to pay the $24.99 purchase price until after 15 days are up, why not give it a go and find out?

And in addition it will take only seconds to find location, as for more robust solutions it will take maybe minutes to locate on the iPhone.

However, if it is long distance between towers, the accuracy will be less of course. So do not plan to use it for geotracking or something like this.

http://www.navizon.com

The navizon has come back with good reviews, it has a free one, and a paid version. The paid version is more accurate and has more features (of course).

Another solution is this hardware solution to put on end of the iPhone.

http://www.tuaw.com/2007/12/17/gps-dongle-coming-for-iphone/

Best of luck with your navigation, and hopefully you will find yourself in the right spot at the right time. And PS! Maybe you will be able to remember where you were some time ago, equally good as your authorities has the ability to find out were you were.

 

Sdk for Iphone and Itouch Platforms – Will This Create a Boom in Free and Commercial Applications for Apple Gadget?

Apple has released the iPhone Developer Program which provides a complete and integrated process for developing, debugging, and distributing applications for iPhones and iPod touch platoform.The SDK comes complete with development resources, real-world testing on iPhone, and distribution on the App Store, you will have everything you need to go from code to the customer.

Go to http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program to find more details around this SDK program.

You can either download the Free iPhone SDK which include the Xcode IDE, Instruments, iPhone simulator, frameworks and samples, compilers, Shark analysis tool, and more. Or you can choose to enroll into the iPhone developers program at standard of enterprise program levels which will cost you from USD 99 to USD 299 in order to enroll.

However, you will need a Apple ID to do so, if you do not have that, you will have to go through the application registration to get enrolled. When done this, select the program you want to enroll into, and wait for Apple to approve you for this entry.

So now you can develop any type of application for the iPhone. Well, we have to wait and test the SDK to see how open it is, and what it gives developers in respect to tools to twist the most out of this gadget.

So, whether you are a games developer or you want to make business applications, you have the chance now to get on the train to do so.

 

Iphone Hacks and Applications That Will Transform Your Iphone to Something Truly Different

In this article I will give some insight into the hackers environment of iPhone and give you some reference to some interesting sites that will provide you with resources if you ever want to wander down this road yourself. However, we take no responsibility for any third party links, nor the content found therein either. If you want to jailbrake your iPhone, then you have to be aware of one thing, you will depend much on your own knowledge about how to maneuver with your new modified iPhone.

However, it is fun, it opens a totally new world for use of the iPhone. You will be able to take part of some very innovative use of the Mac operating system as well as its user interface. It is a world with almost no limitations.

If you want to, you can wait for Apple’s release of its SDK and wait for some developers coming up with some official applications for your iPhone. However there are thoughts in the market that Apple will not reveal all of iPhone’s potential through its SDK and therefore it will be utilized for development of applications Apple themselves find convenient for iPhone and especially for the business related side of iPhone.

We will start our search for resources and you are more than welcome to take a peek behind some of the links and begin to learn the true potential of your iPhone.

http://iphone.dashbuster.com/

Manage Your Blockbuster Queue From Your iPhone

You can view your shipped and queued movies, as well as drag and drop Queue reorganizing. You will also be able to search for and add movies as well as add movies from Blockbusters RSS feeds.

http://www.modmyifone.com/forums/

Here you can get tips as well as apps and downloads for your iPhone, such as Firmware, iPhone Software, Modded files, Stock files, templates, themes and Widgets for the iPhone.

http://www.iphonehacks.com/

Here you will find iPhone Hacks. It is your source for the latest Apple iPhone Hacks JailBreak Unlocking News Applications Tips & Tricks Reviews Rumors Blog on the Apple iPhone … Fix for iPhone’s

http://www.iphone-hacks.com/

iPhone Hacks, Cracks, Homebrew, and Modifications. All your iPhone underground needs! … Hack your Apple iPhone Welcome to the source for all your iPhone Hacks . iPhone hackers . This is another source for all iPhone Hacks. iPhone hackers, developers, and researchers around the globe have been working hard to open the device in hopes to achieve what Apple never intended. iphone-hacks.com aims to share all the hacking, mods, cracks, and discoveries with you — in one central location.

http://www.iphonestalk.com/

On this site you will find the latest iPhone Accessories, News, Reviews, ringtones and more.

http://forums.iphonehacks.com/

iPhone Hacks Forums :: Forums for the latest Hacks News Applications Tips & Tricks Reviews Rumors on the Apple iPhone.

http://www.iphonefreak.com/iphone_hacks/

News and hacks for your iPhone can be found here. Some tricks and tips are also found here.

http://www.iphonegizmo.com/

If you are looking for downloads for your iphone then you might like this great site we found where you can get heaps of iphone downloads – PLUS PLUS!!! – plus videos, PLUS movies, PLUS music, PLUS TV shows like “The OC”, PLUS games (and a stack of other downloads!).

If you look for the Iphone Guitar application, it is available on installer.

Some interesting tips and reference to pages with this installer can be found at http://code.google.com/p/pocketguitar/

 

Iphone Hacks Vs Apple Sdk Kit Planned Released in Short Time

 

iPhone hacks vs Apple SDK kit planned released in short time.

iPhone has a community providing a large range of applications, useless to innovative more useful applications. The Mac operating system and its interface makes it more fun to do development on than the Microsoft handheld PDA’s.

Will this community survive and prosper regardless of Apple’s planned release of iPhone SDK this month?

The iPhone is a perfect example of what a handheld device should have. It has a a nice design, easy-to-use software, and an intuitive interface. Several people found out they needed to make their own software for it, since it lacked some as Apple released it. You will find add-ons made by these people that range from instant access to a Blockbuster Online DVD queue to a pocket guitar that takes advantage of the touch screen technology.People also unlock the iPhone from AT&T or other subscription systems. This will enable the iPhone to work on other operator’s networks.

Al these add-on software’s, are done without Apple’s interference or their technical support. Apple is expected to release a software development kit (SDK) that will allow programmers to write legitimate software for the phone. This kit will be available during February month and will enable developers to make more robust software, and it will let the iPhone users to download new programs without needing to follow online instructions from various blogs. The SDK will likely spawn a new world of applications, will lead to commercial applications for the business sector, that will extend the use of the iPhone beyond its user base of 4 million, as announced in January by Apple.

Today’s iPhone users use the handheld as Apple intended it to be used, by updating the software and installing media via iTunes. By default, the only way to get anything on the iPhone is by using iTunes,

The developer Jerry Jones has made an iPhone widget that accesses a user’s Blockbuster movie queue, as well as a program that lets people adjust the phone’s shortcuts so that a double click of the home key launches different applications than Apple’s default.

If you want to add these kinds of unwarranted files to your iPhone, you must make some technical workarounds and it is not for the in-experienced users.

One of the most popular programs made for hacked iPhones is a game called Labyrinth that lets a user roll a virtual marble through a maze by tilting the phone. The game accesses the built-in accelerometer in the iPhone.

Shinya Kasatani wrote an application that turns the iPhone into a guitar. The application is easy to use for people familiar with a real guitar. The screen of the iPhone is turned into a virtual guitar board on which a person can press and pluck. It’s basically a software-based synthesizer with a guitar user interface.

The developers need the official SDK and programming documentation to build stable applications. When Apple releases its SDK, more applications like this could become available, just as they are on PCs and Macs today.

There is suspition in the developers circles that it’s not going to be a wide open SDK. Programmers might have access to certain layers of the phone’s underlying software, such as the instructions that allow widgets to access the Internet, but Apple may keep the instructions for accessing the accelerometer, for example, under wraps.

The control is essential to ensuring that the iPhone works well for most of the people most of the time. In addition, Apple’s control is important for ensuring software stability and security, which is two important criteria if the phone is to be used in the business setting. Apple wants to make the iPhone somewhat corporate friendly.

You are going to see a lot of focus on pulling developers in to make form-based applications. The kind of applications used in a sales environment, for example. Apple will treat third-party software the same way that it approves iPod accessories: by requiring vendors to register with Apple to acquire a badge noting Apple’s approval. In this way, Apple could maintain some control over the quality of outside applications, which could help make them more secure.

The hacking community will continue to be innovative with the iPhone, regardless of the access the SDK provides to programmers and the safety precautions available for certified third-party programs.

“Even without the official SDK,” says Kasatani, “it’s much more attractive than Windows Mobile.” The Mac operating system and user interface are more fun to use, he says, and the multi-touch display makes it especially interesting to work with.

 

Unlock Your Iphone

In some countries the Iphone will not be available, or in some cases it is locked to an operator in order to be fully utilized. If you do not want to wait with the purcase of the Iphone and want to unlock it for use with any SIM card, here is how you will have to do it.

If you want an iPhone then for some of us the choice is simple. In some countries or regions the iPhone is not available before even next year.

If you know someone in countries where the iPhone is for sale, or know someone who are travelling to these regions of the world. Then ask them to purchase the phone and take it with them home. Whe you purchase the phone at an Apple Store or in a store where the phone is available it is probably locked to an operator. If it is bought in the US, then it is locked to the US operator AT&T.

When you have your phone at home, you just connect it to your computer and it will automatically take your through a set up to subscribe for the subscription for the selected operator in that country it is sold or AT&T in the US. But the phone can be unlocked by the assistance of software. In this manner you will avoid subscription to a certain operator. Unlocking process starts at the stage just before you are to subscribe for operator. So the unlocking happens before you make an agreement with the selected operator or AT&T and you are not in breech with any deal when you unlock the phone, unless you have been informed about that the phone is locked to a certain operator at the sale of the phone.

The phone ranges in prices, but in the US it costs 399 dollar for the 8 Gb-version and 499 dollar for the 16 Gb version.

Loose the warranty

It is important to be aware of that you loose any warranty on the phone when you perform the unlocking procedure on it. So if something goes wrong with it afterwards, you can not ask for any refund or free fix of the phone from Apple.

The simplest way of unlocking the phone is with the help of the program called ZiPhone. This piece of software makes the whole process for you, but you have to be careful following the instructions to the point..

If you decide to stop the unlock process before it si finished, or do something else that stops the process before it is finished, involve a large risk for the phone to be destroyed.

Even if the phone turns off during the process, or it comes up a text message on the phone, do not stop the unlocking process before it is complete. We do not take any responsibility for any potential problems you will meet during the unlock process. I have tested the unlock process with Ziphone myself, and it worked smoothly, but this is no guarantee for yourself.

The process is guided by the software in English. Instructions for the software Ziphone is also in English. The program can be used both on Mac and PC.

You can download the Ziphone from this link;

http://www.ziphone.org/

We are not responsible for content of links herein, and it is totally up to the users discresion and responsibility to use this link.

It is a 3 step process

The software ZiPhone will lead you through the process in three steps in order for you to be able to open the iPhone.

1.The activation step of the process is handled first. The lock that usually has to be opened by purchasing a subscription is avoided.

2. The second step is opening the iPhone so it can be modified and alter the software. This is called Jailbreaking.

3. The third step is to modify the software on the iPhone so it will accept any SIM card you decide to use on it later.

The iPhone can now be used by any operator

After the phone has been unlocked you can use any subscription operator or type on the phone. In addition to just unlocking the cell phone, Ziphone puts in the program called installer.app. This software enables you to install a selection of new software created by iPhone-users themselves. If you select to use the software installer, you can put in support for various languages and software to send MMS etc etc.

It requires basic computer knowledge.

All of you who want to use the ZiPhone software to unlock the iPhone should use a computer and know how to install software.

The unlocking software is very simple to use, but requires that you follow the instruction and procedures to the last small detail. You do not need to be an expert using the ZiPhone, but only requires that you follow the installation procedure and in few minutes the phone will be unlocked. It is also important that you have basic computer skills to download software to the iPhone and to find the user value of these.

It is not illegal to unlock the phone, but you violate the warranty rules by unlocking it and alter the system files on the iPhone. It is therefore a risk you have to be willing to take if you want to take the phone into use in your country before it is sold officially there.

Another con by unlocking the phone on your own is the upgrade aspect of the phone at a later stage. It may be more difficult if not impossible to do so when you have done these unlocking and alterations of your phone.

However, the communities offering unlocking of the phones have so far been good providing options to make upgrade of Apple software as well, but there is no warranty this will be the case in the future..

Several shops providing these phones offer to unlock the phones so you can have any provider possible on the phone. Whether this is legal or not, remains to be seen as it has not been tested in any courts yet. Some operators claim it is against the agreement with the phones as they are sold, however on the other side, some courts have already tested other types of agreements, and found that you are able to do whatever you want with the product as long as you have purchased it, and its yours, and since you do these alterations before you enter into any agreements it can not be seen as a conflict with any agreements you have not entered in the first place.

 

The Battle Goes on – Which One is the Most Favourable Gadget for your Portable Needs – Ipod, Iphone, Ipod Touch or the Psp?

The battle goes on – which one is the most favourable gadget for your portable needs?

First you have to ask yourself as lots of potential buyers of either of the three below products, IPOD, IPOD TOUCH, IPOD Phone or the PSP. We do not talk about the iBook nor do we talk about Nintendos games console in this article, but they could be considered of course. Ibook is very costly but it enable you to use internet and listen to itunes with the same gadget.

What product fit your needs and the potential usage you are going to put it through?

If you look at some main parameters to judge the products more or less objective based on the user profile, you could come closer to the truth.

Look at functionalities like Gaming, Internet, Photo, Video, Music and Storage capacity. You also have to look at the user interface and its design like screen and functionality buttons.

We will try to compile these criteria’s more or less objective so you can evaluate the PSP vs the Ipod/phone products.

Gaming

Only PSP provides serious gaming console capacity and functionality. If you want gaming console capability your choice is clear, you need the Sony PSP and nothing else. There is no other choice.

Internet

Only PSP, Ipod Phone and Touch (latest software release January 2008) provides internet browsing and email capabilities. However the PSP screen is the largest of them all (for userability of web pages). PSP has some issues with some web pages which have to be taken into consideration. Apple products however have not been long enough in market to really test these features yet.

Photo

You get Photo album capabilities in all products more or less, however the PSP needs some upgrade by 3rd party software. What differentiates the products is memory capacity to hold a certain amount of pictures, but also the way you can interface with your photos. Looking at pictures, select, zoom in and out is better in the Ipod touch or the Iphone, utilizing the touch screen and its capabilities.

In all honesty the PSP looks better – the iphone seems to be suffering from a severe white balance problem. Maybe some people prefer that, but as the iphone costs four times as much as the PSP then you have to judge what is more important to meet your requirements. Obviously the PSP has the size advantage but the iPhone is brighter.

Video/Film

All products can hold videos at their internal formats, and several 3rd party software makes it possible to transfer this media between various medias such as PC, Ipod, PSP, cell phones etc. Again the user interface is the main differentiator here, as the touch screen makes it possible to browse the various movies in a fancier and maybe interactive way than in the PSP. However this is a matter of user preference and will be highly subjective to user’s needs and how he/she wants to interact with the gadget. Higher resolution on the PSP versus its competitors is also a point to mention here. So if you want the high resolution and slightly better screen definition, then PSP is definitively your choice.

Music/Audio

You can send your files over and use PSP as you would use an iPod Video, although Apple product has an advantage when it comes to storage. You’ll need to get up to 8Gb MemStick DUO on the PSP to get decent memory, but still much lower than IPOD with its 60Gb capacity. If you want a straight out of the box itunes player, then select the Ipod/touch/phone range, otherwise it will just be a subjective choice as there are lots of 3rd party customization to make the PSP to offer Itunes capability, conversion of audio files etc.

Storage Capacity

You can get up to 8Gb MemStick DUO for the PSP. IPOD leads here with its 60Gb capacity. Utilizing high memory capacity for the PSP will run at a cost as well, which needs to be addressed if compared for this purpose. However the Ipod Touch or Iphone comes with maximum of 8Gb memory and can not be upgraded without consequences for warranty etc. Ipod is superior when it comes to capacity, so if you need to store tens of Gb of music, or video, then your choice is the Ipod machine. If you tend to change content often and want to transfer often, then it is either the PSP or the Iphone/ Ipod Touch choices left. However the Apple product have a slight advantage as their user interface for handling the files are easier.

User interface/Design

Several comparisons of the IPOD screen vs PSP makes PSP the clear choice. When you compare IPOD Touch or IPHONE with PSP there is still a slight advantage to PSP since the screen is larger and it seems to have better color definition and looks crispier in view.

PSP is larger as a console vs either IPOD or Iphone or Ipod Touch, so it is maybe less practical to put in your pocket. However since we talk about different usage of these gadgets, you need to see if this really is a differentiator at all.

The later products from Apple with the touch screen is of course an new technology brought to the table, however you have to judge whether you need it for the purpose you need.

It comes down to touch and feel and what you focus on most. If you focus on screen quality, the Sony PSP is the clear choice. If you focus on the user interface and modern technology, then the Apple series touch or Phone is the selection for you.

I would personally go for the PSP, since my use is internet, movie and games. Since we really talk about a game console here, it gives power to all my favorite games as well as the chance to download some fancy graphics to use as my wall papers, or to manipulate some graphics on my PC or Mac and transfer to my PSP, it makes the choice clear to me. I can read most of my favorites on internet as well as reading my emails pretty effective despite no mouse or keyboard on the PSP, but here it is up to you to select what interface you want or are used to.

However, if you are a music and photo lover, I would maybe lean towards the Ipod touch or Iphone. If you already have an iPod that works well and hold enough music to keep you happy, then go with a new PSP.

So it all depends on what you want the gadget for. If you want to listen to music, get an iPod, if you want to play games, get a PSP.

So it comes down to the question Console or a Phone or a media player?

Iphone is a phone and the PSP is a console, Ipod Touch is a media player simple and easy.

The iPhone is a very pretty and medium to high priced multi-functional handheld device that can be used as a phone. The PSP is a very pretty and low cost multi-functional handheld device that can be used to play games, or fed with some 3rd party software used for a whole lot of things. Sony would prefer you not think of PSP as a handheld, more like a multi-media portable. Several handhelds that acts similar to the iPhone with the touch interface (Treo for instance).

You have to lean towards the price as well as your user profile, there is a large price difference to consider here. But if you want to boost your PSP, the price difference gets less, and can become minimal, especially when you talk about the Ipod Touch from Apple.

The old argument for people saying the PSP was the right choice for you, was that it can play music, watch videos, check email, play games and all in one device. This argument could be used for the Iphone as well, since you have the phone capability into it.

32Gb memory stick is soon to be released, so the PSP will be more costly than the iphone, if not the same price when using this memory. However it will have more than Apple products and more flexibility as you can buy as many memory sticks you want and have one for photos, one for audio and another one for games or email information etc.

In the end, the choice is yours but you need to do the homework first, decide what you need the most in your new gadget and what flexibility you want.

People want the simplest, easist way to get enjoyment. Apple, when designing anything (OS, iPod, Hardware, and now the iPhone) always aims for a high level of ease of use.

With any MP3 player, you don’t have a uniform way of getting music. It might come with applications to rip music, and even tell you where to legally download music. But then you factor in the compatibility. It may also give you a audio converter so everything works with your player, and its own media manager to boot. But with the iPod, you get just iTunes. And it’s that relationship that makes the iPod so dominant in the market. The program will rip your CDs. It has access to the store where every song, regardless of what the RIAA wants, will be 99 cents or 10 USD pr CD. And when you bring in your own music, iTunes will not only add it and organize it, but convert it to AAC if need be. It’s less work on the consumer. That is an appeal. And you have to pay for this convenience. It is the real reason why these products became dominant is for their consumer design.

However the PSP with 3rd party software or as the communities call it “homebrew” has common like music and video playback, image viewing and internet browsing and in those areas I’m sure the PSP will be comparable to the Ipod range products.

The iPhone won’t play any games though, at least they haven’t announced that it will, which is what most people who have a PSP use it for.

Network to support the 2.5G network that the iPhone uses and the network is lacking several places and has to be considered.

 

Hamid hameed asked:


Beyond personal computers, Wi-Fi chips are being put in into cameras,

keyboards, mice and television. Industry guru in the know of the

matter say that the current and next-generation versions of Wi-Fi have

the bandwidth to offer video and can do a variety of things at lower

power; energy use and wireless bandwidth have been the most common

stumbling blocks to using the technology in more applications.

Wi-Fi started out linking computers to broadband connections, then to

each other without cables presently allows to transmit a lot of data,

really quickly, over distances of about 120 feet. In each generation

of the technology standard, the amount of data that can be transmitted

has expanded, essentially enabling the networks to carry more

information and much faster. It could soon replace technologies such

as Bluetooth or proprietary lasers in wireless keyboards and mice.

Wi-Fi TV(TM) has been working to being TV on the convergence of TV and

the Internet. They provided the first online movie in December 1995.

Imagine watching hundreds of TV stations and chatting with others

watching the same program in a live chat box directly under the

viewing screen, and getting breaking news for each category listed,

and downloading a free dialer and making phone calls and hosting live

video parties all on one web. Wi-Fi TV(TM) has recently announced that

it is adding additional technological features to its web site to

position it to be a leader in Internet TV market share, and has

introduced a simplified sign-up process. Wi-Fi TV has several

exclusive TV stations. Stay tuned and see what comes next.

Day Kevi asked:


With the onset of technological advancement, mobile phones are stuffed with unique applications that are not only sophisticated but also user friendly. They are not just another stereotyped medium of communication but support amazing technologies that help people in carrying out their regular activities. At present, all leading brands like Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Motorola etc., offering with 3G mobile phones that have generated craze among users. Handsets also inheirt Wi Fi connectivity to support wireless networking. Both applications are similar to some extent. However, difference exist when they are compared against each other. In race between 3G mobile phones versus Wi -Fi phones, both technologies hold their importance and usefulness. Both technologies are meant for providing wireless connectivity to the handset. However, differences lie in their efficiency and quality. The 3G mobile phones allow users to enjoy voice calls, videos calls and wireless data calls. They support speedy browsing without any hurdle. On the other hand, Wi-Fi mobile phones also support surfing at a reasonable rate but not as smooth as compare to 3G technology. On comparing the functions of 3G mobile phones and Wi -Fi phones, one will get to know that the previous handset encompasses wide range of functions like video calling, fast down loading and importantly network in even remote areas. But, Wi-Fi has nothing to do with the network. However, it get activated in hotspot areas. The advanced mobile phones like Nokia N97, Samsung i8910 OmniaHD, Sony Ericsson T715 etc.,possess 3G technology in them. Handsets have all required as well as sophisticated attributes that makes them highly demandable. Smart phones supports speedy connectivity through technologies like EDGE, USB, GPRS and bluetooth. With the HTML and WAP 2.0 web browser, one can surf Internet at very fast pace and can also download music, videos, pictures etc. Users can capture pictures as well as record videos of their nearest ones with their high quality camera. The other features that present in smart phones are messaging, call record, phone book, organiser etc. One fill the communication gap not only through calls but also by sending messages in formSMS, MMS and Emails at very fast pace without any network problem. mobile phones have become affordable mean of communication for people belonging to all strata of society. One can find various handsets with simple features as well devices with advanced features. Depending on personal taste, one can choose handset and enjoy unrestricted service. One can find information related on any of these devices on various sites. Internet is the best way that allow comparison of handsets that help users in making decision. One can compare price, features, etc ., of handsets and can judge them based on the need. There are various protocols that have separate column where users can post their comments. In order to make mobile phones more attractive, retailers provide certain gifts on them. These offers include PS3, iPod, laptops etc that add creditability to handsets. One can say that 3G mobile phones have change the course of communication history. So,it’s time for you decide your handset and enjoy advanced application without worrying about the network.

Market Wire asked:


REDWOOD CITY, CA–(Marketwire – November 5, 2009) – AeroScout, the leading provider of Unified Asset Visibility for improving operational efficiency, working with Telefónica and Cisco, today announced that the Mercedes-Benz dealership of Valencia, Spain has successfully deployed AeroScout’s Vehicle Tracking and Management solution. Using the AeroScout Wi-Fi RFID solution, the dealership is able to leverage its reliable, flexible and high-performance Cisco Unified Wireless Network, which is also used for Wi-Fi and voice applications. In addition, the dealership is able to extend operational efficiencies to its service department and ensure the distinctive, high-quality customer experience associated with the Mercedes-Benz brand.

The Mercedes-Benz dealership in Valencia covers 28,000 square meters and has seven workshops and four large parking areas. It deployed AeroScout’s solution to monitor the real-time location of every vehicle brought in for servicing across the entire dealership — both indoors and outdoors. The solution consists of AeroScout Wi-Fi Tags, AeroScout Exciters, a Cisco 3350 Mobility Services Engine (MSE) with Context-Aware Mobility Solution and AeroScout’s MobileView software. The solution is integrated into an application developed by Telefónica that provides car history reports and prints the location of vehicles on a site map.

Every vehicle brought in for maintenance and servicing is fitted with an AeroScout tag, and the tag’s identification number is automatically associated with the specific car using a license plate reader. Once a vehicle is tagged, the service department can monitor the location of the car anywhere in the dealership in real time. This significantly reduces the time staff spends searching for vehicles that are frequently moving around the facility. The dealership is also able to provide accurate updates to customers during servicing, and when customers arrive to pick up their cars, they are given a printed map of the lot with the appropriate vehicle pinpointed.

“Knowing where every car is on the lot at all times has helped us increase the throughput of our servicing department while delivering a level of service that strengthens our customer relationships,” said Vicente Mesado, CIO at Mercedes-Benz Valencia. “For example, we can quickly see if a particular car has moved from the body shop to the paint area without having to send someone to search the entire facility. This means we can accurately predict how much time is left before the work on a particular car will be completed and keep customers updated accordingly.”

“We were particularly interested in analyzing the actual duration that vehicles remained in each workshop to obtain real measures of our efficiency in order to improve processes and optimize resources,” said Mesado. “It has been a tremendous benefit to our company and our brand.”

Mercedes-Benz Valencia also wanted a solution that would increase safety levels at the entry and exit areas of the dealership. A security control application was integrated with AeroScout’s software that only allows authorized vehicles to exit the lot. Additionally, the dealership needed to optimize the available space in its parking zones, as the indoor area is limited. To ensure that these parking places are utilized properly, vehicles in stock — as well as customer cars — are identified and tracked. This allows the dealership to not only gain more control over parking areas, but also to have a real-time snapshot of stock inventories.

“We’re pleased to work with Telefónica and Cisco to help Mercedes-Benz Valencia operate more efficiently and deliver the best possible service to its customers,” said Gabi Daniely, Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy at AeroScout. “Importantly, the dealership gained this value by leveraging its standard Wi-Fi network, which enabled it to deploy a variety of applications across the entire facility.”

About AeroScout

AeroScout is the market leader in Unified Asset Visibility solutions. Customers improve operational efficiency using AeroScout products that leverage standard Wi-Fi networks to track and manage the location, condition and status of mobile assets and people. AeroScout’s global customer base consists of leading hospital, manufacturing and logistics organizations, including many of the Fortune 500. The company invented the first Wi-Fi-based Active RFID tag, and today is widely recognized as leading the market in number of deployments and tags shipped. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, AeroScout has offices in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Latin America. For more information, please visit www.aeroscout.com.

AeroScout is a registered trademark of AeroScout, Inc. Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Information is subject to change without notice.

Paul Ngai asked:


Some 70 – 80% of mobile traffic originates from inside buildings. This is especially true in urban environments where the focus of the mobile user is on high data rates. For mobile 3G network, only serving macro base station within a few hundred meters of the building can provide sufficient level of RF signal to support indoor voice/data services. In realty, only a few buildings will fall into this category. Soft handover in 3G network will further increase the traffic load on the network since each indoor mobile phone can be serviced by more than one macro cells (base stations). In order to provide indoor high speed mobile data services such as HSPA (High speed Packet Access) or EVDO (Evolution – Data Optimized) services, the only solution is an indoor Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS).

DAS is used to distribute the RF signal evenly with sufficient strength inside a building to provide 3G voice and data services. DAS can be used to isolate the indoor network from the outdoor serving macro cells to eliminate the soft handover of the indoor mobile phone. This will reduce the traffic load and increase the speed of the 3G network. For HSPA high speed data service, indoor DAS can also provide isolation between serving and non-serving cells of the outdoor network. This means less co-channel interference in the HSPA serving cell and results in higher data rate for the HSPA service. To dominate the building with indoor coverage, directional antennas can be deployed at the edge and corners of the building and pointing towards the center of the building. The total indoor area is dominated by the indoor cell and at the same time minimizes leakage to the macro network.

DAS distributes a uniform dominant RF signal inside the building by splitting the signal from the indoor base station to multiple indoor antennas to provide coverage throughout the building. DAS can be classified as passive or active. Passive DAS uses passive components to distribute the RF signal. These passive components are coax cable, splitters, terminators, attenuators, circulators, couplers and filters (duplexer, diplexer or triplexer). Planning DAS includes calculating the maximum loss from base station to each antenna in the systems and does the link budget for the particular area that each antenna covers. The passive DAS design needs to adapt to the limitation of the building regarding the restriction to where and how the heavy coax cable can be installed. A detail site survey of the building needed to be done to make sure that there are cable routes to all antennas.

Active DAS has the ability to automatically compensate for the losses of the cables interconnecting the components in the system by using internal calibrating signals and amplifiers. It does not matter what the distance between the antenna and the base station, all antennas in an active DAS will have the same performance (same noise figure and downlink power). Active DAS consists of a master unit (MU) connected to multiple expansion units (EU) with optical fiber up to 6 km in length. Each EU in turns connects to multiple remote units (RU) with thin coax or CAT5 cable up to 400m in length. The MU controls and monitors the performance of the DAS. The EUs are distributed throughout the building and the RUs are installed close to the antenna. A wideband active DAS can support multiple radio services, GSM, PCS, UMTS, EVDO, WiMax and WiFi.

Due to the loss and attenuation in the coax cable and passive components, passive DAS is only used in smaller building covers by a small number of indoor antennas to keep its degrading impact on HSPA performance to a minimum. For larger building, active DAS is used because it does not have cable and component loss and can boost the HSPA performance to the maximum. Troubleshoot in passive DAS is difficult and any fault in the systems will not raise an alarm at the base station because there is no surveillance of errors in the system. Active DAS monitors all units in the system and in the event of malfunction; it will send an alarm to the base station which enables the operator to pinpoint the source of the problem. Hence, active DAS is the preferred solution for large building with a lot of indoor antennas.

George Scifo asked:


The key value of any wireless product is its ability to deliver the necessary capacity over an area of coverage at a cost that enables a favorable return on investment.

The impediment to achieving this simple goal is RF signal attenuation, which imposes constraints when balancing the contradictory objectives of close proximity (to enhance capacity) and long range (to extend coverage and lower costs). For example, a point-to-multipoint base station at a tower provides high capacity to subscribers in close proximity but capacity lessens over distance. To resolve capacity degradation, a point-to-point link can be deployed from the tower to a remote point-to-multipoint base station optimally situated to provide better proximity and increase capacity but at a significant increase in costs.

The best way to summarize the mutual exclusivity of close proximity and long range is the expression:

“Cost, Coverage, and Capacity: Pick Any Two”

Broadband wireless, therefore, is defined by these limitations:

1. Low cost and long range, but with low capacity.

2. Low cost and high capacity, but only at short range.

3. Long range and high capacity, but at a high cost

SkyPilot, however, has a patented broadband wireless system that helps overcome these limitations. Although still bound by RF signal attenuation, SkyPilot is able to provide breakthrough economics to wireless operators by extending coverage and improving capacity through an innovative wireless architecture called SyncMesh™.

SyncMesh – Redefining Broadband Wireless

To confront the seemingly impossible goals of high capacity, long range, and low cost, SkyPilot developed a patented Synchronous Switching broadband wireless system. These systems, when coordinated by the SyncMesh™ protocol, dynamically align high-gain directional antennas throughout an entire network of interconnected base stations.

With this architecture, every base station covers 360° through eight individual 45° antennas. The base station dynamically switches between these high-gain (18 dBi) antennas to provide both long-range point-to-multipoint links to CPE as well as long-range point-to-point links to other base stations. By dynamically interconnecting base stations with point-to-point link, SyncMesh can enable multi-hop wireless networking, with each base station functioning as a “relay” to extend the total coverage area. Therefore, with dynamic antenna switching, each system integrates a point-to-point backhaul, multi-hop relay, and point-to-multipoint base station within a single system to extend range and keep costs low.

Note, however, that SyncMesh does not simply repeat the signal, since that is an inefficient and wasteful use of spectral capacity. Instead, SyncMesh coordinates and synchronizes transmissions to maximize network-wide capacity. By allowing multiple simultaneous narrow-beam transmissions, SyncMesh mitigates self-interference and leverages spatial diversity to maximize spectrum reuse, resulting in efficient capacity utilization throughout the entire spectrum.

With the SyncMesh protocol coordinating the alignment of directional antennas, SkyPilot has been able to redefine broadband wireless as:

“Cost, Coverage, and Capacity: Pick Any Three”

Coverage Extension

To extend the coverage served by each cell tower, SyncMesh uses a combination of high-gain directional antennas and multi-hop relaying at every base station in the network. High-gain directional antennas are, of course, one of the best methods to increase range since it increases the link budget for both transmit and receive. They also enable many of the advanced SyncMesh features such as spectral reuse and self-interference mitigation.

Long Range Point-to-Point Backhaul Links

At synchronized time slots, each and every SyncMesh node dynamically switches to the optimal high-gain antenna for transmission coordination. Since each backhaul link has a directional 18 dBi antenna at each end, the SyncMesh nodes leverage 36 dBi of gain to provide a line-of-sight (LOS) link of up to 10 miles/16 km. These links can also support non-line-of-sight (NLOS) through OFDM modulation; however, the ranges of NLOS links vary, of course, depending on the type and amount of obstructions.

Multi-Hop Relay Range Extension

Through the multi-hop relaying capability, each base station can act as a relay node as well. This allows the range covered from a cell tower to extend over multiple hops, with each “hop” extending range by up to 10 miles/16 km as indicated earlier. With multi-hop relay capabilities, the reach from the tower is no longer limited to a single base station; instead, the reach from the tower can be greatly extended through a series of interconnected base stations.

Long Range Point-to-Multipoint Links

The same dynamically switched 18 dBi antennas are also used for point-to-multipoint links. With point-to-multipoint, the base station connects with SkyConnector customer premise equipment (CPE), which also has a high-gain directional antenna. With these high-gain antennas, high-power radios, and OFDM links, the base station can provide LOS links to CPE as far away as 7.5 miles/12 km.

Coverage Fill-in by Routing Around Obstructions

Extending coverage is not just about pushing out the boundary of a coverage cell – coverage extension also applies to filling in coverage holes. Since SyncMesh provide multi-hop relay capabilities, remote base stations can be routed around obstructions to easily reach and fill-in any holes in coverage.

Capacity Efficiencies

SyncMesh is specifically designed to make the most efficient use of available spectrum over an entire mesh of base stations. When the entire mesh of directional links is viewed as a whole, the SyncMesh protocol enables multiple links to transmit using the same frequency with limited self-interference through a distributed synchronous protocol. This enables optimal spectrum reuse throughout an entire coverage region to increase the total “goodput” per second of airtime.

OFDM with Adaptive Modulation

All SyncMesh links use OFDM to provide the best ability to close high-modulation rate links, even in NLOS environments. The links are constantly monitored and modulation rates periodically adapt to any changes in the wireless environment to ensure optimal performance.

Spatial Spectral Reuse

One of the main benefits of the mesh-wide coordinated transmission pattern is the idea of “spatial spectral reuse”. Since SyncMesh coordinates all of the dynamic directional links, multiple simultaneous transmissions occur on the same frequency, effectively reusing the spectrum throughout the entire coverage region.

High Modulation Rates

Since SyncMesh nodes all carry multi-hop point-to-point backhaul, they can easily be deployed in close proximity to subscribers. This allows the ability to convert “cell edge” low-modulation subscribers to high-modulation subscribers through better proximity. With this capability, the network-wide average modulation rate increases and optimizes the “goodput” by enabling more frequent higher-throughout transmissions throughout the network.

Self-Interference Mitigation

As a result of dynamically switching directional antennas and synchronizing the reuse of the spectrum, SyncMesh uses spatial diversity to effectively mitigate self-interference, resulting in further improving modulation rates and overall spectral efficiency.

Linear Capacity Scalability through Spectral Layering

Since SyncMesh maximizes the spectral efficiency of a single frequency by optimally reusing the channel over a wide coverage range, it enables the use of alternative channels to linearly scale capacity. “Layering” alternate channels throughout the coverage region makes maximum use of available frequencies.

Breakthrough Economics

Through the technical advantages of greater coverage range and more efficient spectrum utilization, a large amount of bandwidth can be propagated from a single capacity injection point. When combined the other SyncMesh features, this leads to significant economic advantages.

Multi-Hop Coverage Extension Reduces Towers Costs

Multi-hop backhaul greatly increases the coverage radius of a single tower, thereby reducing the number of towers required to provide broadband services over a given coverage area. Reducing the number of towers required directly lowers the associated tower acquisition and lease costs as well as the number of leased or microwave backhaul connections required for each site.

Integrated Backhaul, Relay, and Base Station Reduces Capital Costs

The unique integration of a point-to-point backhaul, a multi-hop relay, and a point-to-multipoint base station leads to a significant reduction in network capital costs. Since these distinct functions are not discrete products, there are no additional costs because they are simply integrated into a single networking system. The ability to reuse the radio for different functions by dynamically switching directional antennas lowers the overall costs of deploying broadband wireless.

In addition, there is only a single point-of-attachment. He said we should mention that 360 coverage for Gateways and Extenders means you only need to pay for one attachment to a tower. Most of the company’s that rent tower space charge for each attachment.

Automatic Discovery and Automatic Antenna Pointing Reduces Operating Costs

The ability of SyncMesh to automatically discover all nodes and dynamically and automatically point directional antennas leads to a dramatically decrease in operating expenses. Since each SyncMesh product can covers 360° by dynamically switching to any of eight separate 45° directional antennas, there is no manual antenna pointing required, regardless of whether the links are point-to-point, relay, or point-to-multipoint. SyncMesh automatically discovers all nodes and automatically configures each and every link, which reduces the operational cost associated with deploying an advanced broadband wireless network. This minimizes the “hands-on” operational expertise and reduces the overall time to deploy.

Additional Benefits Derived from SyncMesh

In addition to all of the aforementioned benefits, the SyncMesh architecture also provides additional features that provide benefits to wireless operators.

Best-Path Routing, Dynamic Rerouting, and Self-Healing Failover

SyncMesh has the ability to determine if multiple routes are available and to choose the optimal path. In addition, if modulation rates change or the network configuration changes, the mesh of interconnected point-to-point backhaul links can automatically and dynamically adapt. This optimizes throughput and can provide self-healing capabilities in case of failures.

Latency Guarantees

Since SyncMesh is a synchronized protocol, it can provide low latency, low jitter, and guarantees for latency-sensitive traffic such as VoIP.

Wireless Backhaul for Wi-Fi Access

With the synchronous wireless mesh network operating in the 5 GHz frequency band, it allows each mesh node to also provide Wi-Fi access services. All SkyPilot mesh nodes are available with Wi-Fi access points (APs) at 2.4 and 4.9 GHz. This allows Wi-Fi access to be spread over large coverage areas.

“Ethernet In/Ethernet Out”

Each SyncMesh network is a full Layer 2 network, which results in “Ethernet In/Ethernet Out” across the network. This Layer 2 architecture supports virtual LANs (VLANs) and a full range of Layer 3 protocols including IPv4 and IPv6. In addition, when used as the backhaul for Wi-Fi access, mobile devices are not required to renew their IP address since they are not crossing subnet boundaries. 21BFrequency Flexibility Each high-gain directional antenna support a range of frequencies from 4.940-6.075 GHz. This allows each node to provide frequency flexibility and give operators the ability to change to new frequencies as required.

Summary

Although all wireless products are bound by the laws of physics, innovations solutions can help alleviate some of the fundamental constraints. The SyncMesh protocol leverages the notion of high-gain directional antennas to increase range and capacity, but through its patented method of switching between antennas, still provides the cost advantage associated with omnidirectional antenna systems. In the end, SkyPilot has been able to redefine broadband wireless to “Cost, Coverage, and Capacity: Pick Any Three”

andrew.regan.2006@googlemail.com asked:


As the battle of the handheld gaming systems hots up, one of the emerging must-haves is proving to be the capability of Wi-Fi gaming. As the term implies, Wi-Fi gaming involves playing games via a Wi-Fi internet connection to other players. The two most popular handheld gaming consoles, the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and the Nintendo DS, both allow Wi-Fi gaming, across the PlayStation Network and the Nintendo Wi-Fi Network, respectively.

Wi-Fi gaming allows users to compete against others connected to the internet nearby or even on the other side of the world. Even if you don’t have friends who have an interest in gaming, with 53 million Nintendo DS consoles and 25 million PSP consoles sold worldwide, it is unlikely that there won’t be anyone to play against, regardless of your preferred gaming genre.

Wi-Fi networks are accessible within the transmitting range of a wireless access point, or hotspot. In the US, the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has gone as far as to offer free Wi-Fi access to all of its residents. In the UK, Norwich is pioneering a free city-wide Wi-Fi project, employing 200 antennas to cover the city centre and three sectors of the city. Similar projects are being planned for other major UK cities, such as Manchester, London and Birmingham. For those not lucky enough to live in a city with a comparable scheme there are several free Wi-Fi connections in cafés, pubs and public places such as airports, and Nintendo have even struck a deal with McDonald’s in order to provide designated Wi-Fi access for the Nintendo Wi-Fi Network. In the UK there are currently 7500 branches offering this facility.

For those who prefer gaming at home, in addition to the handheld consoles, the latest-generation home consoles, that is, the Nintendo Wii, the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 can all access the internet for gaming via Wi-Fi connections, although the Xbox 360 will require the optional USB Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter to go wireless.

The range of games available for the handheld consoles for online play should be wide enough to suit anyone’s tastes. There’s role playing games such as Final Fantasy III and Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass, first-person shooters like Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas, racing games such as Mario Kart DS and sports games, including FIFA 08 to name but a few. The opportunities are literally endless, and with the market for online gaming set to increase from $5.9bn in 2007 to $13bn by 2012 according to research by the DFC Intelligence Group, that is unlikely to change anytime soon.

So with an almost limitless amount of places to play the games, people to play with and game genres, gamers are simply spoilt for choice by the current wave of Wi-Fi gaming.

Pinky Mcbanon asked:


Wi-Fi is a term used commonly for Wireless Local Area Networking. Wi-Fi is a quick and easy method of networking various devices wirelessly.

Wireless networking is usually done as follows – A wireless adapter in the computer converts digital data to radio frequency (RF) waves and transmits these waves using an antenna. This signal is picked up by a wireless router in the vicinity that converts the RF waves back to digital data and transfers the data over the Internet through an Ethernet connection.

Wireless networking uses the frequencies of 2.4GHz or 5GHz. Wireless networking offers a low-cost and cable-free solution for Local Area Networks. As long as each computer has a wireless adapter, the same wireless router can be used by several computers to connect to the Internet. This connection is very reliable provided the bandwidth limit is not exceeded, in which case users may experience intermittent connection to the Internet.

Wi-Fi is actually a certification issued by an alliance consisting of over 300 companies for wireless devices that use the IEEE 802.11 standard for networking. The Wi-Fi standard is a global one. The certification costs are steep but it ensures seamless interfacing of devices with Wi-Fi certification.

Wi-Fi also allows peer-to-peer connections between wireless devices, more commonly known as an ad-hoc network that is of great significance in gaming and pervasive computing applications.

Whenever a Wi-Fi enabled device such as a laptop, mp3 player or a mobile phone enters the coverage of a wireless network connected to the Internet, Internet access is available for that device. A set of interconnected access points is called a hotspot – many hotspots are available in public spaces like airports, parks and offices.

With a single Internet connection and a wireless hot spot in a home, cable-free Internet connectivity can be provided to multiple wireless-capable devices. As wireless-enabled hardware gets cheaper and cheaper, Wi-Fi networks are emerging as the preferred option for home networking.

The range of a Wi-Fi equipment is typically between 30-95m. Wireless repeaters are sometimes used to extend the range of Wi-Fi equipment. In addition, Wi-Fi devices usually suffer from interference caused by devices like Microwave ovens that work in the 2.4GHz range. Another issue plaguing Wi-Fi equipment is the high power consumption. This becomes an issue in portable equipment running on batteries.