Although the use of wireless, satellite-based internet is now availabe from companies like Clear Internet, this method comes with unavoidable latency issues. Two primary problems that affect wireless Internet are signal stability and signal strength. Signal stability will depend on temporal environmental changes and other signals present in the air. Signal strength mainly depends on the distance the signals have to cover and obstructions along the path.
In case of geostationary satellites, the signals cover a distance of around 22,236 miles to the orbit before returning to earth. Even though the signals travel at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) the distance still results in notable delay between transmission and reception. Assuming there are no other delays, it still takes about a quarter of a second (250 milliseconds) for the signal to travel to the satellite and back.
The theoretical minimum for receiving internet packets is twice the delay. When you factor in delays from other normal sources, it takes between 1000 and 1400 milliseconds for the signals to travel to the satellite and back to earth, which makes latency a significant issue.
Signal stability also leads to latency issues because there is always a need to add more processing to compensate for the signal instability. Although the signals always travel at the speed of light, the interaction of hardware and software in processing them leads to more delays. While further fine tuning can lower the latency, the theoretical minimum will still be higher than for wired Internet connections.
Latency creates some pertinent problems, particularly in gaming and VoIP communications. Even if people’s voices do not have a robotic sound, callers still have to grapple with odd silences as the signals travel to their destinations. Have you ever watched television communications where one speaker has finished speaking while the other still waits, leading to awkward silences? The same applies to such VoIP calls as Skype. Gaming also becomes less natural as players wait for signals to travel back and forth.
Obviously, wireless internet access is going to become the norm over the next few years. Technological solutions to these latency problems are on the way. You can learn more about the convenience of portable internet solutions at www.clearwirelessinternet4g.com and see what the future has to offer.
The Webbook is described by Litl as “an internet computer that works great with your favorite websites”. The Litle Webbook can be used as a standard netbook or, flipped round, as a TV device with an optional remote control and “TV style” control knob. It comes equipped with a 12-inch LCD display with an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, a GPU that can playback H.264 in 720p, a 1GB of RAM, and a 2GB of built in flash storage. What makes the Webbook interesting is that it has no hard drive because all data is stored on the Internet. Additional features include a built-in WiFi, a headphone port, HDMI, a USB 2.0 port, and a built-in webcam and mic for video conference. The The Litl Webbook is now available for $699 a pop. [Litl]
Korea-based C-motech has shown off a new Mobile Internet Device (MID) namely the Mangrove. Unlike conventional MIDs, the gadget is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and Windows Mobile 6.5 OS. For your info, the Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU is usually used in smartphones including the Toshiba TG01 or Acer’s Android-based A1. The Mangrove MID also features a bunch of goodies that include a 7-inch touchscreen display, two USB 2.0 ports, a Micro SD card slot, Wi-Fi connectivity, and even WiMAX. Pricing and availability info are still unknown. [C-motech]
The iXP3 Internet Messaging Clock is a portable timepiece that is able to display an instant message sent to or from you as long as the device is connected to the internet. You just need to send your personal message through the iXP3 website or by email and it will be sent to any place on earth and displayed in bright red letters above the unit. When not displaying messages, the iXP3 Internet Messaging Clock displays only the current time and temperature. The IPX3 Internet Messaging Clock will be available on October 12th, 2009 for $119.95. [Innovatoys]
Vodafone has recently launched its latest mobile broadband for several major cities in the U.K including London, Birmingham and Liverpool. Customers can enjoy download speeds varying from 1Mbps to 4Mbps with a practical maximum speed of 10.8Mbps. Vodafone has also reported that 80% of its datacards/dongles and 3G handsets are compatible with the new speed. [Ubergizmo]
Still remember the BenQ MID S6 that we mentioned last year? The Mobile Internet Device is now available for purchase. The gadget features a 4.8-inch high-resolution touchscreen display, a built-in 3.5G and Wi-Fi connectivity, and an embedded VoIP functionality. It can be used as a digital photo frame, enabling your friends and relatives to share your photos and pleasant memories. In addition, the BenQ MID S6 is the first MID equipped with built-in Windows XP Home Edition and embedded VoIP in Taiwan. [FarEastGizmos]
Japanese telecommunication company UQ Communication offers free WiMax to all subscribers (limited to 5000 people) until June 2009. Starting today until the 15th, if you subscribe to a WiMax connection in Tokyo, Yokohama, or Kawasaki for a monthly fee of 4,480 Yen, then you will receive free WiMax service with 40Mbps downlink and 10Mbps uplink speed. Just remember that you need one of these WiMax USBs or PCMCIA cards. [Akihabara]
By 2012 the Korea Communications Commission will launch the world’s fastest wired and wireless Internet service at 10 times the speed of the current service. The aim is to give users seamless access to large-capacity, high-quality convergence services such as IPTV. Through fixed lines the internet service will acquire at average speed of 1 Gbps and through wireless at 10 Mbps. One Gbps allows users to download a 120-minute film in just 12 seconds, pretty awesome! [Fareastgizmos]
Building your own internet radio is now become possible with the help of this Microchip Internet Radio Board. The board itself comes pre programmed and ready to play out of the box. It features MPEG audio codecs, an RJ45 port, push button switches and an OLED for all your station, track and other display needs. Now you’ll be able to listen to your favorite radio programs without having to be inside the reception range for your local radio station, ain’t that cool! The Microchip Internet Radio Board retails for £71.51. [EMCelettronica]
Check out the world’s first internet car radio from Blaupunkt and miRoamer. Users will be able to access to the world’s largest and most diverse selection of internet radio content from music, entertainment, news and talk all through their car stereo. Other familiar features include phone, address book, bluetooth and navigation. The device will be introduce at CES 2009. [Gizmodo]
