What’s your speed?
If you currently have broadband Internet service, you can test the speed of your service online by using an Internet speed test. This test will not only show you your current speed, but also help you determine if you need an upgrade in service.

Broadband services available
The types of broadband technologies include DSL, cable modem, wireless, satellite, and fiber. Not all of these services may be available for everyone, so it’s best to see what is available in your area.

• DSL – uses wireline transmission technology to transmit data faster over traditional copper telephone lines which are installed in homes and businesses.
• Cable modem – allows cable operators to provide broadband service using the coaxial cables, which deliver cable TV to your home.
• Wireless – connects to the Internet using a radio link between your location and the service provider’s facility.
• Satellite – this is a type of wireless broadband that uses satellite technology to link customers to broadband service.
• Fiber – converts electrical signals carrying data to light and sends the light through transparent glass fibers. This method of broadband is much faster than DSL or cable modem speeds. It is not widely avaiable yet; however, Google Fiber may change that.

How fast can you go?
What type of speeds do you need to do what you want, be it common web browsing, watching movies or online gaming? We took a look and compared different types of broadband speeds, thanks to some help from the Broadband Classroom.

Speed: 1.5 Mbps to 3 Mbps
You can: web browse, email, listen to streaming music and watch standard definition video (SD)*.
At this speed, you can download a book 1 MB in size in 2.7 seconds, a song at 4 MB in 10.7 seconds, and a movie 6144 MB in size in 4 hours and 33 minutes.

Speed: 6 Mbps to 10 Mbps
You can: Play online games and watch videos on demand, but only on one device. If you have more than one person sharing your connection, expect buffering*.
At this speed, you can download a book 1 MB in size in 0.8 seconds, a song at 4 MB in 3.2 seconds, and a movie 6144 MB in size in 1 hour and 22 minutes.

Speed: 10 Mbps to 15 Mbps
You can: Attend classes via remote education (distance education programming courses online) and watch HD TV programming*.

Speed: 15 Mbps to 50 Mpbs
You can: Use HD video surveilliance, and run multiple activities online (streaming video, music, and gaming) on more than one device, without delays*.

Speed: 50 Mbps and up
You can: Use video conferencing with multiple users, use remote super computing, and collect of data in real-time*.
At this speed, you can download a book 1 MB in size in 0.1 seconds, a song 4 MB in size in 0.3 seconds, and a movie 6144 MB in size in 8 minutes.

If you are just a casual web browser who needs access to check an occasional email, you may not need download speeds of 50 Mbps. If you and your family have several connected devices, with each person using some sort of streaming service at one time, then you may need one of the higher speeds available. It’s best to evaluate your needs, so you won’t be left in the dust, buffering indefinitely.

*Information related to broadband speeds comes from David Salway, director of the Broadband Program Office for New York State.

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There are an incredible amount of streaming music services now, but unfortunately a lot of them tend to be subpar because of minimal content and bad-user experience. Here are some strong, free music streaming services for music folks who love streaming at work and on the go.

1. Spotify

Spotify is one of the best music streaming services available. If you know what you like by artist, album and track, you don’t need programming. That’s the magic of Spotify. It’s comparable to a free iTunes Store. If you’re not using Spotify, you’re seriously missing out. The best thing about Spotify is their immense library, good taste, amazing quality and their iPad app version just to name a few. With Spotify, you don’t even need the paid service at all. And if you do pay, it’s not that expensive. Try it out!

2. Pandora

Pandora is the streaming radio mecca of the online world and is where music streaming began to get serious. It may be safe to assume that most people have a Pandora subscription and a mobile app as the iPad app interface is amazing.

3. Songza

Songza has Internet radio playlists compiled by music critics, legendary DJs, musicians and music lovers. You can even submit a playlist (i.e. a 70s Turkish Psych playlist of your favorite artists like Selda and Baris Manco). They also have some amazing playlist categories like working, boosting your energy, hanging out or taking a sunny stroll. Even cooler offerings are the Record-store Clerk categories, like Classic Prog, Krautrock and Early West Coast Punk (i.e. The Germs, Gun Club, Black Flag). Plus, the mobile app for iPad and iPhone are both totally amazing.

4. Whyd

Whyd is like the Pinterest of music and could be the solution for all of your endless YouTube and Soundcloud bookmarks. The service is part organization tool—like an RSS reader—and part social network. It can save anything from YouTube, Vimeo or SoundCloud and is totally free. Check out their website to request an invitation so you can start uploading.

5. Songdrop

Songdrop is another tool with a bit of a fancier UI/UX and the spinning records are super-cool. What makes Songdrop different is the “drop” feature, which is very similar to the Pinterest “pin” feature.

There are many more music streaming services and many more soon to come, but for now, try these out and start developing your own process for collecting and listening to free streaming music.
Alan Henry and his life-changing article called The Best Streaming Services You Aren’t Using (But Should) was an influence while writing this article.

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This service has three account types: Free, Radio Plus, and Premium. The Free service has advertisements much like a regular station would air. Radio Plus allows caching to multiple mobile phones, no advertisements, and the ability to shut off DJs. The Premium account allows the creation of playlists, the ability to play songs on demand, and has the attributes of the Radio Plus package.

Why Listen to Slacker Radio

PC Magazine mentions some of the new additions being played to include ESPN, Car & Driver, Complex Magazine, and GQ. They state “you’ll find tips for night driving, easing a hangover, fashion advice, and more. The new additions, when combined with ABC News and the four comedy channels, push Slacker into a realm beyond just streaming music.”

Slacker has over 10 million songs, hourly business headlines, sports, talk shows, and news. Pretty much anything a user would listen to on the radio can be accessed through this service. It currently has over 200 stations covering all genres of music. They bring in musical artists for interviews and some of the artists even host their own stations.

Offline Listening

Slacker has this to say about offline listening: “Simply select the songs, stations or playlists you want stored on your device and hit the refresh button over Wi-Fi. Even when there is no signal or you are in Airplane Mode, Slacker keeps the music going.”

They have expanded their service to every smartphone platform and the user can bill their subscription directly to their phone bill. Game consoles, smart TV’s, and even cars are viable ways for the listener to tune in to this Internet radio service.

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Here are a few things you can do to optimize your Internet for video streaming.

Check your Internet speed

If you have a lousy Internet connection, it only makes sense that any attempts to watch streaming video is going to be a challenge. Check the speed of your Internet connection by using an online Internet speed test.

The recommended connection to watch videos on Netflix, is at least 5 Mbps . To watch videos on Hulu.com, they recommend a downstream bandwidth of at least 1.5 Mbps for a smooth playback experience. The requirements for watching video on Hulu Plus on your TV is download speed of at least 3 Mbps for High Definition videos and 1 Mbps for Standard Definition videos. If your connection doesn’t match these requirements, then you may need to consider an upgrade in service.

Adjust your settings

On Netflix and Hulu you can adjust the video quality settings which may be helpful if you have a slower Internet connection. Adjusting this setting to a lower video quality or choosing the best or auto setting for your connection speed may help prevent the videos from freezing up or buffering during play.

Check your bandwidth usage

Another thing to check is the amount of data you are using while watching a movie or TV show online. If you are watching a movie on a computer or laptop and simultaneously downloading large files, this could put a strain on your bandwidth connection. In addition, if you have multiple devices connected to your Internet connection, and all are consuming large amounts of bandwidth, this can slow down your video streaming process. You may want to consider closing down some of these devices while watching a movie.

Get wired, checking interference

If all else fails and you are sick of video quality that reminds you of Internet speeds from the era of dial-up, you should consider using a direct Ethernet cable connection. If that’s not an option, keep an eye out for devices that may cause interference with your WiFi connection, such as cordless phones or using a microwave. (If that’s the case, maybe you should save the popcorn for later.)

Hopefully some of these tips will improve your online viewing experience and help with those buffering blues.

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In early June, Meeker gave this year’s edition of her state of the Internet report at the All Things D conference held in California. The big technology trends for 2013, according to Meeker, are mobile, wearable technology, and the growth of personal data.

The Mobile Sector Continues to Grow

With over 1.5 billion subscribers worldwide, mobile continues to be the fastest-growing sector in the world of Internet technology. Meeker generated some controversy by stating a study that mobile users look at their devices 150 times during the day, but it appears those numbers couldn’t be substantiated. Still, there is little doubt that a growing number of users access the Internet through some form of mobile device, which leads to the next trend.

The Advent of Wearable Technology

As Google Glass continues in its beta period and new rumors about an Apple iWatch appear on an almost daily basis, wearable technology appears to be the next big thing in the tech world. Meeker feels that while the last few decades saw the dominance of the personal computer, the next few decades will be all about wearable tech.

The Visual Web Leads to the Need for Bandwidth

Mobile and wearable technology makes it easier for end users to share personal data — everything from photos to their favorite products. The sharing of photos, especially, is showing an exponential growth: Meeker expects the yearly number of shared images — currently at 500 million — to double each year for the foreseeable future. Obviously, this Meeker prediction will make bandwidth providers happy if it comes to fruition.

The opinions Mary Meeker holds on the current state of technology are shared by many others. In fact, almost anyone currently working in technology could come up with similar trends. Expect the next few years to see the continued growth of mobile usage, with many of those devices being some form of wearable technology.

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Apple iWatch Rumors: a Registered Trademark?

The latest rumor about the iWatch appears to make the device almost a reality. CNET reported on June 5, 2013, that Apple filed to register the trademark “iWatch” in Russia. Does this mean the company is ready to introduce the wearable tech watch to the public at the Apple Developers Conference this month?

The CNET article makes it a point to remind readers that technology companies regularly trademark words and phrases to protect themselves in the event that they actually release that device. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the Apple iWatch is around the corner.

Bloomberg Reported the iWatch Arrives in 2013

A March report from Bloomberg triggered a lot of the trending rumors about the iWatch. The wire service feels the next generation watch could be a profit maker for Cupertino, especially compared to the Apple TV product. Bloomberg reported that Apple currently has over 100 engineers working on the iWatch project.

Citigroup Inc. analyst Oliver Chen was quoted in the Bloomberg article that Apple stands to reap billions in sales from an iWatch. “This can be a $6 billion opportunity for Apple, with plenty of opportunity for upside if they create something totally new like they did with the iPod — something consumers didn’t even know they needed,” said Chen.

If the new Apple iWatch hits the market in time for the holidays, expect it to be the hottest piece of technology during the gift season. Whether or not that forces Google’s hand in getting their Glass out to regular consumers remains to be seen.

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All that is required to use Aereo is a Windows PC, Mac, or an iOS mobile device with a broadband internet connection, along with a compatible web browser application. If you own an iOS device, you can also leverage your Roku or Apple TV box, if it is available. Another important requirement is that Aereo needs to be available in your city; right now, the cities are limited to New York and Boston, with expansion plans to 22 other cities slated throughout 2013. With services like Aereo, high-speed Internet access is becomming even more important. See what speeds you are getting on your desktop, laptop, tablet or moble devices with the BandwidthPlace speed test.

Aereo Service Details and Features

Aereo essentially leases a tiny remote antenna to each subscriber. That antenna is connected to the Internet, providing the user’s account with streaming TV content from over the air channels in that area, including the major broadcast networks, and local Spanish and Asian language networks. Remote DVR functionality is hosted on Aereo’s Cloud-based servers.

The monthly subscriber cost is either $8 or $12 depending on the amount of DVR storage, and yearly subscription plans are available with a nominal savings from the monthly rate. The picture quality appears to be great and Aereo looks to be a valid option if you want to watch live TV online in addition to using a Hulu, Netflix, or other video streaming account. Aereo will not work while traveling as you must access your Aereo account from an IP address in your local area.

Aereo Controversy Lurks

Of course, with any innovative product there is bound to be controversy, and Aereo is no different. Soon after announcing their service, Aereo was sued for copyright infringement by a consortium of broadcast providers stating Aereo’s streaming service constituted a public performance. Both an initial hearing with a Federal judge and a follow-up appeals hearing ruled that Aereo’s service offerings were not public performances, so the fledgling company appears to be on solid legal ground moving forward.

If you are interested in Aereo, you must preregister for the service assuming you live in a city slated for expansion. If you live outside one of those areas, you should still register to let the company know of your interest.

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If you don’t want to be tied down to desktop versions of spreadsheets and want to be able to work on a spreadsheet no matter where you are, there are many online applications available. For those who need to collaborate or share data with others, an online spreadsheet can be a useful tool.

Here are five options that will have you taking your data to the cloud:

• Google Docs – A major contender among the list of online spreadsheet apps, Google’s spreadsheet is similar to the more familiar Excel and is shareable with others.
• Zoho – You can create, edit and share spreadsheets. The sharing options allow you to work with others on spreadsheets in real time. Import your Excel spreadsheets and export spreadsheets created to Zoho in the various formats available.
• EditGrid – Considered to be an online version of Excel, EditGrid has the same look and feel of the desktop application as well as sharing the standard spreadsheet features. You have the option of syncing your spreadsheets to your desktop and sharing with others. There is even a built in chat function that allows you to send messages to others you may be working with.
• ThinkFree – Create, view or edit worksheets. ThinkFree Calc also comes with the standard spreadsheet features and gives you the ability to create advanced worksheets.
• Grid – This visually appealing spreadsheet is made for the iPhone and iPad. Grid works like a spreadsheet, but it’s not just about numbers. According to the creators of Grid, it is about to-do lists, grocery shopping, planning and organizing the things that matter in your life. Although the current version of Grid does not have the ability to run spreadsheet calculations, it is slated to be included in future versions. Don’t worry, the CEO and designer of Grid is Josh Leong, designer of Microsoft’s Excel 2013, so he should know something about spreadsheets. Grid is available June 6, 2013, in the Apple store.

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Setting Up the PS3 Media Server is Easy

The PlayStation 3′s media server capability allows it to connect to any Digital LIfe Network Alliance (DLNA) compatible device on your network. This lets the PS3 serve as a client and be able to stream any form of media like video, music or photos from the connected device. This client-server networking is possible using either a wireless router or a hardwired Ethernet connection.

There are a wide array of devices that support the DLNA standard. One common device is a Windows PC with at least version 11 of the Windows Media Player installed. Whatever DLNA device you use, make sure it is set up to allow shared access. If not, you won’t be able to see the device from your PlayStation 3.

Enjoying a Variety of Media from the PlayStation 3

Once all the DLNA devices on your network are enabled to share their content, they will be visible on your PS3′s XMB interface either on the photo, video or music menu icon, depending on the media type. All folders and files that were marked as shareable on the DLNA device can be browsed or played on the PS3.

The PS3 media server capability is just another great way to get more life and functionality out of your PlayStation 3. If you have a large library of music on a server on your home network, some PS3 games even allow the use of those songs as a soundtrack while playing the game. Now, that’s cool!

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Bandwidth is the speed with which data is transferred to a computer or network. The speed is determined by the technology used by the sender and the receiver of the information. Latency can essentially be anything that limits the data flow to the computer or network. Bottlenecked data, or latency, can be caused from hardware, excessive multiuser usage of the network or even solar flares. If the data is transmitted via satellite or through a wireless router, then clouds and distance can also cause latency issues.

Battling WoW Lag

Battle.net, World of Warcraft’s website, considers latency over 300 ms to be high, but many players that are raiders and PvPers would argue that anything over 30 ms is poor. It really only matters if it is affecting the game play. Players running solo to enjoy questing content won’t really be affected by a 300 ms latency. When checking latency, remember that there is a home latency and a world latency. If the world latency is high then there is nothing that can be done.

Here are a few quick tips to help find where latency is coming from. World of Warcraft players can find more detailed information at the link noted above.

• Custom UI conflicts – Players have the option of adjusting their video controls for a better playing experience. Some of the options can weigh heavy on the computer system and cause internal latency issues.
• Connection type – Wireless always adds latency to bandwidth because other signals can be picked up and they have to be ciphered properly. Test different types of connections to see how your bandwidth performs.
• Configure router and firewall – Both of these create an added layer for the system to process. The more hardware and software used to require the data to pass, the more latency is added to the throughput.
• Third party apps – These can cause two separate issues: if the app is graphic-intensive, it will be utilizing memory from the video card; if the app accesses the Internet, it can be “stealing” bandwidth from World of Warcraft.
• Hardware – The network and video cards are going to be the main culprits here. Make sure all recent drivers are installed and there are no conflicts.

WoW lag cannot be defeated, but following a few of the steps above can help to knock it down to a respectable size.

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