Category: Gaming

Best Internet Speed for 4K Gaming

Last Updated: February 28, 2018

Written by:

In terms of screen resolution, 4K is the next level after most TVs went began to support 1080p in the past decade. DirecTV was the first TV provider to offer 4K content through on-demand and it picked up steam with sports programming where viewers could now stream matches in 4K live. Since YouTube now supports 8K video content, 4K video streaming is now becoming more common.

xbox-one-x-image
Microsoft’s new Xbox One X video game system. Image copyright Microsoft.

4K is here to stay for TV and video so it’s no surprise that video games would follow suit. The PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One S consoles were released in 2016. Both are capable of supporting 4K videogaming by upscaling the resolution. In late 2017, Microsoft released first 4K-native console, the Xbox One X.

The Difference between 1080p and 4K Resolution

While the upgrade from 1080p to 4K may not be materially different viewed side by side due to the visual acuity limits, 4K has become popular for games with immersive and cinematic experiences that take place on large screens (at least 55 inches.) Most consoles were only structured for generating enough pixels for 720-1080p game assets and this makes running a game at 4K significantly more difficult if using a non-native console aside from the PS 4 Pro or Xbox One S. You will also need an extremely robust Internet connection in order to get the best possible gaming experience in 4K.

Boost your Internet Speed for 4K Gaming

First, you’re going to want to get the game to run at least 60 FPS. An Internet speed of 100 Mbps would be the absolute minimum for 4K videogaming content with a dual-GPU setup. The latest graphics cards can help you attain 60 fps in most modern PC games that demand a lot of resources, but a dual-GPU setup is the ticket to reaching that frame rate consistently. Without dual-GPU, it would literally be impossible for PC gaming at lower speeds than that.

For online multiplayer games relying on consoles, 100 Mbps is the initial ideal speed to aim for after accounting for bandwidth priority, and if other people are using the same connection for transmitting large amounts of data like streaming videos. By running a speed test, you can find out what speed you are hitting based on how much bandwidth your ISP has allocated to your area.

Get the Right Internet Plan from your ISP

If you’re looking to start playing 4K games or streaming 4K content on a regular basis, you need to find out what your particular service package covers since a fast and reliable connection capable of at least 100mbps is needed for the best quality. You also need to find out where gaming servers are located, because 4K servers can result in high latency when located too far from them. It will also result in a reduced frame rate that makes for a poor experience. 4K-native devices can make this easier but ultimately, server location matters as does the bandwidth.

All around though, 60 Mbps is a good place to start for video streaming but 100 Mbps is the bare minimum to aim for in 4K gaming. As long as your Internet speed is significantly higher than the streaming content’s bit rate and your hardware is capable of handling high-end content, 4K videogaming shouldn’t be that difficult.

About the Authors

Read More

The PlayStation 4 Pro and 4K Internet Bandwidth

Last Updated: February 21, 2018

Written by:

Midpoint consoles usually flop, as they offer no new real advantage over the basic current-gen console that would keep a customer from waiting for the proper next generation market entry. The PlayStation 4 Pro, with 70 million worldwide sales before the beginning of 2018, blew that assumption out of the water.

Why?

The PS4 Pro finally made 4K gaming a reality for the average console gamer.

4K Videogaming is an Emerging Reality

First of all, the PS4 Pro was the first generation of console to destroy the notion of console generations – the Pro is actually the first real instance of iterative hardware that supports all previous titles with new features. Compared to the PS4 proper, the Pro runs at well over twice the GPU speed and gives total power of 4.2 teraflops. This is just the beginning.

ps4-pro-image
The PlayStation 4 Pro. Image copyright Sony.

Although the PS4 Pro has the same amount of memory as the PS4 (8 GB GDDR5), the greater speed of the Pro allows the performance of that memory to improve. Additionally, the Pro give you an additional 1 GB to quarantine non gaming applications such as Netflix. This means multiple applications will not slow down your gaming, and you can switch between your gaming and non gaming apps more quickly.

The PS4 Pro sports an Impressive Microprocessor

The PS4 Pro CPU is a 2.1GHz 8-core AMD Jaguar, another improvement over the 1.6GHz of the PS4. What does all of this mean in gaming performance?

What you see from these hardware improvements depends on the game you are playing. Most game devs are using the extra power to bring a higher resolution experience to people with 4K televisions. Graphics can also be made to look more realistic, adding lighting and shadows without slowing the pace of the game.

However, the most graphic intensive games still do not run at a true 4K, because the demands of gameplay are too severe. Many games actually upscale to 4K, and because the mainstream has not truly become acclimated to 4K, most gamers cannot tell the difference. Most people simply do not have the full hardware chain to take advantage of 4K tech, and this will probably be the case for at least the next couple of years.

Internet Speed Requirements for 4K Online Gaming

You begin to see the cutting edge nature of 4K when you consider the bandwidth considerations for a decent online gaming experience. If you want to run a true 4K game at 60 frames per second (fps), you really need a connection of at least 100Mbps or more. This assumes that the PS4 Pro has priority access and a modem/router that doesn’t drop your speed.

This is actually much easier than you might think if you are engaged in an online multiplayer experience, and not so simple if you are looking to Cloud game. Because the PS4 Pro deals with the former, the average gamer should be able to render 4K graphics with a good connection. In rural areas, 100Mbps may be a bit difficult to achieve, but the technology is coming. Look to the PlayStation 4 Pro to maintain its position as the premier online gaming system until the infrastructure and mainstream hardware catches up.

Bandwidth Place is a great location to check your resources before beginning a heavy gaming session – especially one that may reflect on your public record for a favored game. Make no mistake – winning those in game trophies starts with your Internet connection!

About the Authors

Read More

Latency for Gaming: What is a Good Latency for Online Gaming?

Last Updated: February 14, 2018

Written by:

When it comes to Internet speed and online gaming, latency is a term that frequently gets thrown around.

game-controller-flickr
Photo Courtesy Mark Bonica, Flickr.

What is latency in online video games? Latency, measured as ping, refers to the average total time that it takes your gaming device to send data to the game server, and back to your device. Latency is measured in milliseconds (ms) so if your ping is 100ms then it takes 100 milliseconds for your computer to respond to a request from the game server.

Why is Latency Relevant to Gameplay?

Low latency or ping is desirable to achieve smoother gameplay and a user experience without lagging. If the ping is around 1000ms or higher, it’s definitely going to result in players suddenly appearing or disappearing and overall gameplay running incredibly slow. Additionally, games where timing is crucial, like FPS and racing games, suffer a greatly diminished experience with high latency. In short, time lags from high latency make gaming far less enjoyable.

How to Achieve Low Latency

Contrary to popular belief, a fast and responsive Internet connection with fast upload and download speeds isn’t all there is to keeping latency low. You can have a pretty fast connection and even an incredibly fast custom PC designed especially for online gaming but still face horrendous ping values.

So first, you need to run a speed test. Some games will show your ping speed alongside other players but for those that don’t, you definitely need to run a speed test first. A ping value of 20ms or less means you have an excellent latency rate. A rate from 20 to 100ms will still equal enjoyable gameplay, but not give you maximum performance for games where timing is everything. A slower but still workable ping is 100-150ms but anything over 150ms is definitely going to result in a noticeable lag causing a lot of frustration.

Then you need to rule out ISP issues. You need a stable Internet connection above 2Mbps for the best performance in online gaming and a wired connection is imperative. Wireless routers and devices may be fine for routine Internet use but they don’t provide the stability that a perpetually-connected online game requires. If you’re connecting via wire and operating at 2Mbps or greater, first try resetting your modem or router and see if that fixes the lags. Failing that, contact your ISP to find out if you’re having signal troubles or if this is a widespread issue in your area at the moment.

Is the Game Server Slow?

Sometimes, the game server runs slow. Check in with other players to see if they’re having the same problem regardless of connectivity to determine if the latency issues are being caused at the server level. Server location also increases ping (such as if you are playing in the United States but the server is located in Australia.)

After ruling out ISP and game server issues, you’ll want to make sure there’s nothing else running in the background and see if your computer specs (especially graphics cards) are up to par for the game’s system requirements.

Following these steps helps achieve superior ping rates.

About the Authors

Read More

Dragonball FighterZ and your Internet Performance

Last Updated: February 7, 2018

Written by:

The FGC (Fighting Game Community) has been looking for a new flagship since the disappointing launch of Street Fighter V, and we may have it in Dragonball FighterZ (pronounced “Fighters”). The game is relevant, up to date with the Dragonball Super storyline, and has an absolutely incredible look. I will never get tired of the insanely awesome graphic that shows a new fighter flying in throwing an introductory right hook after the active fighter is downed.

Dragon-Ball-FighterZ
Dragonball FighterZ. Image copyright Bandai Namco.

Most importantly, however, Dragonball FighterZ is the first AAA fighting game in YEARS to give us an almost perfect combat system – complete with new gameplay elements that are unique to the Dragonball series.

Continuing the comparisons to Street Fighter V, it is quite important to note that on day one FighterZ came out as a full single player and multiplayer experience. Currently, there is talk of the game being promoted as a feature act on the pro fighting game circuit. Take notes, Capcom: you don’t have to rush a game and come out with a barebones day one farce just to get tournament support.

How much Internet Speed do you need for Dragonball FighterZ?

As always, I used Bandwidth Place to check my specs before testing Dragonball multiplayer (I am playing on the PS4). Here were my results:

Ping – 205 ms
DL Speed – 1.34 Mbps
UL Speed – 0.41 Mbps

These were pretty good stats; actually a bit better than I usually get. With the silky smooth 60 fps and beautiful art of Dragonball in full effect with FighterZ, I can’t help but get excited about this experience.

The action here will have you thinking you are in control of a Dragonball cartoon. It’s that good. The FighterZ team did an incredible job of condensing the overpowered nature of Dragonball characters into a workable control scheme. Somehow you don’t feel as though any character got “nerfed” for the sake of balance or gameplay. Special moves are incredibly simple to do, but Street Fighter purists can’t say too much, as you still need a great deal of skill to pull off some of the bigger combos in the game.

Dragonball’s New Game Mechanics

The new mechanics are the star of this show. For example: instead of throws, you get the famous “infinite strike animation” when you come into throw range and execute successfully. Super dashes, sparking blasts, ki charges and vanishes are universal controls that don’t feel cheap, because if you are fast enough, you can counter them. The result is a game that matches the intense speed of the Dragonball series without losing any gameplay.

First player story mode is surprisingly intriguing and complete (taking notes, Capcom?). You actually get a brand new story based around an entirely new character who is trying to, well, kill everyone else. This new force requires old enemies to become friends for their own survival. Without revealing too much about the three story arcs, just know that Android 21 is a force to be reckoned with.

However, the real gem here is multiplayer. This is three on three action that runs flawlessly at 60 fps even during the most intense graphic sequences. Basically, Dragonball FighterZ is what Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite would have been with a development team that cared. The bottom line – Dragonball FighterZ is the new standard for 2.5D fighters.

About the Authors

Read More

The PlayStation 4 and its need for more Bandwidth

Last Updated: December 1, 2017

Written by:

Many of you likely took advantage of the Black Friday sales to purchase a new PlayStation 4 video game system. Great sale prices abounded for both PlayStation models – including the PS4 Pro – as well as Microsoft’s Xbox One line.

ps4-system-image
The PlayStation 4. Image copyright Sony.

However, with all that extra gaming horsepower comes an additional thirst for the household’s Internet bandwidth, so let’s take a closer look at what you need to consider before getting your game on. This issue goes beyond simply online gameplay performance.

PS4 Downloadable Game Sizes tend to be HUGE

The PlayStation 4 Slim comes with a 1 TB hard drive. The design of the PlayStation hardware also makes it easy to swap out new drives as necessary. The system also supports connecting thumb drives to the two USB ports. You’ll likely end up needing all that storage since the file sizes for some downloadable PS4 games are massive.

Bandwidth considerations also matter when downloading games. For example, Ubisoft’s excellent winter sports title, Steep, requires an over 16 GB download. Once the original download completes, nearly 17 GB of additional content gets transferred to your system. On a 30 Mbps Internet service this takes at least a few hours, so be sure to run our speed test beforehand to ensure your ISP is humming along.

Another point involves game updates. An update for Steep sized at 20 GB was automatically downloading after powering up the PS4 the other day, preventing a game session with all Steep’s important network features. Thankfully, the PlayStation 4 offers a low-power “Rest Mode” where downloads happen automatically; hopefully at night.

Even if you focus on buying disc-based video games, note that extra DLC for high-end games typically runs well into the gigabyte range. The extra convenience of games stored on your video game console continues to position downloads as the preferred format moving forward. In fact, nearly all popular disc-based games also offer a downloadable version.

What about Online Gaming Performance?

Sure, a robust Internet service matters for online gaming. Check out our recent reviews of Need for Speed Payback and Call of Duty: WWII for more information. We also recently covered how video game developers handle ISP issues when coding their games.

Suffering from low bandwidth or poor latency lowers your chance at playing well in an online video game. When performing an Internet speed test before a gaming session, make sure you pay close attention to the Ping result, as this relates to the latency encountered during an online game. Latency is important, as it affects the overall responsiveness and interaction with other players.

Ultimately, if your Internet provider isn’t holding up their end of the bargain, use our site to check out other ISPs serving your location. Don’t let poor online performance ruin your gaming fun!

About the Authors

Read More

Call of Duty: WWII on the PS4 and your Internet Speed

Last Updated: November 29, 2017

Written by:

If you’re a fan of first-person shooter games, like Call of Duty, you know the importance of Internet speed. A mere second can make or break a game. It can mean the difference between a sweet headshot, a toe shot, or just no shot at all, if it’s bad enough. Not having a decent Internet connection and speed can ruin the game; sending you into a frustrated spiral of hopelessness and anger.

CoD - WW2
Call of Duty — WWII. Image copyright Activision.

This article covers Internet speeds at varying times of the day while playing the new Call of Duty: WWII on the PlayStation 4. Our ISP is Spectrum, formerly known as Time Warner Cable, and our particular plan is a middle-of-the-line one at a minimum of 60 Mbps (according to Spectrum.com, not our own tests). We collected the data using Bandwidthplace.com, as well as a competing speed test provider. We also attempted to do speed tests on the PS4 itself, but learned that doing so boots you from the game, so take those results with a grain of salt.

One thing to note is that speeds while playing will vary greatly due to server loads and network traffic; different times of the day will always have differing results.

Internet Speeds before Playing CoD: WWII (Spectrum)

We ran a few speed tests before even picking up the controller, and found the following:

BandwidthPlace.com Another Speed Test Service PS4
(9:00 a.m.) 32.73 – 34.55 Mbps    38.65 – 35.67 Mbps 27.88 – 31.11 Mbps
(10:00 p.m.) 50.55 – 52.93 Mbps    38.65 – 63.70 Mbps 34.60 – 44.0 Mbps

As you can see, the results varied. While our speed tests kept within a small range, the competing site showed far under the minimum speed in both time slots (again, according to Spectrum), but also over the minimum later in the night. So while the competing sites were all over the place, our tests stayed about as steady as our aim (sorry, just had to do it!).

Immediately after running the initial speed tests, we played the game and ran a few more at varying intervals. The results of those tests follow.

Internet Speeds (Spectrum) – CoD: WWII, Morning Hours

We ran the first set of tests around 9:00 a.m. until about noon. Between these times, we performed six speed tests while playing the game, and even though our Internet speeds are supposedly a minimum of 60 Mbps, we only reached a maximum of 20.02 Mbps using Bandwidthplace.com and 20.68 on the other site. The speed remained around 19-20 Mbps until noon. Although the download speeds were low, there wasn’t much lag to speak of. If there was a discrepancy in speed, we wouldn’t have known if we were judging solely on the smoothness of gameplay, KDR, and amount of lag.

In the afternoon hours, our speeds ran from 36.28 and 41.50 on Bandwidth Place and between 43.87 and 47.47 on the competing site (while playing).

As noted above in our “before” times, we played the game late at night as well.

Here’s a handy chart of our speeds at nighttime:

BandwidthPlace.com

(11:00 p.m.) 51.36

(11:30 p.m.) 48.33

(12:00 a.m.) 48.41

(12:30 a.m.) 53.37

(1:00 a.m.) 55.7

 PS4

34.22

24.2

25.6

36.77

—

As you can see, the later it got, the faster our speeds. The discrepancy in speeds on the PS4 side probably has a lot to do with stopping mid-game to run a speed test (which did nothing for our KDR, and promptly booted us from the game).

Conclusion: Best Times to Play

Based on the results of the tests and on our particular Internet connection, the ideal time to play Call of Duty: WWII is late at night, between the hours of 11 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. In fact, later works better. If you’re a night owl and are addicted to first-person shooters, you’re in luck. If you do have to go to sleep at a reasonable time and if your Internet speeds reach at least 20 Mbps, you probably won’t have many issues — aside from yelling at the TV now and again.

About the Authors

Read More

The Xbox One X – Microsoft enters the 4K Videogaming World

Last Updated: November 8, 2017

Written by:

With the PlayStation 4 Pro already taking a share of the 4K videogame market, Microsoft joins the fray with its own top of the line console. The Xbox One X aims at high-end gamers looking for the most immersive experience possible. Of course, an ISP with a copious amount of Internet speed and bandwidth is another important part of this equation.

xbox-one-x-image
Microsoft’s new Xbox One X videogame system. Image copyright Microsoft.

If you are interested in the new videogame box out of Redmond, read further for additional details and specifications. Is the Xbox One X the new king of the console world?

Xbox One X Specifications

Featuring a robust set of specifications, Microsoft claims the Xbox One X ranks as the preeminent videogame system on the market. An 8-core AMD processor running at 2.3 GHz is the heart of the new console. A 6 teraflop GPU and an impressive amount of video RAM – 12 GB – help the box deliver smooth graphic performance in 4K HDR.

In short, if you are a gamer with a high-end 4K TV that supports HDR, the Xbox One X needs to be on your wish list, especially if already own earlier Xbox models. Ironically, Microsoft’s new videogame system is also its smallest to date. Advanced chip design and manufacturing techniques helped achieve this small footprint.

Rounding out the technical specs is 8 GB of Flash memory as well as a 1 TB hard drive. A 4K UHD Blu-ray drive is included, along with an HDMI output and support for the most popular 5.1 audio formats. Most importantly for some, the Xbox One X is priced at $499; $100 more than Sony’s equivalent, the PlayStation 4 Pro.

Bandwidth Considerations for the Xbox One X

In addition to being a high-end videogame machine, the included Blu-ray drive and streaming capabilities make the Xbox One X the centerpiece to any home entertainment system. Remember, streaming 4K video requires a significantly higher amount of bandwidth compared to “plain old” HD. At least 20 Mbps of dedicated Internet speed is a must!

Thankfully, the unit is backwards compatible with the original Xbox One as well as the Xbox One S. So if you already built a robust library of games, you are good to go with Microsoft’s latest. Early reviews highlight Forza Motorsport 7 and Gears of War 4 as the top games for the new system.

Whether you think the Xbox One X is worth the extra $100 compared to the PlayStation 4 Pro depends on your preference for Microsoft or Sony. Both systems offer a state of the art videogame experience as well as being able to stream 4K HDR video. Run a fresh Internet speed test to ensure your bandwidth is up to snuff!

About the Authors

Read More

Is the New Apple TV a Video Streaming Game Changer?

Last Updated: October 1, 2015

Written by:

One of the most intriguing product announcements during Apple’s recent iPhone 6 event covered the new Apple TV box and platform. With a new operating system, called tvOS, apps and games are now a big part of a system that formerly concentrated on video streaming.

Apple’s move is aimed at attracting developers to port high-end video games to the device, trying to steal casual gaming fans from the PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii U platforms. If you decide to get an Apple TV or upgrade your current model, you’ll now have more uses for your Internet bandwidth. Let’s take a closer look.

Apple TV box
Apple TV

Notable Features of the New Apple TV

For users more interested in video streaming than gameplay, the most significant new feature of the Apple TV is its Siri remote control. Now you can talk to your TV in a similar manner as your late model iPhone. For gamers, the Siri remote is also used for video game action, providing touch and accelerometer functionality, along with a standard gaming controller (available as an extra). So, anyone used to a PS4 or Xbox 360 will feel right at home.

The new Apple TV does come at a higher price — either $149 (32GB) or $199 (64GB). In addition to the memory used for storage, the device now features 2GB of RAM compared to 512MB in earlier models. When combined with the faster A8 processor, users can expect a smoother on-screen interface.  Better streaming performance is also promised provided your Internet speed is up to snuff.

Video Game System to Challenge Sony and Microsoft

With the new tvOS and support for a standard video game controller, Apple looks to challenge a gaming market dominated by Sony and Microsoft. Launch titles for the new Apple TV include Rayman Adventures, Guitar Hero Live and the space shooter Galaxy on Fire — Manticore Rising. All that being said, these titles are not really different than the level of games available for the iPad and iPhone. In addition, Apple’s requirement to support the Siri control, even if the user owns a standard video game controller, might scare away some developers and hardcore video game players.

Other apps include Airbnb (the real estate rental service), Apple Music, and the ability to view photos and play music from your iTunes library. Since Apple is strongly courting developers for tvOS, expect more apps to arrive after the Apple TV launches.

If you already own a multitude of Apple products, possibly even an earlier model of the Apple TV, the added voice control and more powerful tech specs make the new Apple TV a smart purchase. Casual gamers looking to join the growing ranks of cord-cutters might also consider the device. The Apple TV is expected to hit the market sometime in October.

About the Authors

Read More

What is a Mobile Hotspot and How Does it Work?

Last Updated: April 29, 2015

Written by:

One of the best features of the modern smartphone is its ability to work as a mobile hotspot when necessary. What is a hotspot? Essentially, it allows you to easily create your own private wireless network that can either be shared with other devices or enabled exclusively for personal use.

By learning how to use a hotspot, you can securely access the internet on-the-go with better performance than most cellular data plans offer. This can come in handy when traveling, working remotely, or if your regular internet service provider (ISP) goes offline for whatever reason.

In this post, we’ll go over the benefits of portable WiFi connectivity and explain how hotspots work to give you a better understanding of how this feature can fit your needs. Click on a link below for answers to a specific question you may have, or read our mobile hotspot guide in full for a complete breakdown of information.

What is a mobile hotspot used for?

Mobile hotspots are used to wirelessly connect your cell phone, laptop, or tablet to your own portable WiFi network. They offer a great alternative to your carrier’s mobile data as well as a safer connection than public hotspots can provide.

Mobile hotspots can be used in many different ways ranging from maintaining productivity at a remote office to downloading movies just before an international flight. They may even be able to help you cut down your cell phone bill depending on what type of hotspot you use and to what end.

To see how you might take advantage of this feature in your personal or professional life, you should first understand how mobile hotspots work.

How does a hotspot work?

When your cell phone is connected to the mobile data network, a hotspot can convert the data stream into a WiFi signal. By distributing a private web of WiFi connections (also known as tethering), nearby devices can then access the internet as you would using a traditional wireless broadband modem or plugged-in ethernet cable.

Advancements in technology enable you to convert your smartphone into its own secure hotspot, but you can also buy a separate mobile hotspot that accomplishes the same job. It works through a combination of hardware, software, and network connectivity that turns the device into the equivalent of an internet router.

What is the difference between WiFi and a hotspot?

In the simplest sense, WiFi is the technology that enables local area networking via radio frequency and electromagnetic waves; think of it as “how” internet connectivity is made possible. An access point is the “what”—a physical device—that services a small area with a WiFi signal. Finally, a hotspot refers to “where” the area is being served by an access point.

In 2020, there are 454 million public WiFi hotspots forecasted around the world that can enable wireless internet connection, but a personal hotspot allows you to turn any location into a supported local network using the data connectivity on your device.

What are the benefits of a mobile hotspot?

Learning how to use hotspots can be incredibly resourceful for students on- and off-campus, busy professionals on-the-go, collaborative teams, competitive video game players, and average web users just looking to boost their mobile internet speed. Below are several benefits a hotspot can bring to your online experience.

  • Speed & Performance

If you’ve ever accessed the internet over a public network at a coffee shop, college campus, or airport terminal, chances are that you’ve experienced long loading times, slow downloads, and glitchy performance. The more devices that are on the network connection, the slower the ISP response time will be. A hotspot is a great way to increase mobile internet speed in crowded areas because it establishes your own wireless access point for a faster flow of data.

  • Efficiency

Another way a hotspot works to improve efficiency is by ensuring you never skip a beat should your ISP go offline. Whether there’s a flood at the office, a power outage on the block, or a delayed flight at the airport, simply enable your personal hotspot and connect your device to continue working even while the ISP is down.

  • Security

When you connect to the internet over a public access point, you risk jeopardizing sensitive data on an insecure server. If you’re not careful, intellectual property can fall into the wrong hands of hackers, or prying eyes may attempt to steal private information. A personal hotspot establishes a private connection with greater security features and strong password protections.

You can, however, share the login details with friends, family, or coworkers and allow them to share your hotspot’s WiFi signal. Or, if you need additional network security, you can add a VPN credential to your mobile hotspot.

  • Convenience

Rather than heading all the way over to a public access point, or leaving your bedroom to reach your home’s WiFi signal, a hotspot is a convenient solution that brings internet connectivity to wherever you are, at any given time.

  • Portability

You can put your smartphone in your pocket and bring your WiFi connection wherever you go with a mobile hotspot. Other internet solutions require you to remain within the signal’s reach or to stay plugged in via ethernet cable, but a hotspot can maintain your device’s connection even while in motion. This can benefit students mid-commute, or colleagues working on a project while traveling to a conference, to name a couple of examples.

  • Cost-Effectiveness

There are several advantages to using a dedicated mobile hotspot over a smartphone hotspot in terms of cost. They can prevent you from exceeding your monthly data limit, thereby reducing the risk of over-use charges and penalties. You may also be able to downgrade to a cheaper wireless plan with a smaller data cap, knowing that you’ll connect to the portable WiFi for internet versus your carrier’s mobile network.

If you travel a lot for business, a mobile hotspot can help you avoid roaming fees, plus they save you from using your personal data plan for work-related tasks. You’ll also extend the lifespan of your phone’s battery by connecting devices to an external hotspot rather than enabling the feature on your smartphone.


How many devices can mobile hotspot support?

It depends on whether you’re using a mobile hotspot or a smartphone hotspot to connect your devices, and in the latter case, which type of cell phone you have. Most Android devices can connect up to 10 different users on phones, laptops, tablets, and other WiFi-enabled devices, while iPhones tend to be limited to five connections at a time.

Pro-Tip: When using a smartphone as a hotspot, be sure to pay close attention to your data usage. If everyone connected to your hotspot streams video content simultaneously, expect your monthly data allowance to disappear very quickly. Also, when enabling your personal hotspot in a public setting, keep an eye on the number of connected devices—you don’t want any surreptitious access gained by strangers, so beware when in a public space.

How to use a hotspot feature on smartphones?

Setting up a mobile hotspot is easy. On an Android smartphone, simply click on “Settings”. Under the “Wireless and Networks” section, click on “More…” You’ll then see “Mobile Hotspot” listed as one of the choices. When turning the hotspot on, it prompts you to turn off access to any WiFi networks to which your smartphone is connected.

If you’re wondering how to use the hotspot on an iPhone, start on the home screen and tap the “Settings” icon. Open the “Personal Hotspot” menu, then tap the slider to turn it on. After that, you’ll be prompted to select various configuration features to set up your device.

If you get a message saying that mobile hotspot capability isn’t part of your current plan, that may be the case. However, that same message appears if you’ve forgotten to turn on your phone’s mobile data connection. This is typical if you generally access your home’s regular internet connection on your smartphone.

Is a mobile hotspot free?

It depends on your wireless carrier’s data plan. Hotspot capability normally included with most smartphone contracts, and any data used by a connected device will be deducted from your plan’s total data limit. However, some carriers tack it on as an extra feature with an additional monthly price of around $10.

If your carrier doesn’t include mobile hotspot capability as a part of your wireless contract, it’s a good idea to add that capability on a temporary basis when going on vacation. If you work from home, you may have to add it in an emergency should your regular internet service suffer any downtime.

Wrapping up

If you’re dissatisfied with the results of your mobile speed test and want to browse the internet at a faster pace, then a mobile hotspot can be a great solution to improve performance. It’s also a helpful tool for anyone who wants to work remotely or connect to WiFi on-the-go.

Get the most out of your device with a hotspot speed test that can confirm you’re operating at peak efficiency. Between faster downloads and seamless online integration, you may find that a mobile hotspot is the missing key to your sweet connectivityl success.

About the Authors

Read More

Test Your Internet Speed for the Best Xbox One Experience

Last Updated: January 22, 2014

Written by:

Microsoft’s new Xbox One video game system goes beyond the typical disk-based console gaming experience. A fast Internet service is the best way to get the most out of the new Xbox, which offers online gameplay, video streaming, and a host of other compelling content in addition to regular video game action.

test-your-internet-speed

If your broadband service seems occasionally slow, it is probably a good idea to give it a regular checkup to ensure you’re getting the speed you pay for before getting into the Xbox One. Thankfully, it is an easy process to test your Internet speed using a industry-leading website with a state-of-the-art HTML5 test. An HTML5 speed test will load faster and work on a larger number of devices compared to older Flash-based testing.

How to Test your Internet Speed

First off, navigate to the test website in your web browser. Before running the test, you can choose a server location or let the site pick the default. If you decide to choose your own server, be sure to pick the closest one to your current location.

After clicking on the “Start” button to begin the test, a quick server “ping” happens followed by the download of a small file. Note your current download speed on the speedometer. After the download finishes, the test then performs a quick file upload and records the test result — expect your upload speed to be significantly slower than your download speed.

After the test finishes, make it a point to save your results, either by taking a screen shot or by writing down the values in a spreadsheet or text file. Having a historical record of your test results helps if you ever need to get a credit from your Internet provider when their service isn’t up to par.

Once you verify your bandwidth is as expected, turn on your Xbox One and get into some online gaming or even watch a movie. It is easy to test your Internet speed, so make sure to do it regularly!

Photo credit: Barone Firenze / Shutterstock.com

About the Authors

Read More