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How do I test my Speed on a Phone without an App?

Last Updated: October 5, 2014

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Keeping track of your Internet speed on a smartphone is a good idea, especially when you are traveling and need to verify the quality of your broadband connection. Nothing is worse than having to download a large file before giving a presentation when the bandwidth is near a dial-up level.

The problem is that many popular browser-based Internet speed tests don’t work on smartphones because they require Flash. Some speed test companies offer apps that are compatible with the iPhone and Android smartphones, but what if you need to quickly download a speed test app when the bandwidth is poor? Enter the HTML5 speed test!

Test My Speed with an HTML5 Speed Test

When you need to perform a quick Internet speed test on your smartphone, a test using HTML5 is probably your best option. HTML5 speed tests don’t require Flash, and they don’t force you to download an app when you a suffering from substandard bandwidth. Imagine trying to deal with a customer support rep from your wireless provider and having to download an app that takes over 10 minutes!

All you really need to do is start your mobile web browser, navigate to the HTML5 speed test website, and perform your test. Boom! There are no Flash incompatibility issues, and a speed test app isn’t now taking up valuable space on your smartphone.

HTML5 Speed Tests are Perfect for Smartphones and Tablets

If you regularly use your iPad or other tablet computer in addition to your smartphone, performing an HTML5 speed test on a tablet is also great as a regular check up on your ISP. Once again, you don’t have to worry about slow Internet speeds hampering the downloading of a speed test app, let alone the extra space needed to store the app and any test result data.

When you are traveling for business or pleasure, or even when at home on your iPad, having an HTML5 speed test website bookmarked in your mobile web browser is the easiest way to quickly test your Internet speed as needed. Make sure to run a test weekly when at home and save the results.

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Comcast offers a Comcast Speed Test to their Subscribers

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In the dog-eat-dog world of Internet service providers, many companies in the space offer extra features to lure customers away from the competition. Comcast — one of the largest media companies in the world — is no exception. The company provides their own Comcast speed test to both subscribers and the public, branded as the Speed Test from XFINITY.

A Closer Look at Speed Test from XFINITY

This Flash-based speed test uses the same technology as a popular speed test company. After choosing the closest Comcast server to your current location, you simply click on a button to start the test. The test pings the server and performs a quick download and upload of a small data file to verify the speed of your Internet connection.

After the test completes, you have the option to save an image of the test results or you can save the URL to the image itself on Comcast’s servers. Maintaining a history of your test results is vital should your Internet bandwidth be less than what your ISP promised. Having this data makes it easier to get a refund if necessary.

HTML 5 Internet Speed Tests give more Flexibility

One problem with Flash-based Internet speed tests is Flash itself. It is an older, proprietary technology that has become quite buggy in recent years. If you find that you can’t perform a Comcast speed test due to the Flash plug-in crashing, restarting your web browser usually clears the problem.

If you want to perform a speed test on your iPad or PlayStation 4, a Flash-based test is not an option since Flash isn’t compatible with those devices. Leveraging a state of the art HTML 5 speed test is the way to go when using a mobile device or video game console. The tests work the same way; testing a quick download and upload of a file to verify your Internet speed.

As always, when performing any kind of Internet speed test, be sure to save your test results should you need them in the future for reference, or to get a refund.

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Apple Watch: Bandwidth Speed on your Wrist

Last Updated: September 24, 2014

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The unveiling of the Apple Watch was one of the highlights of Apple’s recent event centered on the introduction of the iPhone 6 and iOS 8. Rumors of the smartwatch — usually tagged with the iWatch moniker — appeared in various technology media sources for the previous year.

Now with an actual device slated to hit the market early in 2015, let’s take a closer look at the Apple Watch to see if it makes sense to add one to your own arsenal of mobile devices with bandwidth speed. Someday soon, you may be able to check your Internet bandwidth using your watch!

Rumors about Apple Watch Specifications

Apple’s smartwatch announcement revealed that a processor known as the S1 would power the Apple Watch. Cupertino remained tight-lipped regarding any other Apple Watch specifications. The truth on specs may not be known until shortly before the device is released next year.

Various tech media pundits predict the first Apple Watch will come armed with 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of flash memory. There may be other models with extra storage up to 8GB, but since the device must be tethered to an iPhone 5 or newer, additional storage on the watch itself doesn’t make much sense.

Battery life is also a worry with the smartwatch, and no one at the recent Apple announcement had anything to say about how long the Apple Watch lasts between charges. You might have to charge it every night while you sleep.

Smartwatch Applications focus on Health and Fitness

The Apple Watch’s built-in sensor array includes a heart rate monitor and other ways of checking your daily activity. Because of this hardware, expect the smartwatch to pair nicely with Apple’s new HealthKit app in iOS 8. Other apps are slated to include smartwatch versions of popular mobile apps to check your stocks, sports scores, travel information, and maps.

One of the difficulties for Apple in convincing consumers to purchase an Apple Watch is that the smartwatch still needs to use an iPhone 5 or 6 as a tether. Is the added convenience of having information delivered in a wrist-accessible format worth the price of a both a smartwatch AND a smartphone? Expect the smartwatch market to truly take off once these devices can function without a smartphone partner.

In short, if you are interested in smartwatch, be it the Apple Watch or models from Motorola or Samsung, let the market mature for at least one year to get the most bang for your dollar. This is an area of mobile technology where it might not be the best call to be an early adopter.

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CenturyLink is an Internet Service Provider, a Phone Company, and More

Last Updated: June 20, 2014

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A full service communications company that first garnered its reputation as a phone company under a variety of monikers, CenturyLink is also an ISP with a host of subscription options for anyone looking for Internet access — provided you are in their service area. The company also offers IPTV service in a small number of U.S. markets, and of course, service bundles are possible depending on your location.

The company is headquartered in Louisiana, and a 2010 merger with Qwest greatly expanded the combined organization’s service area, which now includes 37 states. Lately, the firm has been acquiring companies involved in Cloud Computing. With those strategic moves in mind, let’s take a closer look at the Internet service offerings provided by CenturyLink.

Internet Service can be bundled with Home Phone

CenturyLink is more than an ISP. Recent expansions include Gigabit Fiber to the premises and Cloud-based acquisitions.

CenturyLink’s standard DSL Internet service normally costs $39.95 per month for new customers. That price is only guaranteed for the first year of service. Tacking on home phone service in a bundle lowers the monthly Internet service price to $19.95.

The Internet speed offered with the CenturyLink service features rates up to 10 Mbps. In certain areas where they’ve built up their network infrastructure, speeds up to 40 Mbps are available. As always, make sure you perform a regular speed test to verify you are getting all the bandwidth you pay for — especially when springing for the higher 40 Mbps rate.

CenturyLink expanding their Fiber Network

The company is gradually rolling out a fiber to premises network to offer enhanced speeds with its Internet service. The service is available in Omaha and Las Vegas, featuring speeds that rival Google Fiber’s 1 Gbps. CenturyLink also provides their gigabit service to multi-tenant business locations in Salt Lake City.

CenturyLink is able to offer its 40 Mbps rate in locations where they’ve installed fiber to the node instead of each individual location. At that point, the company’s normal DSL service handles the connection between the node and each subscriber.

Businesses in locations where CenturyLink provides gigabit service need to explore leveraging this option for their Internet service needs. Considering their recent Cloud-based acquisitions, CenturyLink might be a worthy communications partner for the SMB. Individual consumers should check to see if the company offers service in their area before considering Internet service or even a full bundle of communications products.

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MacBook Pro Features: Apple’s Top of the Line Laptop

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Mac aficionados or computer users who want an alternative to Microsoft and Windows need to check out Apple’s MacBook Pro features. While generally more expensive than their Windows-powered counterparts (and even more expensive than Google’s Chromebooks), the MacBook Pro features high-end computing power and the sleek design typical of products out of Cupertino.

Apple's MacBook Pro Features and Pricing — Apple’s MacBook Pro Features and Pricing

For users already invested in Apple’s proverbial walled garden — owners of iPods, iPads, Apple TVs, and the like — buying a MacBook Pro laptop makes managing content on those other devices a bit easier. Apple users can also easily manage broadband performance on all devices by selecting a single non-Flash based, HTML5 test.

A Closer Look at MacBook Pro Features

Let’s take a closer look at the MacBook Pro line and the differences between the models — typically screen size, RAM, the hard drive, and the availability of a Retina display. Let’s start with the MacBook Pro features:

MacBook Pro with Retina Display Features

15.4-inch Retina Display (2880 x 1800 Resolution)
Up to 2.6GHz Intel Quad-Core i7 Processor
Up to 16GB On-board RAM
Up to 1TB Solid State Storage
Two Each USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2 Ports
HDMI Port
Bluetooth 4.0
HD Camera
Powered by OSX Mavericks
Priced from $1999

There are a lot of “up to” phrases in the feature descriptions above. A fully appointed MacBook Pro with the 1TB solid state storage and 2.6GHz processor options comes in at a $3,299.00 price tag, so this is definitely a high-end laptop computer. Expect to pay about half as much for a Windows laptop with similar hardware specs.

A lower-end MacBook Pro without the Retina display costs $1,199.00 with a dual core Intel i5 chip, 4GB of RAM, and a 500GB non-solid state drive. Most of the MacBook Pro line comes with the Retina display, with prices ranging from $1,299.00 to the quoted $3,299.00. Obviously, processor power, on-board RAM, and hard drive storage are the prime differentiators when it comes to the final price.

Installed Software Includes iMovie, Garage Band, and more

Each MacBook Pro comes with a host of pre-installed software: including iMovie, Garage Band, iPhoto, and more. OSX Mavericks is a robust operating system that is easy to use and boots significantly faster than Windows.

So if you are in the market for a high-end laptop, the MacBook Pro with Retina display makes for a compelling option. Performing a regular Internet speed test never felt so good!

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Dish Internet: Get Dish Network Satellite Internet

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Satellite TV subscribers sometimes suffer from limited access to broadband options provided by DSL or Cable, usually users in rural regions not served by those landline Internet providers. The Dish Network Internet option, known as dishNET, offers the opportunity for high-speed access, but interested customers need to pay close attention to some of the differences of most Satellite Internet service plans. Bandwidth caps during the day are typical with most Internet services delivered by satellite.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the features offered by dishNET.

dishNET Internet Service: Features and Limitations

Dish Network offers dishNET as part of a bundle with a phone service, and subscribers of their Satellite TV a monthly $10 discount from the cost of their normal fee. Other service highlights include:

Download Speeds of up to 10 Mbps
Singular Bill Convenience
Choose from Multiple Plans — each with a Two-Year Contract Requirement
$10 Monthly Equipment Lease Fee Applies
24/7 Customer Support Availability

While 10 Mbps worth of bandwidth doesn’t rival many of the higher-end Cable and Fiber Internet services, it definitely beats dial-up speed in the rural hinterlands. It is also important to note that Dish lists their download speeds with the “up to” caveat. So if you decide to subscribe, make sure to perform a speed test regularly to check your actual bandwidth.

dishNET feels like a Wireless Internet Plan

A typical dishNET lower-end plan runs around $39.99 per month for up to 5 Mbps of bandwidth. Most importantly, that includes only 5GB of “Anytime” data and 5GB of bonus data each month, making the service akin to a wireless Internet plan provided by AT&T or Verizon. Bonus data is only available during off-peak hours, generally from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m.

More expensive plans bump up the data amounts and raise the bandwidth level to 10 Mbps. For $69.99 per month, you’ll get 15GB each of Anytime and bonus data. Once you exceed your monthly data limit, the bandwidth gets throttled to 128 Kbps. Ouch!

While a dishNET isn’t going to support a regular diet of movie streaming — in fact Dish themselves don’t recommend it — it does provide an option for high-speed Internet for users without access to a Cable, DSL, or an affordable mobile service. For those of you in rural regions who have satellite tv, the Dish Network Internet option might be your best bet to get online.

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Amazon streaming device Fire TV and what you need to know

Last Updated: April 15, 2014

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If you watch routine cable television, then you’ve seen the Gary Busey ad. “Hello pants.” That’s Gary talking to his pants. But, then he starts talking to his remote, and with the voice search finds all of his famous roles in the pantheon of his movie history (e.g. Point Break, Big Wednesday to name a few).

This is the new Amazon streaming device: Fire TV.

What you need to know about the Amazon streaming device

Well, it costs $99. That’s a good start. And it’s very similar to a Roku 3 or Apple TV device (not the Chromecast which is a dongle, and only $35). The set-top box connects to your TV, uses your home Wi-Fi and is similar in appearance to a Roku 3, or Apple TV, but is thinner and larger. It also includes a Bluetooth remote, with voice search, like in the Gary Busey advertisement.

The Fire TV addresses three concerns from the streaming video device community: speed, search and accessibility. The Fire TV is “very” fast, with a quad-core processor inside and lots of RAM (1.7 GHZ Quad-Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, 8 GB storage). The interface works very quickly, with little lag time.

And, the Fire TV has plenty of apps such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Instant (although it is missing HBO GO for now, but that should change very soon). If you’re familiar with the Kindle Fire TV tablet, it shares a similar interface, plus the Fire TV loads content much faster than Apple TV and Roku 3 (a big difference which makes the Fire TV the fastest streaming device available).

But, the big difference? Games. You can buy another controller and play online games from the Amazon library. Load times can be long, but the platform is robust enough that games should get better over time. Here’s what’s missing. No shopping!

The verdict on the Amazon Fire TV

The Amazon Fire TV is a first edition video media streamer and probably the best streaming device for the price. It is best when paired with Amazon’s own content and services. If you love Netflix and Hulu, there’s not much difference between the Apple TV or Roku 3, but if you love Amazon Instant video, this is the player for you. This is not the game changer, cord-cutter device it could’ve been. This is a faster streaming player with games (hint: try a $35 Chromecast and wait for the new improved Apple TV). Happy streaming!

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Will Fiber-Optic Cable Help Google Solve the US’s Internet Speed Mediocrity?

Last Updated: March 19, 2014

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More fiber-optic cable has been laid in the United States than in Europe in the past two years. This is, of course, a plus, and it shows that the United States is serious about moving forward with getting higher broadband speeds to homes. The average broadband connection speed is about 9.8 Mbps, which places the US in eighth place in the world. However, according to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) report, the US charges more per Mbps than those countries higher up on the list.

Google

According the New York Times, the answer to many Internet woes may be Google. Google has started the Google Fiber project in Provo, Utah, and Kansas City, Missouri. They currently have plans to move into Austin, Texas, next. The process of setting up Google Fiber in a new city begins with the company deciding on the city it wants to expand into. Google then tries to secure enough pre-orders to see if the area will be worth the cost. If enough people sign up, Google goes out and starts the installation of fiber-optic cable. Google calls these zones “fiberhoods.”

There are three basic plans that new customers can sign up for: Internet and TV for $120/month, just Internet for $70/month, or a free package. The free package offers normal speeds of Internet access and promises it will remain free for seven years. The other two packages offer Internet speeds up to 1 gigabit (1,000 Mbps) download and upload speeds. That is around ten times faster than anything homeowners can usually get with their local Internet service provider (ISP).

Laying the Groundwork

IBM has recently reported that they have developed a prototype that can allow Internet speeds of up to 400 Gbps using a new analog-to-digital converter (ADC) technology. This speed is 400 times what Google is currently offering over its fiber-optic cable network. However, this technology is mainly being created to work in the Square Kilometer Array (SKA). The SKA is an international project to create the world’s largest radio telescope. The technology is baffling, and with the new ADC technology, the array would be able to download around an exabyte (1 billion gigabytes) of information per day. For comparison, about 2.5 exabytes pass through the entire Internet in a single day.

So, is Google’s Fiber project all for naught? Definitely not. In fact, one day these two technologies may work perfectly together. The ADC is just a prototype and is not expected to be ready for another decade. The ADC will also need to run across fiber-optic cable to work efficiently. Other technologies will have to be developed to set up the chip arrays across the areas that could receive this beyond-fast Internet. Not to mention, right now the cost of something like this, although not expensive for an international project, would be way too high for a homeowner. In the meantime, as Google Fiber expands into more cities, it will offer affordable high-speed Internet to more and more of the population.

Photo credit: Flickr/JaredZammit

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What Is an Internet Speed Hack?

Last Updated: March 13, 2014

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Everyone wants faster Internet. South Korea already runs on a nationwide 4G network but is rolling out 5G before the end of the decade, while Google and other American companies are starting to see the benefits of fiber-optic infrastructure. One option to increase your speed without upgrading an existing connection is an Internet speed hack — but what’s the real deal with them?

Hacking Made Easy?

The idea behind an Internet speed hack is that you’ll be able to bypass the download speed restrictions imposed by your Internet service provider (ISP) and achieve much higher data transfer rates. There are a variety of methods for accomplishing this aim, but almost all share a common theme: You need to download a piece of software that then makes changes to your computer or tablet. In some cases, you’ll be asked to enter the maximum speed desired, while in others you’re promised download rates of 50 megabits per second (Mbps), 100 Mbps, or more. Other methods purport to show you how you can increase your Internet speed by watching a short video — which will likely tell you to shut down all unnecessary background processes and scan for malware. Good advice, but not exactly secret information.

The Bottom Line

A search for “Internet speed hack” turns up a great deal of advertisements but very little in the way of actual research or test results. While it’s possible that this kind of speed-boost software actually gets around the rules of your ISP, it still poses several problems. First, any contract you sign with your provider specifies what download speed you’ll receive and how much you’ll pay. Circumventing this agreement could lead to legal action. If you run a free online speed test and discover you’re not getting the download speed promised, contact your provider. In addition, consider the kind of technology you’re using — older wireless routers can’t handle speeds much faster than 11 Mbps, and when multiple users are connected, this number drops quickly.

The other problem with Internet speed hack programs is that many of them contain malware; it’s never a good idea to download files from any site unless you fully trust the brand and have done research on their products. Once installed on your computer, hack software may execute payloads containing spyware, rootkits, or Trojans. As a result, any personal information you enter online could be compromised, or your device could be used to spread infection. “Free” speed hacks are nothing of the sort, since they can infect your computer with fake antivirus programs or keyloggers. Paid programs aren’t much better and in many cases don’t actually provide an increase to Internet speed. By running regular antivirus scans, minimizing unnecessary processes, and upgrading your router when applicable, you can do the work of most Internet speed hacks.

Internet speed comes at a cost; speed hacks offer a cheap (or free) way around the restrictions of your ISP. In almost all cases, however, these hacks cause more problems than they solve, and your connection won’t get any faster.

Photo credit: Flickr/jpctalbot

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How to Solve Netflix Buffering Issues

Last Updated: March 12, 2014

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Streaming television and movie service Netflix has more than 44 million subscribers worldwide, according to a recent CNN article. In fact, the company posted their highest-ever growth in 2013’s fourth quarter, with 2.3 million new users signing up in the United States alone. Part of this popularity can be traced to high-quality, exclusive content like Orange Is the New Black or House of Cards, but the $7.99 per month price tag for streaming also helps. The service isn’t free of problems, however — one of the most common is constant Netflix buffering, even when your selection should be fully watchable. Here are three tips on getting back to the action:

Check the Basics

According to the official Netflix support page, the first thing you should do for continual buffering is check the basic settings. First, check your connection. If you’re using a wireless connection, make sure the signal is strong and other users aren’t eating up your bandwidth. A minimum, constant download speed of 0.5 megabits per second (Mbps) is required to access any content on Netflix. If the connection seems fine, turn off and then reboot your computer or video game console. On a desktop, turn off any unnecessary background applications or games that may be hogging resources. On a console, make sure a patch or other downloadable content (DLC) isn’t being downloaded while you’re trying to watch a movie.

If your buffering problems still persist, reset your home network and then check your download speed using a free Internet speed test. Finally, remove the possibility of interrupted service by connecting your devices directly to a modem or router rather than relying on wireless.

Change Your Video Quality

It’s also possible that Netflix buffering issues are due to slow Internet speeds combined with high video-quality settings. Many Internet service providers (ISP) rate their connections based on “burst” speed or peak speed, meaning they won’t be able to sustain advertised download rates over the long term. If your video-quality settings are too high, the streaming service will require constant buffering to catch up. To adjust these video settings, head to the Netflix “Internet Connection Speed Recommendations” page and then click on the link to “Video Quality” to adjust your settings. If you have a constant 5 Mbps or better connection, select “High.” If you’re between 1.6 and 5 Mbps, choose “Medium,” and if you’re under 1.6 Mbps, select “Low,” then click “Save.” This should help minimize buffering issues.

Adjust Streaming Options

If your Netflix buffering problems still aren’t resolved, try changing the service’s streaming options. While the service automatically adjusts your buffering rate based on your Internet connection, it can’t always keep up with fluctuations in download speed. On a desktop, press Shift+Alt+Left Click (or Shift+Option+Click on a Mac). On a Playstation or Xbox, press up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, up, up, up to access the diagnostics menu. Here, you can adjust the buffering rate from 1750 down to 1050, 750, or lower. While lowering the stream rate means shows and movies will take longer to load, they should also be almost entirely free of buffering.

Constant Netflix buffering can make watching even a half-hour sitcom an effort and make watching movies almost impossible. If you’re having this problem, start with troubleshooting basics, adjust your video quality, and, if necessary, lower your streaming rate.

Photo credit: Gil C / Shutterstock.com