Learn The iPad Pro — Does Bigger Mean Better?

The iPad Pro — Does Bigger Mean Better?

Last Updated: November 2, 2015

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The long rumored “big” iPad finally arrived during Apple’s September event focused on the new iPhone 6s. The iPad Pro with its external, attachable keyboard and Apple Pencil reminds one of the Microsoft Surface, albeit with a more robust app market available through the iTunes App Store.

With the new iPad Mini 4 and iPhone 6s Plus also boasting powerful tech specs and iOS app compatibility, is the marketplace really interested in a super-sized iPad? Let’s take a closer look at the details and see.

iPad Pro Features and Specs

The most notable feature of the iPad Pro is its 12.9-inch Retina display, capable of a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels. If you enjoy watching movies or TV shows on your tablet, this display is a great reason for upgrading to a larger iPad. Perform regular speed tests to ensure your Internet bandwidth can handle HD streaming with little buffering.

The iPad Pro also sports Apple’s A9X processor and a M9 motion coprocessor, making this the most powerful iPad model to date. The enhanced iSight camera features 8MP resolution as well as a host of features to please shutterbugs, although many users still prefer using their smaller smartphone to take pictures. HD video recording is supported as well.

Surprisingly, one new Apple feature not part of the iPad Pro is the pressure sensitive 3D Touch display available on both iPhone 6s models. Cost is probably the main reason for this decision when considering the much larger touchscreen of the iPad Pro. iPad musicians are probably the most disappointed, hoping for pressure sensitivity to be included in the next line of music creation apps.

The WiFi version of the iPad Pro retails for either $799 (32GB) or $949 (128GB). The one model with both WiFi and cellular connectivity is priced at $1079 with 128GB of storage. The attachable keyboard and new Apple Pencil cost extra. The new iPad is expected to arrive online and in stores in November.

Does a Larger iPad Pro Make Sense for Most Users?

In short, the iPad Pro is larger and more powerful than any previous iPad. Many Apple power users can simply purchase a lower end MacBook for essentially the same price, albeit without the new Pencil. Windows users are probably going to stay with the Microsoft Surface or a similar Windows tablet.

Will the iPad Pro succeed in a tablet market filled with smaller models that many users find are easier to hold and operate? While its large Retina display makes it the arguably preeminent tablet for streaming movies and video, is that enough of a market for Apple to deem the device to be a success? Expect the answers to these questions after this year’s Holiday season once the sales numbers have been tabulated.

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Learn The iPad Pro — Does Bigger Mean Better?

Three Tips on Optimizing Home Network Speed

Last Updated: August 27, 2015

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In this era of Internet streaming video, home automation, and online gaming, the venerable old home network gets a serious workout. Keeping things running smoothly is a must if you want the most out of your bandwidth investment. Knowing how to properly manage your modem (fiber, cable, or DSL) and router plays a big role in the efficiency of your WiFi network.

Here are a few tips on optimizing home network speed to ensure the best possible performance.

Regularly Perform an Internet Speed Test

Get into the habit of performing an Internet speed test on a regular basis. Without a real understanding of your actual bandwidth, and any differences between your test results and your ISP’s promised service level, it becomes difficult to set expectations for the performance of your home network. Keep a log of your test results in case you notice repeated discrepancies between the tested result and the speed promised by your service provider.

Be Sure to Occasionally Reboot Your Modem

No matter the type of connection used in your Internet service, occasionally rebooting your modem by shutting it off for 30 seconds and then powering it on helps to keep your Internet connection running smoothly. Do this at least once per month or more frequently if you experience slow performance. Rebooting your router at the same time can also help. This is another great reason to test your Internet speed on a regular basis.

Read and Understand Your Router Manual

Not surprisingly, your wireless router offers you the best opportunity to improve the network performance at your residence. In fact, investing in a high-end dual band router gives you additional flexibility in management. Devices primarily used for video streaming and other high bandwidth tasks are able to reside on their own band, with optimized performance as a result.

Understanding the more esoteric functionality of a premium router lets you do things like beamforming, which allows optimizing the wireless signal for specific devices on your network. This is a smart trick to play if the family is watching an HD movie on Netflix with too much buffering ruining the show.

Router placement within your residence also matters when it comes to streaming performance. Watch out for too many walls or appliances (especially a microwave oven) between your wireless router and any bandwidth consuming devices.

Here’s hoping these few tricks give you the insight to optimize your home WiFi network’s performance, so you and your family are able to truly enjoy your Internet service.

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Google Alphabet and the Future of Google Fiber

Last Updated: August 25, 2015

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The news that Google plans to reorganize its corporate structure, creating a new holding company called “Alphabet” hit the tech industry hard recently. The Internet search and advertising giant wants more emphasis placed on the offshoots from its main business. These include the Nest smart home device company, and Google Fiber, the “One Gig” Internet service, currently expanding across the country at a glacial pace.

What other reasons lurk behind Google’s restructuring? Does this mean your dreams for maxing out a Google Fiber speed test are about to come true? Let’s take a closer look at the details.

Are Privacy Concerns Part of Google’s Move to Alphabet?

Some technology pundits speculate public concerns about Google spying on Internet usage through Google Fiber as one of the reasons for their corporate restructuring. The ability to tap into someone’s home life through a Nest device is another worry. Google’s parsing through Gmail users’ emails and serving them advertising related to the content in those emails still haunts many Internet regulars. As separate companies, the hope is that fear becomes somewhat mitigated.

Another major reason to restructure involves quelling investor fears that Google is only able to generate significant revenue through Internet advertising. Ad revenue made up $16 billion of the $17.7 billion earned by Google in its most recent quarter. But simply reshuffling the corporate deck won’t necessarily make Alphabet’s subsidiaries successful by themselves.

Does Project Fi Stay Separate from Google Fiber?

Google’s own wireless Internet initiative, Project Fi, stayed mostly under the radar since its announcement in April. Leveraging portions of Sprint and T-Mobile’s networks, Fi offers an innovative pricing scheme that actually refunds part of your monthly bill if you don’t use your 3GB data allowance. Like Fiber, Fi’s rollout progresses slowly. According to CEO-designate, Sundar Pichai, Google uses the service to highlight innovations it feels the four major carriers need to implement.

Does Google end up combining their Fiber and Fi projects under one umbrella within Alphabet? That remains to be seen, but the company’s earlier comments about Project Fi being used to pressure major carriers into product innovations raises a question whether the ultimate purpose of Fiber itself is similar.

With the recent announcement of San Antonio as the next “Fiber City,” the Northeast and Midwest parts of the country still feel left out. The question remains whether most of the nation gets to enjoy Google Fiber anytime soon. As Google finishes its corporate transformation pay close attention to any Google Alphabet news between now and the end of the year to see if the company speeds up their Fiber rollout.

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5 Tips on Transferring Your Internet Service When Moving

Last Updated: August 12, 2015

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Relocation remains one of the biggest hassles for anybody. The large number of tasks involved when moving is enough to drive even a grizzled IT project manager insane. Thankfully, transferring your utilities — especially your Internet service — ranks on the lower end of the stress meter.

Let’s take a look at five easy steps that will make it easy to transfer your Internet service when relocating.

Moving Internet service made easy — Moving Internet Service

1. Find Out if Your Current Provider is Available at Your New Residence

The first step when transferring your Internet service involves finding out if your current ISP offers service at your new location. If you are only moving within your metro area, chances are good you can keep your ISP, but you still need to verify its availability since some providers only serve portions of larger cities. Use an online service aggregator to see what ISPs are available at your new abode.

2. Take Advantage of any Service Bundles

Once you’ve decided on a new provider (or even if you are keeping your current ISP) see if there are any bundles available with Digital TV and Home Phone service to save you some money. You may have to sign a contract agreement with an early termination fee, so be sure to read the fine print.

3. Schedule the Service Call for the New Location

Once you are ready to go with your new contract, schedule a convenient time for an installer to turn on your Internet service. Make sure you will be present when they arrive and block out some extra time in case of unexpected delays.

4. Pack up Your Equipment for the Move

Carefully pack up your modem and wireless router (if you have one) for the move. If you are going with a new ISP, you’ll need to return the equipment to their local service center or even ship it to them. Either way, make sure the equipment is well protected.

5. Check Your Internet Speed After Installation

Once the installer gets you online and before he leaves, perform your own Internet speed test to verify you are getting the service level in your agreement. If there are any discrepancies make sure the installer checks the quality of your modem and router as well as any outside equipment. Chances are good you’ll be streaming videos in no time.

Follow these easy steps so you can simplify the process and reserve your real moving stress for packing, cleaning, and unpacking. Transferring your Internet service will be a breeze.

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HBO Now Broadband Considerations

Last Updated: July 19, 2015

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These days more and more consumers are willing to forego their satellite and cable TV subscriptions in favor on building their own a la carte service using on demand video streaming devices like the Roku, Chromecast, or Apple TV. HBO is helping matters by creating their own standalone service under the moniker of HBO Now. If you are considering a similar cord-cutting move, you’ll need to make sure your resident Internet service is able to properly handle video streaming.

With high quality video streaming in mind, let’s take a closer look at HBO Now and its potential effect on your Internet bandwidth.

HBO Now Exclusive to Apple – For Now

When HBO Now first launched in April, the company gave Apple an exclusive on the service for three months. The app has been wildly successful at the iTunes App Store, topping the revenue charts for the month of May. Consumers are able to download the app for free, but a subscription comes with a monthly fee of $14.99, which provides access to HBO’s library of movies and original content — everything from the Sopranos to Game of Thrones.

With Apple’s HBO Now exclusive about the end, the service will become available on the Google Play Store, Chromecast, and other devices. If you are interested in finding out when you can get HBO Now for your device, submit your email address to HBO at their Now page. HBO also offers an introductory free trial so you can see if the on demand video service warrants spending a monthly fee.

What About HBO Now Broadband Capabilities?

When streaming HQ video over the Internet, a speed of 5 Mbps is a good benchmark to ensure a quality experience without extra buffering or stuttering video. Always perform regular speed tests to make sure your ISP offers enough bandwidth for your streaming needs.

While 5 Mbps works well as a baseline Internet service, if multiple people share the Internet service at your residence, more bandwidth is necessary to ensure everyone enjoys rich media streaming with minimal issues. Video streaming and online gaming tend to use the most bandwidth. Check out these four tips to improve the Internet performance at your house.

Once you get HBO Now, and sufficient bandwidth to handle it, you’ll easily be able to check in on the latest doings in Westeros either at home or on the road.

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Run an Android Speed Test on your Tablet and Phone

Last Updated: July 13, 2015

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When you’re on the go and unable to connect to your home’s wireless network, your Internet speed is important. Sometimes trying to find network access when traveling can be a hassle, especially when service providers suffering from limited bandwidth are your only option. Owners of Android devices need to know how to run an Android speed test on their mobile devices to ensure all web-based activity performs properly when away from home.

With that in mind, here are some tips on how to run a top notch, state of the art HTML5 speed test on your Android mobile devices.

Avoid Mobile Speed Tests Using Flash

While the Android platform does provide minimal support for Flash, it tends to be slow and buggy — not surprising for an essentially obsolete technology. The difficulty in getting the Flash plug-in to even run properly in a bandwidth-challenged environment makes the whole process not worth the effort for most scenarios. Trying to find and download an app for testing Internet speeds also takes too much work.

The sheer computing power of high-end Android smartphones and tablets, like the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Google’s own Nexus 9, means these devices are able to consume copious amounts of bandwidth. This enables users to cleanly stream videos and music as well as online gaming action away from home. In a nutshell your Internet speed needs to be up to snuff and ancient Flash-based speed tests aren’t the best choice for a piece of leading-edge technology.

Try HTML5 Speed Tests for Mobile Devices

When performing an Internet speed test on your Android device — tablet or smartphone — a test using HTML5 remains the best option. As mentioned earlier, using a web-based Flash option may or may not work on your Android smartphone, and definitely won’t work on an iPhone. The newer HTML5 technology doesn’t require a separate plug-in to work, plus you won’t need to find a speed test app in the Google Play store.

After running a HTML5 speed test, be sure to do a quick screen capture which saves your test result. This makes it easy to reference when searching for the fastest ISP during future travels. At home, these saved results can help in terms of refunds from your Internet provider if they aren’t delivering the promised bandwidth.

The bottom line is simple. When performing an Android speed test — either traveling or at home — a HTML5 test remains your best option.

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Apple Music — Bandwidth Considerations for Streaming Music

Last Updated: June 22, 2015

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Apple’s recent Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) garnered a lot of press for its announcement of Apple Music, Cupertino’s attempt to gain a share of the Internet music streaming market currently dominated by companies like Spotify and Pandora. Apple brings some heavy hitters from the music industry to the fray, including Dr. Dre and Nine Inch Nail’s Trent Reznor.

Still, most Internet users don’t care so much about music playlists curated by celebrities; they want to know whether or not their Internet service offers the bandwidth to stream high quality music with no buffering or stuttering. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at Apple Music to see if it makes sense for your Internet music experience.

Details on Apple Music Streaming Service

Using an app only compatible with the iOS platform — for now — Apple Music offers a music streaming service with a variety of features Cupertino hopes distinguish its product from Spotify and Pandora. These include the previously mentioned curated playlists, Siri voice control, and the Beats Connect platform which lets musical artists share blog posts and other content with their fans.

The Apple music streaming service costs users $9.99 per month, after an initial three-month free trial period. Families are able to get everyone in on the streaming action for one monthly fee of $14.99. Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio station is always free.

Apple Music is expected to be available to all current iTunes users by the end of June. Apple TV owners won’t see the service on those devices until sometime this summer. Android fans need to wait until later this year before the app arrives at the Google Play store.

Will You Need More Bandwidth for Apple Music?

Fortunately, music streaming services don’t require the massive amounts of bandwidth as with video streaming. Most Internet accounts, even as low as 1 Mbps, are able to stream music with little problem. Since Apple Music also offers other content on Beats Connect, you’ll need to pay attention when streaming videos or other rich media formats.

As always, make sure to perform regular speed tests to see if you are getting all the bandwidth promised by your ISP. Remember that an HTML 5 speed test works best on the mobile devices — smartphones and tablets — on which most folks do the bulk of their music streaming.

Whether Apple Music is able to make a dent in Pandora’s market share remains to be seen, but there is no denying that Cupertino is taking music streaming very seriously.

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Have You Tried a Google Hangout?

Last Updated: June 15, 2015

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If you are looking for a modern communication platform suitable for video, text messaging, and more, you might want to check out Google Hangouts. While it can be considered a competitor to Microsoft’s Skype video chat service, Hangouts features many extras including natural integration with the popular Android mobile operating system. In fact, you probably already have the Hangouts app lurking amongst your Android smartphone’s app library and it could be worthy of further exploration.

Google Hangouts Basic Features

Hangouts offers many different ways for you to communicate over the Internet — Voice calls, VOIP, text messaging, SMS — all possible using your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Group video calls are another option, which can be useful in a business meeting scenario, or to let your family get together online for a quick chat.

Google makes it easy for you to share photos and videos as part of the conversation. Even adding emoji to the discussion is possible, (but might not be appropriate for every online business meeting.) The cool thing about each individual Google Hangout is that they never have to end; you can start one on your smartphone and continue the discussion on another device.

In addition to the Android app on the Google Play store, iPhone and iPad users can also join in the fun with the iOS app available at the iTunes app store. One caveat for desktop users is Hangouts requires an extension only available for Google’s Chrome web browser. Once the extension is installed, you can access the service using either Gmail or Google+.

Another feature of Hangouts is its ability to let you “call” another person’s smartphone or even their landline. Calls to the U.S. and Canada are free, and international calls require Google credits unless the called party is another Hangouts user. These landline calls require a separate Hangouts Dialer app.

Make Sure you have Enough Bandwidth for Online Video Chat

Of course, video chatting using a Google Hangout takes a notable amount of Internet bandwidth, so make sure you perform a regular HTML5 speed test on your smartphone to be sure your Internet service can handle it. If your ISP isn’t keeping up their end of the bargain, by all means let them know.

Google Hangouts is definitely a 21st Century way to communicate with friends, family, and business associates. The massive popularity of Android gives Hangouts a better shot at sustained success compared to Google+ so if you wanted to try it out it appears Google Hangouts will be hanging out for quite a while.

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Three Tips on How to Boost WiFi Signal Strength at Your Home

Last Updated: June 10, 2015

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With more and more consumers streaming movies, playing online games, and taking part in other bandwidth intensive activities at home, additional demands are being placed on the venerable wireless router. Often there are multiple persons and devices simultaneously consuming data from your Internet service at your residence. Whatever the reason, learning how to boost wifi signal strength at your home is a must to ensure everyone gets the most out of their online experience.

With that in mind, here are a few tips for optimizing your home’s WiFi signal.

Invest in a Better Router

Ultimately, making an investment in a high-end wireless router offers you the most bang for the buck when it comes to improving your WiFi signal. We’ve talked about dual band routers in the past here at Bandwidth Place if you are interested in learning more about the subject, but the bottom line remains: dual band routers work better in scenarios where multiple people are using your Internet service at the same time.

Additionally, routers that support advanced features like beamforming are able to boost the WiFi signal for certain devices on your home network. It is a good idea to use beamforming on any device consuming a copious amount of bandwidth, like Blu-Ray players, HD TVs, and advanced video game systems.

Centralize the Placement of your Router

Be sure to place your wireless router somewhere in the middle of the devices typically accessing it. If your router resides in one side of your house, the signal will obviously be weaker for those devices farthest from its location. If necessary, talk to your ISP to see if placing your modem — whether coax, fiber, or DSL — in a central location to facilitate an optimal router placement is possible.

Watch Out for Any Signal Interference

Certain appliances, most notably microwaves, interfere with your router’s signal. So make sure you place the router where a microwave won’t hamper your WiFi. Additionally, try to keep any walls between your router and your streaming devices to a minimum.

Finally, making the effort to optimize your WiFi signal goes for naught if your Internet service suffers from inadequate bandwidth. Be sure to perform speed tests on a regular basis to ensure you are getting bandwidth you paid for and deserve.

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Learn The iPad Pro — Does Bigger Mean Better?

Five Tips to Improve Mobile Internet Speed

Last Updated: May 25, 2015

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Chances are good that a decent percentage of your Internet activity happens on your smartphone or tablet, either at your house, at the office, or while on vacation. Even when away from your home network, it remains vital to keep an eye on your Internet speed. The major wireless carriers constantly trumpet the quality of their networks, and it is important to hold them to their promises.

Performing a regular mobile Internet speed test needs to be part of your schedule along with testing the bandwidth at home. With that in mind, here are five quick tips to improve your mobile Internet speed.

Leverage an HTML5 Mobile Internet Speed Test on your Device

When testing your Internet speed on a mobile device, Flash-based speed tests aren’t the way to go. They won’t run at all on an iOS device, so your iPhone and iPad are out, and Flash still runs sluggishly on Android, possibly skewing your results. When using a browser-based speed test on a smartphone, HTML5 remains your best option.

Off Peak Hours are better for Heavy Internet Activity

If you are planning on downloading any large files or app updates, perform them during off peak hours, as wireless carriers’ networks are typically less crowded at this time. Avoid doing this activity during the day.

Use a Mobile Ad Blocker

Advertising on websites takes up a significant amount of bandwidth. A variety of ad blocker apps exist for the iOS and Android platforms. Installing one on your smartphone can greatly reduce the amount of data downloaded on a daily basis, which speeds up accessing the content you actually want to see.

Don’t leave too Many Apps Running in Memory

While it doesn’t necessarily relate to raw Internet speed, having too many apps running uses up your mobile device’s internal memory causing overall performance to suffer. So it seems like your Internet service is slow when your smartphone is the actual problem. Be sure to regularly “force quit” apps (or periodically restart your device) to keep everything running smoothly.

Your Case Could Hamper your Mobile Signal?

In some cases, your smartphone case may actually interfere with your device’s antenna. Run two speed tests with the case on and off and see if the test results vary. If you don’t want to give up your stylish case, consider one of the many apps on iOS and Android that help find the best mobile and WiFi signals in your location.

Ultimately, your smartest strategy to improve your mobile Internet speed is to regularly test your bandwidth while keeping track of the test results. Pay attention to any environmental factors at home or on the road that could hamper signal quality. Make sure you get the bandwidth you deserve!