| Shocker! Three's unlimited data adopters use lots of 3G Jul 24th 2012, 17:07  Three, a UK mobile network provider specializing in unlimited data packages, has reported that its customers are talking full advantage of their plans. Specifically, the average monthly usage has more than doubled this summer (we use the term loosely) from 450MB to 1.1GB over the same period last year. Smartphone users are understandably the healthiest eaters, sucking down around 1.5GB per month. With the BBC continuing to expand its 3G offerings and an undoubted increase in tablet use, tethering and the like, we imagine these figures are far from their peak. With 4G on the horizon, will Three regret positioning itself as the great provider; or, like Sprint over in the US, will it stand its ground for the sake of an advantage? Continue reading Shocker! Three's unlimited data adopters use lots of 3G Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Internet Shocker! Three's unlimited data adopters use lots of 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Three | Email this | Comments | | Is Qualcomm considering an AR benchmark as 'the mother of all tests'? Jul 24th 2012, 16:50  Today at the Qualcomm mobile benchmarking workshop in San Francisco, Jon Peddie of Jon Peddie Research suggested that using augmented reality (AR) to test the performance of mobile devices could be "the mother of all tests." By stressing all processors and sensors on modern smartphones and tablets -- including CPU, GPU, DSP, ISP (image processor), GPS, gyro, compass, accelerometer, barometer, mic and camera -- the benchmark would represent the worst case scenario in term of computing load. While AR adoption is still in its infancy amongst consumers -- technology such as Project Glass still faces serious challenges -- Qualcomm's been very active in the field over the years and even provides and SDK for developers. Could this be a hint of what's coming from the company in terms of benchmarking beyond Neocore and Vellamo? Let us know what you think in the comments. Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs, Software Is Qualcomm considering an AR benchmark as 'the mother of all tests'? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | Comcast doubles broadband speeds 'in certain markets,' launches 305Mbps Xfinity Platinum service Jul 24th 2012, 16:12  Comcast has just done the deed -- following a rumor on the matter, it's launching 305Mbps (down) / 65Mbps (up) Xfinity Platinum internet service in the highly populated Northeast division of the United States. For those who've been around a while, you may remember a time where one would weep upon finding out that Verizon's FiOS simply wasn't available at a desired location. Now, however, Comcast is doing its darnedest to rival fiber-to-the-home options with blisteringly fast cable service. In addition to its new flagship tier, the provider is also doubling the speeds of two of its existing internet speed tiers in certain markets at no additional cost. Specifically, Xfinity Blast! customers will now get download speeds of up to 50Mbps (formerly 25 Mbps), and Extreme 50 customers will now receive speeds of up to 105Mbps (formerly 50 Mbps). According to GigaOM, the ultra-desirable Platinum service will ring up at $300 per month, which is a full $90 more than Verizon's own 300Mbps FiOS option. Of course, this probably means that you'll hit your monthly cap a heck of a lot faster, but hey -- at least you'll get bragging rights. Continue reading Comcast doubles broadband speeds 'in certain markets,' launches 305Mbps Xfinity Platinum service Filed under: Internet Comcast doubles broadband speeds 'in certain markets,' launches 305Mbps Xfinity Platinum service originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  GigaOM | Comcast | Email this | Comments | | Dell Precision M4700, M6700 business laptops get suited up for quiet debut Jul 24th 2012, 15:24  Quietly, and without fanfare, Dell snuck out its new pair of hardcore business laptops onto its storefront. Both the Precision M4700 and M6700 come with Ivy Bridge CPUs and a wealth of build-to-order options including Red Hat Linux -- after all, this is Dell we're talking about here. The 15-inch M4700 is available for $1049 (£999 in the UK) plus tax and shipping, while the 17-inch M6700 has a base price of $1849 (£1,349 in the UK).
[Thanks, Nick] Filed under: Laptops Dell Precision M4700, M6700 business laptops get suited up for quiet debut originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 11:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Dell M6700, Dell M4700, PC World | Email this | Comments | |
