PSA: Your Older 32-Bit Apps Won’t Launch After Installing iOS 11 Tomorrow
When millions of iPads and iPhones are updated to iOS 11 tomorrow, older 32-bit apps that have not been updated with iOS 11 support will no longer launch.
If you attempt to open one of these 32-bit apps, iOS 11 will refuse to open it and will offer up a message that says the app needs to be updated to work with the new operating system.
You’re also not going to find 32-bit apps available when searching in the new App Store, nor can previously downloaded 32-bit apps be installed through the Purchased tab.
Apple has not widely publicized the imminent lack of support for 32-bit apps, so when older apps stop working tomorrow, it could come as a shock to the users who are still have them installed and use them regularly.
Apple has, however, attempted to warn customers. Starting with the launch of iOS 10.1 in October of 2016, when launching a 32-bit app, Apple informed customers that older apps “may slow down your iPhone.” As of iOS 10.3, a more explicit message has been provided: “This app will not work with future versions of iOS.”
Customers who have paid attention to these warnings may not be as surprised, but not everyone may have seen or read the warnings.
Apple began transitioning to 64-bit apps when the iPhone 5s launched in September of 2013. All apps and app updates have been required to use 64-bit architecture since June of 2015, so all apps that are 32-bit have not been updated for at least two years.
Many app developers have gone back and added 64-bit support to older apps, but there are still bound to be many apps that lack support.
Current iOS 10 users can check to see if there are any 32-bit apps on their iOS devices in the Settings app. Go to General –> About –> Applications to see the “App Compatibility” section that lists any outdated apps.
iOS 11 is only compatible with devices that feature a 64-bit chip, meaning it works with everything that has an A7 or newer chip. Specifically, iOS 11 is compatible with iPhone 5s, SE, 6 Plus, 6, 6s Plus, 6s, 7 Plus, and 7, along with the new fifth-generation iPad, the iPad Air, the iPad Air 2, all iPad Pro models, the iPad mini 2 and later, and the 6th generation iPod touch.
Customers on older devices like the iPhone 5 and 5c that can’t install iOS 11 will not be affected.
Related Roundup: iOS 11
Tag: App Store
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Blitzwolf BW-BS3 Selfie Stick review
For all the negative connotation that comes with the idea of a selfie stick, they can actually be quite practical to own. That is, of course, if you have the right one. We’ve long shied away from having one of these as we’re not the “vain” selfie-obsessed user types. Rather than marking a special group selfie shot, we’d rather capture a moment from the rear camera.
When we were asked to review the Blitzwolf BW-BS3 Selfie Stick we, admittedly, were not all that excited about it. What else is there besides putting our phone on a long arm and snapping a wider shot? As it turns out, there’s plenty at work here. We’re not going to run out and snap selfies at an Ed Sheeran concert, but we will consider packing the stick for our next day at the park.
Unpack the selfie stick and you’ll see that there’s little that needs to be done in order to get going. It’s essentially a quick pairing process over Bluetooth and then pressing a button when ready to shoot. It takes all of one minute to get set up.
Massive giveaway!
Celebrating ten years of Android and AndroidGuys (Giveaway Week 3)
September 14, 2017
The stick is primarily composed of aluminum with traces of plastic here and there. It feels really light yet it’s also sturdy in the right places. It doesn’t feel like it’s cheaply made.
The expanding phone holder works well and fit all of the different models we tried, even some of the older and wider devices. Moreover, there’s a 360-degree rotation and swiveling head that lets you put the phone in whatever angle you need.
The arm, when fully extended, adds about three feet to your reach. So, rather than taking a shot of 3-4 people squeezed in, you can grab an entire group shot without effort.
One of the hardest things about taking a selfie is pressing the camera button when it’s time to snap the picture. That problem is alleviated here, thanks to the Bluetooth-connected button. While its standard placement is in the base of the stick, you can pull it out and use it a remote, too. It’s small enough that you can hide it in the palm of your hand without anyone seeing it.
Another cool feature of the Blitzwolf Selfie Stick is that it can be used as a tripod. Indeed, you can pull the base apart into three sections which act as legs. This is pretty convenient when you want to place your phone in a static spot and snap pics. Pull out the remote and you’ll be even better positioned to take group shots.
Priced around $15-$20, we found this to be one to be worth its cost. It’s portable, lightweight, and practical — everything you’d want in a selfie stick. The versatility impressed us and we think you’ll enjoy it, too. Throw in the 18-month warranty and you’ve got a real winner. As of the time of publishing this review you could purchase the Blitzwolf BW-BS3 for $15.99 at Banggood and $21.99 at Amazon.
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Color’s breast and ovarian cancer DNA test is $99 through October
During Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (September) and Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), genetic testing company Color is reducing the price of its new BRCA Test. The test — which looks for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that are linked to breast and ovarian cancer — has a regular price of $149, but for this month and the next, customers can get it for $99.
Color already has a test that estimates your risk for hereditary cancers like pancreatic cancer and melanoma as well as breast and ovarian cancers. That test costs $249 and analyzes 30 genes. But the new BRCA Test from Color only looks at the two BRCA genes and estimates risk based on which mutations of the genes you have. This price point puts Color’s test below its competitors cost-wise. For example, a similar test from Veritas costs $199.
For those not familiar with Color’s genetic tests, let’s compare them to 23andMe. With 23andMe, customers can purchase a kit, send it away and get their results in a few weeks. But Color’s tests have to be ordered by a physician — either your own or one that Color connects you with — and your results are read by and explained to you by that physician. This is largely the standard for genetic tests that aim to estimate your risk of disease while you’re more or less on your own with 23andMe. However, with an April FDA approval, 23andMe can now provide you with risk information for certain conditions — like Parkinson’s disease and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, making it the first at-home kit allowed to do so in the US. And 23andMe is reportedly working on getting approval for BRCA gene testing as well, which it currently doesn’t include.
Color’s BRCA Test makes it easier and cheaper to get screened for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk, which is especially useful for those whose tests might not be covered by insurance. Color said in a blog post, “From pap smears to HIV testing, the medical community has made great investments in universal, low-cost screening programs that empower patients and providers alike. Now BRCA screening joins these programs as a part of routine health care that’s both feasible and sensible.”
Source: Color (1), (2)
Shure Announces its First Bluetooth Wireless Earphones
Shure today announced the launch of its first ever Bluetooth-compatible earphones, bringing wireless connectivity to its SE headphone lineup. Both the new SE112 and the SE215 models are designed to connect to an iPhone using Bluetooth.
Shure says that both models feature high-quality, detailed sound that Shure headphones are known for, with a sound isolating design that blocks up to 37dB of outside noise, and a fit kit featuring a variety of sleeves for the best possible fit for each user.
The headphones each offer eight hours of battery life on a single charge and have a range of 30 feet.
Shure’s SE215 Earphones, priced at $150, come with a detachable Bluetooth Accessory Cable, an accessory that Shure is also selling on a standalone basis for $99. The cable can be used to add wireless connectivity to current Shure SE earphones.
The SE215 is available in translucent black, translucent blue, white, and clear.
Shure’s more affordable SE112, priced at $100, does not include the detachable cable, instead offering only a fixed Bluetooth cable. This model is also only available in black.
The new wireless SE112 and SE215 will be available from retailers that offer Shure products soon.
Tag: Shure
Discuss this article in our forums
Hate needles? MIT’s new injection tech delivers multiple vaccines with one poke
Why it matters to you
A new technique that enables one vaccine injection to carry multiple doses could be a game changer, particularly in the developing world.
Regardless of what it’s protecting you against, few people would likely say that getting a vaccine injection is an altogether enjoyable vaccine. Fortunately, engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are coming to the rescue with a new 3D fabrication technique that could allow for multiple doses of a drug or vaccine to be delivered to a patient over an extended period of time — with just one jab needed.
“We figured out a way to make tiny polymer cups, smaller than a grain of sand, that can be filled with any drug, including vaccines,” Ana Jaklenec, a research scientist at MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, told Digital Trends. “Once filled, these cups are sealed with a lid made from the same material, and the drug or vaccine is protected inside. Because the microparticles are so small, hundreds can be injected into the arm just like any vaccine. Once in the body, the cups stay closed and open up at a predetermined time, releasing the drug or vaccine. This is exciting because one can fill the different cups with essentially all the vaccines and boosters, and potentially have the 10 to 20 required vaccinations all in one shot.”
These particles are made of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved polymer, which degrades once inside the human body, and allows each one to be “programmed” to degrade at a different time. In experiments involving mice, the researchers showed that the particles injected during one injection could release their contents — with no early leakage — at intervals of 9, 20, and 41 days.
As good as this might sound to those needle-phobic folk fortunate enough to live in a part of the world with readily available health care, the work’s most exciting application is likely to be in the developing world, where medical resources are more limited. It’s no doubt for this reason that the project attracted the interest of Bill and Melinda Gates, whose foundation funded the work.
“These micro cups could be used to deliver any drug which requires multiple injections over weeks or months,” Jaklenec said. “Single-shot vaccines is one application of this technology which could have significant impact in the developing world, where millions of children remain under-immunized as repeated patient access in some of these areas is challenging.”
A paper describing the research was recently published in the journal Science.
iPhone 8 Plus vs. Google Pixel XL: How do the two flagship phablets differ?
Apple has finally taken the wraps off its latest-and-greatest iPhone lineup, including the much-hyped iPhone X and the new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, which are the two phones aimed at continuing the standard iPhone succession. Of course, the new phones have some competition from another tech giant in Silicon Valley — namely Google, which is still selling its Google Pixel and Pixel XL phones. There are a few reasons why bigger is better in the case of the iPhone 8 Plus and Pixel XL. Which one should you buy, though? Here, we pitted the two phones against one another to find out.
Specs
Apple iPhone 8 Plus
Google Pixel XL
Size
6.24 x 3.07 x 0.30-inches (158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5mm)
6.09 x 2.98 x 0.33-inches (154.7 x 75.7 x 8.5mm)
Weight
202g (7.13oz)
168g (5.93oz)
Screen
5.5-inch IPS LCD
5.5-inch AMOLED
Resolution
1,080 x 1,920 (401ppi)
1,440 x 2,560 pixels (534ppi)
OS
iOS 11
Android 7.1 Nougat
Storage
64/256GB
32/128GB
MicroSD card slot
No
No
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
A11 Bionic
Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
RAM
3GB
4GB
Connectivity
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Camera
Dual 12MP rear, 7MP front
12MP rear, 8MP front
Video
4K at 60fps
4K at 30fps
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5.0
Yes, version 4.2
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass, barometer
Accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer
Water resistant
IP67 rating
No
Battery
2,675mAh
3,450mAh
Ports
Lightning
USB-C, headphone jack
Marketplace
App Store
Google Play
Color offerings
Gold, Space Grey, Silver
Very Silver, Quite Black, Really Blue
Availability
Apple, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon
Google Play, Verizon
Price
Starts at $799
Starts at $770
DT review
Hands-on
4.5 stars
The first thing to compare is how the phones perform under the hood, though, we may have to wait until benchmarks come out to get any hard data on that. Still, it’s pretty safe to assume that the iPhone 8 Plus will perform better than the Google Pixel XL — after all its predecessor, the iPhone 7 Plus, with its last-gen processor, beat out phones with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821. The A11 Bionic chip should do even better. This is despite the fact that the iPhone 8 Plus has only 3GB of RAM, compared to the Pixel’s 4GB.
When it comes to storage, the iPhone 8 Plus has the Pixel beat. The former comes in both 64 and 128GB configurations, while the Pixel comes in either a 32 or 128GB configuration. Unfortunately, neither of the phones offer a MicroSD card slot. The iPhone 8 Plus also features Bluetooth 5.0, whereas the Pixel comes equipped with Bluetooth 4.2.
There’s really not much competition here — the iPhone 8 Plus is a far better performer.
Winner: Apple iPhone 8 Plus
Display, design, and durability
Apple paved the way for great displays back when it first announced its Retina display, but other manufacturers have sped ahead in the time since. Not only that, but it seems like Apple is not offering the same display advancements on the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus as it is on the iPhone X. Instead, it’s sticking with LCD technology and a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution. The Pixel XL, on the other hand, offers an AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels.
When it comes to design, we’re not going to award a winner. Both phones offer excellent builds, and while they’re starting to seem a little dated given the current trend toward edge-to-edge displays, they’re both in the same boat. One differentiating factor is the headphone jack — the Pixel XL actually has one.
On paper, it looks like the iPhone might be more durable than the Pixel. The iPhone offers IP67 water-resistance, but it is glass front and back, making it potentially more prone to cracks when dropped. The Pixel uses much more metal in its build, so it’s more likely to withstand a drop. Both smartphones, however, make use of a fingerprint sensor, which allows you to unlock your phone, authorize purchases, and make use of certain apps.
The Google Pixel offers a better display, and that’s enough to give it the edge here.
Winner: Google Pixel XL
Battery life and charging
Android phones have traditionally offered more charging and battery options than iPhones, but it looks like that’s about to change. The Google Pixel XL offers a battery capacity of 3,450mAh, which is far more than the iPhone’s 2,675mAh battery, and will net you 32 hours of talk time. The iPhone 8 Plus, on the other hand, will only provide 21 hours of talk time. The Pixel XL also offers fast charging, which will land you 7 hours of use after a mere 15 minutes of charging. The 8 Plus reportedly has the same feature, but it will take some additional accessories to harness it.
Still, the iPhone does offer one additional feature that makes it unique: Wireless charging. That’s a feature that the Google Pixel XL does not have, though, it’s not quite enough to give the iPhone the win in this category.
Winner: Google Pixel XL
Camera
Apple has always outfitted the iPhone with an excellent camera, but when Google first launched the Pixel XL, the device was hailed for its superb shooter.
The camera on the Google Pixel XL sits in at 12-megapixels with an f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and laser detection autofocus. The iPhone 8 Plus’ camera, on the other hand, offers two 12-megapixel sensors — one wide-angle and one telephoto — with an f/1.8 aperture on the main lens, phase detection autofocus, and optical image stabilization. On paper, this makes the iPhone’s camera quite a bit better than the Pixel’s.
The front-facing camera on the iPhone is a 7-megapixel shooter, whereas the front-facing camera on the Pixel measures 8 megapixels. The iPhone 8 Plus also offers a refined Portrait Mode, which allows you to easily blur the background of an image. Currently, neither of Google’s smartphones offer such a feature.
Winner: Apple iPhone 8 Plus
Software
Spoiler alert: We will not be awarding a winner here. It’s a classic case of iOS vs. Android, with each operating system offering its own set of advantages.
Although we don’t intend to declare a winner here, we can still talk about the differences between the two phones. Generally speaking, Android offers far more ways to customize your software experience, thanks to things like widgets. The version of Android included in the Google Pixel XL is stock Android — a vanilla version of Android that many users like because of its lack of promotional apps and bloatware. In that sense, the Android experience on the Pixel XL is probably as close to iOS as you’re going to get on an Android device.
Apple’s iOS, on the other hand, limits customization, though this often results in software that “just works.” That’s not an exaggeration — iOS is straightforward and works seamlessly.
Winner: Tie
Price and availability
The price of these two phones is actually pretty similar. The iPhone 8 Plus starts at $799, while the Google Pixel XL will cost $770 at the very least. Although the Google Pixel XL is cheaper, it’s also a little more limited in terms of availability — you can currently only get it from the Google Store, Verizon, and Best Buy, not through other carriers such as Sprint, AT&T, or T-Mobile, like the iPhone. That’s not to say the handset won’t work on those carriers — you just can’t buy it from them.
The iPhone 8 Plus was made available for pre-order starting September 15, and ships on September 22.
Winner: Tie
Overall winner: Tie
Both of these phones have their advantages and disadvantages. If you’re trying to find the most powerful phone or the phone with the best camera, then the Apple iPhone 8 Plus is probably the better option. But if you want a phone with better battery life and a better display, then the Google Pixel XL is the phone for you.
After the Equifax hack, what steps will you take to protect your identity?
Equifax, one of the big three credit monitoring bureaus — along with TransUnion and Experian — gathers information on basically every American with a credit card in order to determine their credit-worthiness and keep track of their credit histories. As you’ve probably heard by now, Equifax suffered a massive hack recently, and for some 143 million Americans, the sensitive personal information contained in those credit reports is now compromised.
Their information — your information — might be out there among the treasure trove of stolen information hackers made off with. There’s not much you can do about it, but there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself from something like the Equifax hack. So, how will you protect yourself and your credit from falling prey to internet criminals hungry for a slice of your credit?
What steps will you take after the @Equifax hack? #CloseToTheMetal
— Digital Trends (@DigitalTrends) September 18, 2017
Confused about modern Wi-Fi standards? We’ll get you up to speed
Wi-Fi has become an essential part of our lives. For most of us, it’s second nature to tap into wireless Internet from our homes and offices, and we’re all too familiar with the “where can I get free Wi-Fi without having to buy something?” dance when out and about. Desktop computers, televisions, game consoles, set-top boxes—even thermostats all routinely rely on Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi networks adapt and upgrade to widely agreed-upon standards that allow devices around the world to be compatible with the same Wi-Fi networks. The current Wi-Fi standard used by most devices (more on this later) is called 802.11ac, a code you may have seen plastered over router boxes and other marketing packages. This standard allows for wireless data multi-station throughput of more than 1GB and single-link throughput of at least 500Mbps, with an RF bandwidth up to 160MHz.
The “ac” Wi-Fi standard has been in common use since 2013. However, Wi-Fi standards never stay still forever, and that means keeping on eye on upcoming standards as well. Let’s answer questions about what is Wi-Fi, what 802.11ac means and how Wi-Fi is progressing.
A bit about Wi-Fi standard development
The Wi-Fi standards process is a little counter-intuitive. The process is largely controlled by the Wi-Fi Alliance, a trade consortium that owns the Wi-Fi trademark. There is typically a lag between when a new protocol is announced and when it is fully mapped out, and in that lag a lot of manufacturers start jumping on the train as early as they can. This creates a lot of overlap and cross-compatibility issues during transfer periods, which tend to last for years.
However, Wi-Fi standards are also control by other parameters, including how fast data can move through our current cables and devices. You may have noticed that our fastest fiber-optic and high-speed internet services still tend to cap out at 1GB. We’re in a relatively stable period where most everyone is using 802.11ac, and there is still little pressure to jump forward. However, that pressure is increasing, and those designing protocols attempt to keep up with what is possible, not merely what is commonplace.
The current standard: IEEE 802.11ac
dolgachov/123RF
When the latest 802.11ac standard came out, it brought many upgrades compared to the previous standard (802.11n), and consigned certain Wi-Fi problems to the past. The advantages of our current standard include:
More speed: Every new Wi-Fi standard comes with a big speed boost. The “ac” standard can operate 80MHz channels or even switch to the 5GHz band and double channel width to 160MHz, which allows it to send a lot more data. With say, eight 80MHz router antennas, the standard could theoretically reach speeds of 3.47 Gbps or more, but other limitations prevent this. Updates to 802.11ac have made it faster over the years as well.
Less interference: 802.11n (and all earlier Wi-Fi standards) operate in the unlicensed 2.4GHz frequency band, which is famously shared by everything from cordless phones to Bluetooth devices to baby monitors to microwave ovens. 802.11ac is backwards compatible and can easily utilize the 2.4GHz band: Since this band is easy to format for, it still remains the go-to option for most at-home wireless networks.
However, 802.11ac can also access the 5GHz band. At this frequency, range is decreased but it’s easy to fit more information in the signal, so speeds can increase. Most beneficially, there’s a lot less interference up at 5GHz. When you see a router that is “dual-band” that means it can operate at 5GHz, and smart routers can often automatically switch devices to a different band if it looks like the default band is getting crowded.
Improved stream management: 802.11ac introduced a few neat tricks to Wi-Fi, too. First, it allowed for beam targeting, or the ability of routers to track the location of specific devices and strengthen the signal aimed at those devices. This helps to reduce or get rid of dead zones and improve performance at the outer edges of reception. The standard allows for MU-MIMO (multi-user, multi-input, multi-output) connections, a still-evolving protocol that allows routers to establish independent links with up to four compatible devices to improve speeds and cut down on lag problems.
Does faster Wi-Fi mean faster internet?
This is a common question among those considering an upgrade. The simple answer is, “It can.” But internet speed depends on so many factors it’s difficult to say yes or no. Let’s make it a little easier. If you want the fastest Wi-Fi speeds possible, then you should do the following.
1. Check your internet service: Do you have high-speed, fiber-based internet that allows for speeds up to 1Gbps? Most services still can’t realize full gigabit speeds, but they can get closer with the right packages.
2. Check your router: If you haven’t changed your router in years, it may not be compatible with the “ac” standard. If that’s the case, it’s time to upgrade your router to a version that offers better speeds. Router placement is also important!
3. Check your wireless devices: They, too, are rated for different Wi-Fi standards. This is less of a problem, because we tend to switch out smartphones and tablets more frequently than routers or internet service packages. But if you haven’t changed a device in years, it may be worth checking the specifications.
The future of Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11ad and ax
Two important new Wi-Fi standards are on their way. One is called called 802.11ad. Remember when we talked about how important it was that the 802.11ac could access the 5GHz band? Well, 802.11ad can access the 60GHz band (here’s one router that already has it).
That’s an incredibly high frequency, which means that its range is pretty short — we’re talking about just a small room here — and it’s really, really fast. 802.11ad could provide basic speeds up to 7Gbps without breaking a sweat, and could easily go far higher under the right circumstances. Some have started calling this super short, super powerful signal Wi-Gig.
Right now, we’re not sure how 802.11ad will be used. Many predict that it will be used to replaced certain hard-wired parts of the internet infrastructure that would be easier to manage in a wireless form. Others are predicting that phones will start including 802.11ad compatibility in the near future. However, it’s still uncertain when or how “ad” will make it into our home networks.
The second standard to watch for is 802.11ax, which focuses on extra features like more advanced MU-MIMO, better battery life management, Bluetooth 5.0, and similar technology. It doesn’t have the huge bump in speed that 802.11ad has, but it does offer significantly higher speeds than 802.11ac, and it is particularly friendly to smart devices and home management. Look for the “ax” standard to show up on router in the next couple of years.
Confused about modern Wi-Fi standards? We’ll get you up to speed
Wi-Fi has become an essential part of our lives. For most of us, it’s second nature to tap into wireless Internet from our homes and offices, and we’re all too familiar with the “where can I get free Wi-Fi without having to buy something?” dance when out and about. Desktop computers, televisions, game consoles, set-top boxes—even thermostats all routinely rely on Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi networks adapt and upgrade to widely agreed-upon standards that allow devices around the world to be compatible with the same Wi-Fi networks. The current Wi-Fi standard used by most devices (more on this later) is called 802.11ac, a code you may have seen plastered over router boxes and other marketing packages. This standard allows for wireless data multi-station throughput of more than 1GB and single-link throughput of at least 500Mbps, with an RF bandwidth up to 160MHz.
The “ac” Wi-Fi standard has been in common use since 2013. However, Wi-Fi standards never stay still forever, and that means keeping on eye on upcoming standards as well. Let’s answer questions about what is Wi-Fi, what 802.11ac means and how Wi-Fi is progressing.
A bit about Wi-Fi standard development
The Wi-Fi standards process is a little counter-intuitive. The process is largely controlled by the Wi-Fi Alliance, a trade consortium that owns the Wi-Fi trademark. There is typically a lag between when a new protocol is announced and when it is fully mapped out, and in that lag a lot of manufacturers start jumping on the train as early as they can. This creates a lot of overlap and cross-compatibility issues during transfer periods, which tend to last for years.
However, Wi-Fi standards are also control by other parameters, including how fast data can move through our current cables and devices. You may have noticed that our fastest fiber-optic and high-speed internet services still tend to cap out at 1GB. We’re in a relatively stable period where most everyone is using 802.11ac, and there is still little pressure to jump forward. However, that pressure is increasing, and those designing protocols attempt to keep up with what is possible, not merely what is commonplace.
The current standard: IEEE 802.11ac
dolgachov/123RF
When the latest 802.11ac standard came out, it brought many upgrades compared to the previous standard (802.11n), and consigned certain Wi-Fi problems to the past. The advantages of our current standard include:
More speed: Every new Wi-Fi standard comes with a big speed boost. The “ac” standard can operate 80MHz channels or even switch to the 5GHz band and double channel width to 160MHz, which allows it to send a lot more data. With say, eight 80MHz router antennas, the standard could theoretically reach speeds of 3.47 Gbps or more, but other limitations prevent this. Updates to 802.11ac have made it faster over the years as well.
Less interference: 802.11n (and all earlier Wi-Fi standards) operate in the unlicensed 2.4GHz frequency band, which is famously shared by everything from cordless phones to Bluetooth devices to baby monitors to microwave ovens. 802.11ac is backwards compatible and can easily utilize the 2.4GHz band: Since this band is easy to format for, it still remains the go-to option for most at-home wireless networks.
However, 802.11ac can also access the 5GHz band. At this frequency, range is decreased but it’s easy to fit more information in the signal, so speeds can increase. Most beneficially, there’s a lot less interference up at 5GHz. When you see a router that is “dual-band” that means it can operate at 5GHz, and smart routers can often automatically switch devices to a different band if it looks like the default band is getting crowded.
Improved stream management: 802.11ac introduced a few neat tricks to Wi-Fi, too. First, it allowed for beam targeting, or the ability of routers to track the location of specific devices and strengthen the signal aimed at those devices. This helps to reduce or get rid of dead zones and improve performance at the outer edges of reception. The standard allows for MU-MIMO (multi-user, multi-input, multi-output) connections, a still-evolving protocol that allows routers to establish independent links with up to four compatible devices to improve speeds and cut down on lag problems.
Does faster Wi-Fi mean faster internet?
This is a common question among those considering an upgrade. The simple answer is, “It can.” But internet speed depends on so many factors it’s difficult to say yes or no. Let’s make it a little easier. If you want the fastest Wi-Fi speeds possible, then you should do the following.
1. Check your internet service: Do you have high-speed, fiber-based internet that allows for speeds up to 1Gbps? Most services still can’t realize full gigabit speeds, but they can get closer with the right packages.
2. Check your router: If you haven’t changed your router in years, it may not be compatible with the “ac” standard. If that’s the case, it’s time to upgrade your router to a version that offers better speeds. Router placement is also important!
3. Check your wireless devices: They, too, are rated for different Wi-Fi standards. This is less of a problem, because we tend to switch out smartphones and tablets more frequently than routers or internet service packages. But if you haven’t changed a device in years, it may be worth checking the specifications.
The future of Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11ad and ax
Two important new Wi-Fi standards are on their way. One is called called 802.11ad. Remember when we talked about how important it was that the 802.11ac could access the 5GHz band? Well, 802.11ad can access the 60GHz band (here’s one router that already has it).
That’s an incredibly high frequency, which means that its range is pretty short — we’re talking about just a small room here — and it’s really, really fast. 802.11ad could provide basic speeds up to 7Gbps without breaking a sweat, and could easily go far higher under the right circumstances. Some have started calling this super short, super powerful signal Wi-Gig.
Right now, we’re not sure how 802.11ad will be used. Many predict that it will be used to replaced certain hard-wired parts of the internet infrastructure that would be easier to manage in a wireless form. Others are predicting that phones will start including 802.11ad compatibility in the near future. However, it’s still uncertain when or how “ad” will make it into our home networks.
The second standard to watch for is 802.11ax, which focuses on extra features like more advanced MU-MIMO, better battery life management, Bluetooth 5.0, and similar technology. It doesn’t have the huge bump in speed that 802.11ad has, but it does offer significantly higher speeds than 802.11ac, and it is particularly friendly to smart devices and home management. Look for the “ax” standard to show up on router in the next couple of years.
Yashica rejoins the living with first product since 2003 — a smartphone lens
Why it matters to you
As classic film looks to regain a foothold in the market, Yashica is one of several once-dead camera brands coming back after selling its rights to another company.
A resurgence in analog photography has already brought once-dead lenses back to life for pairing with digital sensors, like the options from Meyer-Optik, Glaukar and Voigtlander — and now one more company is joining the ranks of the re-animated. Yashica, a film camera company based in Japan that was actively producing cameras until 2003, recently launched a new website, a teaser video — and a smartphone camera lens.
A teaser video showing a girl using a film camera (easily identifiable by a back without a screen) launched earlier this summer, and now the Yashica website invites photo fans to “peep into our upcoming chapter” by subscribing to an email list.
While early details were slim, the company has now launched a 2-in-1 universal smartphone lens. The teaser and vague homepage is still live, so it’s unclear if Yashica has more products up its sleeve.
The lens uses a clip-on style that allows the camera to fit smartphones from several different brands with a resolution of 20 megapixels or less. The lens kit gives smartphone photographers a 110-degree wide angle lens with a 15x magnification macro lens. The company says that the lens is designed to eliminate the dark corners and blurry edges commonly associated with smartphone add-on lenses. Image quality, the revived Yashica says, is crisp and colorful with HD optical glass.
Yashica
The website lists the lens for HK$368 — which roughly translates to about $50. The lens includes a clip bag that also doubles as a lens cloth and ships in a box featuring one of Yashica’s iconic twin reflex cameras.
The lens is only a Yashica in the way that the Kodak Ektra smartphone is a Kodak — branding rights have been sold, so the original Yashica isn’t actually designing and making the lens. After an acquisition, Yashica became part of the Konica Minolta company. The company then sold the trademark rights to the MF Jebsen Group in 2008. Without any company history information coming directly from Yashica, it’s unclear if the same group still holds those trademark rights — but the Jebsen Group is based in Hong Kong, which is also country whose currency the new lens is listing in.
Yashica’s comeback is part of a larger trend toward bringing back vintage brands, in some cases by pairing classic lenses with digital cameras and in others by bringing back film cameras. Last week, Polaroid announced a remake of an instant film camera after sticking to digital cameras with built-in printers for several years.
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