Latest in internet bandwidth

We've shown you how to enable the included firewall in OS X, but it's quite limited. It allows you to block traffic on a per-app basis, but beyond that there's not a lot of configuration options. Whether you want to know which programs are using your network or block certain applications from using it out altogether, Little Snitch is the Mac firewall you've been looking for. It's easy to use but also provides access to advanced features – such as system-wide rules and a handy network monitoring tool.
Keep Reading »

If you’re like most people, you don’t have unlimited data and you don’t want to go over your data cap. Phones with Android Jelly Bean contain powerful tools for tracking your mobile data usage, setting phone-wide limits, and identifying the apps that are sucking down the most data. You can prevent these apps from using data entirely to save your precious data allowance and avoid cell phone bill shock.
Keep Reading »

Netflix has launched a unique ISP Speed Index on Monday, which compares Internet speeds in the US, the UK, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The Index doesn't cover every ISP in the world, but it does rank those existing in countries where Netflix is available.
Keep Reading »

For anyone with a limited data cellular plan, data consumption can become incredibly expensive, very quickly. Overage fees generally cost hundreds of dollars a month - and your phone secretly uses data without your knowledge, without proper configuration. Matt provided a great starting point for paring down data consumption. This article expands on the ideas laid down by Matt.
Keep Reading »

With today's technology, we can expect high amounts of speed and quality with everything that we do on our computers, our smartphones, and any other recent gadgets. However, while this increase in speed and quality has a number of factors, a lot of it relates to something called bitrate. What bitrate means depends on the context in which you use it, but it's very important to know what it is.
Keep Reading »

If you’re on a limited mobile data plan, you may find opening your bill to be harrowing experience. Is there an overage charge? How much? And why was there so much data used? While the charges are concrete, the reasons are often harder to understand. You’re not powerless, however. With the right apps, and a change of habits, you can make overage charges a thing of the past.
Keep Reading »

"The Internet is just a series of tubes" as one man so wisely stated. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as that. There’s a complex architecture that supports the Internet, and data packets need to travel some interesting routes in order to reach you. If you can optimize the paths that your data takes, you can boost your Internet speed. Now, there are some limitations. Data packets are essentially light, and light has a fixed speed of travel.
Keep Reading »

This ads will tell you that 4G is awesome. Fast as lightening, or a motorbike, or a race car. But what does that mean in the real world? Is a 4G phone really going to blow away a 3G one, or is the difference subtle. And are all 4G networks built the same? Let’s take a closer look.
Keep Reading »

How fast is your Internet connection, really? Your Internet service provider quotes you speeds, but how do you know if you’re actually getting the speed you’re paying for? You can find out using one of these free tools. And, if you’re not, there are some things you can do to increase your Internet connection speed.
Keep Reading »

The desire to own more and more tech gadgets means that the demand for bandwidth is as strong as ever. And one of the places where people are demanding it the most is on college / university campuses. How many of you, when deciding where to study, factored in wireless Internet access? I know some people who did. They turned down excellent university places, simply because the wireless Internet speed on campus wasn't fast enough.
Keep Reading »

Google Fiber has just selected Kansas City, Missouri, for the premier launch of its broadband Internet and TV service. What’s remarkable is that Google has announced that speeds available will be 100 times more than the ones currently available now in the United States. The launch and its fate could also portend Google’s nationwide roll-out.
Keep Reading »

In my home, I've got several different devices that require a constant connection to the Internet. A lot of those same devices are pumping out constant throughput. As someone who tries to balance a life of personal computing, gaming, and business all (primarily) through a desktop, it's tough having to flip-flop around. First world problems, right?
Keep Reading »

It doesn't seem that long ago that I was sitting at my computer, waiting to go online while my torturously slow 56K modem whistled and screeched its way onto the World Wide Web. Fast forward more than a decade and I am now spoilt with my broadband wireless connection which kicks the pants off a 56K modem any day of the week.
Keep Reading »

Have you ever been in a situation where your Internet is just dragging along, while you know that you're the only person on your network, and you're hardly using any bandwidth? There are plenty of tools out there that will help you with analyzing your home network and assist you with increasing your Internet speeds on that network.
Keep Reading »

Unlimited bandwidth is the dream of every geek, but unfortunately, it’s not always available. Caps are one way for service providers to squeeze extra money out of existing services, so there have been many attempts to introduce them, some of which have stuck. If you’re on a cap, it’s important to know how much bandwidth you’re using.
Keep Reading »