In 2019, high-speed internet service has become as vital as other utilities like water and electricity. It's the gateway for everything from news to education, dating to dining and all manners of entertainment, from gaming to music -- and even what we used to call "TV." For most Americans, a fast and reliable internet connection is now a foundational part of both work and family life. According to the most recent data available, the United States ranks 10th (see 2017 PDF report) among countries for the highest average internet speed (at 18.7 megabytes per second, or Mpbs). To the chagrin of citizens and politicians alike, high-speed internet is not yet universally available. We can't even agree on the scale of the problem. According to the FCC, roughly 7% of the US population -- that's 19 million Americans -- still doesn't have access to a broadband connection. A more recent survey from research firm NPD Group puts the estimate much higher: It says that 100 million Americans don't … [Read more...] about The Best DNA Testing Kits for 2019
1gb network speed
UK’s first 5G network is live and we tested it in 5 cities
5G network. Leading the charge is EE, the nation's largest wireless carrier, which switched on the service in six major UK cities. Armed with a OnePlus 7 Pro 5G handset, I've been testing the network in various 5G-enabled cities around the country and while I've had some really exciting, blazing-fast speeds, there have also been performance hiccups.The mixed results are turning out to be a common theme across the various tests that CNET has run on 5G networks around the world. Verizon's initial test in Chicago was a disaster, only to see markedly better performance a month later. Sprint saw slower speeds, but more consistent coverage. It all adds up to early growing pains for 5G, a technology that promises to shake the tech world. The faster and more responsive network can enable everything from self-driving cars having conversations with each other to doctors performing remote surgery. But first they need to be deployed in a real, meaningful way. As for EE, let's start with the good … [Read more...] about UK’s first 5G network is live and we tested it in 5 cities
How much mobile data does streaming media use?
The things most of us love to do with our phones is also the thing that eats the most data: stream music and video. Your phone is your entertainment center, only with a data cap. Modern phones and streaming services were made for each other. Your phone is capable of delivering high-quality content through the screen or its audio components and streaming services like YouTube, Netflix and Spotify were made to deliver them. The first popular media-centric phone was the iPhone and both Apple and Google owe a lot of their success to this because it was also the best way to watch YouTube in the palm of your hands. Things have come a long way since then, but one thing hasn't changed. We love to watch and listen with our phones. But the advent of HD video streaming and high-bitrate audio streaming means that it also gobbles up the data like never before. Let's break it down to see just how much data you use when you fire up your favorite streaming app. Streaming audio While some services … [Read more...] about How much mobile data does streaming media use?
Why I replaced Google Wifi with Synology’s mesh networking gear (and why you might, too)
Router reviews are normally about speeds and feeds. They generally answer whether or not routers being reviewed are faster for Wi-Fi than other routers, and what connections and protocols they offer. They are an almost never-ending series of price/performance comparisons. CNET has an excellent, in-depth review of the Synology RT2600ac which has had the benefit of CNET Labs performance testing. This review is not like that. This review is almost entirely subjective. In it, I compare the marriage of the Synology RT2600ac and MR2200ac against Google Wifi in my very challenging house. The Synology RT2600ac is an AC2600 4x4 quad stream router. It's part of a router class that, right now, includes fast -- but not the fastest -- Wi-Fi routers. When CNET initially reviewed the RT2600ac, it was at the top of its game in terms of speed. Even two years later, it consistently gets great marks for its performance. There's a lot more to the RT2600ac, but we'll come back to that later. Also: Best … [Read more...] about Why I replaced Google Wifi with Synology’s mesh networking gear (and why you might, too)
Using an iPhone with Google Fi: Top things you need to know
After years of being limited to select Android phones, Google Fi (formerly known as Project Fi) is now available for most unlocked Android phones and even iPhones. This is something we've been eagerly waiting for, but now that it's arrived, there are a few unexpected caveats you'll want to make sure you're aware of. If you have an iPhone and are thinking about trying Fi for yourself, here are a few things to keep in mind before joining. Have an Android phone that you want to bring to Google Fi? Check out this guide instead! See at Google Fi You'll need an iPhone 5S, 6, SE, or newer Before we go any further, the first thing we need to point out is that older iPhone models won't work at all on Google Fi. If you have something like an iPhone 4 or 5, you're out of luck. Thankfully, if your iPhone is at least relatively new(ish), you're in the clear. The full list of supported iPhones for Google Fi is as follows: The iPhone has to be unlocked Assuming you have one of the above iPhones, … [Read more...] about Using an iPhone with Google Fi: Top things you need to know