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When last we heard of AT&T’s Digital Life home automation and security service back in January, the program was just getting off the ground, launching in eight test markets. But today, the nation’s second largest wireless carrier has announced that it is officially bringing Digital Life online, making it available to consumers in 15 markets including New York, New Jersey, Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Digital Life is AT&T’s attempt to take its wireless chops to the home security space, giving users the ability to monitor their homes from any Web connected device via a series of sensors, monitors and video cameras. What’s more, the service’s home automation capabilities allows users to lock and unlock doors, turn lights and appliances on and off, regulate the temperature and shut off the water supply to their homes from their tablets or smartphones. Read the rest of this entry »
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New York City’s ancient subway system is getting a much-needed high-tech upgrade with the roll out of 4G LTE and free Wi-Fi connectivity at 30 subway platforms, including Times Square, Union Square and Columbus Circle. Providers include each of the Big Four U.S. carriers and Boingo Wireless.
So far, AT&T is the only provider offering 4G LTE connectivity underground, with T-Mobile providing 3G service, though that’s expected to change this summer when T-Mobile rolls out its 4G LTE network in New York City. Sprint and Verizon Wireless have yet to bring their respective systems online, but both have announced that they will be up and running in the coming months. Read the rest of this entry »
April 10th, 2013 by Ben Weitzenkorn, SecurityNewsDaily Staff Writer
Linksys is taking heat for several vulnerabilities discovered in one of its wireless routers, which an expert said make any network hooked up to the router insecure.
The flaws, which run the gamut from simple to complex, specifically affect the Linksys EA2700 Network Manager N600 Wireless-N router, introduced last year and aimed for the everyday consumer and small-business markets.
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One of the trends here at the 2013 New York International Auto Show is the implementation of in-car 4G LTE connectivity. Case in point, BMW is showing off its 4G LTE in-car hotspot accessory. The hotspot, which BMW owners would purchase as an add-on for their vehicle, sits in the center console and provides users with LTE speeds for up to four devices.
To help offset the negative impact a vehicle’s roof can have on the hotspot’s wireless signal, BMW chose to connect the hotspot to an antenna that terminates on the car’s roof, ensuring unhindered connectivity. Read the rest of this entry »
Your bank calls you to verify your recent $750 bill at an out-of-state Taco Bell, but you haven’t left town in weeks. You quickly contest the charge and request a new credit card, but when you check your wallet the compromised card is still there. You try to think of shady ATMs or recent cashiers, but nothing comes to mind. Nothing, except the online purchase you made while browsing the Internet at your local coffee shop.
The number of free public Wi-Fi hotspots is growing, but not every hotspot can provide the protection of a private home network. Your notebook, tablet or smartphone’s default settings and firewalls may not be enough to keep you safe from prying eyes while on the go. If you want to keep your information and files secure, read these essential tips for protecting yourself when you’re away from home. Read the rest of this entry »
New year, new Verizon hotspot. Novatel today unveiled the Verizon Jetpack LTE MiFi 5510L, a new 4G hotspot that can connect up to 10 gadgets to Big Red’s speedy network.
The MiFi 5510L will cost $19.99 with a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two-year data plan agreement. Adding a hotspot like the Jetpack to Verizon’s shared data plan adds $20 a month to your bill in addition to any extra Gigabytes you might need. Read the rest of this entry »
What has it got in its pocketses? According to a sharp-eyed wireless engineering consultant, Google has filed an application and proposal with the FCC to build an experimental wireless network in its headquarters in Mountain View, California.
Although most details about the network remain sketchy due to security concerns, the filings suggest that the network will be composed of 50 base stations scattered throughout the Google campus, with a range of 500 to 1000 meters outside and a more modest range of 100 to 200 meters indoors. Read the rest of this entry »
Streaming movies, playing online games and downloading large files can all slow your network, and the more devices you bring into your home, the more your network speeds will suffer. But Qualcomm may have the answer for your slow network blues with its new StreamBoost router technology.
Developed for routers featuring Qualcomm’s VIVE 802.11ac chip, StreamBoost will automatically detect the type of device or program you’re using to access your network and allocate an appropriate amount of bandwidth to ensure you never suffer lag. Read the rest of this entry »
AT&T wants to make your home more connected with its new Digital Life home automation service. The program, which will launch in 8 U.S. markets beginning in March, features 24/7 digital monitoring via AT&T monitoring centers, remote access via apps for all of the major mobile platforms. Better still, AT&T says the system will work regardless of your wireless carrier.
The nation’s second largest carrier says it wants to reinvent the security and home automation experience by controlling all aspects of the service. The entire program will be run through AT&T, from sales to monitoring to billing and more. The entire system will rely on AT&T’s network. Users will be able to flip on the lights in their home, manage the thermostat, monitor doors and windows, check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and even shut off the water to their house via an app. Read the rest of this entry »
D-Link is coming into CES 2013 with a couple of new wireless networking devices that are sure to please both gamers and media consumers alike. First on the docket is the company’s new $269 802.11ac D-Link Gaming Router 5000 (DGL-5500L). This wireless beast features intelligent bandwidth allocation via its built-in GameFuel with StreamBoost QoS engine. The feature, according to D-Link, helps ensure that Web-connected games run smoothly and without lag by automatically prioritizing bandwidth in their favor, making the Gaming Router 5000′s roughly 1.3Gbps connection speeds even more formidable.
The router’s SharePort Mobile app also allows users to wirelessly stream media including videos and music from a connected USB device such as a portable hard drive to both Android and iOS devices. Simply connect their USB storage device to the router, download the app and just like that, you’re watching the latest season of “Dr. Who.” Read the rest of this entry »
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