Google speeds up mobile web search, introduces expandable sitelinks and quick view badges

Continuing its efforts to speed up the way we find things when searching the web from our smartphones, Google is rolling out expandable sitelinks. Instead of wasting time sifting through a website trying to locate a specific page, this new feature generates a list of related quick links that allow you to jump directly to what you're looking for. Already available in desktop results, expandable links are hit or miss when used on mobile. Not stopping there, Google also announced the release of its new Quick view badges. This experimental project produces highlighted links from Wikipedia, which offer snippets of information relevant to your query. Pictured above are results for different types of poker hands. It won't stop you from losing your money, but now you'll always remember a flush beats a straight. As of now Quick view is only available in English search results, but Google is working on adding support for additional languages.

Source: Google

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By: Unknown On 11:42 AM

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Sprint confirms pay-as-you-go service, promises not to throttle speeds or cap data

Word of a Sprint pay-as-you-go service crossed our desks just yesterday in the form of a leaked slide, and now Big Yellow has confirmed to FierceWireless that the effort, dubbed Sprint As You Go, will launch on January 25th. The Now Network's new initiative will offer a $70 monthly plan for smartphones and a $50-a-month plan for feature phones. Both options won't offer premium features such as WiFi tethering and Sprint Navigation, but Sprint says customers will see neither hide nor hair of data caps or speed throttling. As for hardware, the smartphone tier includes the LTE-enabled Samsung Victory at $250 and the LG Optimus Elite for $150. On the feature phone end of the spectrum, Samsung's Array and M400 handsets are available on the service (presumably ringing up at $80 and $50, respectively). Angling to take advantage of Sprint's new offer? You'll have to forgo online shopping this time, as the firm is making the offer available exclusively through it's brick-and-mortar Sprint Stores.

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Via: PhoneDog

Source: FierceWireless

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By: Dilusha On 10:03 PM

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Athens university prints polymer circuits with lasers, speeds us towards low-cost electronics

By Jon Fingas posted Nov 16th 2012 5:32PM

The dream of ubiquitous technology revolves around cheaper materials, and polymer circuits could help make the dream a reality... if the solvents used to produce the circuits didn't cause more problems than they cured, that is. The National Technical University of Athens has developed a more exacting technique that, like most good things in science, solves the crisis with lasers. The approach fires a laser at a polymer layer (covered by quartz) to throw some of that polymer on to a receiving layer; by moving the two layers, the scientists can print virtually any 2D circuit without resorting to potentially damaging chemicals. Any leftover worries center mostly around risks of changing the chemical composition as well as the usual need to develop a reliable form of mass production. Any long-term success with laser-printed polymers, however, could lead to more affordable technology as well as more instances of flexible and wearable gear -- there might not be much of a downside to ditching the circuit status quo.

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By: Dilusha On 7:51 PM

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Gogo launches next-gen in-flight internet, with better speeds and more capacity

Gogo Launches Next Generation In-Air Connectivity Technology - ATG-4
New Technology Expected to Significantly Improve Capacity to the Plane

Nov 12, 2012

ITASCA, Ill., Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Gogo, a leader of in-flight connectivity and a pioneer in wireless in-flight digital entertainment solutions, announced today that it has launched its next generation connectivity technology – ATG-4 – on three airlines: Delta Air Lines, US Airways and Virgin America. The service is expected to increase capacity to the plane, which will allow more passengers to access the Internet with a more consistent browsing experience.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110715/CG34837LOGO)

Currently, Gogo has installed the service on more than 25 domestic aircraft. Virgin America was the first airline to install the new technology and currently plans to roll out the service on more aircraft in the months ahead. In addition to Delta Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America, Gogo is expected to launch ATG-4 service on American Airlines and United's p.s. fleet in 2013.

Gogo's ATG-4 technology is capable of delivering a peak speed of 9.8 Mbps, triple the peak speed of 3.1 Mbps enabled by the previous air-to-ground network. The new technology includes three industry-leading innovations: the addition of directional antennas and dual modems on each aircraft and the deployment of EV-DO Rev. B technology on Gogo's airborne and ground networks.

"This significant step in Gogo's technology roadmap allows us to better address the demand for in-air connectivity services," said Michael Small, Gogo's president and chief executive officer. "We continue to find ways to implement new technologies that bring more bandwidth to the aero market."

Gogo expects to roll out ATG-4 at a rapid pace, with hundreds of aircraft installations planned before the end of 2013. Aircraft installations of the new technology will typically take place overnight and will require the installation of two antennas, one on each side of the aircraft, installation of a second modem and a software upgrade. Gogo's more than 150 land based cellular towers have already been modified for the new technology.

"We know we have a devoted core of customers who depend on our service and who choose flights based on its availability. We are dedicated to providing a consistent, high quality service they can depend on now and in the future," added Small. "ATG-4 planes will have improved that service today – especially on transcontinental routes. At Gogo, we are committed to bringing better communications technology to passengers at 30,000 feet."

About Gogo

Gogo is fast becoming everyone's favorite part of flying. By allowing travelers to get online, in air, Gogo keeps them connected to life. Using the Gogo exclusive network and services, passengers with laptops and other Wi-Fi enabled devices can get online on more than 1,600 commercial aircraft including all domestic mainline Delta Air Lines and nearly all of Delta's regional jets; all AirTran Airways and Virgin America flights; and select Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and US Airways flights.

Back on the ground, Gogo's 500+ employees in Itasca, IL, Broomfield, CO and London are working to continually redefine flying as a productive, socially connected, and all-around more satisfying experience. Connect with us at www.gogoair.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gogo and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gogo.

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By: Dilusha On 4:38 PM

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