Wi-Fi Barbie could be putting your kids at risk

Hello Barbie

The latest Wi-Fi enabled Hello Barbie dolls could be putting your children at risk according to security researchers.

Using a combination of speech recognition technology and wireless connection Hello Barbie provides, "...an engaging and unique Barbie experience," according to manufacturer Mattel.

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Li-Fi wireless transfers are 100 times faster than Wi-Fi

warp_speed_light

Li-Fi, the technology which uses light instead of radio waves to transmit data has been tested outside the laboratory environment. The result? Possible Internet speeds a hundred times faster than what we currently have.

So how does this technology work? An LED flicks on and off at speeds imperceptible to the naked eye which can be used to write and transmit information in binary code. It’s basically Morse code, only for computers.

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Budget airlines driving in-flight Wi-Fi adoption

Man holding an iPad tablet on a plane next to the window

A new study from Juniper Research, titled In-Flight Entertainment & Wi-Fi Connectivity, Market prospects 2015-2020, has revealed that the adoption of in-flight Wi-Fi by budget airlines will provide a boost to the connected IFE (in-flight entertainment) market.

Juniper’s findings suggest that budget airlines hosting in-flight Wi-Fi will drive the number of connected commercial aircraft to over 10,400 by 2020, which is a threefold increase from an estimated 3,200 this year.

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Tip: how to fix a slow Wi-Fi connection on Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book

Surface Pro 4

The recently released Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book have generated waves of interest, but the devices have not been without problems. Some owners have complained about flickering screens, while others have experienced issues with charging.

There are also some users who complain that their wireless connection is much slower than other devices. If you are one of those affected by the problem, a simple registry hack is all that's needed to get things back up to speed again.

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Google announces a new ASUS-built OnHub Wi-Fi router with Wave Control

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When Google announced its first OnHub wireless router, my colleague Brian Fagioli had one question -- why? The answer, according to Joe Wilcox’s excellent review, is it gives great Wi-Fi and is, in a word, "fantastic". High praise indeed.

The TP-LINK-built OnHub was always intended to be the first in a series of easy to use wireless routers from Google, and today the second device arrives, this time coming from ASUS.

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Apple hit with lawsuit over iOS 9's Wi-Fi Assist

apple_scales_of_justice

The Wi-Fi Assist feature found in iOS 9 has caught some people unawares, and many have complained that they have been landed with large bills due to increased data usage. Two individuals have filed a class action lawsuit in California against Apple, alleging that the company failed to properly explain how Wi-Fi Assist works.

While Wi-Fi Assist can be disabled, the plaintiffs say that Apple should reimburse anyone who found they were pushed over their data usage limits. The company now needs to defend itself against charges of violating Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and negligent misrepresentation. Apple is also accused of downplaying the risk of exceeding data limits.

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D-Link announces 180 degree Wi-Fi cameras (DCS-2630L and DCS-960L)

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Having cameras in one's home was once was reserved for the wealthy -- they were expensive and usually required professional installation. Thanks to modern technology, especially Wi-Fi, home surveillance can be achieved by anyone. Of course, not all cameras are created equal -- performance and quality will vary by both price and manufacturer.

Today, D-Link announces two new Wi-Fi cameras that are packed with features, but more importantly, they are affordable too. The coolest aspect? They offer 180 degree recording, something you do not typically see at this price. Of course, you also get D-Link's legendary quality and dependability.

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New solution allows secure networking via public Wi-Fi

Public wi-fi

We've come to expect public Wi-Fi pretty much everywhere we go these days. But using these networks can leave you open to a whole range of security risks.

There's now a way to use public networks safely as network specialist Xirrus is launching Xirrus EasyPass Personal Wi-Fi. This is a key feature now available in all Xirrus cloud managed networks that safeguards users and their data when accessing public Wi-Fi, guest networks and hotspot environments.

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UK Government's free Wi-Fi initiative benefits 3 million public transport users

superconnected-cities

The government has been busy boasting about its SuperConnected cities project, and how many people it’s benefiting with free Wi-Fi.

The scheme has seen the introduction of free Wi-Fi on buses, trams and trains in various UK cities, and apparently over 3 million unique users have made regular use of the wireless connections while traveling.

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NETGEAR unveils hardcore Nighthawk X8 AC5300 Smart 802.11ac WiFi Router (R8500)

NetGearR8500

Routers are a dime a dozen nowadays, so it can be hard to get excited about them. Even budget routers can offer great speeds, although I recommend sticking with quality brands to ensure reliability.

One such quality brand is NETGEAR, and today, the company has announced a router that has me genuinely excited. The Nighthawk X8 AC5300 Smart WiFi Router (R8500) is chock full of hardcore hardware specs and industry firsts. While the price tag is high, it looks totally worth it. Seriously folks, this looks incredible.

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Disable Wi-Fi Assist in iOS 9 to reduce data usage and cut your bill

man_surprised_by_large_bill

We all demand to be connected at all times; losing connection to the internet is like losing a limb for some people. With this in mind, handset manufacturers have taken it upon themselves to introduce technologies that ensure as stable a connection as possible, switching between Wi-Fi and cellular as and when necessary.

It's something that can be found in iOS 9, but many people who have made the upgrade to the latest version of the operating system, or have just taken delivery of a new iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, have been taken by surprise by it. The reason? iOS 9 has a feature called Wi-Fi Assist which will automatically switch to a cellular connection when Wi-Fi signal is weak, and it has led to a massive increase in data usage for some people. The solution to hefty data bills? Disable the feature.

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GoPro's new Hero+ is an attractive entry-level action camera with Wi-Fi

GoPro Hero+

GoPro makes some awesome action cameras, but they are not exactly cheap. If you want to get one of its top-of-the-line models you will have to shell out between $400 and $500. And then you will have to add some more on top of that for different accessories. However, the company also has some pretty good entry-level options for consumers on a budget, the most-attractive of which is the new Hero+.

Hero+ slots between Hero and Hero+LCD, and might just be the best option of the three if you are looking to get into the GoPro action camera game. At $199.99, it bundles most of the best features of Hero+LCD at a price that is closer to that of a base Hero. Here is what you need to know.

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Google gives great WiFi with OnHub [review]

OnHub and Laugh - Edited

One word describes Google's wireless router: Fantastic! That should be enough said, but one of my colleagues asked me how much OnHub costs. He bristled at $199.99, calling it too much. So, okay, let's do a real review that explains the magic that Google and partner TP-LINK accomplish with this remarkable router. But I warn you now: Buying one, even for two C notes, isn't easy. This thing is out of stock most everywhere, as it has been for weeks.

Simply stated: OnHub is the best router ever to anchor my home network. Beauty, simplicity, availability, and extensibility are On Hub's defining characteristics. Sold in blue or black enclosures, the thing is gorgeous, and it feels as solid as it looks. Setup and maintenance are frightening for their ease. The usable wireless range far exceeds the Apple AirPort Extreme router that OnHub replaces in my home. The network device packs protocols and other features you won't need now but will want later on.

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The Wi-Fi router's role in today's homes

Router closeup

We’ve come a long way since dial-up internet. Thankfully, we are no longer subjected to its ear-piercing dial tone and instead enjoy the freedom of roaming about in our homes receiving our Internet connection cord-free or going to our local café and surfing with unattached ease. Revolutionizing this advancement is, of course, Wi-Fi.

So much of what we take for granted in our homes -- whether it be bingeing on (Netflix) box-sets, online gaming with an opponent who resides in another country, or even everyday practicalities like ordering dinner or communicating with friends and family -- is dependent on the Wi-Fi router, that little box in the corner with its row of blinking lights.

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Germany changes stance on Wi-Fi rules to boost hotspot availability

Wi-Fi

If you’ve ever been to Germany, you know it’s more likely you’ll stumble upon the World Cup trophy somewhere along the way, than to find a Wi-Fi internet connection in a cafe or a hotel somewhere.

Germany has very strict rules regarding internet piracy and has, until recently, held the providers of the Wi-Fi network responsible for any illegal activity such as piracy conducted on the network.

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