Broadband speeds are increasing steadily all the time, though recent surveys show that countries in the eastern half of the globe are trouncing their western counterparts in terms of average connection capabilities. However, all nations are attempting to push through the next generation of broadband technology, well aware that consumers and businesses will be able to thrive on high speed connections. For the time being you may feel that you are faced with a fairly standard range of interchangeable providers offering virtually indistinguishable packages, but this is a slightly simplified view.

Different broadband technologies offer different speeds and different internet service providers can produce varying results even over the same connection. As such choosing a new package with speed in mind can be difficult if you are not privy to the real life download speeds that your current connection is capable of. Believing the advertised theoretical maximums promoted by ISPs is never sensible, so you should find out on your own by using a broadband speed test.

A broadband speed test can be performed quickly and easily online in a matter of minutes. First you need to find a speed test that is operating within your region or nation, to ensure that the results are not biased in any way by distance. Then you should be able to click a single button to initiate the test. First the speed test site will send a file from its servers to your computer at home and the download speed at which this occurs will be recorded and displayed on screen, usually in megabits per second or Mbps. Next the reverse will occur, with a smaller file sent from your PC to the speed test site and the upload speed your connection is capable of will be noted.

So with the real-time download and upload speed of your connection, you are better prepared to make a choice when looking at new broadband providers or contacting your existing provider with a query about your service. If you feel that you are being overcharged for an improperly advertised broadband connection, then it is best to have proof of this gathered using a broadband speed test.

The main question you may face at this point is `What broadband download speed is right for me?` This really depends on the type of activities which you will be using your internet connection to perform most frequently. If you are simply looking to do some light surfing and check your email once or twice a day then a minimum of 1 or 2Mbps will be basically satisfactory. However, for heftier tasks such as music and video streaming, peer-to-peer downloading, online gaming and VoIP calls, you will require a faster download speed and upload speed to achieve the most consistent service, of 6Mbps or more. If you have a landline connection provided by ADSL or Cable broadband then higher speeds are usually accessible, but for the best mobile broadband connection you will need to seek out a provider offering a high speed network and operating within your area. A broadband speed test can help you to assess how appropriate your current connection is for you and which deal you might want to switch to in the future.

Electronics giant NEC has reportedly developed a wearable optical device that interprets foreign languages and projects a real-time translation directly onto the retina, enabling the wearer to communicate with other language speakers without an interpreter.

The prototype device — called “Tele Scouter” — consists of a tiny retinal display and microphone mounted on an eyeglass frame. The microphone picks up the conversation and transmits it to a small computer worn on the waist, which converts the speech to text and translates it into the user’s native language.

The retinal display projects the text directly into the user’s peripheral vision, allowing them to maintain eye contact with their conversation partner while reading the translation. According to the developers, the Tele Scouter can be used for hours on end without eye strain, because the wearer does not have to focus their eye on the displayed text.

Although NEC plans to put a version of the Tele Scouter on the market in 2010, the company admits the device’s translation capabilities are insufficient for real-world applications. So for now, the initial plan is to market the device as a wearable data display for employees in factories and shops.

According to the company, the device can provide instant hands-free access to data such as diagrams and operating instructions, allowing workers to perform tasks more efficiently and accurately. Other possible future applications include car navigation systems and video games.

[Source: Yomiuri]

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