Technical English: Internet Innovations
INTERNET INNOVATIONS
WAP, broadband, wi-fi, 3G-phone technology and the Internet change so rapidly that we barely have time to get used to one new concept before it is immediately replaced by another and becomes outdated!
What’s New?
This week we look at the latest technological advances for the Internet, be prepared! By 2012, you’ll wonder how we ever managed without them.
BROADBAND
What is it? A combination of the latest cable and radio technology means that huge amounts of electronic data can now be transmitted from computer to computer at incredibly high speeds. It’s like changing from a narrow pipe delivering your water to a much broader pipe.
Benefits for the user: much faster, more reliable Internet connection; it’s turned on all the time (you pay a fixed sum every month, so you don’t have to keep dialling up); you can do two Internet operations at the same time (eg. collect e-mails and download a picture from the Internet).
WIRELESS
What is it? Computing without phone lines, similar to cordless phone technology.
Benefits for the user: the freedom to use a laptop or notebook without connecting it to a phone line (as long as you don’t go too far away from the wireless hub – the main unit of the network that is connected to a phone line).
3G
What is it? «Third generation» mobile technology (still in development) that will be able to transmit data quickly to your phone.
Benefits for the user: access to the complete, real Internet (not the mobile-only WAP network) quickly and in colour over your mobile; the ability to download music and video to your mobile.