9:20 PM
New work discovered that instead of being limited to traveling at 33% of the speed of light, an engine made with today's available technology should be able to travel at 80% of lightspeed:
http://nextbigfuture.com/2012/05/new-computer-optimization-indicates.html
Scientists developed a way to generate power using harmless viruses that convert mechanical energy into electricity. This could lead to electricity being created when we do things like shutting a door or climbing stairs:
http://www.rdmag.com/News/2012/05/Energy-Scientists-Generate-Electricity-From-Viruses/
Man resigned from the U.K. security forces when he had his security clearance revoked in 2006 because an investigation concluded that he spent time in a terrorist training camp in Pakistan in 2001. His lawsuit against the U.K. government is going to trial now, but if they find he lied on his security clearance application (I cannot imagine someone getting a clearance after attending a terrorist training camp) then I don't see how he'll win in court:
http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/dr20120514-u-k-faces-problem-of-security-service-members-with-links-to-terrorism
Study this year of 42 markets with 320,000 drive and indoor location data tests provides great insight into how well the wireless providers are doing in data speed. Verizon was not surprisingly the best, but surprisingly T-Mobile's performance was close to AT&T's performance even though T-Mobile doesn't have LTE yet. Sprint was way behind the other 4 carriers. Simply comparing LTE performance, AT&T's LTE network averaged 17.4 Mbps download speeds while Verizon's network averaged 15.2 Mbps, but the key was that when neither had LTE coverage, Verizon's network was MUCH faster and reliable. Verizon reached the upper threshold for data rates in 36 out of 42 markets while AT&T only reached the upper threshold for data rates in 18 out of 42 markets. In all 42 markets, Verizon *never* fell below the Lower Threshold:
http://www.rootmetrics.com/2012-data-quarterly/
Clearwire's LTE Advanced network will have enough spectrum to aggregate to have peak speeds of 168 Mbps in 2014! At CTIA, a demo showed a 1 Gbps link using Clearwire's spectrum and LTE-Advanced:
http://gigaom.com/broadband/clearwire-you-want-fast-4g-hows-168-mbps/
U.S. Cellular says that they would like to buy the 700 MHz A and B Block spectrum that Verizon plans to sell if Verizon's purchase of the cable companies' spectrum is approved by the FCC:
http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/us-cellular-interested-buying-verizons-700-mhz-spectrum/2012-05-11
Article about how Apple wants to hurt Google in their pocketbook and get key revenue streams for itself. Google makes more money of iOS than they make off Android because iOS is filled with Google services. Google Maps powers the Maps application for the iPhone, but Apple wants to replace that with an Apple mapping service for the iPhone 6. The built-in Safari web browser defaults to Google Search and uses Google Search ads, but Apple plans to use their own search service for the upcoming iPhone:
http://www.imore.com/2012/05/11/iphone-5-google-killer-twist/
Japanese wireless network provider Softbank Mobile has come up with an interesting way to deploy temporary base stations during emergencies...using balloons. The floating base stations would provider 3km coverage for emergency services and people who wish to reassure relatives that they are alive after an earthquake or tsunami:
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/54354.php?s=h
Google and Mozilla are quite unhappy about how Mozilla says that Microsoft plans to restrict the capabilities of 3rd-party browsers on the tablet version of Windows 8, called Windows RT. Mozilla says that Firefox (and Chrome) wouldn't have access to the Windows desktop, so they won't be able to function with the speed, stability and security of a modern web browser. Microsoft declined comment, but referred the reporter to Microsoft's blog post that talks about how IE works with Windows RT and doesn't mention any other browsers. Apple only allows Safari to run on iOS devices (the other browsers are just skins for Safari or single cloud computing clients):
http://www.wirelessdesignmag.com/ShowPR.aspx?PUBCODE=055&ACCT=0000100&ISSUE=1205&RELTYPE=IN&PRODCODE=000000&PRODLETT=IK.html
Comcast filed for a patent that forces subscribers to view commercials--fast-forwarding through DVR-recorded shows will show an ad displayed on the TV screen. Comcast's patent even discusses targeting the ads based on demographics and viewing habits:
http://www.adweek.com/news/television/comcast-files-patent-halt-dvr-ad-skipping-140522
Kentucky high school seniors have been charged with video voyeurism for recording a cellphone video taken from under a teacher's dress and then posting it online and telling everyone where they could see it:
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/11/11658434-kentucky-students-accused-of-taking-video-up-teachers-dress?lite