Category: Technology News

5G is on its way with a nod from the FCC

The next generation of mobile data technology is now already preparing for life as carriers still work on their 4G LTE.

At the same time that many wireless carriers in the United States and around the world are still working on the roll outs of their 4G LTE networks, Federal regulators in the U.S. are already turning their attention toward 5G.

This next generation of wireless and mobile technology will be tremendously faster than the current best.

The speed that 5G has to offer will be 1,000 times faster than what the average American currently receives from their fixed broadband connection at home. This will represent a revolution in the way that people will be able to access mobile data and could bring a defining difference to various areas such as m-commerce and viewing different types of media content over smartphones, tablets, and other connected devices.

This could mean that 5G will reduce or eliminate some of the obstacles currently faced in wireless technology.

5G - Mobile Technology - FCCThe Federal Communications Commission now believes that this new wireless technology for mobile devices holds a considerable amount of promise within a high energy spectrum that has turned the attention of the industry toward the “millimeter waves” as a result of their frequency. The FCC has stated that it is going to look to the public in order to discover exactly what can be done for the promotion of this technology.

Engineers that have been working to develop this next level of wireless transmission technology have found that the current standard typically requires a considerable line of site connection between the receiver and the source. However, when using an advanced spectrum within the range of 24 gigahertz, which is notably higher than the level at which the majority of mobile devices operate (which is currently within the range below 3GHz), engineers feel that it will be possible for signals to be able to “ricochet” around obstacles.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, spoke about 5G, saying that “Our next-generation networks are going to have to do some heavy lifting,” and added “So how do we meet those demands? We look up. Way, way up. To infinity and beyond.”

Wearable technology could soon control a whole home

As this tech continues, it could mean that wearables will soon allow a gesture to change settings around the house.

Some of the latest in wearable technology is now starting to suggest that it won’t be too far into the future before a consumer will be able to use hand and wrist gestures to be able to control various features around the home.

For example, as soon as you walk in through the door, you will be able to use a gesture to turn lights on.

Once the lights are on, they can be dimmed to bring on the right mood and to provide the appropriate illumination, while the television or even the game console could be turned on. Once the consumer is settled in, the wearable technology could be used yet again to lock the doors and turn off the exterior lights. This is exactly the type of tech that is currently being developed by Reemo, a product from a startup called Playtabase, which is based in the Twin cities.

Reemo is a wearable technology wristband that could make controlling home functions with a gesture possible.

Wearable Technology in the homePlaytabase is among the latest players in the Internet of Things market. It is aimed at helping to make sure that home automation will become possible, but it hopes to do so in a more accessible and less nerdy way. That said, this goal is not unique to this one company, as it is one of the most sought after efforts in the market.

This market is rapidly growing. Another example of the pursuit of this segment of wearables occurred when Samsung purchased SmartThings, a home automation company. That brand was snapped up when it became a trendsetter in home control. Google also bought Nest, which was a high tech smoke detector and thermostat maker. Nest, itself, had only just purchased Dropcam, a maker of webcams, not long before that.

Though the products in the wearable technology category that are currently on the shelves are made up primarily of products such as smartwatches, these “smart home” products are rapidly on the rise, to the point that they could be the next hot item. Best Buy is now working on adding “connected home” departments to over 400 stores by the time that the holiday shopping season begins.