Which is the fastest Android browser?

What is most important to you in a browser? High on everyone’s list is speed. MakeUseOF benchmarks some of the most popular:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fastest-android-browser/

Joy of Andorid:
http://joyofandroid.com/fastest-browsers-for-android/

It would be interesting to see Dolphin benchmarked with Jetpack enabled.

Phone Arena looks at other performance criteria too:
http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-best-Android-browsers-2014-edition-design-features-and-performance_id58350 / Firefox mobile 29 Gecko 29 performed perform perfroming noticeably slower slow slowest fast faster fastest WebKit-based WebKit based browsers browser Gecko rendering engine Android quite slow first introduced improved falls behind other Android browsers performance Mobile Opera Next 21 Webkit 537 result margin of error based some differences under the hood affect performance Google Chrome 30 Webkit 537 not representative run ran test Dolphin Jetpack disabled enabled browser benchmark failed encountered same problem each time Jetpack should help Dolphin perform faster Dolphin its own rendering engine built into Android faster in real use performed in this test slow performance version number Dolphin performed similarly modern WebKit engine Google Chrome fastest browser tested stock Android browser last upgrade interface features work faster desktop work workflow work flow same bookmarks open tabs extensions /

Apple to return to 4 inch screen?

Credit: Macworld

Much discussion has been generated over the base-line-trend towards larger screen sizes in smartphones. At 5.3 inches, the original Samsung Galaxy Note, & more recently, the new, bigger iPhones have generated a furore.

If you find the new iPhones too big, you may just be in luck. Predictions of a new, 4 inch iPhone are all over the ‘Net:

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/21559/20141205/apple-iphone-mini-4-inch-display-set-replace-5c-rumor.htm

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/23019/20141225/iphone-6s-mini-launch-rumored-apple-following-samsungs-steps.htm

http://www.macworld.com/article/2863067/if-the-iphone-6-is-too-big-for-you-just-wait-an-iphone-mini-may-be-coming-in-2015.html / Apple finally caved in gave customers bigger screen launch iPhone 6 rumor mill buzzing backtrack re-introducing new phone return to a 4-inch display rumor originated Taiwanese site smart phone smart-phone smartphone target women find bigger phones too cumbersome little small petite hands announcement Electronic Times designed design easy use one hand sale second half of 2015 iPhone 6 6s 5 bigger screen size smaller screen rumor 5c retain budget market re-releasing smaller screens 4-inch displays cheaper iPhone 6c iPhone 6 mini redesign iPhone 5c launch new line of phones Apple Watch iOS screen size /

Hotels at it again – application to FCC to start jamming personal WiFi – update

You may remember a post in October of this year about the Marriot chain being fined $600,000 after its hotel in Nashville, Tennessee was found guilty of blocking guests' mobile WiFi. Apparently the purpose was to encourage use of the Marriot’s own WiFi at between $250 & $1,000.

Now a group of hoteliers, including Hilton & Marriott, are asking the US Federal Communications Commission to grant permission for them to recommence disruption of guests personal WiFi. Claims include that personal Wifi can, “cause degraded service, insidious cyber-attacks & identity theft."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/12/23/us_hotel_chains_and_tech_firms_square_off_with_fcc_over_wifi_hotspots/

http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-wi-fi-problem-for-hotels-1419812931?mod=LS1 / hotel sells dedicated wireless services custom networks convention prices access point Gaylord Opryland hotel Nashville Tennessee block guests' personal hotspots Marriott Hotel Services $600,000 agreement penalty Federal Communications Commission settle allegations hotel chain interfered disabled Wi-Fi networks consumer consumers conference facilities Nashville hotel March 2013 nine-page jamming mobile hotspots convention space FCC employees containment features WiFi monitoring system prevent consumers connecting to the Internet personal WiFi networks personal portable Wi-Fi WiFi device data leakage violation advisories forbids blocking jamming interference authorized radio communications Jeff Flaherty Marriott spokesman hotel chains want permission disrupt guests guest personal Wi-Fi hotspots force people use expensive hotel wireless hoteliers including Hilton Marriott watchdog FCC cripple mobile hotspots devices interfere wireless networks on-site security risk Wi-Fi ncreasingly popular connecting Internet Commission rules network operators petition network operators manage networks secure reliable Wi-Fi service de-authentication packets /

Best wishes

Credit: Inhabitat

http://ngamuk.xyz/christmas-lights-2015/christmas-lights-2015-amusing/

Whatever your beliefs, all the very best from Hitchhiker's Guide 2 Tech!

Taller, narrower tyres for your next car?

BMW i3 takes advantage of taller, narrower tyres
Credit: BMW/The Telegraph

Recently, a few trends in cars have been:
• wider tyres
• larger diameter wheels
• improved fuel efficiency

All other things being equal, & within reasonable limits, for each centimetre increase in tyre diameter, rolling resistance reduces by 1%. This happens because the tyre suffers less deformity in the contact patch (the part of the tyre in contact with the road) & sidewalls, as it rolls.

Increased tyre diameter is consistent with the other current trend toward improved fuel efficiency.

Odd man out in this equation is wider tyres, which increase rolling resistance & aerodynamic drag. Taken together, these two factors reduce fuel efficiency of a vehicle.

Wet weather performance of a tyre is substantially determined by it’s ability to displace water. A tyre which displaces more water, effectively drives on a drier road. As the tread rolls into contact with the road, it begins to displace water sideways, to be expelled from the sides of the contact patch.

A narrow tyre has a relatively long, narrow, contact patch. On a wet road, water has a shorter distance to travel to be expelled at the sides of the tyre. A long contact patch has more patch-length in which to displace water. The rear edge of a long, narrow contact patch has more contact patch ahead of it to dry the road, & so has more grip.

Wide tyres have the reverse situation: a short, wide contact patch, which displaces less water.

Taller, narrower tyres offer a range of advantages, but raise a question about grip in dry conditions. At least in part, this will be compensated for by an increase in the length of the contact patch in the larger diameter tyre.

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/skinny-tyres-the-new-fashion-20141004-10qelg.html?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=outbrain_amplify / tyre design larger diameter skinnier tyres bigger wider narrow narrower tyres larger large diameter reduce fuel use carbon dioxide CO2 emissions Damien Hallez Michelin head technical communications improve energy efficiency use less fuel internal resistance slows rolls reduce rolling friction improved improve improves aerodynamics reduces rolling resistance increasing diameter rolling resistance security aspects wet dry grip less deformation tyre compact patch touching road at any time less deformation side walls gain in energy efficiency narrow narrower skinny skinnier tyres dissipating water aquaplaning aquaplane more efficient efficient Renault design boss Laurens van den Acker larger diameter skinnier more energy efficient tyres designers big wheel engineers aerodynamicists narrow wheels less resistance braking performance aesthetics technology tyre manufacturers BMW production car i3 electric vehicle EV performance luxury cars concept cars Citroen Cactus 18 inch tyres /

Smartwatches – wide choice available

Apple Watch Sport
Credit: Apple/Macworld

Smartwatches have achieved a degree of popularity, with many major players showing an interest. Single most popular smartwatch OS is Google's Android Wear operating system.

Manufacturers include HTC, Sony, Pebble & Motorola. Apple will be releasing early next year.

Major coverage from all of the tech sites, including the special-purpose The Smart Watch Review
http://www.thesmartwatchreview.com/

Best smartwatches 2014
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-smartwatches,review-2156.html

2014 smartwatch comparison guide
http://www.gizmag.com/compare-best-smartwatches-2014/34880/pictures#48

Samsung has been cranking them out – no less than 6 different models on the market at the moment

L to R: Gear S, Gear 2, Gear Live, Gear 2 Neo, Galaxy Gear, Gear fit
Gear Live uses Android Wear OS – all others run Samsung's Tizen
Credit: Samsung/Gizmag
http://www.gizmag.com/samsung-gear-s-vs-gear-live-gear-2-neo-gear-fit-galaxy-gear/33602/

Android Wear – Google’s watch OS – by someone who’s not having any
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/android-wear-too-skimpy,news-20048.html

Android Wear – a bit more enthusiastic
http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/03/android-wear-review/

If nothing above attracts you, have a look at Martian Notifier
http://www.gizmag.com/review-martian-notifier-smartwatch-wearables/32667/ / smartwatch smart watch peripheral smartphone smart phone Bluetooth low power 4.0 battery life batterylife capacity charge recharge devices pocket notifications your wrist calling texting handset control music playback fitness tracking tracker track workouts options apps make calls Pebble Steel injection molded CNC-machined 316 stainless steel resistant corrosion watch face attractive band brushed stainless steel black matte color options steel wristband installed leather band Corning Gorilla Glass pixel LED backlit e-paper screen three navigational buttons scrolling selecting branding newer model heavier lighter Samsung Galaxy Gear Pebble Steel paired metal band new charger waterproof 5 ATM submerged water 165 feet setup
compatible Android iOS devices testing App Store Google Play store data nearby devices to create account for the appstore email address creating a password location Pair to sync it with our phone firmware up-to-date Enable Notifications sending sample texts phone calls successfully paired appstore load watch faces enable notifications lock screen Bluetooth turned on interface simple minimalist user interface tech timepieces Samsung Galaxy Gear Sony Smartwatch 2 Pebble Steel music notifications alarms watch faces settings menu Gear S Gear Live Gear Fit Gear 2 Gear 2 Neo Galaxy Gear Tizen /

Vessyl – the cup that knows what you are drinking – update

Vessyl has sensors that can detect what you’ve poured into it, & how much. Through the day, it can track such things as water, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, & protein in what you’ve drunk, plus your hydration level.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/12/5801106/vessyl-smart-cup-that-knows-exactly-what-youre-drinking

TechHive has a highly critical article. Check the comments – turns it into an interesting discussion.
http://www.techhive.com/article/2457644/why-have-consumers-spent-1-million-on-vessyl-an-absurd-calorie-counting-cup.html

Are the TechHive criticisms justified? Obviously, there are limits to what the device can measure. Limitations include:
• anyone who expects Vessyl to count all of their consumed calories is going to be disappointed
• users it will have to be prepared to change their habits – e.g. always carry the device & use it for all liquids consumed
• hydration: obviously, the user's water intake can be measured. Water loss, the other half of the hydration equation, is quite complicated. Caffeine & alcohol intake have a bearing, & Vessyl measures those, but water loss due to perspiration depends on the temperature of the day & exercise. Some fairly vague claims are made about, "your unique hydration needs", in the faq at https://www.myvessyl.com/faq, under the heading "How does my Vessyl help me stay hydrated?"

Vessyl is the only practical means I know, of measuring caffeine consumption. Caffeine content of coffee is not a standard unit. Variables include:
• type of coffee bean
• instant generally contains less caffeine than fresh
• grinding
• how the coffee was made e.g. filter verses percolated
• where the cup of coffee was made. A few years ago, a university study measured the caffeine content of over 90 97 short blacks from restaurants in Melbourne on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The strongest sample contained nearly nine times as much caffeine as the weakest*.

Its a well-known principle that, "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it." Google found over 46,000 matches to the preceding statement. Anyone who has an activity tracker has seen the value of this principle**. Vessyl is another measuring tool to help manage health & fitness.

Vessyl is available at the pre-order price of $99 for a few more days.

Manufacturer’s web site
https://www.myvessyl.com/
––––––––––––––––––––
* Ben Desbrow et al: "An examination of consumer exposure to caffeine from retail coffee outlets"
http://www.academia.edu/1879395/An_examination_of_consumer_exposure_to_caffeine_from_retail_coffee_outlets
** Dena M. Bravata, MD, MS et al: "Using pedometers to increase physical activity & improve health"
http://web.mit.edu/mobilehealth/www/House_n/Readings/BravataETAL07.pdf / biomedical computing student Queen’s University Justin Lee internet of things device computer tumbler cup Yves Béhar designer Jawbone OLPC 13 ounce cup recognizes recognises any beverage pour into it display displays nutrition nutritional content synchronise syncs drinking habits smartphone smartphone smart-phone app Vessyl prototype beverages successfully identified all of them 10 seconds Thermos recognized recognised Crush orange soda Vitamin Water XXX Tropicana orange juice Gatorade Cool Blue plain old water beverages by name knows the difference Gatorade Cool Blue Glacier Freeze Vessyl tell the difference between strong weak coffee caffeine sugar protein calories fat caffeine beverage track tracks drinking ship preorders pre-order track our movement provide transparency carry water bottle Nalgene bottle Kleen Kanteen consumption track exercise sensor instantly analyze nutritional content contents constituents beverage molecular level sensor analyse analyze analyzes liquid quality control non-contact sensor processor algorithms match your beverage beverages tested with Vessyl measures displays nutritional content displays nutritional data better habits syncs back to your smartphone Bluetooth low energy metric total mg of caffeine consumed today hydration measurement how hydrated you are Vessyl app small blue light will illuminate above it accelerometer gestures charging coaster smart cup stay better hydrated /