Each day, it feels like more and more new technologies are becoming available, particularlywhen it comes to wireless network standards. Whether or not a person has heard of thesetechnologies doesn’t necessarily mean that they are familiar with the actual functioning andmeaning of the technology. When you are considering purchasing new devices, it is essentialthat you know exactly what you are purchasing and getting yourself into.

Although 4G is becoming increasingly popular, the majority of people are still utilizing 3Gtechnology. 3G refers to the third generation of standards established through the International Telecommunication Union. A technology is considered to be 3G if it permitsthe user to use both data and speech services at the same time while providing a minimumdata rate of 200 kbit/s. In addition to the increased data transfer rate, the 4G technology is100% IP based and will include heightened security measures to protect the user of thevarious 4G devices.

4G is the next generation of wireless technology and requires a download speed of no lessthan 100 Mbps and can reach the amazing speed of 1 Gbps. This will be achievable bothindoor as well as in outdoor situations and environments. Currently, the technologies that areoffered by wireless networks are not actually 4G although they do label and advertisethemselves as such. Instead, these technologies are the forerunners of the up and coming 4Gand, because of this, are able to advertise as being 4G mobile broadband.

People who are using these so-called 4G networks only have improvement to look forwardto. Download speeds will only go up from here and coverage will increase as well. One of theonly downsides to purchasing 4G devices currently is that they also come with 3Gtechnologies which are required when the 4G capabilities are not available for use. Becauseof this, the devices are usually somewhat larger than desirable and require extra power to function. Along with this comes shortened battery life.

Fortunately for those who have invested in 4G devices, the technology for this wirelessstandard is continuing to improve each day. The two networks that seem to be advancing atthe greatest speed are the LTE as well as the WiMAX networks. Despite this, this 4Gcoverage has still not reached the ability to match that of 3G networks. In fact, it is notexpected for this to occur until 2013. All major network carriers have either released orannounced the release of 4G phones that are able to be connected to either the 4G or the 3Gnetworks. Due to the fact that the majority of cell phone carriers come with a two yearcontract, a 4G device could be an excellent purchase considering that the technology onlycontinues to improve.

In short, when it comes to 4G broadband internet providers, the technology advancementswill include increased data transfer rates as well as increased coverage areas both of whichare advancements that were previously impossible with 3G devices.

Guest post by Spencer Hogg who writes for Broadband Expert where all your broadband internetprovider needs can be found.

“Jeopardy!” is my daily guilty pleasure. I can be in the middle of cooking, cleaning, crafting and will stop everything when “Jeopardy!” comes on. It is so rewarding to get a few answers right and even more so when I know final jeopardy.

This week is special. Two returning champions – Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter – are taking on a very special contestant – Watson. Watson is a super computer designed by IBM. The three contestants will compete in two games that will last three days. Yesterday they did a few stories on Watson and how he ‘thinks.’ It is quite interesting since Watson only rings in if his sure of his answer. There is a complicated algorithm that shows Watson’s top three answers for a question. If his top answer passes the threshold, he will ring in. There were a few answers he didn’t know and others answers were off the mark.

Today they should finish the first game. Both Ken and Brad are doing good. I figure they will really pick up their game once they get used to button mashing again. That’s the real trick to doing well on “Jeopardy!” – timing. Oh yeah. I guess knowing the question helps, too.

When I first learned that Marvel was killing off one of the Fantastic Four, I wondered who it would be. Our local comic book store was able to sell the issue Tuesday – a day earlier than Wednesday, new comic book day. I thought about swinging by to get the issue. But instead I decided to just read about it on the Internet.

Fantastic Four was never a comic I followed. It is only through the movies that I have any real connection to the characters. I looked for who was being killed off yesterday and was saddened by who it was. I won’t spoil it here just in case you haven’t read the comic. This was the last person I would have thought they would have killed off and maybe that is precisely the reason they did it.

It will be interesting to see how they handle the aftermath. Maybe killing off one of the main characters is a way to suck people in to reading the comic. Well, it’s working on me since I am eager to learn more about the storyline.

Ugly Betty was one of my favorite shows. In fact, I used to blog about the show at WatchingUglyBetty.com before leaving blog network 451 Press. I still get Ugly Betty news on occasion and love that the show lives on in reruns on the TV Guide Channel.

The TV Guide Channel is having an Ugly Betty marathon on July 4th. They are airing nine fan favorite episodes as well as “The Fashion Team: Ugly Betty Style” and “Look-A-Like: America Ferrera.” The marathon begins at 11am eastern time on July 4th. For those missing Ugly Betty like me, here is our chance to get our Betty fix.

Usually I just ignore the countless marketing e-mails I get in my inbox, but one this morning caught my attention. It was from Sony about pre-ordering the Dash – a Personal Internet Viewer to be released April 29, 2010.

From the Sony website, The Dash could potentially be a pretty decent Internet consumption device with apps from You Tube and Netflix. There will also be over 1,000 free apps that will include such apps as alarm clock and radio player. The Dash features a 7 inch LCD touch screen and WIFI.

Will the Dash be competition for the iPad? Absolutely not, or at least this first generation Dash will not be any real threat to the iPad. The Dash has no expandable memory and no battery. From the website, it seems you can access some of Sony’s content like movie trailers and wallpaper – no mention about e-books. It’s definitely not as encompassing as the iPad but for someone looking to enjoy the Internet without using the computer, the Dash could be a good choice.

So, I won’t be pre-ordering mine just yet. I guess I will still save my money for an iPad.

Please tell me I’m not the only one who finds this the coolest mousepad ever.

I don’t know how many times I’ve done a search to find the hex numbers for colors. If you do any website work from designing to tweaking, then you have probably had to look up a hex number once or twice. Visibone sells this hex mousepad as well as a square one for $15. While mousepads are usually something I get for free, I can definitely see how this one would be super handy to have around. They also have some pretty cool free tools like color lab.

It’s a pretty cool resource for when you need the hex number of a color.

So, my husband is on a quest. He wants to find a funny book to keep at his desk. Apparently several of his co-workers have a funny book in their cubicle so he wants one ‘to show off his sense of humor.’

He wants something that someone else doesn’t already have. Some books that are already taken include:

Zombie Survival Guide

The Areas of my Expertise

I had suggested a couple of books that he already has but he said they weren’t work appropriate. Anyway, I guess he will find this mystery book the next time we are at the book store. Any suggestions?

I went to my first Renaissance Festival this weekend. After I sort through my pictures, I will post a few. It was a fun experience and we had a great time.

One performance even reference Brittney Spears and drug rehabilitation. It was amazing how many references were made to pop culture. I mean, it’s the Ren Fest, shouldn’t it be all about knights, squires, and wenches?

I guess I can forgive all the modern tones of the Ren Fest. It did seem a little too tourist oriented, but we still have a great time.

Oprah’s Favorite Things episode is one I try not to miss each year. Well, I missed it this year but luckily there is Oprah’s Favorite Things website that has all of the items featured on her special show. I don’t think they are associated with Oprah but have been listing her favorite things for the past seven years.

This is one episode that I would love to be a member of the audience. Imagine getting a ton of great gifts in an hour. Your Christmas shopping could be practically done!

Glad I found a list of her items from this year and like all of her previous favorite things, very few are within my price range.

I can’t believe that Guitar Hero III has been available now for two days, and I’ve yet to buy it. I do love to play video games, so I know that a lot of video games are released on Tuesdays. Little did I know that Guitar Hero was released Sunday. The whole family gets into Guitar Hero.

Today when I made my what seems like daily trip to Wal-Mart, I saw Guitar Hero III but resists buying it. All they had was the game bundled with the guitar controller. I really don’t need another controller, especially a wired one. Another wireless controller would have been OK, and I probably would have bought it.

Of course, now looking at the picture a third guitar might not be a bad idea.