How to Boost Internet Speed on Your Android...

Even web pages designed specifically for mobile devices can take terribly long to load. The faster your internet connection, the less time you'll have to spend waiting and the more you can read, research, and generally get things done. Internet Speed Master makes surfing on your Android smartphone or tablet quicker--and it could work even on non-rooted devices.

Rooting an Android phone or tablet, as you might recall, gives you the freedom to install anything you want on the device (in addition to a number of other benefits as well). For most system-level changes, you need to root your Android device, but Internet Speed Master, available for free download at Google Play, doesn't require root access. For those who do have a rooted device, Internet Speed Master works with all ROMS.

The utility works by modifying system files to improve the TCP/IP configuration. It's based on a Linux tweak, but the developer, nez droid, does caution you should backup your device before installing (a good practice anytime you're installing something new).

To install the app, just head to the Google Play Store to download it and agree to the terms and conditions. (Specifically: there's no guarantee this app will definitely increase your Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.) Then the app just does its thing, changing the connection settings to speed up your internet access.

It's definitely worth a try. I tested Internet Speed Master before and after installation with Ookla's Speedtest.net app. Over 4G, the mobile data connection was about 1Mbps faster than previous tests (16Mbps versus 15Mbps download, and even 2Mbps upload versus 1Mbps previously). Over Wi-Fi, the internet connection was about 2Mbps faster downloading and uploading.

My phone, a Samsung Galaxy SII, isn't rooted. If yours is, you should see even more significant speed improvements, including noticeably faster web page loading.

Sometimes even just the littlest speed bump can make all the difference between a horrible mobile experience (videos lagging, for example, or just painful web surfing) and one that makes you feel you really do have a decent tiny computer in your pocket.

 

What Is Internet Connection Sharing?

Internet Connection Sharing, or ICS, is a built-in feature of Windows computers (Windows 98, 2000, Me, and Vista) that allows multiple computers to connect to the Internet using one single Internet connection on one computer. It's a type of local area network (LAN) that uses a single computer as the gateway (or host) through which other devices connect to the Internet. Computers wired to the gateway computer or connecting to it wirelessly via an ad-hoc wireless network can use ICS.

Some of the features of Internet Connection Sharing include:

Allowing most any kind of device (including non-Windows and older Windows systems) to connect without having to install additional client software.Support for all of the connected clients to use many different protocols, including VPN and Internet gaming.Clients are automatically given an IP address and configured for DNS through the ICS computer.

In Windows 98 or Windows Me, ICS needed to be enabled or installed on the host computer from the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs (on the Windows Setup tab, double-click on Internet Tools, then select Internet Connection Sharing). Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 have this built-in already (look in the Local Area Connection properties for a setting under the Sharing tab to "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection").

Note: ICS requires the host computer to have a wired connection to a modem (e.g., DSL or cable modem) or an aircard or other mobile data modem, and the client computers either wired to your host computer or connecting to it via the host computer's free wireless adapter.

Learn how to use Internet Connection Sharing:

Examples: To share one Internet connection among several computers you can either use a router or, on Windows, enable Internet Connection Sharing so that other computers connect to one computer that has an Internet connection.

How to Get Wireless Internet Access in a Hotel

Some hotels offer free wireless internet access, the most important amenity for hotel guests. Even if a hotel isn't one of the top free Wi-Fi hotels, however, your hotel will most likely offer wireless access for a daily fee. Here's how to connect to a wireless network in a hotel, and make the best use of it.

The setup is pretty straightforward and follows the basics of creating a wi-fi connection in general, but there are a few special considerations and things to do before you get started working out of a hotel:

Make sure your system is up to date and use a VPN to secure your information. Most hotel wireless networks aren't password-protected or encrypted with strong WPA2. Open wireless networks or ones that use the WEP older protocol are not safe, making any information you transfer over the network prone to hacking. So, first, make sure you have a firewall installed, the latest system updates, and the latest antivirus updates. Then, secure your browsing session by using VPN or a remote access solution.

Make sure your wireless adapter is on. Naturally you'll need for your laptop or mobile device to be able to use Wi-Fi. If you don't have one built in, you can purchase a USB wireless adapter or a PC card for your laptop instead.

Now, your first step is to find the available wireless networks:

Find the wireless network icon on your computer. On Windows laptops, the icon is in the bottom right on the taskbar by the date and may look like 1 or 2 monitors or a set of bars. On Macs, look to the top right of your screen and find the wireless symbol (which looks like a striped handheld fan). Click on the wireless icon to see the list of available networks. (On Windows XP, right-click it to "View Available Wireless Networks" and on Vista, click it and select "Connect or disconnect...").

 

4 Ways to Access High-Speed Wireless Internet...

It's increasingly becoming more important for us to have high-speed Internet access wherever we are--especially, for example, on our laptops when we're working on the go. Mobile broadband devices allow us to tap into a wireless carrier's 4G or 3G network from our laptops and other mobile devices for always-on connectivity. Here's an overview of the different ways you can get 4G or 3G Internet access on your laptop.

Most of the latest laptops, netbooks, and tablets offer a mobile broadband option, where you can have a 3G or 4G card or chipset built into the laptop when you order it (for an additional cost). You'll have to sign up for mobile broadband service, but often you'll be able to select the wireless service provider.

Pros: Convenience of having mobile wireless connectivity already set up as soon as you get your laptop (no need to install your own mobile broadband device); less obtrusive than a USB 3G or 4G laptop stick.Cons: Not transferable to other laptops or devices.Example: In the configuration options for the HP EliteBook 2540p ultraportable laptop, for example, there's a drop-down option for HP Mobile Broadband that will add the "universal mobile broadband module" to your laptop for $125. The module works with Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and AT&T wireless data services.

If you don't already have a mobile broadband card built-in or want a separate device that you can use with more than one laptop, a 4G or 3G USB modem (a.k.a. laptop stick) is easy to install--it's plug-and-play like most USB sticks. USB broadband modems typically cost under $100. You can buy the laptop stick and sign up for the mobile broadband plan directly from the wireless provider or retailers like Best Buy.

Mobile hotspots can be either hardware devices like FreedomPop's Freedom Spot or a feature on your mobile device, like the iPhone 4's 3G mobile hotspot feature introduced with the Verizon iPhone 4 launch. You connect your laptop wirelessly to the 4G or 3G mobile hotspot, much like you would connect to a wi-fi network or wi-fi hotspot. As with the other options, you'll need to subscribe to a mobile data plan for your mobile hotspot device--or if you may need to pay an extra "hotspot" fee to use the built-in hotspot feature on your smartphone. One major advantage of a mobile hotspot, however, is that you can typically connect more than one device to it for shared mobile Internet access.

Pros: Usually can connect 5 or more mobile devices at once.Cons: Have to carry around a separate device (though mobile hotspots tend to be pretty thin and small, about the size and width of a credit card).Example: Most smartphones these days have a built-in mobile hotspot feature. The MiFi mobile hotspot made by Novatel is available on several wireless carriers. See How to use your Android phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot to turn on Wi-Fi Internet sharing.

Tethering is where you connect your cell phone to your laptop to use your cell phone's data service on the laptop. There are many tethering apps available to enable tethering via USB cable or bluetooth, including the popular PdaNet app. Although many people have been able to get around additional tethering charges by jailbreaking their smartphones, most wireless providers are charging extra for the priviledge of connecting your phone to your laptop.

Pros: May be able to use the data plan you're already paying for on your cell phone without extra charges (otherwise, tethering charges are between $15-20).Cons: Tethering can be slow and drain your phone's battery more quickly.Example: See How To Use Your Cell Phone as a Modem for tethering instructions for the major US wireless carriers.

Which option is best for you? Besides heading to a wi-fi hotspot or Internet cafe for free Internet access, tethering is the least expensive option for getting Internet access on your laptop when you're not at home. If you have multiple devices or want to share a mobile broadband connection, a mobile hotspot makes the most sense. 3G or 4G laptop sticks are also convenient and easy to use.