Yes You heard it right 25GB of data in just 70.seconds .The USB 3.0 specification guarantees an increased performance of 10 times compared to the capabilities of the current USB 2.0, providing a bandwidth of 600 MB/s second. Devices employing USB 3.0 specifications are planned to be available to consumers in 2009 or 2010 and would be backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1.

Microsoft is currently in the planning stage of selecting which operating system to incorporate the USB 3.0 specifications into. “The Microsoft USB core team is currently evaluating which operating systems we should support USB 3.0 on. It’s a difficult decision and a difficult choice because there are all these moving parts,” said Giusti. “Our early indications tell us that most partners think that we should support USB 3.0 on at least Windows Vista.”
According to early information supplied by Microsoft the improvement in transferring large files using USB 3.0 based hardware will be considerable.

Performance comparison: Transfer of 25GB HD movie:
USB 1.1: 9.3 hours
USB 2.0: 13.9 minutes
USB 3.0: 70 seconds

3G is the third generation of mobile phone standards and technology, superseding 2G, and preceding 4G. It is based on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) family of standards under the International Mobile Telecommunications programme, IMT-2000.

3G technologies enable network operators to offer users a wider range of more advanced services while achieving greater network capacity through improved spectral efficiency. Services include wide-area wireless voice telephony, video calls, and broadband wireless data, all in a mobile environment. Additional features also include HSPA data transmission capabilities able to deliver speeds up to 14.4Mbit/s on the downlink and 5.8Mbit/s on the uplink.

Unlike IEEE 802.11 (common names Wi-Fi or WLAN) networks, 3G networks are wide area cellular telephone networks which evolved to incorporate high-speed internet access and video telephony. IEEE 802.11 networks are short range, high-bandwidth networks primarily developed for data.
Implementation and history

The first pre-commercial 3G network was launched by NTT DoCoMo in Japan branded FOMA, in May 2001 on a pre-release of W-CDMA-GA3Y technology. The first commercial launch of 3G was also by NTT DoCoMo in Japan on October 1, 2001. The second network to go commercially live was by SK Telecom in South Korea on the CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology in January 2002. By May 2002 the second South Korean 3G network was launched by KTF on EV-DO and thus the Koreans were the first to see competition among 3G operators.

The first European pre-commercial network was at the Isle of Man by Manx Telecom, the operator owned by British Telecom, and the first commercial network in Europe was opened for business by Telenor in December 2001 with no commercial handsets and thus no paying customers. These were both on the W-CDMA technology.

The first commercial United States 3G network was by Monet Mobile Networks, on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO technology, but this network provider later shut down operations. The second 3G network operator in the USA was Verizon in October 2003 also on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO, and this network has grown strongly since then.

The first pre-commercial demonstration network in the southern hemisphere was built in Adelaide, South Australia by m.Net Corporation in February 2002 using UMTS on 2100 MHz. This was a demonstration network for the 2002 IT World Congress. The first commercial 3G network was launched by Hutchison Telecommunications branded as Three in April 2003. Australia's largest and fastest 3G UMTS/HSDPA network was launched by Telstra branded as "NextG(tm)" on the 850 MHz band in October 2006, intended as a replacement of their cdmaOne network Australia wide.

In December 2007, 190 3G networks were operating in 40 countries and 154 HSDPA networks were operating in 71 countries, according to the Global mobile Suppliers Association. In Asia, Europe, Canada and the USA, telecommunication companies use W-CDMA technology with the support of around 100 terminal designs to operate 3G mobile networks.

In Europe, mass market commercial 3G services were introduced starting in March 2003 by 3 (Part of Hutchison Whampoa) in the UK and Italy. The European Union Council suggested that the 3G operators should cover 80% of the European national populations by the end of 2005.

Roll-out of 3G networks was delayed in some countries by the enormous costs of additional spectrum licensing fees. (See Telecoms crash.) In many countries, 3G networks do not use the same radio frequencies as 2G, so mobile operators must build entirely new networks and license entirely new frequencies; an exception is the United States where carriers operate 3G service in the same frequencies as other services. The license fees in some European countries were particularly high, bolstered by government auctions of a limited number of licenses and sealed bid auctions, and initial excitement over 3G's potential. Other delays were due to the expenses of upgrading equipment for the new systems.

By June 2007 the 200 millionth 3G subscriber had been connected. Out of 3 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide this is only 6.7%. In the countries where 3G was launched first - Japan and South Korea - over half of all subscribers use 3G. In Europe the leading country is Italy with a third of its subscribers migrated to 3G. Other leading countries by 3G migration include UK, Austria, Australia and Singapore at the 20% migration level. A confusing statistic is counting CDMA 2000 1x RTT customers as if they were 3G customers. If using this oft-disputed definition, then the total 3G subscriber base would be 475 million at June 2007 and 15.8% of all subscribers worldwide.

Still several major countries such as Turkey, China, Indonesia, etc have not awarded 3G licenses and customers await 3G services. China has been delaying its decisions on 3G for many years, partly hoping to have the Chinese 3G standard, TD-SCDMA, to mature for commercial production.

China announced in May 2008, that the telecoms sector was re-organized and three 3G networks would be allocated so that the largest mobile operator, China Mobile, would retain its GSM customer base and launch 3G onto the Chinese standard, TD-SCDMA. China Unicom would retain its GSM customer base but relinquish its CDMA2000 customer base, and launch 3G on the globally leading WCDMA (UMTS) standard. The CDMA2000 customers of China Unicom would go to China Telecom, which would then launch 3G on the CDMA 1x EV-DO standard. This means that China will have all three main cellular technology 3G standards in commercial use.

The first African use of 3G technology was a 3G videocall made in Johannesburg on the Vodacom network in November 2004. The first commercial launch of 3G in Africa was by EMTEL in Mauritius on the W-CDMA standard. In north African Morocco in late March 2006, a 3G service was provided by the new company Wana.

Rogers Wireless began implementing 3G HSDPA services in eastern Canada early 2007 in the form of Rogers Vision; expansion into western Canada is expected soon.

Phones and networks

3G technologies enable network operators to offer users a wider range of more advanced services while achieving greater network capacity through improved spectral efficiency.

UMTS terminals

The technical complexities of a 3G phone or handset depends on its need to roam onto legacy 2G networks. In the first countries, Japan and South Korea, there was no need to include roaming capabilities to older networks such as GSM, so 3G phones were small and lightweight. In Europe and America, the manufacturers and network operators wanted multi-mode 3G phones which would operate on 3G and 2G networks (e.g., W-CDMA and GSM), which added to the complexity, size, weight, and cost of the handset. As a result, early European W-CDMA phones were significantly larger and heavier than comparable Japanese W-CDMA phones.

Japan's Vodafone KK experienced a great deal of trouble with these differences when its UK-based parent, Vodafone, insisted the Japanese subsidiary use standard Vodafone handsets. Japanese customers who were accustomed to smaller handsets were suddenly required to switch to European handsets that were much bulkier and considered unfashionable by Japanese consumers. During this conversion, Vodafone KK lost 6 customers for every 4 that migrated to 3G. Soon thereafter, Vodafone sold the subsidiary (now known as SoftBank Mobile).

The general trend to smaller and smaller phones seems to have paused, perhaps even turned, with the capability of large-screen phones to provide more video, gaming and internet use on the 3G networks.

Speed

The ITU has not provided a clear definition of the speeds users can expect from 3G equipment or providers. Thus users sold 3G service may not be able to point to a standard and say that the speeds it specifies are not being met. While stating in commentary that "it is expected that IMT-2000 will provide higher transmission rates: a minimum speed of 2Mbit/s for stationary or walking users, and 348 kbit/s in a moving vehicle", [1] the ITU does not actually clearly specify minimum or average speeds or what modes of the interfaces qualify as 3G, so various speeds are sold as 3G intended to meet customers expectations of broadband speed. It is often suggested by industry sources that 3G can be expected to provide 384 kbit/s at or below pedestrian speeds, but only 128 kbit/s in a moving car. While EDGE is part of the 3G standard, some phones report EDGE and 3G network availability as separate things, notably the iPhone.

#10) BBC News
As much as American News gives us the most drama and the most compelling imagery, it is not the most objective point of view. Of the many different international news choices available today, the British Broadcasting Corporation has earned the title of the most objective and the most expansive journalism of international reporting. If you want to see more than one point of view of the War in Iraq, the Avian Flu epidemic, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Real Space Race, then the BBC is your news site.

Visit the BBC here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/

#9) Lifehacker
"Computers make us more productive. Yeah, right. Lifehacker recommends the downloads, web sites and shortcuts that actually save time. Don't live to geek; geek to live!"

Yes, webbies... Lifehacker is an online community dedicated to 21st Century thinking people. Here is where you get digital knowledge and life knowledge, all in one place!

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http://www.lifehacker.com

#8) Merriam Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus

At M-W, you can figure out what that strange word online really means. You can look up thesaurus synonyms to devise a better job application letter. Students and writers can even download toolbars and other to help improve the professionalism of your writing.

In this digital age, your ability to communicate with written English is paramount. And M-W.com is the perfect resource to improve your English now.

Visit Merriam-Webster here: http://www.m-w.com/

#7) Online Conversion of Any Measurement

Can't figure out how many ounces is 750 mL? How many meters is a 40-yard dash? How tall is someone who is 192cm?

Get your online converting done here: http://www.onlineconversion.com

#6) How Stuff Works.

This web site is glorious! See how breast implants are made. Learn how a hurricane really forms. See how a Mazda rotary engine functions, and how bulletproof armor deflects bullets. I wish I had teachers that were as clear and vivid as this web site!

Visit the site here:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/

#5) Homefair: Resources for Moving, Career, and Raising Your Family.

Are you thinking about renting or buying your next house? Should you move to Nevada or Ontario? Is your daughter's university town a safe city to live in? How much should you be earning for your current level of education and experience?

Homefair.com answers all of these questions and more. A very useful combination of research tables, statistical trends, and international surveys to help you plan your next big step in life.

Visit the site here: http://www.homefair.com

#4) Epinions: Consumer Reviews by Regular People.

Epinions.com is wonderful. This is the smartest and easiest way to do your shopping homework on your next digital camera, your next plasma TV, your next MP3 player, your next dog food purchase, your next car and your next washing machine investment.

Real people making real comments on real purchases. This is a truly valuable resource for the smart consumer.

Visit the site here: http://www.epinions.com/


#3) PCwebopedia

PCwebopedia is a must for anyone who wants to understand the computer world. This online glossary of computer terms is also a fantastic encylopedia for beginners.

At PCwebopedia, you'll learn what DDR and SDRAM are, what RAID stands for, and how TCP/IP beams messages around the world.

Even more importantly: you can now shop for computer goods and get a patient explanation for what all the hardware terms mean! This is a truly useful resource for every computer user.

Visit PCwebopedia here: http://www.pcwebopedia.com

#2) Google News

Although Google News is not arranged by community recommendations nor by editorial suggestion, it does plug you into over 4500 news sources.

Amazing breadth and depth of choice here, folks. Search by celebrity name, current event, topic, or by region... you're bound to find nearly all the news you'll ever want here.

Visit Google News here: http://news.google.com/



#1) StumbleUpon

So why is Stumbleupon the most useful web site on the Internet? Wouldn't Google be more useful?

Well folks, as good as Google is, it is a keyword search tool. Stumbleupon is so much more human and intimate than that. Stumbleupon is the collective recommendations of thousands of hours of searching by web users who share your interests.

Call it a "recommendation engine". Stumblers add to this engine by providing their personal recommendations on what sites are worth your time. Thousands of people who share your interests and hobbies will point you to the sites that they personally recommend. And guaranteed, you will like many of these recommendations.

The Internet just got smaller in a good way, folks. Stumbling is so much more satisfying than Googling.

Try "stumbling" for yourself. You won't be disappointed: http://www.stumbleupon.com/