Internet2, a nonprofit advanced networking consortium in the United States, is designing a new network that can open up paths with large amounts of dedicated bandwidth when they’re needed.

Currently, the Internet Protocol (IP) that’s in use breaks data into packets that are sent through fiber-optic cables to their destination. However, the packets don’t have to take the same path. Routers examine each packet individually and send it off on its way. The problem with this system is that large data transfers can clog the routers with many packets asking where to go next. This can result, for example, in skips in streaming video if the packets arrive out of order or at different times. Read more »

As the company puts it, the XPERIA X1 “redefines premiumness,” and from the looks of the phone we wouldn’t say anything less.

The X1 has all of the features that the iPhone is missing, and then some. This one really does seem to be poised to become the phone of all phones.

The XPERIA X1 has a 3 inch VGA touchscreen sporting a resolution of 800×480. A fully functional QWERTY keyboard slides out from the side for all of your messaging, emailing, and web browsing needs. Of course to do that you need a fast connection as well, so, unlike the iPhone, the X1 supports 3G HSDPA for data transfer speeds up to 3.6Mbits.

The phone has an ‘always on’ internet connection, the ability to send and receive files while in a call, streaming video support, and a video call feature.

For more details, check out the product page here.

No word on price or availability yet, but we can’t wait until the X1 makes its way Stateside. Well done, Sony. Another picture after the jump. Read more »

In a major step toward adopting IPv6, ICANN has updated six of 13 root DNS servers with the ability to use IPv6 addresses. Meaning, systems trying to connect with IPv6 can get IPv6 DNS information without having to ask an IPv4 server and converting. This is major news for the adopters of IPv6 as the addressing method of the future (which by all means, it is).

In terms of everyday use of the internet, nothing has changed - you still have to go out of your way to use IPv6 at all. In addition to the frustration involved with trying to find a domain registrar who can handle the v6 DNS records, you still cannot access a certain percentage of websites due to the other 7 DNS servers.

Despite the limitations, this is a major leap forward for IPv6. In fact, it has in all likelyhood garunteed the future adoption of IPv6 by everyone. The next step towards making this happen is allowing IPv6 to match IPv4 in coverage, keeping all web sites accessible by both at all times. Once that is complete, IPv6 will just slip into regular use. And we await the day.

Bill Watkins, CEO of hard drive giant Seagate, has said that Blu-ray’s apparent victory over HD DVD doesn’t mean much. His reasoning? Downloads are the future.

Said Watkins, “Blu-Ray versus HD: Well maybe Blu-Ray won, but it’s a meaningless victory. … Because guess what: People are going to download everything.”

Of course, the words are coming from the mouth of the beast himself. It sure would be profitable for huge downloads to replace Blu-ray when it means bigger hard drive sales. And we’re talking much bigger!

Today’s bandwidth is not even close to being able to handle such downloads, but who knows what will come with time. Most likely, Watkins’ prediction will come true. Most analysts and tech watchers agree that movie downloads are in the future.