Our weekly roundup of the top news stories in the world of tech for the week beginning March 28th, 2016.
The Krimston TWO makes the iPhone a true dual SIM device
Type ‘dual SIM’ into Google right now and you’ll likely see ‘iPhone’ appear near the top of the auto-complete list. As the most popular smartphone in history, it’s unsurprising that at least a portion of the Apple contingent wished their iDevices had the ability to support two SIM cards simultaneously.
In truth, there are already a handful of dual SIM cases out there, but they only ever allow you to use one at once, with a restart necessary before being able to switch to the other. Startup Krimston has just pulled the wraps of a new Kickstarter campaign for the TWO – an active dual SIM solution for the iPhone 6/6S that packs a few bonus features in there for good measure.
The TWO looks like a featherweight iPhone case that similarly to most battery cases connects to the phone via the Lightning connector at its base. Twinned with a dedicated iOS app, you can then run two SIM cards on two separate networks simultaneously. It’s through the app that you’ll receive all your calls and texts, but there’s also a dedicated notification LED, 3G hotspot functionality at your disposal and it doubles as a 1700mAh power bank. Check out Krimston’s Kickstarter campaign for the TWO here and enjoy the informative, but cheesy pitch video.
Ofcom’s mobile and broadband performance checker just got an update
Unless you keep a particularly close eye on your broadband performance, do you really know how fast it is, whether it’s even remotely close to what you’re paying for, and how it compares to the rest of your neighbourhood?
Following a major update on Thursday, Ofcom’s ‘mobile coverage and fixed broadband checker’ now leverages the latest data (May and June 2015) from the country’s biggest internet service providers (ISPs) to paint the clearest and most up-to-date picture yet of the quality of broadband in Britain.
By punching in your postcode, the checker throws up average broadband speed in the area, with speeds up to 30 Mbit/s classed as ‘Standard Broadband’ and 30Mbit/s to 300Mbit/s defined as ‘Superfast Broadband’. Glance over to the checker’s map and you’ll also see a drop-down menu letting you overlay the data from the UK’s four largest mobile networks: EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. You then have the option to filter a carrier’s data based on voice, 3G and 4G performance both indoors and outdoors.
It’s a robust tool and one we’ll likely refer back to every now and then, even if it’s just for curiosity’s sake. You can test Ofcom’s handy checking tool here.
The first affordable* Tesla is here
Elon Musk’s all-electric automotive manufacturer rounded out the week with the exciting launch of its next car; the Tesla Model 3. Whilst we’re not handing them any points on originality for the name, the Model 3 is a significant step in the company’s plan to make all-electric vehicles hit the mainstream.
After the notable success of the Model S in the performance car space, the Model 3 brings much of the company’s design and technological prowess to the affordable car market, with the base model cited at an initial price tag of just $35,000. Whilst that’s still a significant sum, for the money, Tesla has nonetheless put together an enticing package.
Even if you pick up a no-frills Model 3, you’ll still be laying down cash on a four-door all-electric car with two boots (front and back) capable of hitting 60mph in under six seconds, a minimum range of 215 miles and all of the fancy autopilot features we’ve seen irresponsible drivers pushing to their limits.
Add to that the company’s commitment to doubling its supercharger and tripling its destination charger charging station locations to 7200 and 15000 sites worldwide by the end of 2017 and it looks like Tesla might just have what it takes to truly make the electric car a viable alternative to the gas guzzlers we all drive now. Find out more here.
*Compared to the other ones.
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