datacompression
Latest
Opera Mini for Android update saves data without wrecking websites
To date, Opera Mini's data saving on Android has been an all-or-nothing affair: either you visit heavily compressed websites with altered layouts, or... you find another browser. You won't have to make that binary choice going forward, however. An updated version of Opera Mini introduces a "High" compression setting that, despite its name, is less aggressive than the original (now dubbed "Extreme"). It'll still save you precious bandwidth, but it maintains image sizes and allows for such extravagances as video playback. Think of it as a way to overcome a slightly flaky 3G or WiFi connection, rather than a bid to conserve data at all costs. If that sounds like your cup of tea, the new Opera Mini should be available today.
Xiaomi's global devices to get Opera's data-saving tech
Following yesterday's announcement on Opera Max supporting YouTube and Netflix, today the company revealed that Xiaomi's latest Android fork, MIUI 7, will have the same data-saving technology baked into its Data Saver feature. According to Xiaomi, this can reduce data usage across all apps by up to 50 percent, though encrypted connections are still left untouched. While Data Saver has already been on Xiaomi's China devices for about a year, it'll be a first for global MIUI users, though they'll have to wait for a few more months. That said, other features such as "up to 30 percent faster response time," "10 percent better battery life" and face recognition in photo album will be available right away. All global Xiaomi devices except for Mi Note and Mi Pad can grab the update on August 24th.
Chrome updates bring data compression to all Android and iOS users
Google has been testing data compression in mobile versions of Chrome for what seems like ages, but today it's finally ready to bring that efficiency to the masses. Both the Android and iOS versions of the browser now let all users squeeze website content to reduce their data use -- and, in some cases, their phone bills. There's also a pair of platform-specific upgrades in the pipeline. Android fans will get to create web shortcuts on their home screens, while iOS users will see the automatic translation bar that has been available on Android since last year. Whichever version of Chrome you're running, you'll want to grab its latest update through one of the source links.
Google invites iOS users to experience data compression with Chrome
Like it or not, thinking about every megabyte is essential for smartphone owners hoping to keep their monthly usage from topping whatever tier they've purchased. The nasty, unbecoming world of data caps isn't changing in the near-term, and Google knows it. Following in the footsteps of Opera, the outfit's Chrome browser for iOS is evidently equipped with a data compression feature that's engineered to save precious bytes when browsing via mobile. This technology has existed for some time, but it's just now being rolled out en masse to those with an iPhone. We're told that it "compresses and minimizes HTML, JavaScript and CSS resources, removing unnecessary whitespace, comments and other metadata not essential to rendering the pages," which can reduce data usage by up to 50 percent on certain sites. So, Apple -- thinking about tossing something similar under the hood of Mobile Safari?
Apple acquires AlgoTrim
AllThingsD is reporting confirmation by Apple that the company has acquired a Swedish data-compression company by the name of AlgoTrim. As usual, Apple spokeswoman Kirstin Huguet trotted out the familiar line: "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans." So, what is known about AlgoTrim? The Malmō, Sweden-based company was founded in 2005 by Anders Berglund, Anders Holtsberg and Martin Lindberg, and develops data-compression technology to shorten processing times and reduce file size. As AllThingsD's John Paczkowski notes, this is "just the sort of thing for optimizing mobile imaging and video on devices like the iPhone and iPad." AlgoTrim's website is still up and running as of this morning, and shows that the company's "flagship product is the Code Compression Library, a lossless and proprietary codec for compressing code, that is, the processor instructions. Its main use is to reduce the size of the firmware of a mobile device using NAND flash as non-volatile memory." The company has also done work for Android device manufacturers, which will most likely cease after this acquisition.
Onavo shrinks iPhone data on the fly
Are you on an iPhone data diet? With unlimited plans a thing of the past, you're certainly not alone. Onavo's new iOS apps might be able to help you trim your data use without limiting your surfing. The service works by inserting itself between your cell phone operator and the internet and compressing data before it's sent to your cell. Yes, you read that correctly.
Time Telescope greatly improves optical data transmission, won't undo your past mistakes
Researchers at Cornell have developed a "time telescope" from silicon waveguides that work like the two lenses of a telescope (or microscope) to compress and decompress data. Using the method, they were able to shift a 24-bit light pulse from 2.5 nanoseconds to 92 picoseconds in length without losing any information -- delivering the it to its destination 27 times faster than traditional fiber optics. Of course, the current 24-bit limit is too small for real world use, but it is a start -- and since this uses industry-supported fabrication technology, there's a chance that we may actually get our hands on one of these things in the not-too-distant future. Insert your own Marty McFly joke here.[Via Slashdot]
