Bandwidth hungry mobile apps may soon come equipped with "turbocharge" buttons, Verizon Wireless announced. The company is aiming to publish an API during the third quarter of 2012 that can then be implemented into mobile apps by developers. The boost, of course, will come at a small, undisclosed fee, but the new turbo apps will have priority when Verizon's network is congested.
In addition, the service will also give users the option to pay for the turbocharge via a separate, on-device microtransaction API Big Red hopes to release by the end of 2012.
I think one of the things that you could do is guaranteed quality of service, Fletcher said, when asked how the network optimization API could be used. One of the things that we are right now is very democratic in terms of allocating spectrum and bandwidth to users. And just because you request a high quality of service doesn't mean you're gonna get it. [The network] will try to give it to you, but if there's a lot of congestion, a lot of people using it, it won't kick people off.
An example where this boost may be necessary is during a choppy Skype call. Users would simply hit the button, and the data speed for that app would improve.
While it's still a ways off, the possibility of boosting certain apps is an exciting prospect for users who are constantly on-the-go and need that extra bit of speed.
What apps would you like to turbocharge?
[BGR]
Disguise your little one with the help of a themed costume
From avocado halves to hoppy bunnies, costumes speak to every child's unique spirit. And we've collected our favorite options.
Add magic to your living space with these string lights
String lights add personality and soft light to your living space. Here are some of the best.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra's Space Zoom camera is amazing and a bit creepy
The Galaxy S20 Ultra supports up to 100X zoom, which Samsung calls Space Zoom, but is it any good? Can a phone really product usable photos at 100x zoom? We've got our Galaxy S20 Ultra already so join us to find out!
Solve all of your problems, add the perfect calculator to your life
With the right calculator, everything adds up! Whether you need a basic model or one with more advanced functions, there is a calculator that will meet your functional requirements.