TechBytes: AT&T Network Investment

Jan.29, 2010— -- AT&T is ready to make a major investment to improve its network. The company says it will spend an additional $2 billion this year to upgrade its service. AT&T is responding to complaints about dropped calls and slow wireless downloads, especially among iPhone owners. It even acknowledged that performance in San Francisco and New York are below its targets. And, with Apple's new iPad going on sale in two months, the AT&T network could soon face another major strain.

Apple is now allowing iPhone owners to use internet calling services over cellular networks. Services like Skype had been available on the device, but only over Wi-Fi connections, which don't have the range of cellular networks. These internet calling services offer free or cheap calls and texts.

Google is adding a new feature to its search page that lets you see things friends and family have posted on social networks, blogs and other websites. For example, if you're researching a trip to Zurich, you can see what your friends have written about their experiences there and any pictures they may have taken.Users must create their own profile to make this work and can add or remove people from their circle. You can create yours at google.com/profiles.

The number of gaming related injuries, at least in the UK, are up, but all those hours in front of the TV may not be a waste of time. They may be a good training ground for a career in the military. Research done by the Navy finds video games can help adults process information much faster. Gaming also improves their reasoning and problem solving skills. The researchers are now looking at ways to integrate video game technology into learning tools.