In early April, Dell announced Optimizer, their collection of solutions for hardware issues, specifically for laptops. The collection will be based on their hardware technology and include a multi-network connection.
One of the most exciting novelties from the announcement was the hardware attachment for new Dell laptops that allows a multi-network connection. That means the device can operate on multiple Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections simultaneously.
As presented, this solution will improve these 3 major categories:
- Streaming
- Gaming
- Cloud Computing
The first two categories will bring significant benefits to both users and media consumers, as well as streamers, content creators, and game developers. With improved bandwidth and app efficiency, options like 8K streaming will become more viable.
But those in the industry are particularly interested in the benefit of cloud computing. For multiple industries that rely on or could rely on cloud storage or computing, multi-network connections can be revolutionary.
Multi-Network Connection Benefits
Smoother Streaming
A multi-network connection will improve streaming. It allows you to use multiple mobile devices and supplement with home Wi-Fi, so you can push a lot more bandwidth to a single device.
This can bring in advancements like 8K streaming, and it will also reduce the connection cost for online creators. Once the technology is there, users will certainly be able to invent even more options with the added bandwidth.
Better and Faster Gaming
At this time, internet speeds softly cap the intensity of online games. Gigabit speeds are available, but the average download speed in the US, according to M-Lab, is only 8,9 MB/s. Ookla also reports average speeds of 23,4 MB/s.
This places the United States in 11th place globally. That’s an acceptable speed for a country of that size, but others may not be as lucky. Most citizens, even in developed countries, will have slower connections and won’t be able to stream complete games without experiencing significant ping.
The era of multi-network connections will certainly enhance the gaming experience. Developers will also push the limits with intense, immersive games.
Safer Cloud Computing
Having a multi-network connection is bound to revolutionize cloud computing. It will make file downloads faster, more reliable, and more private. The multi-network connection will draw your data from two encrypted connections instead of one, and each connection will only bring some parts of the information.
If the speeds increase, businesses will start doing all their work on the cloud. In that case, no device has presumed access to any data, so that will significantly reduce the chance of leaks and cybersecurity weak points.
What Is a Multi-Network Internet Connection
As presented during the announcement, the system is fairly simple. Instead of searching for software solutions, the new line of laptops will use hardware extensions combined with optimizing software. For example, the new Optimizer system would not make an AHCI buffer in the device itself. Instead, it can be an internal router.
Still, the system will not route requests from one device to multiple servers worldwide. Instead, it will combine returns on those requests from multiple networks. Your Dell computer will demand different packets from the same set through multiple connections (with the applicable software).
For example, if you are requesting to stream a movie online and have three connections: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Mobile. In that case, you would not be requesting the entire movie from each of them. Rather, the hardware will divide the requests depending on the internet speed, and it will download one third of the information from each.
Even though this process will not increase each connection’s bandwidth, they will all be added together. That will also work the same way for downloads and uploads alike.
A similar solution was already somewhat available in large networking operations to increase bandwidth efficiency. Yet, it will now require virtually no expertise and would all fit inside the laptop.
Evolving in Speed and Privacy
According to Dell’s data, the ExpressConnect multi-network connection will improve many aspects of your laptop usage. This includes P2P data transfers sped up by 20%, app data processing increased by 30%, buffering reduced by 66%, and video quality increased by a whopping 800%.
This is all due to what Dell is calling ExpressResponse. It will use basic machine learning to predict which apps and networks you will use, so it can make the entire experience smoother.
Additionally, the application will have smart privacy features that will protect you internally and externally. For instance, your webcam will look behind you and blur your screen if someone is looking over your shoulder.
This will also run regular facial recognition scans to prevent anyone from accessing your device. For example, if an unknown person opens your laptop, your device will not respond until it sees your face.
Yet, this solution also faced a lot of criticism. For example, the laptop requires the webcam to operate non-stop, which is a privacy risk in itself. Dell predicts you will trust the company more than other people, but that is not enough for advanced users.
What This All Means for Users
For high-end individual users, the new Dell Optimizer set sounds like it may be more trouble than it is worth. If you can already set your router for multiple connections, the Optimizer will only expose you to new security risks.
For most business users, however, this Dell novelty will significantly increase security, privacy, and productivity. The Optimizer will offer faster processing and better efficiency on specific apps, so workstations will be more optimized and require fewer security check-ups.
For example, you do not need to make cybersecurity checks on each device. The station does not include any data by itself and pulls everything from the cloud. If this operation becomes faster, more enterprises will use it as their main business mode.
Businesses will also need to spend less time reviewing access, especially on remote stations. Because of this, access can be granted to specific people, so other people can’t misuse their devices.
Finally, we can also say something about improved gaming capabilities. Don’t get it wrong. Few gamers will buy the new-gen Dell Latitude laptop for gaming. But you could buy the Dell Latitude for work, and use it to do some gaming on the side!.
Especially now, when game-streaming services are on the rise, significantly improving bandwidth capabilities can remove the GPU requirements that made laptops’ gaming capabilities inferior to gaming PCs .
Demands for Better Bandwidth
If hardware/software solutions become widespread, demands for better bandwidth will likely follow. Currently, only gaming and media are placing demands on Internet Service Providers, but businesses might also follow suit.
Multi-network connections will open the door to 100% cloud-based enterprises. Those organizations will not keep any data on physical devices, which is also likely to improve access to remote working opportunities.
These developments will certainly push ISPs to follow the market. ISPs will push for improved internet speeds, even in remote areas, and they will make them cheaper and more accessible.
