January 26, 2011
Top 10 Tasks for IPv6 Application Developers
Network World
Scott Hogg shares 10 tips for application developers on how they can better prepare for the new IPv6 standard.
“We should share the following concepts with our application developers so they are aware of the nuanced of creating applications that will operate over current IPv4 networks and in the near future as IPv6 is added. 1) Assessing current code for IPv6 capability, 2) creating code that is address-family independent and backward compatible with IPv4 applications must remain backward compatible with IPv4 as we deploy IPv6, 3) having the same application work on IPv4-only, dual-protocol and IPv6-only operating systems with these connectivity methods, 4) storing of 128-bit IPv6 addresses in memory and compatibility with 32-bit IPv4 addresses, 5) DNS queries for IPv6 and IPv4 using either IPv6 or IPv4 transport, 6) handling input of FQDN hostname or IPv4/IPv6 address and output using correct format, 7) making socket connections with IPv6 and IPv4, 8) leverage higher-level APIs that are IPv6-capable, 9) working well with Path MTU Discovery and 10) perform extensive testing of your applications.”
iPhone 5 and iPad 2 will come with NFC built in, suggests well-connected analyst
Engadget
Vlad Savov writes that according to one analyst, the next generation of the Apple iPhone and iPad will feature NFC (near field communication) capabilities.
“Richard Doherty of Envisioneering Group cites ‘engineers who are working on hardware’ for Apple’s latest project in asserting what that project actually is: NFC capabilities are apparently being built into the next generation of iPhone and iPad devices. Contactless payments via NFC have been steadily building up in hype and adoption recently — at least in the western hemisphere, the stuff is commonplace in Japan — and Doherty predicts Apple will make its move into the field with some new hardware and an accompanying ‘revamp’ of iTunes. The idea would be to allow the use of iTunes gift card balances and the credit card info Apple already has from you to make swiping payments at compatible retail outlets.”
NVIDIA’s roadmap leaks, hinting at a 3D tablet
Ars Technica
Jon Stokes shares the details on a leaked Nvidia roadmap.
“A leaked NVIDIA roadmap reveals that the graphics chipmaker is working on two new additions to its Tegra line of ARM-based chips: the Tegra 2 3D, and the Tegra 3. The Tegra 2 3D is a 1.2GHz version of the recently unveiled Tegra 2 chip, but with added support for 3D displays. Given the number of prototypes we’ve recently seen for glasses-free 3D on a small screen, it’s no surprise that the company is including explicit support for 3D output (glasses-free or otherwise). The only really interesting twist to the news is that, like the rest of the Tegra line, the 3D chip will come in both phone and tablet flavours.”