Tuesday, january 24, 2012 I [nology] TechNews RYAN HYNES ae@technewsiit.com 5 Network infrastructure changes improve cellular service @ llT By Ryan Kamphuis EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AT&T recently announced the deployment of two new cell towers in the South Loop to expand mobile broadband coverage across the area, including the HT campus. The new cell towers, which were announced on January 18, are based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project of wireless technologies which include GSM and UMTS — the most widely used cell network technologies in the world. By utilizing GSM technology as opposed to Verizon and Sprint’s CDMA technology, these cell towers are able to deliver the fastest 3G speeds available and allow cell phone users to utilize simultaneous voice and data capabilities. These towers represent AT&T’s continuing investment in local wireless networks and the Chicagoland area. With every week the world is getting increasingly wireless, and these network infrastructure improvements will allow IIT students and Chicago residents to continue to thrive in this world. These improvements to AT&T’s mobile broadband network further boost AT&T’s footprint in the South Loop, which is quite large due to the recent activation of AT&T’s 4G LTE network. This LTE network represents the most advanced in cell technologies, and delivers speeds up to 10x faster than existing 3G networks. Chicago represents one of the most competitive markets for cell phone companies, and these enhancements step up AT&T’s game in this area. With Verizon’s 4G LTE network already completely deployed in the area, T—Mobile’s HSPA+ enhancements coming online, and Sprint’s WiMax being available for years, these enhancements bring AT&T to the top of the pack and ensures that consumers are getting the best possible service. This is the first article in TechNews’ new Tech(nology)News series. Every week we will strive to bring you reviews of the newest gadgets and devices, news on the newest developments in science and technology, and info on the tech world as a whole. Ifyou’re interested in contributing please contact editor@technewsiit. com. Cold War period piece paints picture of espionage By Kyle Pancham TECHNEWS WRITER I recently went to see Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, since I’ve had this movie on my “Most—Anticipated” List for quite some time. I loved the movie. Though it was a little slow in the build—up, it nonetheless brought the viewer back to the main plot and pulled you in. I give major commendation on Gary Oldman’s performance as well as the auxiliary performances of a few other notable stars; notably Colin Firth, Cirian Hinds, John Hurt, Tom Hardy, and Mark Strong. To give a brief synopsis of the plot, it is the 1970s at the height of the Cold War. Britain’s top intelligence agency M16, sees the retirement of two top spymasters; Control (John Hurt), and Smiley (Gary Oldman). At the same time however, M16 has been infiltrated by an unknown Soviet Agent, and when one of their top agents (Mark Strong) is killed on ’Simple Song’ complicates Shins’ new album By Ryan Hynes A&E EDITOR After a five year hiatus, indie rock supergroup The Shins is back in action. The boys from Albuquerque were originally received with both critical and commercial success, with their last album “Wincing the Night Away”, placing in both the US and UK charts. After the 2007 release, frontman James Mercer left the group to pursue several side projects, including the popular group Broken Bells. The Shins new album, “Port of Morrow”, is set to drop in March, and to give anxious fans a teaser, they released assignment, the suspicions rise. Smiley is eventually called in to investigate Control’s claim of a double agent within British intelligence due to Smiley’s separation with the current internal politics, causing him to use some of MIG’s own agents, as well as his wit and intuition, to ascertain the who the spy is before it’s too late. Overall, I found the individual performances of the actors contributed greatly to the suspicion and suspense of the movie. Plus the context of the West vs. Communism, the cutthroat business that is international espionage, and the backdrop of the 1970s definitely played well to the movie’s plotline and characters. In short, an excellent spy thriller that I highly recommend if you enjoy spy games and international espionage. Overall I’d give this movie 4.5 out of 5 due to a slow start—up, which is greatly outdone by the twists and turns of the movie, leaving you contemplating the identity of the double agent until the last minute. Image courtesey of friendswithbotharms.com the single “Simple Song” off the album. If first impressions are anything to go by, this should be another great addition to the Shins anthology. “Simple Song” is anything but, starting with a chunky riff that builds to a great, feel good hook. James Mercer’s vocals add another dimension of complexity, as he breaks from his typical, often monotonous style and explores the fringes of his range. Another pleasant surprise is the addition of more dominant percussion, courtesy of Joe Plummer, of Modest Mouse fame. “Port of Morrow” has perhaps been too long in the making, but “Simple Song” promises that it will have been well worth the wait. llASEl] llll THE HIST SElllllll lill‘lEl llV .llllllll II: DAME **** tnmrllM “STYLISH AND SflPHlSTlEATEl]... BARY flLDMlSlu!!! l5 SUPERB" I. m-~ x." ,. “THE FILM EVENT flF THEWYHSEAR...A MASTERPIEEE” **** HIPIRI “A SUPERIIJR THRILLER... umnulmgflgnnnms" GARY fllllllllN TINKER me SOLDIER SPY [:an TflM .mmr mar MARK FIRTH HARDY HURT .lflllES STllflNB EUMBERBATEH lFllll lll IIJMAS AlFllElJSflll mm HINIJS Image courtesey of trailer-teasencom BENEIJIEI What’s on Hannah Larson’ 5 playlist? 'E|:-i'.'.-' ."I.".1 Vicious - Lou Reed Power - Kanye West Watching the Detectives - Elvis Costello Standing 0 - Wilco Saint Jerome - Coconut Records Synthesizers - Butch Walker & the Black Widows Does He Love You? - Rilo Kiley Hello It‘s Me - Todd Rudgren Apache - The Sugarhill Gang Needle in the Hay - Elliott Smith What’s on your playlist? Email ae@technewsiit.com!