Faster mobile data on your iPhone - Onavo beta open to Geekzone users

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freitasm

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#77506 17-Feb-2011 08:22

I've been contacted by Onavo, a company that just opened a beta for their new product, one that compresses mobile data to speed up things and reduce your mobile bill...

Here is the official press release, and below you will find a link to visit from your Safari web browser and join the beta test:

Onavo expands beta program, saves money on data roaming

"It’s happened to everyone. That's why we believe Onavo can really disrupt the mobile market. Even here in MWC 2011, everyone is complaining about outrageous data roaming rates and seeking the sparse Wi-Fi hotspots. With Onavo’s private beta for iPhone , they can stop worrying, stay connected and save money," says Guy Rosen, Co-Founder and CEO at Onavo.

Onavo develops technology that shrinks data transferred over mobile networks, and is able to slash data usage – and thus data bills - by up to 80%. Onavo is presently available for iPhone only, with more platforms coming soon.

Data roaming rates are extremely high, even in the EU, the only regulatory body actively working on a proposal to rectify the matter. Inter-operator data rates are governed by the European commission, but the subscribers' rate isn't – which sometimes results in outrageous bills, such as Apple's Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, who paid US$7,000 for a 3 hour drive in Germany (US$40 per minute!).

During Mobile World Congress at Barcelona, Onavo announced the expansion of the company's beta program. Guy Rosen added, "Onavo is ideal for travelers roaming with their iPhone. It enables them to regain control over their data usage and stay in touch with colleagues, friends and family back home.

Once installed on an iPhone, Onavo runs in the background, seamlessly and transparently. Just click to start a trip, and start saving."

The private beta of Onavo for iPhone is currently available by-invitation only.

And here is the invitation-link to entered in your iPhone Safari web browser: Onavo beta for Geekzone users. Or you can visit the Onavo website and manually enter the code "geekzone".

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#440557 17-Feb-2011 08:41

Sounds interesting... I wonder if they will support the other 2 networks here at some stage?

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petes117

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#440559 17-Feb-2011 08:45

I just signed up but it asks you to select your carrier and only gives you the option for Vodafone (I'm on 2Degrees) so I'm guessing it won't work for me?

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#440561 17-Feb-2011 08:45

Hmmm, also, when you get the confirmation email that has a link in it that says to email them with comments/questions etc: the email address it points to is 550'ed.

But their web site is pretty, I guess.

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#440563 17-Feb-2011 08:46

gurthang117: I just signed up but it asks you to select your carrier and only gives you the option for Vodafone (I'm on 2Degrees) so I'm guessing it won't work for me?

Yeah, I balked at installing their "Vodafone" settings too. Not that I couldn't fix it again, I just can't be bothered. :-)

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dvirreznik

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#440626 17-Feb-2011 11:38

Hi,
Thanks for the feedback.
Currently Onavo supports official iPhone carriers, as outlined in Apple's website. We will support other N/Z carriers very soon.
Will post here when it's available.

If you have any ideas or feedback, please email us: info at onavo.com.

Dvir

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#440647 17-Feb-2011 12:16

Update:
We now support 2 more NZ operators, XT and 2degrees. If you installed Onavo with an operator that isn't yours, remove the profile (Settings, General, Profile) and install again.

Follow us on twitter for up-to date news and announcements: http://twitter.com/onavo

Dvir

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#440677 17-Feb-2011 12:57

Hi Dvir..

I've private messaged you regarding something and then just noticed something else which is a lot more important (I've message you as well)

myopinion

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#440696 17-Feb-2011 13:24

Hi How about adding Teslstra settings as well please?

APN settings:
www.telstraclear.net.nz

MMS Settings:
APN = wap.telstraclear.net.nz
MMSC = http://telstraclear.nzmms.net.nz/pxtsend
MMS Proxy = 172.030.038.003:8080
MMS Max Message Size = 307200

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#440699 17-Feb-2011 13:29

myopinion: Hi How about adding Teslstra settings as well please?

APN settings:
www.telstraclear.net.nz

MMS Settings:
APN = wap.telstraclear.net.nz
MMSC = http://telstraclear.nzmms.net.nz/pxtsend
MMS Proxy = 172.030.038.003:8080
MMS Max Message Size = 307200

You cannot set MMS Settings via the method that is used here at all. There is no automated way on the iPhone at all apart from entering them by hand.

Thanks
Craig

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#440708 17-Feb-2011 13:46

SaltyNZ:
gurthang117: I just signed up but it asks you to select your carrier and only gives you the option for Vodafone (I'm on 2Degrees) so I'm guessing it won't work for me?

Yeah, I balked at installing their "Vodafone" settings too. Not that I couldn't fix it again, I just can't be bothered. :-)

If you don't install their "profile" then your data will not be affected at all. The method used is to set in the settings file an OPEN web proxy to send all the data via which then will "optimise" the data. (the proxy settings can't be done via the iphone gui so have to be installed this way)

I presume the OPEN (this is a REALLY REALLY BAD IDEA) proxy..

compress jpg/gif etc files to reduce size and quality..
Make sure all data is gziped from prpxy -> iphone for web traffic
and generally do stuff to the data to reduce its size.

As the proxy is overseas and this any traffic will look like its coming from overseas so if you are looking at mostly national websites or national data then it will actually be SLOWER.

Any data coming from content caches in NZ will now come from overseas.. This content is usually not compressible at all thus slowing down as its coming from overseas)

Also they will be able to see any traffic you are doing (Do you really want a third party to do this?)

+ lots of other problems..

Comments????

Thanks

myopinion

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#440709 17-Feb-2011 13:47

Yeah the privacy thing is a big issue

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#440724 17-Feb-2011 14:15

Also as the proxy servers are classed as being in israel, there may be some websites which may be blocked when they try and use the service (ie anti israel government and gambling websites etc)

Thanks
Craig

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#440741 17-Feb-2011 14:57

Since I don't have an iPhone, and I don't know the background on Onavo, could someone enlighten me...

- Is the software setting up a proxy on your handset?
- Is the proxy doing what ByteMobile carrier hosted software used to do (for example the APN optimised.vodafone.co.nz) or more than that?
- Is any authentication required?

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#440745 17-Feb-2011 14:59

I am not sure I would want my emails or banking going through a third party server overseas. If I have 'started a trip' and visit the BNZ site enter all my details who knows where that information is going.

The security of my emails, banking or any other activities I do online is not worth the savings.

Cheers
nzbullet
Note: My thoughts and comments are my own and not of anyone else including my employer

freitasm

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#440748 17-Feb-2011 15:02

The banking would be encrypted, so that wouldn't be a problem. Although there are some man-in-the-middle attacks on SSL, a company this public wouldn't do it (ok, insert "trust no one Mr Mulder" statement here).

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