Gogo's jet-propelled test lab took flight yesterday with several reporters and one very important fin added to the underbelly of the plane.

On the quick flight across western Illinois, CTO Anand Chari showed off the significant speed increases and signal stability of their new ATG-4 (Air To Ground - 4) wireless system. Initially using the current ATG wireless, pages loaded slowly or timed out completely when a crowded plane was simulated. Switching to the new technology showed speeds reaching closer to the estimated max of 9.7 Mbps. When an additional 15 users were simulated on the plane, loading of pages slowed, but never stalled.

"This is a significant tech advancement," said CEO Michael Small. "We can serve considerable larger number of passengers - over half the plane [before degradation of the service]. The sky is going to keep growing. We're on a path to getting full service to a full plane of users."

Streaming services like Hulu and Netflix are still too big of a burden for in-flight connectivity, but the company's recent release of Gogo Vision offers a nice compromise - 100+ titles to watch streaming on your wireless device for $4.99 a movie or 99 cents a show.

Over 40 planes are already equipped with the ATG-4 technology, with Virgin, Delta and US Airways on board (launches for service on American Airlines and United are expected next year). The company plans to have over 500 planes equipped by the end of 2013.

How do you tell if your plane is equipped with the latest tech? If possible, look under the first third of the plane, near the door - if you can see two fins, the smaller will be the old ATG modem, and the larger will be the ATG-4. In addition, two directional antennae and a second modem will provide another clever bonus - by checking for signal in several directions, the plane will choose the strongest one to use, while the other keeps searching for the next best signal.

[Photo Credits: Dan Morgridge]

A spate of dust storms caused massive disruptions and several fatalities in the Middle East this week. In Pakistan, winds reaching up to 68mph struck the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, destroying roofs, uprooting trees, upending billboards, and reducing visibility to under 100 meters. Flights out of Islamabad International Airport were delayed, and at least fifteen fatalities were recorded.

Elsewhere, in Kuwait, heavy dust storms shut down the Basra ports, paralyzing tankers and costing the country some 1,000,000 barrels a day in exports. Flights out of Kuwait International Airport were continuing with normal, albeit limited service. This follows a late May dust storm that shut down Baghdad's airport only days before a critical nuclear talk. And a dust storm near Mecca raised temperatures to 113 degrees before giving way to a rainstorm - possibly the hottest rainfall on record at 109 degrees F.

Dust storms can seriously impact travel in the Middle East, and visitors are cautioned against the dangers of going out into a storm without proper preparation. The gallery below documents some of the biggest storms in the region to date.

Gallery: Dust Storms Rock The Middle East

Whether it's in the clubs of international hotspots or bustling metropolitan hubs, there are plenty of places where those so inclined can find something to do all night. But only a select subculture of hard-partying youth and industry workers will typically prowl the clubs and 24-hour diners. What does it take for the average person to indulge their inner night owl? Whether it's a religious festival, an artistic exhibition, or just a party too big to be limited to daytime hours, we've rounded up some of the best recurring nighttime events in the world – and you don't need to get past a velvet rope to enjoy any of them.



Nuit Blanche
Ever since its introduction in St. Petersburg, the "White Night" festival has become an institution in cities around the globe – Paris, New York and even Toronto (above) have adopted the practice. Originally designed to capitalize on the phenomenon of the midnight sun, the concept has been carried over to cities with a more natural evening – museums, galleries and local or visiting artists will blanket the city in artwork to be appreciated through the night. In addition to installations, there are public performances of music, dance and theater occurring throughout the city until sunrise.

Males are naturally drawn to competition. Whether for food, mates, territory or just for sport, often you'll find men ready to accept a challenge at the drop of a hat. But every sport has its place in the pecking order, and while the world's fastest tandem bicyclists are no doubt phenomenal athletes, they're not likely to cause people to turn and whisper upon entering the bar. The following contests are some of the best measures of manliness – some are displays of strength or athleticism, some a mastery of technical skills. Some are simply a display of sheer will (and or gluttony). Whichever may be true, these are some of the world's best ways of answering the question: "Who's The Man?"


Highland Games (above)

An event with origins that predate recorded history, the Highland Games were purportedly a large influence on Pierre de Coubertin's creation of the modern Olympic Games. Consisting of traditional sports like the caber toss, stone put and sheaf toss, the games also showcase other feats of strength; the Maide Leisg consists of two men pressing the palms of their feet against each other and attempting to lift their opponent out of a sitting position using only the staff that they grip between them. While still very traditional in garb and style, the games have spawned numerous offshoots across the world. You could attend the largest Scottish games - held in August in Dunoon, Scotland - with some 3,500 other spectators. Or take a trip in July to Linville, North Carolina - their Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has some 50,000 visitors each year.

Everyone wants to get away from it all for a while. Of course, whether that's through your own private hideaway or a relaxing vacation, most people have to choose one or the other. But with a bit of money saved up, you can join the elite of the world in owning a solution to both. These islands aren't necessarily the most remote or extravagant islands (although there's plenty of both here). What they all share in common is unmatched exclusivity, where your company on the island can be the wealthiest of the wealthy...or perhaps just a family of turtles.

1. Ni'ihau

Ni'ihau is famously known as Hawaii's "Forbidden Isle," and for good reason -- it's private property. Bought by a private family in 1864, the island is home to fewer than 200 people, for whom Hawaiian is the primary language and English second. Although now home to a military base and some hunting tourism, Ni'ihau's rules are still very strict in terms of visitors - even for the native's relatives. A notable exception was made in 1992, when parts of the movie "Jurassic Park" were filmed on location. Historically, "The Ni'ihau Incident" -- where a Japanese pilot crash-landed on the island returning from Pearl Harbor, was captured and then escaped with the help of Japanese locals -- is considered to be a major factor in the eventual Japanese-American internment during the rest of World War II.

As a rule, people generally prefer to live above ground. Whether it's claustrophobia, prohibitive construction costs, or just enjoyment of the sun, people have generally stuck with above-ground structures across the globe. In instances where above-ground cities have subterranean components, they are often public transit systems, municipal works, or just plain old sewers.
Yet every once in a while, some far-fetched city planner or wealthy tycoon will decide that the cheapest real estate is just one floor down. This gallery collects some of the most eye-popping examples of underground zoning – whether it's ancient catacombs repurposed for modern use, a billionaire's dream, or just an organic growth of cities with imposing population density, these underground creations make the Morlocks look downright shabby.

Petra

O'Hare Airport had a couple of extra visitors this morning in terminal B. Joining the rest of the passengers heading to Los Angeles on the United flight dubbed "Oscar 1" was none other than Tom Sherak, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. His entourage consisted of several dozen short, gold men: this year's Academy Awards.

Mr. Sherak was personally escorting the awards from their birthplace at the R.S. Owens Foundry to the ceremony. Passers-by were stopped in their tracks when they saw the famous statue being passed from person to person, and even making an appearance on a nearby concession stand counter. Sherak cleared things up by taking to the intercom himself, inviting anyone who wanted to take their own photo with Oscar.

Airport staff and passengers alike had their fun with the award. Guests pretended to write acceptance speeches, thanked their parents, and a couple brave souls lifted the 8.5-pound award single-handedly to the sky. When asked questions about what metals the statue was made of, Sherak pulled out a cheat sheet from his pocket for help: gold on the outside, then Britannia (tin, antimony, and copper) on the inside.

The crew of the flight also got to spend a few minutes with Oscar, and he even took a trip to the cockpit, where Captain Mel Mason Jr. said he was the most prestigious non-human passenger he'd ever flown. The other 42 trophies were also on board, stashed securely in the plane's cargo. But preparing for the 4 1/2 hour flight, Sherak still had his Oscar in his lap, available for the passengers. Sherak was uncertain about their arrival time: "We'll see how the speeches go. It could be a seven hour flight."

Gallery: United Flies the Oscars