A group of MIT researchers has demonstrated a method of network topology that could render the Internet 100 or even 1000 times faster than it is today.

The “magic” behind the concept is to eliminate or reduce the most time-intensive part of data transmission, which involves converting an optical signal into an electrical signal for memory storage. Memory storage is required whenever multiple optical signals arrive at the same router at the same time, requiring said router to convert and store the extra signals coming in until they can be properly processed.

MIT professor Vincent Chan’s concept of “flow switching” obviates the need to convert and store data by converting high-traffic corridors into unidirectional pathways. In other words, a dedicated pathway between two big nodes in New York City and Los Angeles would send optical signals in only one direction, preventing multiple signals from arriving from different directions at once.

This research has been ongoing for the past 20 years, with findings from new computer modeling of flow switching networks showing a potential 100- to 1000-fold speed increase as well as significant power savings. Implementing the plan would be costly, requiring the replacement of large numbers of routers with new, optical-only models.

Still, with the advent and growing popularity of bandwidth-intensive applications like high-definition video streaming, moving to a flow switching network might start to make financial sense for Internet service providers and tech companies.

An Android smartphone called Samsung Vibrant (a variant of the Galaxy S) launches on T-Mobile July 21, but when you pay the $199 price tag the phone won’t be all you’ll get. Each handset will come pre-loaded with a copy of Avatar and the mobile gameThe Sims 3 Collector’s Edition.

Not everyone thinks it’s a great deal, however; the most notable dissenter is Avatar director James Cameron, who has said that watching his movie on a phone or even a laptop would be “dumb.” He said he wouldn’t stop anyone from doing so, “especially if they’re paying for it,” but that he “wouldn’t recommend it.”

It’d be easy to disagree with Cameron if he was making sweeping statements about watching all films on cellphones, but the main appeal of this particular movie is its spectacular visuals and special effects. It’s bad enough that you can’t watch it in the original 3D format, given that the Vibrant lacks the 3D technology found on devices like the Nintendo 3DS.

Still, the Vibrant has a 4-inch AMOLED display, so if you’re going to watch Avatar on a phone at all, this one would be one of your better options.