Posts tagged with wifi
Free In-flight Wi-fi on Virgin America by Google
Posted on November 19, 2009 6:21 PM
Yesterday, I was invited by Virgin America to the opening flight San Francisco-Fort Lauderdale and I tested the free in-flight wi-fi, courtesy of Google during the Holiday season (ends January 15th, sigh). It worked very well: the login time is very fast unlike when I had to go through the payment process on Gogo Inflight Internet website, the user interface was terrible and it often returned error messages. The most impressive technology feature is the power plugs provided for every seat in economy class, Virgin America is a true 21st century airline! I was able to post articles, the Microsoft Office 2010 post was published from the sky...
Check out the photo gallery, I shot some really nice pictures of the inaugural flight event, Virgin America CEO David Cush cut the ribbon in SFO and Sir Richard Branson himself welcomed us at our arrival in Fort Lauderdale.
Cisco Flip camcorder to get Wi-Fi
Posted on November 19, 2009 4:51 AM
Cisco is set to roll out an all new Wi-Fi-enabled Flip digital camcorder sometime in the first half of next year onwards, taking advantage of Cisco's own networking technology ever since it brought Pure Digital under its wings via a multi-million dollar deal earlier this year. There is very little word on specifications concerning this camcorder, but we do know that it will come with a large display that can slide open to reveal both record and menu buttons underneath. You won't get touchscreen functionality with this though, which is also a good thing since it would mean having to spend less on the final product when available. It looks as though all recorded footage can be uploaded directly from the camcorder via Wi-Fi networks.
Cisco Flip camcorder to get Wi-Fi
Posted on November 19, 2009 4:51 AM
Cisco is set to roll out an all new Wi-Fi-enabled Flip digital camcorder sometime in the first half of next year onwards, taking advantage of Cisco's own networking technology ever since it brought Pure Digital under its wings via a multi-million dollar deal earlier this year. There is very little word on specifications concerning this camcorder, but we do know that it will come with a large display that can slide open to reveal both record and menu buttons underneath. You won't get touchscreen functionality with this though, which is also a good thing since it would mean having to spend less on the final product when available. It looks as though all recorded footage can be uploaded directly from the camcorder via Wi-Fi networks.
Free Wi-Fi Internet for UK town
Posted on November 17, 2009 10:20 AM
A major Wiltshire town is abuzz with excitement as they are about to become the first in the UK where its residents will be able to enjoy free public wireless internet access. According to the Swindon Borough Council plan for all 186,000 citizens, they will soon be under a blanket "Wi-Fi mesh" by the time April 2010 rolls around, with no connection charge while line rentals are, well, free. The service will be known as Signal, but you will have limited access unless you fork out some dough to enjoy 20Mb upgrades. Said fee is touted to be "significantly less" than current broadband suppliers though.
Yahoo offers free Wi-Fi as well
Posted on November 10, 2009 9:00 AM
Google's bitter rival, Yahoo, does not want to be left behind in the free Wi-Fi game by offering such a service to New York's Times Square sometime next year. According to a Yahoo blog post, "While Yahoo! is the place where your world meets the world online, over 500,000 of you take in Times Square each day and it's become a central spot for New Yorkers and people around the world. We and our partners at the Times Square Alliance think it's the perfect place to bring you free Wi-Fi service." Now to wait for Microsoft to come up with free Wi-Fi services in some other public place...
Yahoo offers free Wi-Fi as well
Posted on November 10, 2009 9:00 AM
Google's bitter rival, Yahoo, does not want to be left behind in the free Wi-Fi game by offering such a service to New York's Times Square sometime next year. According to a Yahoo blog post, "While Yahoo! is the place where your world meets the world online, over 500,000 of you take in Times Square each day and it's become a central spot for New Yorkers and people around the world. We and our partners at the Times Square Alliance think it's the perfect place to bring you free Wi-Fi service." Now to wait for Microsoft to come up with free Wi-Fi services in some other public place...
Yahoo offers free Wi-Fi as well
Posted on November 10, 2009 9:00 AM
Google's bitter rival, Yahoo, does not want to be left behind in the free Wi-Fi game by offering such a service to New York's Times Square sometime next year. According to a Yahoo blog post, "While Yahoo! is the place where your world meets the world online, over 500,000 of you take in Times Square each day and it's become a central spot for New Yorkers and people around the world. We and our partners at the Times Square Alliance think it's the perfect place to bring you free Wi-Fi service." Now to wait for Microsoft to come up with free Wi-Fi services in some other public place...
Google offers free Wi-Fi at airports for the holidays
Posted on November 10, 2009 1:20 AM
Google might not exactly follow their slogan (to some) of doing no evil all the time, but you surely can't fault them for their generosity this coming holiday season as they offers free airport Wi-Fi then. This early Christmas gift will be extended to include the Virgin America deal that has already been announced to 47 airports across the US until January 15th, which ought to offer a Wi-Fi umbrella to approximately 35% of all US travelers starting from today. Image via HotHardware. [Press Release]
Google offers free Wi-Fi at airports for the holidays
Posted on November 10, 2009 1:20 AM
Google might not exactly follow their slogan (to some) of doing no evil all the time, but you surely can't fault them for their generosity this coming holiday season as they offers free airport Wi-Fi then. This early Christmas gift will be extended to include the Virgin America deal that has already been announced to 47 airports across the US until January 15th, which ought to offer a Wi-Fi umbrella to approximately 35% of all US travelers starting from today. Image via HotHardware. [Press Release]
Google offers free Wi-Fi at airports for the holidays
Posted on November 10, 2009 1:20 AM
Google might not exactly follow their slogan (to some) of doing no evil all the time, but you surely can't fault them for their generosity this coming holiday season as they offers free airport Wi-Fi then. This early Christmas gift will be extended to include the Virgin America deal that has already been announced to 47 airports across the US until January 15th, which ought to offer a Wi-Fi umbrella to approximately 35% of all US travelers starting from today. Image via HotHardware. [Press Release]
802.11n access point arrives at the FCC
Posted on November 6, 2009 10:44 AM
Our friends at the FCC have gotten their mittens on a new AN0100 802.11n AP, and although there is no instruction manual available or whether this is the crucial missing link required for streaming networked media to the TV via a TiVo set, we're totally amazed by the sheer size of this thing, or rather, the lack of it. After all, just take a look at it on your right and pinch yourself. It hurts, yes?
802.11n access point arrives at the FCC
Posted on November 6, 2009 10:44 AM
Our friends at the FCC have gotten their mittens on a new AN0100 802.11n AP, and although there is no instruction manual available or whether this is the crucial missing link required for streaming networked media to the TV via a TiVo set, we're totally amazed by the sheer size of this thing, or rather, the lack of it. After all, just take a look at it on your right and pinch yourself. It hurts, yes?
New Wi-Fi Spec To Take On Bluetooth?
Posted on October 14, 2009 11:34 AM
Wi-Fi has already become part of what laptops are nowadays, and it’s probably impossible to buy a laptop without built-in wireless these days, and considering the convenience that Wi-Fi provides us, it certainly deserves its popularity. Could things get better? We certainly hope so! A new Wi-Fi specification that the Wi-Fi Alliance is planning to publish will allow wireless devices to discover and connect to each other without a router. While we know that ad-hoc connections are currently possible, but the new Wi-Fi Direct specification aims to make it much easier. With it, gadgets can turn into mini Wi-Fi access points. It will certainly be interesting to see the effect this will have on Bluetooth devices and also the sales of routers.
WiMax-based personal WIFI hotspot
Posted on October 7, 2009 9:57 PM
[CEATEC 2009] UQ, the sole Wimax carrier in Japan was showing this personal Wi-Fi hotspot device. It connects to the internet via WiMax, and serves as a wireless router for your personal devices. It’s like a MiFi, if you are familiar with that one. When WiMax is not available (in the subway and other “difficult” places), users can connect freely via Wi-Fi, thanks to the partnership between UQ and paid Wi-Fi providers. Coverage is not ubiquitous, but latency and speed should be better than 3.5G. If you wonder, it costs about $40 for a 30-day subscription and there’s no contract!
Novatel Wireless outs Wi-Fi and 3G combo chip
Posted on September 25, 2009 8:49 AM
Novatel Wireless recently filed documents with the FCC for their new notebook module which will integrate Wi-Fi connectivity and 3G reception on a single chip instead of the usual two, which will probably mean PC manufacturers will be able to reduce the size and price of their products in the near future if they happen to take up Novatel Wireless' offering. This combo chip doesn't stop at just 802.11b/g, as it supports the n standard as well. Currently targeting the Dell Latitude E4300, we are interested to see which other notebooks will feature this chip down the road.
Wi-Fi Dowsing Rod
Posted on September 17, 2009 5:04 AM
There are tons of Wi-Fi hotspots these days that are mushrooming rapidly and for good reason - most people work with netbooks and notebooks that do not need to remain tethered to any wired network in order to get on the Internet. In order to find the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot, why not give the Wi-Fi Dowsing Rod concept a go? It works similar in concept to how one is supposed to look for water with a divining rod, except that this one brings you to the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot - a gadget for the modern road warrior, of course, shaped in an old school format. Fancy, but we don't see this taking off anytime soon even if it were to be mass produced.
Windows Mobile phones to get free AT&T WIFI
Posted on September 1, 2009 2:32 PM
AT&T has announced that Windows Mobile phones would get free WiFi from its hotspots starting from September 14th. iPhone and Blackberry devices have enjoyed the free WiFi for some time, and we wonder if this move is aimed at reducing the stress on AT&T's network.
However, having a Windows Mobile phone is not sufficient: the AT&T customer must also subscribe to specific wireless data plans. Read the fine prints.
e-Rabbit becomes the latest victim of the economic slump
Posted on August 28, 2009 3:18 PM
Humans aren't the only ones to suffer from the economic conditions: robotic dinosaurs have already gone extinct and now, electronic rabbits are on the verge of joining them. Despite many hopes that someone would help Nabaztag (seen in the photo) survive, chances are that the cute e-Rabbit will go away.
The maker of the Nabaztag employs 15 people and we hope that a rescue plan will pan out. The company generated 2M Euros in revenues last year, but still needs investors help to stay afloat. A savenabaztag.com website has been created for those who want to support this bunny (in French).
Photos of the Blackberry Storm 2 with WIFI
Posted on August 10, 2009 3:43 PM
If it wasn't for Verizon's habit of castrating WIFI capable phones, there would not be any excitement about the spyshots that show a BlackBerry Storm 2 - with WIFI support. WiFi? Duh! Even my photo frame has WiFi, so what's the big deal? What we would be excited about would be to learn that the Storm 2 has a much faster graphics interface with decent hardware acceleration. When we asked about OpenGL ES support, we were told by RIM that 3D graphics were "not a priority right now". That’s too bad.
Using iPod Touch + MyFi in Spain
Posted on August 5, 2009 11:41 AM
GadgetLab has an interesting article about using an iPod Touch (or a foreign iPhone) with a MiFi local hotspot to access data and place Skype calls. As we get more accustomed to wireless data usage, one of the biggest hurdle for international travelers are the incredibly expensive data roaming rates. You have probably heard of stories where a customer gets charged tens of thousands of dollars for downloading something or simply use the web in the wrong country. With a local SIM card and MiFi, you can use your iPod Touch's Skype capabilities to call or stream music (definitely not my first priority when I'm abroad).
That said, this is still pretty limited because you can't call or use location-based services. It would be best if the iPhone supported UMA (like T-Mobile's HotSpot@Home). You could then use iPhone+MiFi to place calls with your actual number without paying roaming charges, and possibly use the surrounding cell towers to find out where you are in Google Map.
