Southwest Details In-flight Wi-Fi Plans, Yahoo! Partnership
wi-fi posts
Wi-Fi Hotspots Could Spread Viruses, Experts Say
Hau Hu, Steven Myers, Vittoria Colizza and Alessandro Vespignani created a model of known public access points in seven metropolitan areas, including downtown Manhattan. They then used known statistics (like, for instance, 40-percent of all Wi-Fi points have no protection at all), and simulated a sequence of events that, in a mere two weeks, would result in 18,000 infected access points in New York City. In this case, "infected" means hackers' gaining access to the Wi-Fi router and modifying it to automatically distribute viruses and steal information in a way similar to that of the Zlob malware we covered last year.
If there's some good news here, it's that the simplest of protection mechanisms on your wireless router can prevent it from being compromised. Don't know where to begin? You can start by clicking here. [From: BBC News]
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Computers, Google, Webware, Downloads
New Feature Lets You Check Your Gmail Offline
Users of Google's Gmail service can now check their e-mail without an Internet connection, Gmail engineer Andy Palay announced yesterday afternoon via the Offical Gmail Blog.
The feature, which doesn't seem to be showing up in our Gmail Labs yet for some reason, depends upon a program called Gears that downloads and regularly updates a cache of your Gmail messages. So, while your computer is connected to the Internet, it's constantly downloading your Gmail information without your explicit direction. As a result, you will be able to peruse your up-to-date e-mail page in the event you lose a connection.
With the feature, users will be fully able to read, delete, save and send mail -- Google Gears waits for a connection to be established before pushing the offline Gmail commands through. With as much time as we spend on the road, in the air, and generally scrounging for neighbors' Wi-Fi scraps, we can't think of any reason not to give this feature a shot. Aside from it not being available, that is. [From: Official Gmail Blog]
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Wi-Fi-Enabled Touchscreen Vending Machines Wash Down the Future
Next up on the list of "things going futuristic"? The soda machine.
Samsung's touchscreen uVending machines are network and Wi-Fi enabled, meaning owners can monitor their stock before the machine runs dry, or even remotely update the information being displayed on its screen. Apparently, it even has an onboard sensor that will send out a warning if it detects physical shock, and a built-in camera to capture potential vandals. Gives new meaning to the expression, "a Coke and a smile!" [From: Techeblog]
Eye-Fi Adds Wi-Fi Uploads to YouTube
McDonald's to Offer Free Wi-Fi?
As we've often lamented, there simply isn't enough free or open Wi-Fi access in public spaces anymore. It's rare that you'll find a hot-spot that either doesn't require a password or some kind of fee to access it, making the prevalent use of Wi-Fi-enabled laptops, MP3 players, smart phones, and other wireless devices somewhat difficult (we wouldn't care, except that certain gadgets, such as the MacBook Air, actually require the availability of a much-hyped Wi-Fi hotspot to connect, at least without an adapter).
So we were happy when we heard that AT&T just bought public-Wi-Fi provider Wayport, which operates about 20,000 wireless hotspots in airports, hotels (Marriott, Wyndham, Four Seasons) and restaurants (McDonald's). Why? Because, as Mashable points out, many avid laptop users are hoping that AT&T will offer the same deal to McDonald's customers that it offers to Starbucks customers, which is two hours of free Wi-Fi per day to anyone with an AT&T iPhone or BlackBerry, a Starbucks Card, a T-Mobile Wi-Fi-enabled phone or T-Mobile Hotspot account, or AT&T broadband service at home. (McDonald's already offers free wireless access to the Zune Marketplace for Microsoft Zune owners.)
Presumably that means that McDonald's might soon be offering a prepaid buyer's card along the lines of the Starbucks Card (which only needs to be used once a month to keep the free stuff going). Many of the blogs out there seem to think free Wi-Fi at McDonald's is a good thing, but we don't know the last time we wanted to mix our greasy Big-Mac-and-French-Fry-smeared hands and our pristine laptops (not to mention fingerprint-prone iPhone touchscreens).
And honestly, with the price of Quarter Pounders (not to mention Venti Lattes) lately, we're just as keen to pony up the $7.95- $21.95 a month fee for Boingo Wireless, which gives us unlimited access to not only Wayport and Boingo-affiliated wireless hotspots around the world, but also those of T-Mobile and AT&T.
After all, who actually plans to go to McDonald's? Isn't it usually a spontaneous, reckless binge that you fully regret later? And while we're on the subject, would you rather work or surf the Web in McDonald's or Starbucks? Do tell! [From: Mashable and AOL Money & Finance]
Popular 'WPA' Wi-Fi Security System Cracked by Expert
There are some limitations, as the data sent from a connected device to the compromised Wi-Fi router is apparently still safe, but anything headed the other way is wide open, and could even be supplanted by bogus bits sent from a Cheetos-munching hacker slouching in a rusty Ford Taurus in the parking lot.
Don't believe us? Tews was the guy able to crack WEP in under a minute last year, ironically advising people to switch to WPA ASAP at the time. We can only assume WPA2 is next.
Which Airlines Allow Online Porn?
Right now it breaks down like this: Southwest, American, and Delta will all be relying on content filters to restrict what travelers can access. Meanwhile, Virgin, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and US Air will all let surfers go wherever they like -- though some will be asking stewards and stewardesses to keep their eyes open. Who is in the right? We're inclined to say people are making a bigger deal out of this than it really is. There are far more important things to worry about, like prohibitive fees for checked baggage! [From: MSNBC]
Many College Students Prefer Wi-Fi to Beer, Study Claims
The vast majority of college students have been found -- in a recent survey -- to highly value Wi-Fi, according to an article we found on Propeller.com and TechnologyExpert.
Conducted by Wakefield Research, the study found that 90-percent of college students characterize Wi-Fi access as indispensable to their education. Close to 60-percent of them claimed that the availability of free wireless would determine whether or not they would attend a certain school.
While these numbers are slightly surprising, one statistic is truly mind-boggling. According to this survey, a staggering 48-percent of students would sooner give up beer than give up Wi-Fi. Upon reading this figure, we were given no choice but to seriously doubt the integrity of this report; it was, after all, commissioned by an organization called the Wi-Fi Alliance.
But, what if the study is right? Could it possibly be that college students today are more intent on studying than partying? What are the youth of our country coming to?
Our fears were somewhat allayed, though, when we saw that over half of these kids check MySpace and Facebook in class. That, at least, will truly prepare them for the workforce. [From: TechnologyExpert via Propeller.com]
US Soldiers in Iraq Finally Get Wi-Fi Network
Good news for those of you spending this autumn in sunny Iraq: According to Aruba Networks, the company has installed a secure Wi-Fi network in Iraq to provide Internet access for U.S. soldiers. The service is being provided to 20,000 U.S. soldiers serving at Joint Base Balad (the largest U.S. military base in the region). For the first time since the start of the war, soldiers are now able to securely surf the Web from their laptops, anywhere on the base's huge premises.
Of course, it's not just any wireless network that manages to do the job: This is what they call a "mesh-based network," the advantages of which include its capability to self-heal if access points are lost or die of heat exhaustion, and the network can be quickly moved if need be -- essential in this most unstable of regions.
Still, just the idea of being an IT guy tasked with fixing a network while avoiding sniper fire is stressing us out. [From: InformationWeek]
Online Porn On Planes? Not If Flight Attendants Can Help It
This all comes after American Airlines installed wireless Internet on 15 of its planes for a testing period a few weeks ago. Without citing any specific examples of travelers viewing smut or any other objectionable content -- but perhaps acting on a story that came out a few weeks ago about airlines not blocking in-flight Internet porn -- the Association of Professional Flight Attendants have contacted American's executives to voice their concerns. A union rep said they don't want to become "moral policemen" on board, but they also don't want to deal with the inevitable problems.
Naturally, the issue hinges on where to draw the line. The union cites the fact that passengers are barred from making Wi-Fi phone calls on planes and don't seem to have any qualms about it, so why not block porn and violence too? Others wonder whether to block sites or words, and if the airlines will even limit what DVDs a passenger watches. The one point nobody seems to be making is that you can still buy skin mags in the airport lounge. Shouldn't that have been addressed already? [Source: Bloomberg via Wired]
Airlines Won't Block 'Porn' on In-Flight Internet Access
At long last, Internet access is finally becoming consistently available on flights around the country (and the world). While most technophiles like us are completely jazzed at the prospect of surfing while jet-setting, other folks aren't so sure. As you can see from the above video, many parents and other porn-averse folks are concerned that mile-high-Wi-Fi will just open the door to some shady fliers surfing illicit porn sites as they cross the country. They might be right -- US Air is indicating it won't filter 'Net access, but will instead rely on its stewardesses to maintain the peace and handle any complaints.
This, too, has people up in arms, particularly the stewardesses who say they already have enough to do without having to worry about looking for smut (it sure is a long way from the days of 'Coffee, Tea, or Me.'). But we're inclined to think this is being blown way out of proportion. People have been watching R-rated DVDs and videos on laptops mid-flight for years now and we haven't exactly heard a flood of complaints yet.
What do you think? Should in-flight Internet be censored? [From: CNN]
Digital Cameras, Wireless, Summer Fun
Thief Caught After Stolen Wi-Fi Camera Sends Images Home
It was inevitable, really.
We've seen quick-footed thieves swipe GPS units that eventually led to their arrest and a bank robber who didn't even bother to close his clamshell while holding up the joint. Now, in the latest example of thieves caught by stolen gadgets, it looks like the nifty $100 Eye-Fi card -- which automatically and wirelessly uploads images to the Web from any camera whenever it hits a Wi-Fi hotspot - - is really paying off.
According to Reuters, Long Island resident Alison DeLauzon had her entire stash of camera gear (over $1,000 worth) stolen while taking a load off in Florida. Upon returning home and checking things out, she noticed that all of the snapshots taken prior to the theft were uploaded to the Web, and, upon closer inspection, she even noticed a clear shot of the remarkably idiotic crook.
After syncing up with the boys in blue, all of the gal's equipment was eventually returned, and some semblance of normalcy was finally returned. How's that for a feel good story, huh? [Source: Reuters]
[Image courtesy of Al]
Get Your Wi-Fi For 'Free,' But You Still Pay a Price
Wherever people go, from airports to hotels to coffee shops near home, Wi-Fi access is being offered for free, for a price.
A contradiction, you say? Let's take a look.
As an answer to the consumer expectation that wireless Internet access be given for free, many business that previously charged a fee for hourly or daily Wi-Fi use have been switching over to service models that combine a kind of advertising-supported access, a loyalty program or a combination of the two.
Airports, such as Denver International, switched from a paid to an ad-supported model last November and the Starbucks chain this spring is switching its Wi-Fi offering from a paid service provided by T-Mobile to service offered by AT&T that gives two hours of free Wi-Fi access per day to customers who use a Starbucks loyalty card at least once per month. (The company says most people only use one hour of service at a time.) Those without the loyalty card still have to pay a fee of $3.99 for two hours or $19.99 for a monthly unlimited access plan.
Clearly, a little caffeine and the free access option are the way the company wants its jittery clientele to go.
Airports and hotels that have switched from a paid to an ad-supported model have seen wireless use increase dramatically, and according to an article last week in the New York Times, the revenue from the advertising outpaces what they previously made by charging customers for the privilege. [Source: The New York Times]
World's Highest Wi-Fi Hotspot Now On Mt. Everest
China has the answer.
17,000 feet above sea level, at the base camp to Mount Everest, China Mobile has built a business office and Internet cafe. The Mount Qomolangma base camp provides mobile and Internet services to "government officials, mountain climbing members and journalists," reports China Daily.
The highest hotspot in the world was established to support the Olympic torch's journey across the so-called "rooftop of the world." The China Mobile office offers Wi-Fi access with remote payment, SIM change service and other basic services, "in addition to free film, vending machines and new business experience." China Mobile claims "about 40 to 50 people go to the office and Internet cafe every day to experience the services."
No word on the quality of their lattes. [Source: China Daily via CNET]
