Wi-Fi

Privacy--who needs it? The creators of WeFi don't seem to think much of it, although that might not be a bad thing

Today the company, which offers up a pretty svelte little replacement for Windows' clunky Wi-Fi manager, is launching two new items: a mobile application for Windows Mobile users (which could soon be SideKick users too), along with a Facebook application to help users track people using the service. Oddly enough, in all its news release bravado the company failed to offer up a link to said Facebook application, and it's not in the directory--so I can'… Read more

At the GSMA World Congress, Motorola has shown you can't judge a company by the size of its trade show booth. Though Moto had a sizable booth--and a swanky, two-story meeting area (complete with a bar)--the company's ho-hum announcements were barely audible above the din of the show floor.

Moto's biggest news, which, trust me, isn't saying much, is the Motorola Z6w. Identical to the Z6tv, and Z6c, the Z6w sports the slider design that was started by the Motorola Rizr Z3. Curiously, Motorola said it is dropping the Rizr name from its lineup, so … Read more

Ubiquitous caffeine conglomerate Starbucks has ended its Wi-Fi partnership with T-Mobile in favor of one with AT&T.

Under the earlier plan with T-Mobile, Starbucks customers needed a paid subscription to access the in-store Wi-Fi service, and T-Mobile HotSpot subscribers will continue to have access to Starbucks Wi-Fi thanks to an agreement between AT&T and T-Mobile. But the new AT&T plan allows all customers 2 free hours per day, with a $3.99 fee for additional 2-hour chunks of time. Monthly subscriptions will cost $19.99 and will enable access to other AT&T … Read more

EarthLink is selling off its municipal Wi-Fi business, the company's CEO said Thursday night during its fourth-quarter 2007 conference call. No buyer has been found, but the business, which has been drastically scaled back from its original vision, is now officially on the auction block.

The news comes as no surprise to those who have been watching the company slowly unravel its citywide Wi-Fi strategy for several months. The strategy seemed doomed ever since the death of former EarthLink CEO Garry Betty, who lost his battle with cancer early last year.

By summertime, the company's new CEO, Rolla Huff, … Read more

I just tested my first wireless printer (a Brother HL-2170w laser) and I'm loving it.

I put it in the corner, it prints. I put it in a closet, it prints. I stick it in an entirely different room, it prints. I'm sold.

If you want to get in on this wireless action yourself, Circuit City has the Lexmark Z1480 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer for a ridiculously low $29.99 (after a fairly substantial $50 mail-in rebate).

There are no crazy shipping charges either, though you'll likely pay sales tax.

The Z1480 includes both USB and 802.… Read more

In case it's not abundantly clear by now, I'm a bit obsessed with MP3 players. Today's deal: the 4GB SanDisk Sansa Connect, which sold for $250 when it debuted about 9 months ago but can now be had for just $89.46 shipped.

Why the steep initial price tag? The Sansa Connect leverages built-in Wi-Fi to stream Internet radio, download music from online stores, view Flickr photos, and share tunes with other Sansa users anywhere in the whole wide world! (Microsoft's Zune has Wi-Fi, too, but it's limited to wireless syncing and local sharing.)

The … Read more

It's been well documented in this space that people have become increasingly addicted to their remotes, but the problem is reaching pandemic proportions. Not only do they want to take it with them all at times and under any weather conditions, but apparently they also want it to take over every digital function in their lives.

Nothing exemplifies this trend more than tvCompass, which has developed a Wi-Fi remote that can browse the Web on its 2.2-inch cell-phone-style LCD, according to Dvice. In addition to controlling up to 24 devices, the SR 1500 Digital Media Remote even has &… Read more

Southwest Airlines is experimenting with in-flight WiFi. I guess this means that the first 20 passengers to shove and push their way to the front of the line will get the WiFi. Everyone else will be hosed. :-)

Southwest says it isn't allowing cell phone calls on the service, despite the fact that the technology allows VoIP calls. Is it planning to block VoIP? It's not saying.

One question lingers: When will it put electrical outlets on the planes? It's nice to have WiFi, but somewhat useless to do so without a constant feed of electricity to … Read more