Hasta La Gadget!

Free access to London’s WiFi network on the Tube has ended today, with the Virgin Media-powered underground internet service kicking in its controversial WiFi Pass pricing scheme. Ending several months of free internet that has progressively rolled out cover 103 stations, the change in terms means users will have pay from £2 to get online; however, subscribers of certain UK networks will continue to get free access to the WiFi as part of their existing agreements.

Those on Vodafone, EE – or its Orange or T-Mobile UK brands – or Virgin Media will all be able to get online free, having inked wholesale access agreements to the WiFi network back in November 2012. Those on O2 and 3, however, will have to pay, as will those users wanting to connect with their WiFi-only tablets, notebooks, portable games consoles, and other devices.

Three tariff options are available, varying in price and length of access. Daily plans are £2 ($3) while a week’s access is £5 ($8); finally, a month’s access to the WiFi network is £15 ($24). Virgin Media says that those opting for the full monthly package in February will get three months access for the price of one.

Eleven new locations have been lit up today, and Virgin Media is apparently on track for 120 stations to be connected by the time March 2013 is through. You can find details on all the WiFi stations here, as well as price plan information. Those logging on without a plan will have access to up-to-date Tube timetables and service status.

London’s free Tube WiFi gets expensive is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Virgin America and YouTube have struck a deal, penning the video sharing website’s first distribution agreement with an airline. Beginning December 15, fliers will have access to five YouTube channels via Virgin’s in-flight video entertainment system. The best part? The content is free on flights to Mexico and within the United States.

The free content on the channels will include: H+ The Digital Series from Warner Bros., Crash Course and Written by a Kid from Geek and Sundry, Blue from WIGS, and The Key of Awesome from Barely Political. In making this content available, YouTube is expanding its audience and presenting its content offerings to a larger demographic of users, who may not be aware of the content it currently offers.

This reflects on Virgin’s stated goal of increasing the number of videos it offers four-fold, something it would do in conjunction with increasing the size of its 9-inch rear seat displays, which are available on a quarter of its US flights. This is in addition to the in-flight wireless Internet it offers on many of its flights.

Virgin already offers a variety of in-flight video content via other deals, bringing fliers content from Vevo, Funny or Die, Red Hour Digital, Stoodpid Monkey Productions, Barry Katz Entertainment, AEG, Vice, Rogue, Relativity Media, and more. Back in July, we reported that Virgin American was rated the top domestic airline for the fifth time straight.

[via Variety]

Virgin America and YouTube strike a deal on in-flight content is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Bell and Virgin Mobile will unlock the iPhone for those willing to pay a fairly high fee and who meet a couple of stipulations. The offer is for Canadian iPhone users, and was confirmed via two leaked memos that found their way to the tech site Mobile Syrup. The program started today, but will be “launched in a phased approach.”

In order to qualify for the current unlocking program, iPhone owners have to meet certain requirements that are revealed by the leaked memos. For starters, the iPhone must be owned outright, and cannot be on a contract plan. The iPhone owner must be a post-paid Bell or Virgin customer as well. Those who don’t meet all three requirements are out of luck.

Information that the two companies planned to offer an iPhone unlocking service first appeared over at iPhone In Canada, but was lacking in details. With this leaked memo, we get a nice glimpse into the stipulations and fee, but also a notice that additional information will be available in the near future. Says the leaked memo, the eligibility guidelines will be expanded during the “next Phase in 2013.”

Reads the Virgin Mobile leaked image: “Hey Peeps! Virgin Mobile is getting into the Holiday spirit by supporting our Members with unlocking their sweet iPhone! Starting Monday, November 26th, you’ll play the role of Santa’s little helper and assist in their request to unlock their iPhone.” Customers can take advantage of this service via Bell’s Credit and Prevention line, or via Virgin Care for Virgin Mobile customers.

[via Mobile Syrup]

Virgin Mobile and Bell now unlocking iPhones for a hefty fee is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you didn’t get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we’ve opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This past week, we found new smartphones at Virgin Mobile, Fido and Wind, along with a hefty new round of LTE expansion from AT&T. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the “best of the rest” for this week of November 12th, 2012.

Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of November 12th, 2012

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

Mobile Miscellany: week of November 12th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Nov 2012 21:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK broadband and home entertainment provider Virgin TV has launched a new streaming service for desktop browsers and smartphones, Virgin TV Anywhere, including remote control over their TiVo. The new service is a free extra for Virgin TV customers, and offers a selection of live streaming and on-demand content from Sky, BBC iPlayer, ITV, 4oD, Demand 5, Disney, Nickelodeon, and others. However, the service will only work over WiFi, not 3G connections, and mobile users will have to wait a while for on-demand shows.

There are as many as 45 channels at launch, though what you get to watch will depend on what Virgin TV package you’ve subscribed to at home. That means, if you’re a Sky Movies or Sky Sports subscriber, you’ll also get access to content from those channels while you’re out, just as long as you can find a WiFi connection.

Initial live streaming channel line-up:

Unfortunately, that isn’t the only limitation. Virgin says that on-demand access isn’t expected to land on the mobile client until sometime next year, and so until then it’s live streaming only. Update: You’ll also need to have a TiVo box in order to use the mobile app.

Initial on-demand channel line-up:

As for your Virgin-supplied TiVo, users will be able to use the remote control functionality – initially available for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch users – to remotely set recordings, delete shows, and rate them. It will also work as a touch-remote when users are actually at home in front of their TV.

Subscribers to Virgin TV can find the new Anywhere app for iOS in the App Store [iTunes link]; Virgin tells us an Android version will be out sometime in 2013. Up to two devices can be used with the service at any one time, and users can change them “on a monthly basis.”

Virgin TV Anywhere hits web and iPad/iPhone (but it’s not perfect) is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.