Hasta La Gadget!

iPass is offering anyone with plans to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama next week a free trial account with full access to the iPass virtual network of Wi-Fi hotspots around the nation’s capitol.

iPass says it has 200 hotspots in a five-mile radius around central Washington, D.C. Considering the crowds that are expected, 3G networks are likely to be tied up, so having Wi-Fi backup is a good idea if you must stay connected…and you can keep testing it through April. This trial will work on iPhone/iPod touch and Windows computers. The trial will be good for three months.

Send an email to nandari@ipass.com to get a username/password for the trial (and to get a link to download the Windows client software). Limit is one trial account per person. Typical cost to get access at iPass hotspots in North America is $29.95 per month on laptops, and starts at $6.95 a month for iPhones if you get a one year contract.

Aircell already managed to coerce American, Delta, Virgin America and Air Canada into installing its Gogo in-flight internet equipment into at least a few of their airplanes, and now United Airlines can proudly say that it’s no longer looking in from the outside. Starting this year, a baker’s dozen of the company’s Boeing 757s — which will fly between John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and California’s Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport — will be armed and ready with WiFi for the people. Pricing will remain set at $12.95 for the entire flight, and service is expected to roll out during the second half of this year.

Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

Aircell’s Gogo in-flight internet coming to United Airlines originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WiFi cameras are far from new — over the past couple of years, we’ve seen P&S after P&S arrive with minimal functionality that would allow it to sync pictures with one specific online photo portal (or similar). Sony has stepped up the game for cameras to come with the Cyber-shot DSC-G3, which is the first of its kind to include a web browser for logging into pay-hotspots and uploading to practically any photo sharing site on the web. Popular Science got to handle one for a few weeks, and in the end, they were in love with the idea but hesitant to praise the execution. The T700-turned-wireless took satisfactory pictures, but the browser experience was less than awesome. You can hit the read link for all the dirty details, but unless you’re willing to deal with “agonizingly” slow load times, you’re probably better off waiting for the next revision. Or for some other company to whip out a bona fide competitor.

Filed under: CES, Digital Cameras

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 WiFi camera reviewed: wait for generation two originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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G2 Microsystems has just announced a rather sweet near-range technology that will enable products like headphones, speakers, etc. to connect directly to Intel My WiFi-enabled laptops sans fuss. The company’s device is hailed as a “fully calibrated WiFi networking module” that can speak directly to an Intel My WiFi, Centrino 2-based computer. Ideally, users will eventually be able to quickly print and sync between digiframes and photo archives, and the ultra-low power draw should keep batteries happy. Now, the real question: anyone stepping up to spearhead adoption?

Filed under: CES, Peripherals, Wireless

G2 Microsystems demoes Intel My WiFi Personal Area Network originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It doesn’t exactly have a lot to show for itself just yet, but Top Global has just announced a reference design for what it claims is the world’s first dual mode 3G USB modem and WiFi hotspot combo. Dubbed the 3GSpot, the device is software configurable to support all cellular standards, and the basic design is able to support multiple bands to ensure compatibility with carriers around the world, which Top Global says will let OEMs have one design/SKU that simply requires different firmwares for different markets. The device will apparently even boast on-board GPS “at no extra cost,” not to mention all the usual security measures and, at just 2.5 x 4-inches, it’ll be able to be integrated or simply offered as a standalone device. All that, of course, depends on some OEMs hopping on board, and Top Global unfortunately doesn’t seem to be ready to announcing anything on that front just yet.

Filed under: Peripherals, Wireless

Top Global announces 3GSpot USB modem / WiFi hotspot originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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