NEW YORK, 8:02 PM, THU AUG 7 | 60 POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS | tips@gizmodo.com | RSS
UK | FR | NL | IT | DE | ES | JP | AU
Posts Tagged “

705 wifi

Caption Contest: 'Free WiFi' Knuckle Tattoos My attempt: "Well, at least they won't get outdated as quickly as my Free Willy tattoo." Surely, you can do better. [LiveJournal via Gawker]

spectrum auction

FCC Planning New Spectrum Auction With Free Broadband for All

It looks like the FCC is taking up Congresswoman Anna Eshoo's dopey scheme to deliver internet to the masses with another spectrum auction that would require the winner to offer free broadband to half of the US within four years, and 95 percent sometime after that. A nearly impossible task, on top of being silly in the first place, so don't expect anyone to volunteer to pay for the privilege. There's no set date for this proposed auction of 25MHz in the 2155 to 2180MHz range, but the FCC is planning to meet on June 16 to discuss the rules of the fail sale. [RCR Wireless News]

apple

FCC Filing Teases WiMAX Option for Future Apple MacBooks

A new FCC filing for an Intel 5350 WiFi/WiMAX combo card that fits into Mini PCI Express slots is probably the best evidence yet for future WiMAX functionality in Apple MacBooks, but it's still far from a confirmation. The bottom line is that with the new card, the WiMAX option officially exists for MacBooks, but as of yet there are no drivers written that would allow it to work with Apple's line of laptops. You could actually hack your laptop and plug the card in just fine as it is now, but without the drivers (which do exist for Windows), it's pretty useless. That said, the drivers—especially with Intel Macs—are a mere Leopard update or MacBook redesign away. [FCC Filing via ComputerWorld]

iphone

AT&T Changes its Mind Again, No Hotspot Access for iPhone Users

AT&T has flip-flopped yet again on the issue of iPhone customers getting free access to AT&T hotspots. While yesterday the iPhone plans page clearly stated that access to the hotspots was included with all plans, that statement is now gone again. Hey, AT&T: why don't you make up your minds and be clear about this? This is ridiculous. [AT&T via I4U]

gps

Archos Updates the 605 Wi-Fi With GPS, Mobile TV and Flash Video

The 605 WiFi PMP was cool and all, but it has been given new life thanks to an add-on that delivers driving directions and free or paid traffic notification in addition to its normal media functions. The system is even sophisticated enough to simulate position changes in the event that a signal is lost. There is also a new Web TV and Radio plugin that will give users access more than 9,600 Web radio stations, 600 Web TV stations and 110,000 podcasts streamed live over the Internet. It will also feature full support for Adobe Flash 9 and WMV9.Update: Some new info about streaming TV and a movie deal with Paramount.
More »

digital cameras

Lumix DMC-TZ50 Coming to US, with T-Mobile Hotspot Access

Remember that saucy little Lumix with the Wi-Fi and free photosharing that was Japan only? Well, Panasonic is releasing the nine-megapixel point-and-shoot over here, and it's going to come with a year's free access to T-Mobile Hotspots. The TZ-50 is available in silver, and will cost $450 when it comes out next month. [Wired]

flying

Aircell Gets Two Key Approvals from FAA, Paves Way for In-Flight Broadband

Aircell, a company setting up a broadband network for use while flying, just received two critical FAA approvals that clears the way for the rollout of in-flight broadband in the near future. The first approval allows Aircell to run its network on commercially operating Boeing 767-200 planes, while the second authorizes the company to manufacture aircraft parts in its Bensenville, IL plant. Both are pretty important, clearly, so it's good to see that we're heading in the right direction towards you beautiful people being able to leave comments on Giz from 30,000 feet. [Aircell via SlipperyBrick]

internet

Chrysler Cars With In-Car Internet and WiFi This Year; Road Safety Stats Set to Plummet

Chrysler has announced its intention to bring internet access to its vehicles. The functionality will be added to existing models this year, and will be followed by assembly line produced, internet ready automobiles. The connections will rely on mobile phone towers and a monthly subscription charge will be levied on those taking up the service. Talking about the development, a Chrysler spokesperson said: More »

digital cameras

Nine-Megapixel Lumix DMC-TZ50 Has Wi-Fi, Photo-Sharing

May sees the Japanese release of Panasonic's Lumix DMC-TZ50, a nine-megapixel point-and-shoot with built-in wifi, meaning you can upload your photos directly to the web. At the moment only the Lumix Club that gets to host your pics, but restrictions will probably be lifted when the TZ50 gets a global release. There's also a 10x zoom and Leica lens, a three-inch LCD screen, and night- and face-recognition abilities. [Panasonic Japan via Ascii through Google Translate]

nokia

Nokia N810 Tablet Gets a $90 Price Drop

The powers that be over at Nokia have officially dropped the price of their N810 tablet by $90, bringing it down to a slightly more affordable $389.99. Hell, at that price buy two! [Nokia]

gps

G-FI: "The World's First Wireless GPS Accessory for the iPhone"

Hot off the heels of yesterday's press event, PosiMotion is laying claim to the first wireless GPS accessory for the iPhone and iPod touch. I'm sure the built in locator and google maps program will be just fine for most, but the GPS add-on will actually be compatible with any device with a Wi-Fi connection, but will ship with software to allow for proper iPhone/iPod touch integration. The G-FI is said to be in the final stages of production, and it shall be released in the "next few months," whatever that means. In the meantime, make do with the rendering of the G-FI unit, which shows it running on the late Cingular network. PosiMotion, it's back to the Photoshop with ye. [G-FI; Thanks, Tony. M]

laptops

HTC Shift UMPC Now Available in the US

It took damn near forever, but the HTC Shift—the UMPC that was supposed to change your mind about UMPCs—has finally hit store shelves in the States. To refresh your memory, the features include an 800 Mhz processor, Vista Business, 1GB RAM, a 40GB HD, Quad-Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, HSDPA/UMTS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Unfortunately, it will cost you more than many conventional laptops at $1629.99. [onthegosolutions]

wireless

Australians Boast 5Gbps Wireless Speeds

As usual, just as 802.11n is being finalized news hits about a much faster wireless specification. An Australian NICTA team claims to have made a CMOS chip capable of 5Gbps transmission speeds at a distance of 32ft. Their so called "GiFi" transmitter is small and cheap, but is not yet approved by the IEEE nor independently speed tested. Even if this is real, the 2W power consumption will prevent it from dethroning 802.11n in mobile devices. [Ars]

hacks

Give WiFi Leechers Computer Rage With Executable Command Fun

WiFi leechers can be a real pain in the ass; they'd happily eat up your bandwidth even if you told them your life depended on it, which given our social existence, it pretty much does. The guys over at Ex Parrot have come up with a great plan to serve up some ice cold revenge to the culprits, which will have their browser displaying characters back-to-front, upside down or in an annoyingly blurred out fashion. You'll have to run some commands to get your pay back, but the how to makes it a cinch. Let us know if you hear any sounds of outrage from the sponging neighbors. Heh, serves them right. [Ex Parrot via Hack n Mod]

starbucks

AT&T Bringing Free Wi-Fi to Starbucks (Finally!)

AT&T is popping Wi-Fi hotspots at over 7,000 Starbucks stores, exploding their own network and razing T-Mobile's biggest Wi-Fi front in one fell swoop. And they're offering the true killer app: Two hours of free Wi-Fi a day to Starbucks Card holders (like the gift cards, so just pre-pay for your fix) and unlimited internets to AT&T's broadband customers and Starbucks slaves. Update: Even though T-Mobile has actually gotten the boot from Starbucks, AT&T is letting T-Mo customers keep using the hotspots for no extra fee. More »

stereo

Concept Stereo Adds Cuddle-ability to the Mix

The base unit in this "Bamboo" concept sound system has a display, CD slot, controls and wireless connectivity, but the clever action is in its detachable speakers. Their curving LED display acts as a music visualizer, and when mated to the base they charge up—but when you unbolt them and connect them together directly, they become a portable unit that is comfy enough to snuggle up to when you're in bed. At least, that's the opinion of designer Soohyuk Im—we'd be happy to give the final word on the subject if the concept ever becomes reality. [Yankodesigns]

free wi-fi

AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspots Now Free for Broadband Subscribers

Good news, AT&T broadband subscribers! You will soon get free access to AT&T's 10,000+ Wi-Fi hotspots, which is nice if you hang out mostly at Barnes & Noble, McDonald's, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and airports. [AT&T]

home entertainment

Archos TV Plus Wireless DVR to Arrive at CES 2008

Those charming froggies from Archos are coming to CES 2008 with the new Archos TV Plus, their personal-video-recorder-streaming-box-Internet box we showed you in 2007. We still don't have prices for this 250GB Wi-Fi high definition box, but at least now we have nice clear product pictures. [Archos via Übergizmo]