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Google provides free in-flight wi-fi

Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Google, Transportation, Wireless / WiFi,

free in-flight google wi-fi

Google announced on their blog this morning that they have teamed up with several airlines to provide free Wi-Fi service while in the air during the holidays. When you fly AirTran, Virgin America, and Delta between November 20 and January 2, you will have access to the Internet at no cost, thanks to Google. This is not the first year they've done this during the holidays, and it wouldn't surprise us to see people converge on those airlines to save on Internet access while on the move.

Verizon offers unlimited data plan

Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Wireless / WiFi,

Verizon just announced a new plan for mobile users that distinguishes it from it's past offers, as it's the first time in a while that the biggest network in the US offers a truly unlimited data plan. Customers in select areas are reporting receiving the offer by mail. For $70 a month, one would get 450 minutes, with unlimited text and data. According to Verizon, this is a promotion, so there's no telling if this plan will hold for a long time. Still, this is a first move which hopefully other carriers will start following, as we users download more and more data on our iOS and Android phones. If you're already a Big Red customer, this may be worth looking into if you're a heavy data user.

Verizon V CAST coming to Android handsets

Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Handhelds, Software, Wireless / WiFi,

v cast android

According to a Verizon statement, the Droid Incredible will receive an update soon that will include the V CAST apps. Here's the statement:

"Verizon Wireless will begin pushing a software update to the DROID Incredible next week. The update includes software enhancements that will pre-install V CAST Apps on the phone. We said earlier this year that we'd be expanding V CAST Apps to the Android platform, and the DROID Incredible is the first Android phone with the store. Developers continue to submit apps, and as a reminder, V CAST Apps allows carrier billing, so customers who purchase applications through our store will see those charges on their monthly bill. For more information about the update customers can go to www.verizonwireless.com/droidincrediblesupport."

It's worth noting that in the past, the Verizon apps have been unremovable, even though many users consider them to be of little use. It's too bad that such an open system like Android is being forced to host such carrier specific modifications. So look for that update hitting your device soon if you're using a Verizon Android device!

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3G service now available on Mount Everest

Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Smartphones, Wireless / WiFi,

This morning, Ncell, a subsidiary of cellular giant TeliaSonera, announced that 3G service is now available at the top of Mount Everest. While spotty, basic, 2G service was available before, thanks to an earlier network from China Mobile. Now people can make video calls, surf the web and post to Twitter from one of the most remote locations on Earth. This morning, the highest ever video call was placed from the Everest base camp. According to the spokesperson, "This is a great milestone for mobile communications as the 3G high speed internet will bring faster, more affordable telecommunication services from the world's tallest mountain."

Of course, this is more for publicity than anything else. There are still plenty of places with a significant population that still don't have coverage that would benefit from that kind of effort. Still, TeliaSonera did promise up to $100 Million to help reach the rest of the Himalayan nation's population, so hopefully this is a first step in a bigger effort.

Amazon Kindle 3 review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Handhelds, Product Reviews, Wireless / WiFi,

With the release of the iPad, many started writing off dedicated eBook readers like the Kindle and the nook, saying there was no place for devices that were dedicated to doing just one task when there are more powerful devices that can do the task just as well, while also meeting a myriad of other needs. Sure, in theory, that sounds about right; but you have have to take things like price into account. With the third generation Kindle, Amazon decided they’d rethink the price structure for the Kindle eBook reader, while also revamping the design a bit. Rather than going full color like many were hoping for, Amazon instead made the decision to try and make the best eBook reader on the market, and to sell it at an extremely competitive price. They announced the third gen Kindle a month ago, and it has finally started arriving on the doorsteps of eager buyer. So, how’d they do? Read on for our full review.

Click to continue reading Amazon Kindle 3 review

Unlimited Data on Virgin Mobile USA for $40 a Month

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Smartphones, Wireless / WiFi,

Virgin Mobile Unlimited Data $40 a month

If AT&T‘s decision to cut the unlimited data plans to a finite amount has you jittery, fear not Virgin Mobile customers! You can rest at ease knowing that your “unlimited” plan is truly unlimited for just $40 every 30 days. If you are a frugal user of data on your cellphone, then you may still want to hang on to your $20 a month 300MB plan. But hardcore net addicts and perpetrators of extreme Facebooking will want to shell out the extra doe for an endless supply of data packets. Virgin Mobile users can make the choice August 24th.

T-Mobile G2 Android smartphone first to use HSPA+

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi,

Okay, so we know that T-Mobile launched their super-fast HSPA+ network recently, and up to this point, only data-specific devices are able to take advantage of those increased speeds. However, that’s about to change with the impending launch of the T-Mobile G2. Yup, the G1, the first Android phone to hit the market a couple of years ago, is finally getting its successor in the G2, and it’ll be the first phone to support HSPA+ speeds. It will be available next month, and it’ll be built by HTC (which means it should be awesome.) Here’s a statement from T-Mobile on the news:

“T-Mobile is proud to have launched the world’s first Android-powered phone, the T-Mobile G1, which captured the imagination of developers and consumers alike nearly two years ago. Now, we are readying its successor - the T-Mobile G2 with Google. Delivering tight integration with Google services, the G2 will break new ground as the first smartphone specifically designed for our advanced HSPA+ network, which delivers today’s available 4G speeds. In the coming weeks we’ll share more details about the G2, including information on how current T-Mobile customers can get exclusive first access. Visit http://g2.t-mobile.com to register for updates.”

Apple Battery Charger makes wireless devices less annoying?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Editorial, Features, Wireless / WiFi,

I was thinking about why Apple would want to release their Apple Battery Charger product, since you can pretty much get batteries anywhere, and I think it comes down to Apple wanting to do their part in eliminating the annoyance that many have with changing batteries when a device runs out of juice. With the introduction of the Magic Trackpad, Apple now has three devices that are powered by AA batteries, with the other two being their wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse. According to Apple, they were able to come into the battery market with a few key advances. One such feature is an intelligent power management system so that once the batteries are charged fully, it goes into a low power state, using about 90% less power than your average charger. That’s nice. The batteries also have a long service life, which Apple says is up to 10 years. Also nice. Still though, this isn’t really a market that Apple needed to be in.

In our opinion, Apple’s goal here was to innovate a bit for the benefit of their own products. They sell you six batteries so you can have two in a wireless keyboard, and two in a Magic Trackpad or Magic Mouse, and then you can also have two always in the charger, ready to be swapped. It pretty much eliminates worry of running out of juice, which gives you all of the benefits of having wireless devices with none of the drawbacks since you always have two fresh batteries ready for you (unless you somehow have both the wireless keyboard and the pointing device run out at the same time.)

We like the strategy. You can pick up the Apple Battery Charger for $29 from Apple.

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Amazon introduces a thinner, lighter Wi-Fi Kindle for $139

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Hot Deals, Wireless / WiFi,

This evening, Amazon introduced us to their new Wi-Fi Kindle ebook reader, and we’ve gotta say, we think they’ve done it again. Hot on the heels of the release of the newly redesigned Kindle DX, the new Kindle is 21% smaller and 15% lighter than the Kindle 2. You don’t lose out on screen real estate though, since the Kindle keeps its 6-inch display size, although the e-ink screen now sports 50% better contrast and 20% faster page refreshes. It now packs 4GB of storage space, which can hold up to 3,500 books. Even better, though, is that Amazon is pricing this at just $139. That’s a significant price drop from the Kindle 2. If you want the new Wi-Fi model, but also want the free 3G connectivity, Amazon will be selling a 3G model for $189, which is still a huge savings from what the Kindle 2 sells for. Here are the links for those who want to pre-order:

The new Kindle will be released on August 27th, and if you pre-order, you’ll receive it that same day. It’s available in both white and graphite.

Apple Magic Trackpad now available for $69

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, PC / Laptop, Wireless / WiFi,

So, looks like that wireless trackpad peripheral that’s been rumored and leaked has become official, and it’s called the Apple Magic Trackpad. It’s basically a larger version of the trackpad found on the Macbook Pro. Aluminum, glass-covered, and multitouch. It communicates with your Mac over Bluetooth, takes two AA batteries (included,) and requires Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.4. You can pick one up now for $69.

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