Tag: wi-fi
BT partners with Fon to create UK Wi-Fi sharing network
In a surprising move, BT has partnered with Spanish firm Fon, giving their blessing (and resources) to the public Wi-Fi sharing service. It's surprising because it was believed that some ISPs would be against Fon's ethos, given that broadband customers…
Apple's iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store goes live for iPhone
Over in the US, iPhone owners are feeling gleeful today, after the release of iPhone firmware 1.1.1. Well, apart from the people who’ve unlocked their iPhones, who are probably feeling a bit anxious for good reasons.
But anyway, the reason for celebration is that 1.1.1 includes Apple’s iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store application, allowing iPhone users to purchase and download songs over the air. Appleblog TUAW has been trying it out, and is impressed:
iRobot launches ConnectR remote-controlled VoIP video robot
Having unveiled the Looj gutter-cleaning robot earlier today, iRobot has now shown off another new bot, the ConnectR. It’s a ‘virtual communication and interaction’ robot designed for families.
Basically, it hooks up to your home Wi-Fi network, and lets you dial in remotely to have videochats and VoIP calls with people in the house (or pets, weirdly – if your dog doesn’t mind woofing into a communication robot).
Wii gets X-OOM Media Centre to stream music, films and photos via Wi-Fi
Nintendo hasn’t exactly pushed Wii as a multimedia machine, preferring to focus on the gaming aspects first and foremost. But other companies have a different idea. X-OOM Software has just unveiled its X-OOM Media Centre product, which lets you stream music, movies and photos to your Wii from your PC, using Wi-Fi.
Patent reveals Microsoft's amazing plans for Zune playlist sharing
Despite shifting more than a million units of its first-generation Zune player, Microsoft is constantly fending off accusations that the device has been a flop. However, with Zune 2.0 on the horizon, some genuinely groundbreaking new features might help it turn the corner.
Check this patent out. It was filed by Microsoft last year, and describes two features that could make Zune a contender. First: a system to analyse your music listening habits, and push new stuff down to your Zune (with permission, obviously).
iPhone UK launch: Everything you need to know about Apple's plans
So, Steve Jobs jetted over to London for this morning’s iPhone UK launch, announcing that the handset goes on sale on 9th November exclusively on O2, costing £269 if you sign up to an 18-month contract. We’ve been covering the launch in-depth, as you’d expect.
For the basic details of the UK iPhone, read our news story. If you want to see how things panned out at the launch, check Susi’s liveblog. Meanwhile, Alex has been doing the sums to work out exactly how much a UK iPhone will cost you in the long run.
iPhone UK launch: Does The Cloud Wi-Fi deal mean no Apple / Starbucks partnership in the UK?
Right, so Apple has announced that the iPhone will go on sale in the UK on 9th November, and us Brits will have free access to over 7,500 Wi-Fi hotspot run by The Cloud, which includes McDonalds, several football clubs and the entire financial district in London.
But what about Starbucks? In the US, Apple has tied up a deal with the coffee retailer to offer free Wi-Fi to iPhone and iPod Touch users, yet here in the UK, Starbucks’ Wi-Fi hotspots are run by… T-Mobile. Which is a rival to O2, the exclusive UK mobile operator for iPhone.
iPhone UK launch: Free iPhone Wi-Fi in City of London, McDonalds, and Arsenal / Chelsea / Manchester United stadia
The news that Apple hasn’t shoehorned 3G into the UK iPhone will disappoint many people here, even if it wasn’t a huge surprise (not least because if the company had, can you imagine the backlash from iPhone users in the US?)
At the launch this morning, Steve Jobs said battery life is what’s stopping Apple releasing a 3G iPhone, with the claim that a 3G model’s talktime would be cut to 2-3 hours, rather than Apple’s preferred 5+. Instead, Jobs talked up the faster speed of Wi-Fi surfing, and offered us Brits the carrot of a deal with Wi-Fi hotspot provider The Cloud for free access through its 7,500 UK hotspots.
LINDY launches Wireless VGA projector server
LINDY has announced its new wireless VGA projector server, which allows a projector or display monitor to be added, without cabling, to a local area network. It all sounds a bit "business-y", being targeted more at those running business…
High-speed Eurostar trains hit the UK… at last!
It’s taken a while, but the high-speed Eurostar track in the UK has finally been christened, cutting the time between London and Paris to 2hrs 3min. The new track will allow trains to zip along at 199 miles per hour on this side of the Channel.
