Getting poked on a plane just got a lot easier, with the news that free Facebook access via in-flight WiFi will be offered by seven US airlines this month. North American flights for Virgin America, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, AirTran, US Airways and Alaska Airlines will be opening up their Gogo WiFi internet service for complimentary Facebook use, reports USA Today, though anybody wanting to check email or browse other sites will have to pay.
According to Gogo, Facebook is the most-visited site by flyers; the company and its airline partners is obviously hoping that users will get hooked with the free sample and opt for one of the per-flight access plans (that range from $4.95 to $12.95, depending on the length of the flight, or unlimited access for $34.95 per month). After February, we’re assuming the shutters go back down and Facebook addicts will have to pay for their access.
The Sony NGP may have a significantly more impressive spec sheet than its PSP predecessor, but there’s still confusion as to whether all versions of the console will have integrated 3G connectivity. While it’s on the spec sheet alongside WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, SCEE president Andrew House told Eurogamer that there will be 3G and non-3G versions of the NGP.
“The first thing to clarify, which I’m not sure the presentation did a perfect job of doing today, is that all of the devices will have Wi-Fi capability” he explained, while “a separate SKU will have 3G.” That would certainly help keep the cost of what – given the high-res OLED display and quad-core CPU – is likely to be a reasonably expensive handheld down, as well as give buyers wary of a 3G contract a way to avoid that.
However, confusing matters is an ITMedia tweet suggesting that all of the Japanese NGP versions will indeed have 3G. Now, it could be that Sony plans to only offer 3G SKUs there – perhaps with some sort of bundled data package – or it could be a mistake. We’ll hopefully find out more before the NGP launches later in 2011.
Texas Instruments may have been pipped to the post by NVIDIA when it came to getting an OMAP 4 chipset out the door, but it seems the company is leading the way in fancy calculators. Spotted crossing the FCC is the TI-Nspire CX Navigator, a WiFi b/g adapter intended for Texas Instrument’s TI-Nspire range of “learning handhelds” (as fancy calculators are now known).
The exact purpose of the wireless network adapter isn’t made clear in the FCC filing, but looking at TI’s site it would seem likely that the accessory will allow files to be transferred remotely to the TI-Nspire devices rather than requiring them to be physically connected to a computer. The company already offers one wireless system, so we’ll have to wait to find out how maths students will benefit from the updated version.
Altruism in the hotspot space? Certainly seems that way this morning, with carrier O2 announcing O2 WiFi, a public hotspot service that will offer free connectivity in venues across the UK no matter what cellphone or broadband provider you’re using. There won’t be national coverage to begin with, of course, but O2 is targeting “at least double” BT Openzone and The Cloud’s premium hotspots combined by 2013.
First up is replacing its existing 450 Cloud hotspots and starting the process of automatically registering O2 subscribers to the O2 WiFi service; that should be done by the end of 2011. Everyone else (or impatient O2 users) will be able to register for access separately.
While the move is obviously going to cost O2 some money, it seems they have their own network’s needs in mind as well. According to their sums, only 20-percent of O2 subscribers with inclusive hotspot access and a WiFi-enabled device actually make use of it; if the carrier can offload some of them onto WiFi from the 3G network, that should hopefully open up a little headroom and reduce overall load.
Press Release:
O2 redefines Wi-Fi landscape with launch of O2 Wifi
O2 outlines plans to offer seamless, fast and free internet for all, in venues across the country
O2 today announces its plans to deploy a market-changing public Wi-Fi platform in the UK, with the launch of O2 Wifi. O2’s premium hotspots will be managed through partnerships with key venue owners and will be open for all customers to access for free, no matter which mobile or broadband provider they are with.
O2 is aiming to create a scaled Wi-Fi platform that will be at least double the number of premium hotspots currently offered by BT Openzone and The Cloud combined by 2013. It will begin rollout immediately by replacing its existing 450 Cloud hotspots in its retail and office estate. It will continue to extend the reach and scale of O2 Wifi through partnerships with strategic venues, to include shops, restaurants, retail outlets and outdoor and indoor locations across the UK.
The O2 Wifi service will address the many shortcomings of current public Wi-Fi offerings by being genuinely free to customers, simple, fast and secure. O2’s mobile expertise and insight, allied with an enhanced quality of network connectivity and strong venue partnerships will now deliver a significantly enhanced user experience. O2 Wifi will introduce a new level of customer engagement, driving increased value for both the Wi-Fi hosting venue and the user by bringing together O2 Wifi with the capabilities of O2 Media and O2 Money to offer the potential to deliver relevant timely content that customers want in a format that suits them.
Access to the hotspots will be through a simple sign-up process and will be free to both O2 and non-O2 mobile customers, providing seamless connectivity to a high quality network. The sign up process will be auto provisioned for all O2 customers with Wi-Fi devices by the end of the year. All hotspots will be premium public hotspots, as opposed to using residential connections with limited bandwidth.
O2 has long been a market-leader in provision of public Wi-Fi services across mobile devices, introducing unlimited Wi-Fi access included in iPhone tariffs over three years ago. Through O2’s partnerships with BT Openzone and The Cloud, adoption and growth of Wi-Fi services has been significant with customers seeing real usage benefits.
O2’s New Business Development Director Tim Sefton said: “Building networks is a core capability. We have pioneered the explosion of mobile data over the last three years and know better than anyone where people are accessing data. O2 Wifi hotspots will bring high quality public Wi-fi access to the majority of mobile users.
“Only 20% of people who have access to free public Wi-Fi on O2 tariffs actively use it despite the majority of devices being Wi-Fi enabled. We know that Wi-Fi as a technology has great potential and can be a very fast service, however customers are discouraged by barriers which include complexity in activation, uncertainty of where Wi-Fi is free and the variable quality of the current experience.
“O2 is integrating new layers of technology into the existing network to enable a seamless and sustained customer experience. We are technology-agnostic and driven entirely by our customers’ needs. We believe that services should be delivered in the best possible way, across multiple networks, supported by different technologies.”
In addition, O2 is increasing investment in its mobile network by 25% in 2011. These investments will allow O2 to offer customers access to a suite of layered technologies, including 2G, EDGE, 3G, 4G, HSPA+ and Wi-Fi, seamlessly, simply and at speed. These technologies will enable customers to access a new range of ‘smarter’ services and experiences.
Bookshelf music systems have fallen from favor somewhat, with iPod docks taking over, but Grace Digital reckons there’s still a place for compact HiFis. The Wi-Fi Bookshelf Music System does exactly what it says on the tin: stream over 17,000 radio stations, 20,000 plus on-demand programs, and over 35,000 podcasts over a WiFi b/g/n connection to a compact audio system with separate speakers.
The box is compatible with with Pandora, Sirius XM Internet Radio, CBS Radio, iheartradio, Live365.com, MP3Tunes, NPR, National Weather Service, WeatherBug and Rhapsody, and since you’d probably go crazy trying to remember your favorites you can store ten stations as presets and 100 in an easy-access shortcut menu. There are also RCA and USB inputs for hooking up external sources and PMPs.
As for the speakers, they get 3.5-inch full range drivers, 1-inch tweeters, and a 16 watt RMS Class D digital amplifier to power them. Whether there’s still a market for this sort of micro-separates system remains to be seen, but Grace Digital is asking $249.99 for the privilege.
Press Release:
Grace Digital Audio Announces the Wi-Fi Bookshelf Music System, the First Ever Internet Radio Bookshelf System with 802.11n Connectivity
Unique micro-system features two high quality bookshelf speakers providing radio content from all over the world.
San Diego, Calif. – (January 20, 2011) – Grace Digital Audio, a leading brand of Wi-Fi internet radios and home audio solutions, is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the Wi-Fi Bookshelf Music System. Grace’s micro-system is the world’s first internet radio system to incorporate two bookshelf speakers and 802.11n connectivity. Grace’s micro-system is available now at www.GraceDigitalAudio.com for $249.99.
Ideal for your apartment, den, or office, Grace Digital’s Wi-Fi Bookshelf Music System is the perfect solution for someone looking for a powerful concert feel without the hassle, set up, and cost of a full home audio system. Grace’s micro-system includes two large bookshelf speakers featuring 3.5” full range drivers, 1” tweeters, and a 16 watt RMS Class D digital amplifier. The compact micro-system delivers a superior audio quality unmatched by smaller tabletop units, providing an inexpensive way to bring a home stereo experience to your internet radio.
The Wi-Fi Bookshelf Music System provides access to over 17,000 radio stations, 20,000 plus on-demand programs, and over 35,000 podcasts. Compatible with Pandora, Sirius XM Internet Radio, CBS Radio, iheartradio, Live365.com, MP3Tunes, NPR, National Weather Service, and new for 2011, WeatherBug and Rhapsody the number-one premium on-demand music service that provides access to 11 million songs for less that the price of an average CD. With RCA inputs and a USB connection, users can connect their iPod, CD player, PC or any additional audio source giving you access to all your music files.
Wi-Fi Bookshelf Music System features include:
• Two speakers equipped with 3.5” woofers and 1” tweeters
• Class D digital amplifier and rear ported full range speaker provides superior audio quality
• 10 station presets, up to 100 saved favorites, displays song/artist info, alarm clock radio, and remote control with Pandora controls
• Wirelessly stream music and stored audio files from your PC or Mac
• Built-in Wi-Fi 802.11n card connects directly to any 802.11 b/g/n wireless router
• RCA input/output, headphone connection, and USB port
Now shipping, the Wi-Fi Bookshelf Music System is available for $249.99 at GraceDigitalAudio.com, Amazon.com, and various retailers throughout the U.S.
The $35 tablet from India has fallen out of the spotlight since its debut back in July, 2010. The last time the device managed to rise above the water, was the allegations that the device wasn’t manufactured in India at all, but had been outsourced to China. Before that, it was rumored that the specifications for the device had found their way onto the ‘net, thanks to the similarities it held with another tablet device. But the tablet has popped up again, but with more disappointing news. It looks like the device could be facing a delay.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Times of Indiais reporting that the primary contractor for the $35 tablet has been dismissed. HCL Infosystems had been tagged as the main vendor of the tablet, but it seems that complications with further demands for new conditions, along with rumors that a Rs 60 crore ($13m USD) bank guarantee couldn’t be reached have lead to the vendor’s removal from the project.
Another interesting note to the story. It seems that the shipping and import costs for the tablet to make its way out of India are rounding up to be about Rs. 5700, or about $124. It will be interesting to see how this extra cost, which is significantly higher than the projected cost of the tablet itself, will affect the final pricing for the device.
Cisco has outed its latest flagship home router, the Linksys E4200, a simultaneous dual-band model supporting concurrent 2.4GHz and 5GHz use. The E4200 has four gigabit ports, plus a 3×3 antenna array for six in total, all internal so that the router doesn’t resemble a hedgehog.
There’s also a USB port for hooking up external storage or a printer and sharing that with the network, together with an on-board UPnP server for streamed music. Come the spring, Cisco expect to add IPv6 support to the E4200 too.
The Linksys E4200 is available now from Best Buy and Linksys direct, priced at $179.99; it’ll be available through other channels later in the year. All well and good, but with the number of network-ready devices proliferating, when are we going to see a home router with more than just four gigabit ethernet ports?
Press Release:
Cisco Supercharges Home Networking with New Linksys Maximum Performance Wireless Router
New Linksys E4200 Dual-Band Router with Innovative Design Gives Consumers the Speed and Range for the Ultimate Wireless Entertainment Experience
San Francisco, CA – Cisco today unveiled its best-in-class wireless home router – the Linksys® E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router. Designed for optimum home theater performance, the E4200 works seamlessly with the latest entertainment devices, including Internet TVs, iPad tablets, game consoles, smart phones, e-readers, and VoIP devices. This new router not only helps boost performance and range in the home, it provides industry-leading speed of up to 450 Mbps* for smooth streaming of video and music and uninterrupted gaming.
Building on the decade of leadership and innovation from Linksys, this latest state of the art router features simultaneous dual-band wireless-N, four gigabit ports, and a 3×3 antenna configuration that help give it unparalleled speed and range. Additionally, a combination of internal and external amplifiers coupled with six antennas help increase the signal strength across greater distances, providing improved home network coverage and reducing dead spots. The E4200 also features a next-generation industrial design that combines sleek contours with advanced functionality.
“Cisco’s Linksys line continues to lead the industry with innovative technology for the growing number of wireless-enabled homes”, said Simon Fleming-Wood, vice president of marketing, Cisco Consumer Products. “The new Linksys E4200 router is ideal for home entertainment enthusiasts who want to equip their homes with the latest wireless technology or anyone who wants the reassurance of outfitting their home with the best router on the market today.”
The research firm, IDC reports that worldwide shipments of wireless-N routers are expected to grow 158% from 2010 – 2014 and the number of household with multimedia networks will grow 103% over the same time period. (IDC, Worldwide Home Networking 2010-2014 Forecast Update, Doc.# 225479, Nov. 2010) These growth projections emphasize the need for high performance routers like the Linksys E4200 that will provide the speed and range connectivity throughout the home.
New Features for Storage, Sharing, and Simple Setup
The E4200’s new USB feature makes it easy to add external storage to the network and since it is an UPnP Media server as well, consumers can easily store, share and stream movies, music and games to other devices around the home. The USB port also has plans for converting to a Virtual USB port which will also enable printers to easily connect to the network so all users in the home can print wirelessly. The included Cisco Connect software continues to provide simple three-step setup and network management tools such as parental controls and guest access.
Product Details
Performance:
· Maximum performance of up to 300 Mbps (2.4) and up to 450 Mbps (5.0GHz)*
· Simultaneous dual-band (2.4 and 5.0 GHz) with four 10/100/100 gigabit ports
· 3X3 internal MIMO special stream configuration on the 5.0 Ghz band for ideal performance for streaming HD videos, gaming and voice
· Internal and external amplifiers for maximum speed at greater distances for added in-home mobility
· Six antennas for maximum range
Features:
· Quality of Service (QoS) for prioritizing bandwidth for movies, voice or music
· UPnP media server for adding on storage to serve your Internet-enabled TVs or media server PCs
· USB port for easily adding external storage drives
· New design
Software:
· Advanced security: WPA and WPA2 and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) Firewall
· Plans to support IPv6 in the spring
· Cisco Connect software for enabling simple setup, network management tools (parental controls, guest access) and optional advanced settings
Pricing and Availability:
The Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router is immediately available for an MSRP of $179.99 at Best Buy, Best Buy.com and the Linksys store at http://homestore.cisco.com. The E4200 will roll out to other retail and online retailers over the next few months.
For more information about Linksys and the E4200, please visit: http://home.cisco.com/4200
That’s right, the Novatel Wireless 4G MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot has won not only a Best in Show Award from Notebooks.com in the notebook accessories category, it’s also been recently awarded both the World Communication and Mobile Star awards. These additional awards are the 2010 World Communication Award (WCA) for Best Mobile Device Strategy and the Mobile Village Mobile Star Award for Best Laptop or Tablet Accessory. It’s hard to believe that such an integral piece of technology was created such a short period ago – well done, chaps!
The MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot is of course that little device that lets you simply press a button and be inside a personal cloud of high-speed internet for your notebook or other compatible mobile devices. Rob Hadley, CMO, Novatel Wireless notes “Notebooks.com, the WCA and Mobile Village are widely recognized as some of the most trusted awards programs in the industry and
it is an honor to be named a winner.” Take a peek at the full press release below:
Novatel Wireless 4G MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspots Honored with CES 2011
Best in Show Award from Notebooks.com
Recent Industry Accolades Also Include World Communication and Mobile Star Awards
SAN DIEGO – Jan. 18, 2011 – Novatel Wireless (NASDAQ: NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, today announced that its new 4G MiFi? Intelligent Mobile Hotspots were chosen as the Best Notebook Accessory at CES 2011 by Notebooks.com. This award adds to the growing list of industry accolades for the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot platform, which recently also garnered the 2010 World Communication Award (WCA) for Best Mobile Device Strategy and the Mobile Village Mobile Star Award for Best Laptop or Tablet Accessory.
The MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot is the industry leading dedicated mobile data device. The user-experience is a key element in the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot’s worldwide success. With the touch of a button, the MiFi creates a personal cloud of high-speed Internet connectivity that can be easily shared between multiple users and up to five Wi-Fi devices such as laptops, tablets, gaming devices and multimedia players. Unlike any other device, the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot is optimized for mobile data and ease-of-use, with dedicated and uninterrupted data sessions, optimized power management for data users, and advanced integrated antenna technology for maximum performance.
The MiFi platform, now with 4G mobile broadband speeds, serves as an intelligent, open platform built on the MiFi OS with a browser based web user interface, capable of hosting advanced software applications and flexible enough to address the continued evolution of mobile broadband.
“This industry recognition highlights the unrivaled functionality, flexibility and great user experience associated with the MiFi brand, as well as Novatel Wireless’ ongoing commitment to delivering the most innovative mobile broadband solutions to our customers,” said Rob Hadley, CMO, Novatel Wireless. “Notebooks.com, the WCA and Mobile Village are widely recognized as some of the most trusted awards programs in the industry and it is an honor to be named a winner.”
ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS
Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leader in the design and development of intelligent wireless solutions based on 2G, 3G and 4G technologies providing wireless connectivity. The Company delivers specialized wireless solutions to carriers, distributors, retailers, OEMs and vertical markets worldwide. Novatel Wireless’ Intelligent Mobile Hotspot products, software, USB modems, embedded modules and smart M2M modules provide innovative anywhere, anytime communications solutions for consumers and enterprises. Headquartered in San
Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ: NVTL. For more
information please visit www.novatelwireless.com. (NVTLG)
This release may contain forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended to date. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained herein. These factors include risks relating to technological changes, new product introductions, continued acceptance of Novatel Wireless’ products and dependence on intellectual property rights. These factors, as well as other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, are discussed in more detail in Novatel Wireless’ filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at www.sec.gov) and other regulatory agencies.
(C) 2010 Novatel Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless name and logo, Ovation™, Mobilink™ and MiFi® are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other Company, product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
Best Buy has added listings for three new iPad models, each tipped as “coming soon” and as having WiFi access. No mention of any 3G support is listed for any of the three SKUs – 1945674, 1945595 and 1945531 – only WiFi, making it perhaps unlikely that these are Verizon’s tipped incoming CDMA iPads; instead, it could be early listings for the second-gen iPad 2.
Two of the models are priced at $599.99, while the third is $100 more expensive, at $699.99. Best Buy has no images to accompany the listings, and each has the same “Apple iPad SKU WiFi” description and “Apple iPad” model.
Apple is expected to announce the iPad 2 later this quarter, perhaps as early as late-January or early February 2011. The tablet is expected to have a more squared-off design, together with new speakers and ports as evidenced by leaked iPad 2 cases, along with a higher resolution display and new, dual-core ARM Cortex A9 based processor.
Altruism in the hotspot space? Certainly seems that way this morning, with carrier 
