T-Mobile G2 OTA update brings Wi-Fi and Hotspot creation

Posted in T-Mobile by Conner Flynn on October 12th, 2010

T-Mobile G2 owners could not have been happy about the recent loose hinge and missing storage issues, but we have some good news that might ease their pain. T-Mobile has just released an over-the-air update for the phone, offering features like Wi-Fi Calling, mobile hotspot creation and also some performance tweaks.

You can expect the rollout to be done in stages. Now we can only hope that those hardware issues will also be addressed.

FedEx to offer free Wi-Fi at its stores

Posted in Wi-Fi by Conner Flynn on October 7th, 2010

If you spend much time in a FedEx office, we have some good news. FedEx has announced that it’s offering free Wi-Fi access to about 1,000 of its FedEx Office Print & Ship Center locations around the US. It will be powered by AT&T and will be arriving in its other stores by the end of October, bringing the total number of locations that offer free Wi-Fi closer to 1,600 in all.

That includes former Kinkos stores, which FedEx recently took over. The idea is to draw in extra business customers who need to keep working while they’re shipping packages.

Samsung WMG160 Wi-Fi streaming device

Posted in Samsung by Conner Flynn on August 12th, 2010

Samsung has announced a bunch of new accessories for the Galaxy S smartphone recently and here is another. The WMG160 Wi-Fi streaming device. It’s capable of enabling a Galaxy S smartphone to stream multimedia content to the HDTV in resolutions of up to 720p without wires.

It will also play nice with a wide range of other Wi-Fi equipped gadgets that support DLNA. The WMG160 will retail for around 84GBP, no idea about a price stateside if it ever comes here.

Sam’s Club to offer free WiFi

Posted in Wi-Fi by Conner Flynn on August 11th, 2010

Soon when you hit Sam’s Club to stock up on toilet paper and fruit loops, you’ll also be able to get free internet. That’s because Sam’s Club is working with AT&T to add free WiFi to all its US stores by November. The store will also enable connectivity for its IPTVs so customers can view Web applications like Facebook and Pandora on big-screen TVs before they decide to buy.

Sam’s Club is also planning a smart phone app that will include access to discounts, product information and user reviews.

NY Subway to get WiFi

Posted in Wi-Fi by Conner Flynn on August 1st, 2010

Six station platforms near 14th Street will be wired for WiFi and cellular service, despite delays and a $900 million dollar deficit. It’s part of a longstanding initiative by the NYC Transit Authority. Plans for passengers to receive calls and check their email between stops have been underway for two years, but a huge $200 million contract with Australian firm Transit Wireless LLC is making it happen finally.

After the stations near 14 Street, Transit Wireless has four years to bring the rest of New York’s subway system into the digital age.

Samsung unveils ST80 camera with WiFi, swiveling-lens, HMX-E10 pocket camcorder

Posted in Cameras by Conner Flynn on July 28th, 2010

Samsung ST80 is the latest digital camera to feature Wi-Fi, allowing you upload images directly via DLNA or email. It features 3x optical zoom, a 3″ WQVGA touchscreen display, 720p 30fps H.264 video recording, and Samsung’s Smart Crop feature that lets you take angled shots with the ability to straighten them up.

Expect this one to hit the market in September for $250. Perfect for those who want to transfer photos from their camera to a computer without a physical cable.

iRiver Story eBook Reader gets WiFi

Posted in iRiver by Conner Flynn on July 11th, 2010

It’s been a while since we had some new news on the iRiver Story. The device has undergone some changes since then. The most interesting change is the inclusion of WiFi.

WiFi was definitely something the device needed. The other big change? The name. It will now be known as the iRiver WiFi Story EB03.

Toshiba’s new Wi-Fi enabled memory card sends pics to other cards, uploads to the web

Posted in Memory by Conner Flynn on June 24th, 2010

Toshiba has a new SD card standard that integrates Wi-Fi with data storage. The “Standard Promotion Forum for Memory Cards Embedding Wireless LAN” has been founded by Toshiba and Singapore-based Trek 2000 International Ltd. The Eye-Fi has been around for a while, so this isn’t entirely new.

This card can connect with another one like it to exchange files, like over Bluetooth. They can also upload directly onto the web. The new card is compliant with the SD memory card standard, supports IEEE 802.11b/g and has an 8-gigabyte capacity.

Vizio unveils dual-band HD router, WiFi Blu-ray players

Posted in Routers by Conner Flynn on June 22nd, 2010

Vizio may have concentrated on WiFi-equipped TVs at CES this year, but now it is expanding to other devices with the announcement of three WiFi-equipped Blu-ray players, and a dual-band ‘HD” router to go with them. The router is the XWR100, which prioritizes HD media streamed to Vizio’s VIA-enabled devices.

Devices like the three newly announced sleek Blu-ray players. The VBR210, VBR220 and VBR231. The VBR231 is the first dual-band wireless Blu-ray player, and all include Vizio Internet Apps (or VIA) to stream content from Vudu, Netflix and other services.

Nook Wi-Fi now available for $150, Nook 3G $200

Posted in ebooks by Conner Flynn on June 21st, 2010

Great news for Nook fans. Looks like an all-white, Wi-Fi only version goes on sale today for $150. Better news is that the 3G version has also dropped by $60. That means that the classic nook is now $200. The only differences between the $150 Wi-Fi nook and the $200 3G nook are: Wi-Fi vs 3G, the Wi-Fi has a white back, the 3G has a grey back and the Wi-Fi is 11.6 ounces while the nook 3G is 12.1 ounces.

You are good to go with either, but that $200 Nook is worth it just to make sure you have perpetual, free access from anywhere. Great news!

Starbucks to Offer WiFi for Free July 1

Posted in Wi-Fi by Darrin Olson on June 14th, 2010

Starbucks Free WiFiThe coffee peddling behemoth Starbucks announced today that it will not be outdone by independent coffee houses nor other national chains and will begin offering unlimited free WiFi to it’s customers. Starbucks has had WiFi available for some time now, for a fee, and has most recently offered 2 free hours per day to cardholders but now is giving the service away to all.

This announcement no doubt will come as great news to frequenters of the coffee houses and bad news to anyone trying to sell WiFi within the vicinity. Please note however that the free service is only for Starbucks stores operated directly by the corporation, and not to licensed locations commonly found in airports or grocery stores.

500GB PlayStation 3 coming, with new Wi-Fi, Move

Posted in PS3 by Conner Flynn on June 14th, 2010

An “industry source” speaking with games site CVG, says that Sony will release two new PS3 bundles this year, both including the PlayStation Move motion controller, and one of them featuring a huge 500 GB hard drive. One of the bundles will include a 250GB PlayStation 3 and the Move motion controller.

The other bundle will include a 500GB PlayStation 3 and the Move. That may be overkill. Then again, maybe Sony knows something we don’t. Maybe they have plans that take up a lot of space.

ViewQuest: The world’s smallest pocket WiFi radio

Posted in Radio by Conner Flynn on June 3rd, 2010

Dedicated WiFi radios haven’t really taken off in the U.S. Probably because it’s hard to find a decent, small, and pocketable WiFi radio. However, here’s one to consider. The new ViewQuest Pocket WiFi Radio claims to be the smallest portable WiFi internet radio in the world.

The device will cost you $131. But sadly for this gadget, for just $199 you could get an iPod Touch and install some internet radio apps, getting more bang for your buck. But the choice is yours of course.

Samsung HMX-S16 WiFi SSD camcorder available in Korea

Posted in Camcorders by Conner Flynn on May 26th, 2010

Looks like the Koreans will get the first shot at Samsung’s latest camcorders. The Samsung HMX-S16 camcorder is shipping in South Korea today in fact. This sexy black device boasts solid state storage and streaming video over WiFi. That’s reason enough to get one right there.

You won’t have to be jealous for long though. Amazon is already taking preorders for the 64GB model, which will ship May 28th for $1,200. You can also get the same 10 megapixel CMOS chip, 1080/60i recording and a 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD in a cheaper $1,000, 32GB package as well, in the HMX-S15 coming June 4th.

iPad Wi-Fi issues to be addressed in Software Update

Posted in iPad by Conner Flynn on May 11th, 2010

Apple has updated a support document detailing current solutions to Wi-Fi connectivity issues surrounding the iPad. The new support document details a few possible workarounds and states that the company “will also address remaining Wi-Fi connectivity issues with a future iPad software update.”

The workarounds include: Updating Wi-Fi router firmware, Using WPA or WPA2 wireless security, Adjusting screen brightness and Renewing the IP address.