TechCrunch is reporting that “Froyo”, the next version of the Android smartphone operating system expected to be released next week at Google’s I/O conference, will pack in more than just big compiling speed improvements and fragmentation fixes. It could also include built-in USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot sharing, allowing everyone around you to share your mobile data connection. More »
Not every coffee shop is friendly to laptop toters these days. Then again, some are absolutely great to set up inside. LaptopFriendlyCafes.com lists more than 300 places around the globe that have plugs, Wi-Fi, 3G, and, oh yes, coffee. More »
BusinessWeek reports that by the middle of next year, a new Wi-Fi technology called Wi-Fi Direct will turn enabled gadgets into access points “able to create wireless connections with other Wi-Fi-enabled gadgets or broadband modems within a radius of about 300 feet [90 metres] “. More »
Everybody’s got a wireless network at home, but if you’ve ever wanted to get your iPod touch, iPhone or other wireless device connected but all you’ve got is a wired network at work, school or elsewhere, Windows 7 makes this process trivial. More »
US-centric: The Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder webapp displays free wireless internet hotspots in your area on a Google Maps mashup. To use it, just give it your address, city, or postcode and it’ll display many of the nearby hotspots. This sort of tool isn’t new by any means, but it is returning better results in my area than previously mentioned webapps like Hotspotr. If you give it a try, let’s hear how the hotspot finder measures up in your area in the comments. While you’re there, you may want to download wiPod, which stores all that hotspot information in note form for easy browsing on your iPod. Free Wi-Fi/Hotspot Finder [AnchorFree via FreewareGenius]
