Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

It turns out that AT&T is making an attempt at keeping their free Wi-Fi offering a secret. Even though its long past the secret part, thanks to the appearance and disappearance act that is has been putting on recently. According to a statement from AT&T they offered up an official “no comment” about the situation, but they also stated that the issues that have come up were nothing more than “human error.” Which based on that it would be pretty safe to say that its just a matter of time before it goes live for real, until then we can only hope the same human that has been making those errors will continue, we love our free Wi-Fi.

Read [New York Times] Via [Gizmodo]

First we see see the 2G Surf being given away for opening an account with RBC Bank up in Canada, and now those over in the UK are given an option to receive a free Eee PC of their own.

PowerUp Mobile is currently offering a free Eee PC 2GB Surf when you sign up for T-Mobile’s Web n Walk mobile broadband package. New users must sign up for a two-year agreement which will set you back £35 per month, in addition to the Eee PC, users will also get a free USB modem. With just a limited time to sign up, you better not wait too long, because the offer ends on June 15, 2008.

With two recent free Eee PC offers, it would make you wonder when the next will show up, possibly and hopefully we can get a similar offer over here in the US.

Read [PR Web] Via [Engadget]

If a torch climbs a mountain and no one is there to live blog it, or webcam it, or email home about it; did it really happen?  China Mobile insures all these things are possible thanks to their business office and internet cafe at 17,000 feet above sea level at the base of Mount Qomolangma.  Oddly or fantastically (your choice), users can pay bills, SIM change services and watch free films, in addition to other “new business experiences.” Because after a good climb to base camp, I usually get a hankering for a SIM change and review of my monthly texting charges.

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Have you ever tried to the guess the pass key of a locked down WiFi?  As more and more travelers try to seek out free WiFi, they encounter a new trend: paid and free WiFi.  It seems, offering WiFi for free does have some benefits when used as a give and take.

The latest to try this method is Starbucks.  When AT&T takes over, they will offer 2 free hours as long as you have a Starbucks gift card.  Loyalty still gets you something these days.  Whether it is viewing an add or signing up for a loyalty program, more and more free WiFi is the benefit.  Omni Hotels is trying just this method: free WiFi if you sign up for their program or paid service if you’d rather not.  The result? Two-thirds join while one-third pays.

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Just a few days ago, our Robert Nelson posted on the availability of free Wi-Fi at Starbucks and Barnes & Nobles, which at the time seemed to be a legit and intentional offer. Now, it seems the service was premature as its been yanked back into the ether. Rats.

It seems in places where the service worked, it no longer does. Sadly, even after a quick trip to our local Starbucks, we were greeted (as seen in the screenshot) with paid Wi-Fi only. According to MacRumors, AT&T refused to comment on the snafu. I am sure we can expect an announcement shortly, perhaps even in time for a big Apple announcement in June. You know, if Apple is inclined to make one.

Via [MacRumors]

Fujitsu has just made available two of its flagship ultra-portable computing machines, the U810 mini notebook and the T2010 tablet PC. Both machines boast of built-in AT&T BroadbandConnect HSDPA, which simply translates to a fast wireless data connection experience for users. Individually, both machines are equipped with good features as well, here’s what you can expect on these two new Lifebook’s.

The LifeBook U810 mini-notebook brags of being the world’s smallest convertible notebook with its 5.6-inch LED backlit touchscreen display and works like a traditional notebook with its ultra-slim QWERTY keyboard or by swivelling its VSVGA Crystal View illuminated screen. It also functions as a handheld tablet PC with a touch screen for finger or pen input. Other features of this mini notebook include an Energy Star compliant 800MHz A810 Intel processor, fingerprint reader, automatic BIOS lock, integrated webcam, 1GB DDR2 400MHz SDRAM memory, 60GB hard drive and Bluetooth.

While the LifeBook T2010 convertible notebook boasts of a 12.1-inch LED backlit display and a slim 1.3-inch chassis. This notebook is packed with an Intel Core 2 Duo 7600 ultra low voltage processor, 2GB DDR2 533 MHz SDRAM memory, 120GB SATA hard drive, Wi-Fi link and Bluetooth. The T2010 is also Energy Star compliant like the U810.

Both the U810 and T2010 are available now with retail prices starting at $999 and $1,499 respectively.

Product [Fujitsu] Product [Fujitsu] Via [SlashGear]

Plug your PC into a wall electrical outlet, and that’s all your need to surf the web at high speeds. Tell the cable and DSL service providers where they can stuff their plugs, while you ride the wave of yet another next-generation technology at cheaper prices.

Well...not yet.

It’s been a bad couple of weeks for the concept of broadband over power line (BPL), which the Federal Communications Commission has been touting since 2003 as possible pricing competition for cable and DSL providers. It’s only a pilot program in a handful of cities, but the FCC commissioned studies on the technology and wanted an accelerated rollout of the program. Now you can scratch one of those cities off the list, while the FCC studies themselves are being attacked by amateur radio operators.

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While we are yet to see an official announcement from AT&T, or any of the available locations there are reports of iPhone users being allowed free Wi-Fi access at a variety of locations. As you can most likely guess, thanks to all the recent switch over news that Starbucks is included in this offering, but there has also been some success reported at Barnes and Noble. With AT&T’s whopping 71,000 available locations that include many airports and McDonalds locations as well as the previously mentioned Starbucks and Barnes and Noble this should be welcome news to just about every iPhone user.

The first logon will present you with a special login window that prompts you for your telephone number, and of course asks you to agree to the terms. While we would never suggest that anyone break the terms, however there has also been a mention that this can be faked to gain access on laptops.

I think I may have to take a trip over to my local Starbucks today, to give this a testing. All in the name of tech though, not like I need any extra excuse to grab another Latte.

Via [MacRumors]

Its been just a few days now since Buy.com listed the Nokia N810 WiMax Edition with a selling price of $455 and its already seen a price cut. The newly lowered price is still based off a list price of $479, but instead of a $23.01 savings, they are now offering a $47.01 savings, which lowers the price down to $436.48.

Of course like we previously mentioned, this is the WiMax Edition and we are still unsure as to when Sprint will roll-out the service, otherwise it still seems to be a good deal at $436.

Product [Buy.com] Via [TabletBlog.com]

Buy.com has already listed the Nokia N810 WiMax Edition on their site. The N810 is currently listed for $455 with a suggested retail of $479, but as we would expect, is not currently in stock. The listing, although a little early seems to fit the time frame as Nokia announced it would be available beginning in the summer of 2008, however we cannot help but remember that the WiMax coverage would be delayed. Think I can hold off buying a device that is built specifically for a technology that is not even available.

Product [Buy.com] Via [TabletBlog.com]