Free Wifi internet in San Fransico, courtsy of Google

[i an not a nerd]

http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20051002_103655.html

Well, it seems that Google is running a "beta" of their Wifi service in San Fransico....

Just outa curiosity, would someone need a special adapter to use this wireless? Or would it work with the cards built in most laptops?

Personally I think that the whole citywide wifi connection is cool. Imagine getting out of work, getting into your car, turning it on, and having the GoogleFI-enabled onboard computer spit out live traffic reports, current weather, maby some pictures that your wife took that day on her digital camera and uploaded to her Picasa album. On the way home, the computer streams messages on your personal answering machine. When you get home, you go inside, take out the trusty laptop, and go out to your favorite reading place and read the latest from Tom's Hardware Guide....

Hehe go me the nerd....


Anyways, this 'beta' of citywide WIFI is the first step to a country (and maby planetwide???) wireless connection, enabling instant acces to whatever information you need anytime! That is, so long as you have something that can access it such as a PDA, laptop, car computer, etc.

[Suchy]

This was tried in NYC already, the plan was to provide free internet access to everyone. But as soon as big businnes go into it, the plan was canceled.

[i an not a nerd]

ooo, I didn't know that! Interesting..... big companies screw it up....

[Sempron]

I dont imagine this service would be free, but I may be wrong. Verizon is offering the same kind of service in certain cities all over the states and is growing (claims their advertisment) and locally we have service similar to this in a certain part of our city.

It is getting closer to all over wi-fi service. Exciting!

[i an not a nerd]

Actually, it is free: "The free Wi-Fi Internet service would cover the city and allow Google to test its technology and targeted advertising." http://www.webpronews.com/insidesearch/insidesearch/wpn-56-20051001GoogleProposesWirelessNetForSanFrancisco.h tml

[PrntRhd]

The idea is similar in some respects to the commercial TV model, a service paid for by advertising.

[i an not a nerd]

Ack, I hope that Google doesn't use a popup style advertising!!!!

[PrntRhd]

Do the Google ads on this site cause you any problems? I think they will be discrete.

[Cavalier90]

Has the security aspect of WiFi been sorted out yet? It does not seem long ago when experiments were carried out in the UK when a "computer security expert" showed a journalist how easy it was to intercept signals from a WiFi connected laptop and even read the content of the other person's laptop. Maybe it was an early incarnation of wireless internet connection. I am still sceptical of it.

[i an not a nerd]

Well, I tried logging off and looking around, the green links (i am assuming that is what PrntRhd is refering to by google ads....) were not any bother whatsoever. it did set off alarms for my antivirus program though!

[PrntRhd]

The Google ads I was referring to were the ones just below the Pair Networks banner ad on the top of the page here in the forums.

[i an not a nerd]

O. Well. They are not intrusive at all!!!

[PrntRhd]

Google can make a big profit on the SF WiFi:
They purchased lots of dark fiber. (unused fiber optics circuits already in the ground).
They own the backbone so no ISP fees, no phone company or cable fees, they would keep all the revenue.
Ads would sell well as many users will see the ads, so advertisers will pay premium rates.
They could provide video programming as well.
Google could also scale up to cover the entire Bay Area relatively easily, meaning the potential will be there for 7 million users in just that one system.
Followed by every other metropolitan area.

The telcoms, & cable companies will really hate this.

Edit:
Also Google and Sun Microsystems may be negotiating Google provisioning the users with Star Office.
That will make Microsoft really hate this too.

[jlreich]

The telcoms, & cable companies will really hate this.
Of course they will hate it. But WiFi isn't that great yet. It would be awesome to get internet access anywhere in the city, but most will still have wired internet in their homes. WiFi can't touch a 4-5Mb/s cable connection. Now dialup users will probably cancel their service. ;)

WiFi sucks for gaming or large downloads.

I think the ones that should be the most upset is the wireless router manufacturers. Who needs a wireless router when you have a free signal being pumped throughout the city.

[pangea33]

Just to play goofball devil's advocate, and since it's after hours, I would like to introduce this link. I personally am not 'noided out by anything Google, but probably won't be installing their desktop search bar anytime soon. :p

http://www.gmail-is-too-creepy.com/

[deddard]

WiFi is great - until lots of people start to use it, when it will slow to almost non-existant.
The fact that Google will need to install lots of APs with lots of broadcast power will seriously annoy those other users who already use WiFi - even though the SSIDs are going to be different, the PC still has to listen to and reject the SSID of systems it isn't attaching to.
Another serious problem with all this is that not just your browsing habits can be monitored, but absolutely anything you transmit outside a VPN/SSL connection can also be monitored - and as google is a money making organisation, what's the betting that they won't monitor it?

I'd also agree with pangea33 regarding the google toolbar/search/email - giving a company this much leeway on my PC is creepy at least, downright scary in fact.
It's no use having a rival to microsoft if that company is just another wolf in .....well, just another wolf really :(