Orion WiFi will connect you to public WiFi when cell coverage is limited

Google’s in-house incubator Area 120 wants to make it easier for people to stay connected inside buildings where cell service might be iffy, for instance, inside NBA stadiums. To do that, Area 120 just launched Orion WiFi, a platform that links carri...

Verizon enlists Boingo to help it bring 5G indoors

Sure, real 5G is up to three times faster than LTE, but there are a few caveats. As we discovered in Chicago, 5G doesn't always hold up when you're trying to use it indoors. Even a pane of glass can cause your signal to flicker between 5G and 4G. Ver...

Boingo Wi-Finder for iOS update enables iTunes subscription billing

Boingo WiFinder update enables inapp iTunes WiFi subscriptions for iOS

Notice some fresh spring in Boingo's step? It's probably the new iTunes integration, bringing streamlined subscription billing to the company's Wi-Finder app. Free WiFi is always our first pick, followed by LTE, then 3G, EDGE, GPRS, a short-term WiFi pass, and then, far down at the bottom of the list, a monthly subscription from Boingo. But hey, someone must be keeping the lights on -- there are now a whopping 600,000 compatible hotspots worldwide. And if you're one of those aforementioned subscribers, there's a convenient new option for handing over your cash. Beginning today, iOS users can have the $7.99 monthly tariff billed directly to their iTunes accounts, joining up with a single tap. The new offering will presumably cover multiple mobile devices, but it's unlikely to get your laptop online -- you'll need to splurge for a much costlier plan for that. iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users can download the updated app today.

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Source: Boingo (iTunes)

AT&T and Boingo unite on free-but-not-really airport WiFi

AT&T and Boingo unite on freebutnotreally airport WiFi

AT&T has been forging partnerships that give its roaming customers free WiFi while abroad, and it just struck one of the more logical networking deals that we've seen to date, if also the most lopsided. A pact with Boingo will let AT&T subscribers have 1GB of free data each month on Boingo's airport hotspots -- but, as with previous arrangements, only if they're subscribed to AT&T's $60 or $120 international data plans. Boingo subscribers, meanwhile, get a much better deal. They can use AT&T hotspots anywhere in the US as part of their existing rate, which could see them paying as little as $10 per month. Either arrangement will keep us online during a layover, and for that we're thankful -- but there's only one that's likely to have us pulling out our credit cards.

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Source: AT&T, Boingo

AT&T, Boingo, T-Mobile agree to back wireless in 30 more New York City subway stations

New York City subway WiFi plans expand to 30 more stations, let you Twitter underneath Times Square

As welcome as Transit Wireless' strategy for wireless in New York City subways has been, having access in just six stations around one Manhattan district has been limiting for locals who want to stay online underground. Thankfully, there's plans afoot to cover a much wider base. AT&T, Boingo and T-Mobile have offered to back a next wave of expansion that will cover 30 extra stations with cellular and WiFi access, in places we're more likely to recognize: Columbus Circle, Rockefeller Center and Times Square are all part of the rollout. While the tragedy of Hurricane Sandy has pushed back completion to early 2013, it shouldn't be too long before some of the city's most important hubs (and tourist traps) are covered -- and Transit Wireless' ambitions to eventually put wireless in all of New York City's subways could keep every borough online during the daily commute.

[Image credit: Retromoderns, Flickr]

Continue reading AT&T, Boingo, T-Mobile agree to back wireless in 30 more New York City subway stations

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Boingo app for Mac and Windows adds VPN, keeps public WiFi sessions a secret

Boingo app for Mac and Windows adds VPN, keeps public WiFi sessions a secret

Some of us have important data on our laptops -- some more important than others -- which can make the idea of connecting to a public WiFi hotspot sound like an invitation to disaster. Boingo thinks it can make those hotspots nearly as safe as a clamped down work connection by porting its Boingo VPN from iOS to the Wi-Finder app on Macs and Windows PCs. The option gives habitual hotspot users an encrypted connection from a close-by server, preventing someone else at the coffee shop from casually snooping on their files while they sip on double-shot espressos. VPN access is considered a free perk of having an account and doesn't even require latching on to a paid Boingo hotspot. As such, we'd strongly advise grabbing the update to keep that secure option available, especially if you're a Russian spy.

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Boingo app for Mac and Windows adds VPN, keeps public WiFi sessions a secret originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft backs free Boingo WiFi in NYC and San Francisco, hopes you’ll see Metro on the metro

New York City subway stop

Microsoft is about to launch a giant media blitz for Windows 8, and it wants to guarantee that even those of us heads-down in our laptops and smartphones take notice. It's sponsoring Boingo's WiFi, making it free at popular locations in New York City and San Francisco through the holidays to pitch both its new OS and the Windows Store. The San Francisco locations are already active and mostly cover signature locations such as Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square, but Microsoft is going all-out for the New York City campaign starting November 1st: the free WiFi will reach over 200 locations in Manhattan as well as the six NYC subway stations offering underground wireless. While some might not enjoy the hard sell on Windows 8 while they're checking into Foursquare, we'd say it's at least relevant that Microsoft pushes its urban sign UI in the city that was arguably the software's major inspiration.

[Image credit: pspyro2009, Flickr]

Continue reading Microsoft backs free Boingo WiFi in NYC and San Francisco, hopes you'll see Metro on the metro

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Microsoft backs free Boingo WiFi in NYC and San Francisco, hopes you'll see Metro on the metro originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 01:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Play foots the bill for 4,000 free Boingo hotspots through September

Google Play foots the bill for 4,000 free Boingo hotspots through September

Google and Boingo keep expanding their partnership, making GoGo a little jealous in the process were sure. Starting this week you'll be able to hop online for free at over 4,000 Boingo hotspots across the country. Among the complimentary WiFi bastions are major airports such as JFK and O'Hare, as well as many subway platforms across New York City. All this is coming courtesy of Google Play, which is footing the bill for your free wireless adventure. The deal wraps up at the end of the month, but that still leaves you almost three weeks to take complete advantage of Big G and Boingo. PR is awaiting you after the break.

Continue reading Google Play foots the bill for 4,000 free Boingo hotspots through September

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Google Play foots the bill for 4,000 free Boingo hotspots through September originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Offers, Boingo add more locations for free and discounted public WiFi

Oingo Boingo

Love venting your E-Train frustrations with Boingo and Google Offers' free WiFi? While the Manhattan program ends on September 7th, the partnership has swelled its coverage to include a further 24 locations across the nation. From today, eight malls will offer WiFi in cities like LA, SF and Seattle -- while Airport hoppers will be able to get a 50 percent discount on 24-hour access at 16 airports including JFK, O'Hare and Midway, if you sign up with Mountain View's offers service. If you're at nearing the end of your data cap and need some free internet stat, head on past the break to find out more.

Continue reading Google Offers, Boingo add more locations for free and discounted public WiFi

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Google Offers, Boingo add more locations for free and discounted public WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 22:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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