While it might be super convenient to have everything in your home connected to the Internet, that interconnectivity can also give attackers a chance to sneak in through seemingly innocent devices. Take the humble tea kettle: a security researcher in England has been hacking into smart kettles across the country and gaining access to private WiFi networks. [More]
wifi
JetBlue Expects To Have Free WiFi On All Planes By Fall 2016
By 10.14.15
For the past two years, JetBlue has fancied itself as the only airline that would someday offer customers free in-flight wifi on all its planes. While the carrier hasn’t quite captured the title just yet, it plans to have it in hand by next fall. [More]
Virgin America To Offer Free In-Flight WiFi For Netflix Subscribers
By 9.30.15
Netflix customers who’ve wished they could download content to bring with them on their mobile devices when they fly still won’t be able to do that, but they will be able to stream video on some Virgin America planes by way of a new partnership that gives Netflix subscribers free WiFi. [More]
AT&T Delays Launch Of WiFi Calling Feature For iPhones
By 9.17.15
AT&T customers who were anticipating the launch of a WiFi calling feature on iPhones will have to wait a bit longer: though the carrier had expected to roll out the option to iPhone users with the recently released iOS 9, it now says it’s going to take a little more time to deploy it, while it waits on approval from the Federal Communications Commission. [More]
Company Fined $750K For Blocking WiFi Hotspots At Convention Centers
By 8.18.15
In Section 333 of the Communications Act, it states that “No person shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference” with any licensed or authorized radio communications. But a company that provides Internet service for hotels and convention centers around the country has admitted to deliberately preventing people from using their own, legal hotspots to go online. [More]
Judge Says Cablevision Must Stop Running Ads Calling Verizon A “Liar”
By 8.12.15
It’s not uncommon to see a cable provider commercial that pokes fun at or attempt to disprove a competitor for their claims of being the faster, less expensive, or just plain better option. But there’s one less lineup of such ads you’ll be seeing on your TV, as a judge ruled this week that Cablevision must stop running its ads that essentially call Verizon a “liar” regarding claims that it had the fastest wireless network. [More]
The Pros & Cons Of Windows 10 Sharing Your WiFi Passwords With Your Contacts
By 7.29.15
All around the world today, Windows users are updating their operating systems to Windows 10, better known as Microsoft’s attempt to atone for the sins of Windows 8. However, the newest version of Windows has a feature that is either — depending on who you speak to — a huge privacy concern, or maybe not that big a deal. [More]
Police: Taco Bell Customer Upset Over Lack Of WiFi Dumped Water On Teens, Then Pulled A Knife
By 7.10.15
Having iffy WiFi service when you want to be online is surely a frustrating experience. But police say one Taco Bell customer went too far, taking out her anger at the restaurant’s lack of an Internet connection on a group of teens. [More]
Virgin America Souping Up WiFi System So Passengers Can Stream Video
By 7.8.15
A growing number of planes now allow passengers to connect to onboard WiFi networks (usually for a fee), but the connection is often sluggish and sometimes unreliable; it’s rarely good enough to stream video dependably. Virgin America hopes its upgraded inflight WiFi will solve that problem. [More]
In Which An $8 In-Flight Video Charge Led To A $5M Class Action Lawsuit Against United Airlines
By 5.7.15
When buckling in for an hours-long flight, travelers might choose to pass the time by reading a book, listening to music or enjoying a few television shows or a movie via the in-flight services connection. While those are all viable options, the latter is typically only available under certain circumstances. But one woman says that wasn’t made clear, and now she’s suing United Airlines for $5 million. [More]
JetBlue Will Let Amazon Prime Customers Stream For Free Onboard
By 5.5.15
Though it’s already the only airline to offer free WiFi, JetBlue is taking it once step further and will now let passengers who are Amazon Prime customers stream Amazon’s music and video content for free. Because let’s face it, you’ve got some binge watching of Transparent to get done and those two shrill, chatty 20somethings across the aisle will not shut up about their trip to Cabo. [More]
Sprint Customers Will Get Access To Free WiFi At 35 Airports In Deal With Boingo
By 4.30.15
When faced with wasting precious data allotments, many travelers submit to paying for WiFi on the go. But Sprint customers will find their wallets staying a bit fatter with new, free access to Boingo Wireless hotspots in 35 U.S. airports, starting today. [More]
Amtrak WiFi: So Slow It Might As Well Not Exist
By 4.23.15
If you’ve ever had the misfortune to sit next to me on an Amtrak train while I was trying to write, you’ve probably heard me mutter things about the state of onboard WiFi service that — were they fully audible — would have made Larry Flynt blush. Sometimes I wondered if it was just me, or if there was something wrong with my computer (every single one of them that I’ve ever used) that made it allergic to AmtrakConnect. It turns out, the service is just plain awful for everyone. [More]
FBI, TSA Issue Warning To Airlines Over Possible Flight Hackings
By 4.22.15
A week after a government report identified security weaknesses within the airline industry including the possibility that newer airplanes with interconnected WiFi systems could be hacked, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Transportation Security Administration issued an alert warning airlines to be vigilant about monitoring for such threats. [More]
Sprint Customers Can Now Make Phone Calls Over WiFi With Latest iPhone Update
By 4.9.15
Minutes? What are these “phone minutes” you speak of? The latest iPhone update is basically going to do away with the need to count voice minutes for Sprint customers, who’ll be able to make phone calls over WiFi soon. [More]
Cablevision Sues Verizon, Claims “Fastest WiFi” Ads Are Misleading
By 1.29.15
Competing companies often call each other out for exaggerations in ads and other marketing sleight of hand, but Cablevision has decided to let the legal system settle its dispute with Verizon over claims of who has the “fastest WiFi available.” Meanwhile, Verizon says the lawsuit is a marketing ploy to sell Cablevision’s WiFi phone service. [More]
Marriott Gives Up For Now On Plan To Jam Guests’ Personal Wifi Hotspots
By 1.15.15
Marriott got a big fat fine from the FCC last year for illegally blocking customers’ personal wifi hotspots. The chain paid the fine, but doesn’t want another one. Their solution? Ask the FCC to make what they did legal going forward. But after widespread backlash from tech companies, customers, and basically everyone on the internet, Marriott is now backing away from the plan. [More]
This Year Will Bring Plenty Of Free Hotel WiFi, But Beware New Cancellation Policies
By 1.2.15
Because you can never totally have it all, 2015 will be a mixed bag for travelers looking for good deals and great perks at hotels: While many larger chains will be touting free WiFi in the new year, many hotels will also be a lot stricter about guests who cancel their reservations. [More]
