BT Openzone's wireless internet access will soon be available in 4500 more hotel bedrooms, thanks to a just-done deal.

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has signed up to the BT scheme and will offer the Wi-Fi in all its properties across the UK by the end of 2009.

This means BT's 4.8 million broadband customers including those with inclusive BT FON Wi-Fi minutes, as well as BT Openzone users, O2 iPhone users, and customers from iPass, Boingo and other BT Openzone roaming partners will be able to use the service.

In addition, Macdonald Hotels will be flogging BT Openzone vouchers for a pay and play way to get online.

BT customers can now get online at more than 650,000 UK and Ireland hotspots. If you're tempted, there's more at www.btopenzone.com.

Tags: Software Broadband Wi-Fi hotspots BT Openzone

BT Openzone to be available in 4500 more hotel bedrooms originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:32:32 +0000

Those clued up on the 2009 tech scene will grasp this concept straight away as it's just so very "now".

Using augmented reality, the new WorkSnug iPhone app, created in conjunction with Plantronics, lets iPhone owners see at a glance suitable perching locations in their vicinity for a quick log-on and a coffee or somewhere to work the day away.

Rating the locations - which could vary from coffee shop chains to greasy spoons to official pay-for-a-desk type work locations - on power provision, atmosphere and noise levels, it should give an idea of what a place is all about and users can add their own reviews too.

Currently launching for the London metro area, WorkSnug will soon also be available for the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Berlin and Madrid with a website planned to launch in the future.

The WorkSnug iPhone app is available now absolutely gratis from the iTunes App Store.

Tags: Phones iPhone apps WorkSnug Wi-Fi hotspots Biz Software Augmented Reality Plantronics Video

VIDEO: WorkSnug workplace-finding iPhone app launches originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:52:57 +0000

BT has announced its Openzone customers now have an extra 11,000 Wi-Fi locations to choose from with the addition of a host of new providers to the service across the globe.

Beeline WiFi, ChungHwa, eService Bar, Monzoon, Wireless G and WAYPORT EMEA have all come onboard the BT scheme, bringing the Openzone sites to a grand total of 65,000.

The new spots are as far afield as Greenland, Russia, South Africa and Taiwan, as well as a little closer to home in Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Chris Bruce, general manager, BT Openzone, said: "We're bringing wireless internet access to even more people travelling the globe in high demand locations including airports, hotels and cafes. This is great news for business and leisure travellers looking to stay in touch overseas".

Tags: Software Broadband BT Wi-Fi hotspots BT Openzone

BT Openzone adds 11,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the globe originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:10:01 +0000

Swindon has just become a property hotspot - quite literally - as it's been announced it will be the first town in the UK to offer free public Wi-Fi access to its entire population.

The forward thinking members of Swindon Borough Council have revealed plans for all 186,000 citizens to enjoy blanket "Wi-Fi mesh" coverage by April 2010, reports the BBC.

Run by Digital City UK Ltd, the "Signal" service, as it's being dubbed, will be completely free, although residents can chose to pay extra for 20Mb upgrades, although it's said the cost will be less than operators charge.

On the hardware side of things, the service will see around 1400 secure access points fitted around the town.

Tags: Software Broadband Wi-Fi hotspots Swindon

Swindon announces free Wi-Fi for all originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:10:28 +0000

Google has announced it will offer US airport frequenters one of the most precious gifts of all this holiday season - free Wi-Fi.

Bringing joy to all men (and women, and teenagers) Google is working with airports across the country to offer the service until 15 January.

The "gift" encompasses 47 airports, including Las Vegas, San Jose, Boston, Baltimore, Burbank, Houston, Indianapolis, Seattle, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, St. Louis and Charlotte.

"We're very happy to extend our Holiday Wi-Fi gift to the millions of people who will spend time in airports over the next few months", said Marissa Mayer, vice president of search products and user experience at Google.

"We know that this is a very hectic travel season for people, and we hope that free Wi-Fi will make both traveling and connecting with friends and family a little bit easier".

It's thought over 100 million people will pass through the participating airports between now and January 15 2010.

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Tags: Software Google Wi-Fi hotspots

Google to provide free Wi-Fi in US airports this Christmas originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:22:03 +0000