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How to Stay Connected on the Road: 3 Free WiFi Sources

GeekSugar — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:10:58 PDT

While relaxing at your Summer destination of choice, staying connected (or wrapping up last-minute work) doesn't have to include the hotel's pricey per-minute Internet surcharge. We found three free WiFi sources for the traveling tech addict, including one digital city.

The Big Apple - New York City and AT&T just announced the launch of free WiFi service at 20 city parks across all five boroughs. While we'd like to imagine park goers enjoying computer-less moments, free park WiFi is a great excuse to "work from home."
Airports - Kayak created a handy guide of WiFi at US airports noting which airports provide free and secure WiFi.
The golden arches - In most major cities it'd be difficult to not pass a steady stream of McDonald's, Starbucks, and other big name restaurants. Many of these chains offer free WiFi, putting the "value" in value meal.

Steer clear of wireless networks labeled "Free Public WiFi." Due to an old Windows XP glitch, phantom connections often appear in network settings and may leave the user vulnerable to hacker manipulation. Select the network obvious to your location, like "TulsaAirport WiFi." And for the sake of your travel companions, limit that WiFi time!

Summer Travel: 15 Airports With Free WiFi

GeekSugar — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:30:36 PDT

If you've decided to skip the open road and head up to the friendly skies this Summer, it's pretty likely that you'll be spending some time lounging in the airport waiting for flight delays, transfers, or even cancellations. If you're taking along a portable netbook or WiFi-enabled iPad, you can tick away the time by catching up on the news, tech developments, and of course, the latest on Kristen and Robert's are-they-or-aren't-they relationship.

To do this, you'll need some sweet WiFi access. If you can't find a Starbucks in your terminal, not all hope is lost! Check out this list of 15 US airports that offer free WiFi, and chime in if you've found any others!

Oakland International (OAK)
Mineta San Jose International (SJC)
Boston Logan (BOS)
John F. Kennedy (JFK) - In Jet Blue Terminal 5 and Gate 6.

See the rest of the WiFi-friendly list after the break.

Starbucks Offers No-Strings-Attached, Free WiFi Starting July 1

GeekSugar — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:45:50 PDT

Here's one way to get people to stick around for Frappy Hour - Starbucks posted a tweet this morning alerting followers that it'll be rolling out free WiFi in all stores to all customers. No registration, no strings attached. Previously, Starbucks card holders could hook up for two hours, while AT&T hotspot users could suck down all the free Internet they could handle. Now, everyone is getting in on the deal!

This comes hot on the heels of AT&T's free WiFi in Times Square movement, which was met with some groans by NYC locals - seems that only tourists would enjoy the free Internet there. Now, if you can find a Starbucks with an empty chair, it's all yours beginning July 1. If for some reason you can't find a Starbucks in your area (or don't want to trudge through the lines), there are some other free WiFi options for you after the break.

Thanks, AT&T . . . Can Everyone Get Some of That Free WiFi?

GeekSugar — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:30:14 PDT

In a press release issued today, AT&T announced it is sponsoring free WiFi in Times Square to alleviate some of the traffic on its already-strained 3G network. The WiFi "hotzone" is available free to AT&T customers with qualifying smartphone, 3G LaptopConnect, and AT&T High Speed Internet plans.

To find out where exactly the hotzones are located in Times Square, and how they can be utilized, just read more.

Google Makes Holiday Travel More Tolerable With Free WiFi

GeekSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:43:08 PST

Here's one holiday stress relieved: Google recently announced they'd be sponsoring free WiFi in airports across the country this holiday season, from now through January 15. Google VP, search and user experience, Marissa Mayer says, "We're very happy to extend our Holiday WiFi gift to the millions of people who will spend time in airports over the next few months."

Which I translate to, "Happy Holidays, here is something to keep you sane when your flight is delayed for the third time. Love, Google."

Plus, they're spreading the cheer. Once you log in using the free wireless, you're given the option to donate to one of three non-profit organizations. At the end of the promotion, Google will match all donations up to $250,000. A full list of airports with free WiFi is available at freeholidaywifi.com.

What will you do with free airport WiFi?

Daily Tech: Microsoft Offers Free WiFi at Hotspots Nationwide

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:20 PST

Did you know that if you make one Bing search in many airports and hotels across the country, you can get free WiFi access? - Download Squad
Canon's new semipro DSLR gets taken for a test drive - Gizmodo
Here are some gift suggestions all the geeky dads out there - Wired
Starting today, Yahoo and the Times Square Alliance have teamed up to provide free WiFi service to the public - The Silicon Alley Insider
The popular website Elf Yourself is back for another year - TechCrunch
Esquire's December issue, featuring augmented reality, hits newsstands today - Engadget

Daily Tech: BlackBerry Announces a TiVo App

GeekSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:35:46 PDT

BlackBerry users with a TiVo box can now record their favorite shows remotely with the TiVo app - The Boy Genius Report
Borders will be rolling out free WiFi in 500 store locations across the country - CrunchGear
Wired chats with Felicia Day about the Guild and what it's like to be a geek in Hollywood - Wired
A BlackBerry desktop manager for Macs is said to be coming out on Oct. 2 - Engadget
Zipcar releases a pretty sweet iPhone app that will even unlock your car for you - USA Today
The Motorola Cliq android handset is coming to stores on Nov. 2 and will cost $200 - Gizmodo
It's giveaway and game time on GeekSugar! Be sure to log in and play our Best Video Game Ever bracket! - GeekSugar

New York Coffee Shops Begin Banning Laptop Users

GeekSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:33:59 PDT

Love to spend all day using the free WiFi in your local coffee shop? You might have to say sayonara to this, if your beanery is one of the many in New York that are starting to ban laptop users from hanging out.

The restrictions are for peak hours and only discourage those who aren't eating while typing or surfing; downing coffee won't save your seat, sadly. I get it: nobody likes a mooch.

Add the sucking of electricity out of the shops' outlets for laptop cords, and you've made yourself an unwelcome customer - though ironically, many of these shops added free WiFi to attract customers. I guess they attract them a little too well, huh?

In any case, the daylong laptop visit is a tradition I enjoy carrying out, but next time, I think I'll to order more and make myself a little less conspicuous.

What would you do if your favorite coffee shop banned laptop usage?

Some Tech Freebies Worth Knowing About

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:50:07 PDT

Surprisingly, there are plenty of ways to enjoy modern technology and its many facets, without spending a single cent. OK, so you might need the laptop or cell phone to actually access the goods, but these goods are free, and there really just isn't anything that compares with that. From locating free WiFi, to finding free movies on iTunes, I'll hook you up with the tell-all freebie secrets.

Barnes & Noble to Provide Free AT&T WiFi

GeekSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:01:28 PDT

Just one week after unveiling a new eReader and eBooks Store, Barnes & Noble continues to impress by announcing today that they will offer complimentary WiFi access in stores across the country.

What this means is customers can easily download and preview any of the 700,000 eBook titles and opt in to receive personal Barnes & Noble messages, which include coupons to the in-store café, author book signing notifications or where to find a new books in the store. They had me at free.