WiFi in-flight on American Airlines - VOIP Update

Less than a week ago, American Airlines announced that WiFi would be available in 15 of their flights (click here for the article). In their press release they announced how much the service called  Gogo would cost and that VOIP services would be blocked. This way they could charge those huge fees for phone calls from their in-flight phones. Just like with all service blockages, they are just a hack away from being unblocked. We see the same cat-and-mouse game being played with the iPhone software updates and the unlocking of so many other smartphones.

The same game is now being played in the sky.

Here’s the abstract of the report where the tool is mentioned.

The workaround, called Phweet, allows users to call friends who are linked via Twitter. Andy Abramson from VoIP Watch says that he recently used Phweet to chat with a friend on an American Airlines flight, and that the conversation was so clear he could hear the flight attendant ordering people to get back to their seats in preparation for landing.

Phweet is a shortURL link to an external directory (for now, only Twitter, though others will be added later), that enables calls between two or more profiles without sharing any additional information between the parties. Using the application to make calls at 27,000 feet is a painless three-step process:

• Go to the Phweet homepage and log on with your Twitter name and password.
• Add the Twitter user name of person you want to connect with, along with a message telling them want to talk. A Twitter update and Phweet URL is sent.
• When your friend clicks on the Phweet URL and accepts, your browser whistles and a Flash widget appears. Click on it to talk.

This is obviously not the last we have heard of this hack or the service… Aircell (the company behind Gogo) claims that the workaround to their blocks can be re-blocked but they also reported that it is up to the airline to enforce the no-call policy during flights.

Having said that, I doubt that a no-call policy can be enforced. For example; someone could activate the service, then the workaround and use their mobile device to talk from the bathroom… Not the same as a public phone booth; but you would not be seen talking into a device, therefore no one would notice whether you are circumventing their service or not.

What are your thoughts?

WiFi now available in-flight on American Airlines

Finally in-flight WiFi has arrived. For those of you like me who’d rather get some emails answered, do a little bit of browsing and VPN access during flight the time has arrived.

This morning American Airlines officially launched their broadband service on 15 nonstop transcontinental flights plus some of their New York-San Francisco, Los Angeles-Miami (all services with Boeing 767-200’s). This service will allow passengers to send e-mail, instant message, access corporate VPN and browse the web while flying. Although a bit pricey ($12.95 for 6 hours), you can now spend your time surfing from 36,000 feet. The system is called Gogo and is run by Aircell. The technology is provided by Aircell as well. You’ll be able to pay for the service when you first open your browser in flight.

A $1 billion market by 2012 is estimated to come into airlines with this kind of service. Delta Airlines is planning on using a similar service American is using. They have promised to outfit all their domestic fleet with WiFi by mid-2009. JetBlue is testing WiFi access on their San Francisco-New York flights. Alaska airlines is actively testing on some of their flights. Southwest Airlines is testing a system that was developed by Row 44 from California. It was just a matter of time, but the other major airlines will now be trying to catch up. Hopefully, they will all see that passengers are willing to use these services.

Currently there are only two different technologies being tried for WiFi in flight:

• The Aircell system leverages the existing cell tower network, is more conventional and uses an air-to-ground service that connects to cell towers. The only problem with this technology is that bandwidth is probably going to be a bit flaky (at least with early versions) as the plane’s comm systems switches from tower, to tower, to tower while moving faster than any normal cell phone user would. No reference was made to the bandwidth available to the passengers.
• The other technology uses satellite communications plus WiFi b (802.11b) access points. It can be implemented in planes, boats or any other vehicle that is expected to be far away from cell towers.

So, what does this mean for us Mobile Users? Well, for one it means we are now able to connect, no matter where we are. I am not sure that prices will come down, but at least if you are in urgent need to connect, you will soon be able to do it from all the major airlines.

Exploring WIFI and IE on the IPAQ 910c

Setting up my wireless network on the IPAQ 910c was very easy.  When I turned the WIFI radio on, the IPAQ 910c detected my network and prompted me for my WEP encryption code.  As soon as I entered the encryption code, the device was connected.  I had hoped that I could copy and paste the code from a note I have stored on my computer (I can do this on my windows mobile 2003 device), but copying and pasting the encryption code didn’t work on the 910c.

The WIFI connection settings options and input screens are fairly similar to those on my IPAQ hw6925, which runs WM5.0, but there are some notable differences.  WM6.1 allows you to connect to a network that uses WPA2 or WPA2-PSK authentication and AES data encryption.

[Read more]

Exploring Bluetooth on the IPAQ 910c

The Bluetooth settings under WM6.1 are quite a bit different than earlier Windows Mobile operating systems.  Setting up partnerships is much simpler, requiring a minimum of screen taps, but it is a bit disorienting.  So far I’ve set up the following partnerships on the IPAQ 910c:

• Two different Bluetooth headsets – one is a very basic Motorola earpiece and the other is a Sony A2DP headset.
• Bluetooth ActiveSync partnership with my laptop (using a Bluetooth dongle)
• With my IPAQ hw6925 to exchange information between the two devices

To access Bluetooth Settings, you’ll tap Start > Settings > Connection tab > Bluetooth.  With Bluetooth Settings, you find six tabs called Devices, Mode, COM Ports, Printer, File transfer, Security, and Image transfer.

[Read more]

BlueAnt Supertooth3 Bluetooth Handsfree Review

For those of you who don’t like Bluetooth headsets hanging in your ear while driving, BlueAnt presents the Supertooth3.  It features a built-in speaker that communicates with you through voice prompts, easy installation, and incorporates 6 languages.

Read on to find out how it performed.

[Read more]

The Santok SP-500 speakerphone

 

I am always looking for a better Bluetooth solution for my car and here is a cool looking hands free speakerphone that caught my eye today. 

Besides its good looks, I was impressed with the location of the controls, the LCD screen and most importantly the pivoting arm, which can be positioned for optimum voice pick-up.  The unit does feature Caller ID.

Check it out here at Santok

BlueAnt Z9i Bluetooth Headset Review

Let me cut to the chase:  This is the best headset I ever used.  If you want to read on to see why, feel free, or you can stop now and just buy one.

[Read more]

Comcast Faces The Music

Comcast, the nation’s largest cable company, violated fed guidelines when it blocked and degraded web traffic by blocking peer to peer (file sharing) traffic, which it called “reasonable network management.”

Consumer rights groups fought this big brother approach to managing the internet, and the FCC investigated them and found that they viloated FCC Principles.

Kevin Martin of the FCC said, “The commission has adopted a set of principles that protects consumers’ access to the internet,” he told the Associated Press on Thursday night. “We found that Comcast’s actions in this instance violated our principles.”

Comcast faced further public outrage after it admitted to paying people off the street to sit at a public hearing at Harvard, while members of the public were prevented from attending. 

This decision should serve as a warning to other internet providers, and will hopefully prevent them from meddling in internet traffic.

Thanks to Wired for the story.

What sports do you do?

As a geek I’m guilty of perhaps not getting as much exercise as I need. Part of the problem is finding the time but that comes down to motivation. With the wonders of this socially networked age it’s easier to use technology to help with that motivation.

The geek in me likes stats. If I know I’m doing good, and overall improving against myself or friends then I have the incentive to keep going and doing better. You can do something simple like maintaining an excel spreadsheet or twittering your workout but as someone who’s recently rediscovered cycling after 20 years in cars I’m really blown away by SportsDo. All you need is a Windows Mobile device with GPS capabilities, a data connection and … to get off the computer and get some exercise!

Your first step is to register on the SportsDo.Net website and create a profile. From there you can download and install the Windows Mobile client (other devices are supported) or you can visit their over-the-air provisioning site directly from your phone (you can try out the application before buying – you’re just limited to the distance you can cover).

[Read more]

ScanLife: Proprietary vs. Open in the world of 2-D barcodes

Saw this story at MobileCrunch regarding the ScanLife EZCode format and reader. You may have seen this type of code in Sprint advertisements lately.

In the grand tradition of UPC codes and CueCat, ScanBuy/ScanLife is attempting to barcode the world. Their mission: to allow companies and individuals to place small barcodes on their publications that are readable by over 70 phone models including an upcoming application for the iPhone.

The 2d barcodes - meaning that unlike standard barcodes they are read in both the X and Y axis - can trigger menu events, download content, lead you to a website, or create a contact or calendar entry in your phone. They currently appear in outdoor ads, some magazines, as well as transit schedules in Europe. The program is actually compatible with multiple types of codes, ensuring international compatibility.

 

I installed this little app and scanned a few EZCodes out there and found that it works nicely (although it doesn’t seem to recognize my default mobile browser–Opera Mobile– and instead launches P.I.E. Dang!). After a little more experimentation however I noticed that it was not reading some other 2-D barcodes I had made in the past. (I have been using the i-nigma reader for a while to read QR and Data Matrix codes). I dug a little more and it seems that ScanLife uses a proprietary coding system that does not work with other "open" 2-D bar code standards.

Why? What is the difference? Why would there be multiple code types?

[Read more]

Don’t just go…Boingo!

It’s the 4th of July weekend and Boingo  wants to help you celebrate by offering you complimentary Wi-Fi. 

Head over to Boingo! and get the complimentary Wi-Fi software and get a FREE day pass at any one of 100,000 hotspots worldwide.

Chrysler to Offer WiFi in 2009 Vehicles

Gina Hughes, the Techie Diva has just posted a great story about Chrysler.

Safety advocates be damned!  Chrysler is adding a new in-dash system called UConnect to all it’s 2009 models.  This will bring Bluetooth, iPod integration, satellite TV and a mobile hotspot to your vehicle.

Passengers will be able to connect laptops, handhelds and even the web-connected Nintendo Wii.  Chrysler is the leading seller of minivans, and I’m sure parents will really appreciate all this multimedia goodness.  Keeping those little ones contented is far better than listening to, “Are we there yet?” over and over.

As of yet there is no mention of pricing, but expect to pay an annual or monthly fee.

Safety advocates will be up in arms.  California has just started their new handsfree phone law, but there are no laws against playing Wii in the car.  Expect other car companies to eagerly wait in the wings to see what the backlash will bring.  I predict some law will be passed barring drivers from surfing the web, but adding multimedia capabilities to automobiles will only get more popular.

Qik Review

Speaking of Lifecasting, (see Offbeatmammal’s post)… I have been reviewing an alpha version of Qik’s mobile streaming video service, for Windows Mobile 6. I have been using it for a week or two now and I have good things to report. In order to mix it up a bit, I plan on streaming my review live, using Qik, this Wednesday July 2nd at 2:00 pm EST. I will stream it from this url. We’ll see what happens.

Your life on the go

Lifecasting is a big thing at the moment. One step beyond blogging and tweeting is the ability to record and broadcast live video from a cellphone to share what you’re doing – and engage with your audience.

Qik is probably the best known of these, and is slowly rolling out an early beta service for Windows Mobile users. But Qik are not the only game in town – there are a couple of existing solutions that have great support for Windows Mobile users.

LiveCast provide a live video streaming platform for Windows Mobile and laptop or UMPC users. The video is synchronized with GPS position data so your viewers can see where you are when you’re broadcasting (or when they review archived footage where you were).

While the video quality on LiveCast (formerly known as PocketCaster from ComVu) is pretty good for high end phones the client is not the most intuitive (so expect to spend some time figuring it it), and the web site is a bit clunky. [Read more]

The New Aliph Jawbone: Bluetooth Headset

The Original Jawbone 1                                            The New Jawbone

Aliph’s first generation Jawbone Bluetooth headset generated tons of interest when it came out three years ago.  It was so unique looking that people took notice.  It featured a futuristic, stealth-like design with a curve that followed one’s cheekbone.  It was attractive in a borg-like way.  You would expect those wearing them to have a battery compartment on their backs. 

It also featured noise canceling technology approved by DARPA, which resulted in excellent audio quality. 

The buttons were hidden within the design and some found them hard to press.  It had no volume rocker so one had to cycle through the five volume settings.

Aliph just announced the New Jawbone, which is slimmer, lighter, and more fashionable.  In fact, the designer of the Jawbone, Yves Behar, said,

“The Jawbone strategy we set-out to follow three years ago has proven that products that live on our face need to be designed differently than typical technology wares; we regard them as personal accessories or even jewelry, and, as such, believe they need to be a complete departure from the gadgetry of the mobile and headset industry.”

The new Jawbone is 50% smaller, features best in class noise elimination technology, “invisible buttons”, Touch-surface technology and a clutter free look, according to Jawbone.

So how did it fare in the real world?

[Read more]