Wi-Fi

Google Wi-Fi app being tested, takes the pain out of accessing public hotspots

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 20, 2014

Google is testing a new iPhone application which aims to make it easier to access public Wi-Fi hotspots on your handset, Engadget reported Thursday.

The software will make it simple to automatically authenticate and connect users to Google's free hotspots inside Starbucks stores "or wherever they are available".

The publication has learned that the Google Wi-Fi app could even tap users' Google Account to “install a dedicated security certificate on their device to automatically authenticate devices when a connection is available,” bypassing the need to go through the clunky login process when joining public Wi-Fi hotspots...

CleverPin lets you use an iPhone passcode only when you need it

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Italian developer Filippo Bigarella has been working hard to update his jailbreak tweaks with iOS 7 support, highlighted by the release of Springtomize 3 over the weekend. With an update to that flagship tweak out of the way, Bigarella has followed up by pushing out a new version of CleverPin for iOS 7 and later.

You may recall our own Jeff Benjamin reviewing the original version of CleverPin, a security-based extension, nearly three years ago. Take a look at what has changed since then…

16/32GB Wi-Fi Retina iPad mini shipping times slip to 5-10 days

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 23, 2013

Apple's iPad mini with Retina display used to ship in 1-3 business days for the more popular versions with sixteen and 32 gigabytes of storage, with the more capacious variants with 64 and 128 gigabytes of storage being delivered in 5-10 days.

In another development that won't please holiday shoppers, the entry-level 16GB Retina iPad mini along with its 32GB variant have become harder to come by as shipping estimates on the online Apple Store slip to 5-10 days. Matter of fact, now all capacities, colors, wireless and carrier models (Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + Cellular) of the iPad mini with Retina display are shipping in 5-10 days...

Southwest becomes first airline to offer gate-to-gate Wi-Fi service

Sébastien Page ∙ November 21, 2013

Since the FAA started allowing usage of personal electronic devices during all phases of flight last month, most airlines have now embraced the new rule, letting people play Words With Friends from takeoff to landing. Often one step ahead of competitions in terms of services, Southwest Airlines takes this a bit further and now allows passengers to stay connected to Wi-Fi from gate to gate.

BBM updated with compatibility for Wi-Fi-only iPad and iPod touch devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 14, 2013

Following numerous delays, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) finally arrived last month as a free download on iOS and Android as the Canadian smartphone maker's survival remains uncertain. The app saw five million downloads in the first eight hours of availability, emerged as the No. 1 on the iTunes download charts and brought a cool 20 million new users to the BBM platform within a week. BlackBerry tweeted today that the iPhone-only release would get updated later today to support Wi-Fi-only iPhone touch and iPad devices.

The new version is live now, but there's a catch...

Gogo’s inflight Wi-Fi now lets you send and receive texts and phone calls in the air

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In-flight Wi-Fi provider Gogo is rolling out a new feature that will appeal to busy travelers who've always hated not being able to send or receive text messages and phone calls while spending a couple hours in the air. This is now possible, and using your own phone number, too.

Gogo's new Talk & Text solution does not require that airlines retrofit their aircraft with additional equipment, but you clearly can't just use stock Messages or Phone app as the cellular signal is non-existent 30,000 feet in the air.

Gogo instead requires you to use their new Gogo Text & Talk iPhone app (coming soon to Android) to send and receive text messages and phone calls via Gogo's in-flight Wi-Fi networks. The software also lets you use your the iOS address book and check your voicemail...

How to set up your Apple TV using an iOS device

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 23, 2017

Yesterday, I let you in on a trick to selectively show or hide unwanted app icons from your Apple TV's Home screen. Today, I want to talk about another great Apple TV enhancement, one just implemented as part of the newly-released Apple TV 6.0 software update: tap-to-setup. In a nutshell, you can now use an iOS device to quickly set up your $99 hockey puck.

Sure, the third-generation Apple TV does allow for greater flexibility by letting folks pair a Bluetooth keyboard in order to quickly type in any pertinent information during the setup procedure (or afterwards). Tap-to-setup, however, takes easy to the next level by automatically transferring common settings from your iOS device...

NetworkList: save Wi-Fi passwords and SSIDs

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

NetworkList is a recently released jailbreak tweak that allows you to keep a running list of the Wi-Fi networks known to your device. This list makes it easy to remember the Wi-Fi network names, and you can even use a tap gesture to copy the SSID or the password (which is shown in the clear) to your pasteboard.

Some may balk at the potential security concerns, but if that's not something you worry about, NetworkList may be worth your time. Have a look at our video walkthrough past the break for more information.

Google to replace AT&T as Starbucks Wi-Fi provider

Sébastien Page ∙ July 31, 2013

Starbucks drinkers will be glad to learn that Google will soon replace AT&T as the coffee chain's preferred partner to power the Wi-Fi network of its 7,000+ US stores. Additionally, Google Fiber access, where available, will be provided as well.

According to a post over at the official Google blog:

That’s why we’re teaming up with Starbucks to bring faster, free WiFi connections to all 7,000 company-operated Starbucks stores in the United States over the next 18 months. When your local Starbucks WiFi network goes Google, you’ll be able to surf the web at speeds up to 10x faster than before. If you’re in a Google Fiber city, we’re hoping to get you a connection that’s up to 100x faster.

How great is that?

Wi-Fi Alliance launches 802.11ac certification

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

The so-called Gigabit Wi-Fi, better known as 802.11ac, has yet to be officially ratified but that hasn't stopped Apple from implementing the technology on the refreshed MacBook Air lineup and the redesigned AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule base stations, which were both announced during the WWDC keynote earlier this month.

That said, it's fairly safe to assume that Apple will also roll out 802.11ac across the upcoming iPhone 5S, iPad 5, iPad mini 2 and a next-gen Mac Pro, Apple TV and MacBook. For what it's worth, Apple reportedly partnered with chip maker Broadcom to outfit all Macs with 802.11ac chips.

Apple is usually among the first companies - if not the first - to implement each new major revision to the Wi-Fi standard. And while this allows Apple's customers to live on the bleeding edge of technology, it also exposes early adopters to their fair share of teething issues...

‘WiPi’ shows the Wi-Fi picker using an Activator gesture

Jeff Benjamin ∙ June 13, 2013

WiPi is a recently released jailbreak tweak that allows you to quickly access your device's Wi-Fi picker. Using a simple Activator gesture configurable in the tweak's preference panel, it's a quick way to select a desired Wi-Fi network without having to resort to the Wi-Fi section in the stock Settings app.

Want to see how WiPi works in action? Then check inside for our hands-on video walkthrough.

The new AirPort Extreme can house SATA hard drive, teardown reveals

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 12, 2013

Apple at Monday’s WWDC 2013 keynote briefly mentioned its refreshed AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule wireless appliances which now support Gigabit Wi-Fi, also known as 802.11ac, for three times throughput of 802.11an. In unveiling the sixth-generation AirPort Extreme, Apple's marketing honcho Phil Schiller somewhat cryptically alluded that the redesigned base station might accept internal storage.

“There’s also room in there for a hard drive,” he quipped. Sure enough, teardown wizards over at iFixit bought a brand spanking new unit and tore it apart, finding 3.5 inches of empty space inside...