Sandy got you down? Comcast offering free WiFi to affected regions, iTunes allowing Red Cross donations

Hurricane Sandy's taken out more than the electricity of hundreds of thousands of Northeastern USers -- it's also pillaged the internet connections of many, leaving our Netflix and Hulu Plus subscriptions unused, and subsequently our Eddie Murphy '80s movie marathons unmarathoned. Comcast understands this to be the dire situation it is, and is offering its Xfinity WiFi service free of charge for folks living in Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Washington D.C., and West Virginia (sans New York City, as there aren't any hotspots in the Big Apple, sadly). Just select "Complimentary Trial" from the landing page and you're in like Flynn until November 7 (when the deal ends).

[Source: Engadget - Click here to read more]

Virgin Media extends free tube WiFi for all until 2013

Tweeting about the obnoxious individuals you share a tube platform with was expected to be a one-time thing if you weren't a Virgin Media customer. The Branson-backed provider had said that, once the summer games had finished, it would make the service exclusive to its own broadband subscribers. Now, however, the company has reversed that decision, extending the free period through until the end of the year. The Telegraph is reporting that the turnaround is in part thanks to wholesale talks with other ISPs, who are keen to offer the service as part of their own packages. Given that we're unlikely to make it into the stratosphere or the bottom of the ocean any time soon, we'll settle for pretending we're a daring explorer of the Piccadilly line.

[Source: Engadget]

Verizon iPhone 5 update fixes mobile data use on WiFi bug

Verizon customers received an unexpected bonus when they opted for the latest iPhone, but in an unfortunate case of carrier Karma, the necessary sacrifice was their mobile data. An update has been issued to fix a Verizon-specific bug which, "under certain circumstances," used cellular data when connected to WiFi. To plug the potential leak, you'll need to head to the About screen in the phone's Settings, General menu, where you should find a update prompt. Install, then -- importantly -- reboot, and if "Verizon 13.1" shows as your carrier in that same About tab, you know you're safe. We'd also recommend checking your data allowance with crossed fingers -- for what use is LTE if you've already hit your monthly cap?

[Source: Engadget]

Sony NEX-5R and NEX-6 allegedly get pictured, flaunt WiFi logos

In early August, an Indonesian POSTEL listing revealed two new mirrorless NEX shooters in Sony's pipeline, both reportedly rocking wireless LAN chips. Now VR-Zone seems to have come across certification photos of the two cameras, each modeling -- you guessed it -- its very own WiFi logo. As expected, this puts Sony's ILC range inline with the wireless smorgasbord it laid out at CES, eschewing less native, accessory-based solutions. VR-Zone wagers that the NEX-5R will sell for about $700, and pegs the NEX-6 somewhere around $1000. Better start saving -- hit the source link below for a better look at where your pocket money might be going.

Update: Sony Alpha Rumors has thrown in some more images of the NEX-5R, this time of the press shot kind. We've embedded a handful after the break.

[Source: Engadget]

Researchers use ambient WiFi radio waves to see through walls

Seeing through walls hasn't been a super hero-exclusive activity for a while now. According to Popular Science, however, University College London researchers Karl Woodbridge and Kevin Chetty have created the first device that can detect movement through walls using existing WiFi signals. While similar tech has required a bevy of wireless nodes, the duo has pulled off the feat with a contraption roughly the size of a suit case.

Much like radar, the device relies on the Doppler effect -- radio waves changing frequencies as they reflect off of moving objects -- to identify motion. Using a radio receiver with two antennas and a signal-processing unit, the system monitors the baseline WiFi frequency in an area for changes that would indicate movement. In tests, the gadget was able to determine a person's location, speed and direction through a foot-thick brick wall. The technology's potential applications range from domestic uses to scanning buildings during combat. Best of all, since the university's hardware doesn't emit any radio waves, it can't be detected. How's that for stealthy?

[Source: Engadget]

O2 launches value Pay & Go Pocket Hotspot to create “Wifi in your Pocket”

O2 has entered the Mobile Wifi arena with O2 Pocket Hotspot , a new pocket-sized device and tariff that will enable anyone to get a “Wifi hotspot in their pocket”. The new service launches on 2 August 2012.

The new device enables up to five devices to connect simultaneously, sharing mobile internet access. The device is the perfect partner for a growing number of Wifi-enabled mobile devices that consumers increasingly want to be able to use on the move – including tablets, games consoles and cameras, as well as conventional laptop users. It will mean customers can use all their internet-connected devices on the move.

The new device will come with two Pay & Go data options: a daily top-up and 1GB or 2GB bundles (both of which have a 30 day term). Offering a Pay & Go mobile Wifi solution means that O2 Pocket Hotspot customers can get some of the most competitive rates available for mobile internet access without having to sign up to 12 month (or longer) contracts.

Gary Booker, GM Consumer at O2 says of the launch:

“We saw a big gap in the market for a Mobile Wifi package that offered lower start-up costs and competitive data. 

“Customers have told us that they want access to the web on the go, but that they don’t always want to sign up for year-long contracts or to buy lots of data from the outset. O2 Hotspot has been designed to cater for exactly those needs: lowering up-front costs and offering customers lots of options when it comes to the amount of data they buy – what they need, when they need it.”

Starter package costs: O2 Pocket Hotspot

Device Cost	Starter Data	Data Cost	Total Cost
£59.99	Pay daily (200MB/day)	£2.04	NA
£59.99	1 GB (lasts 30 days)	£10.21	£70.20
£59.99	2 GB (lasts 30 days)	£15.32	£75.31

Ongoing cost: O2 Pocket Hotspot Pay and Go data

Data	Cost	Term
1 GB	£10.21	30 days
2 GB	£15.32	30 days

O2 Pocket Hotspot offers 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connectivity and maximum download speeds of 21.6 Mbps and upload at 5.76 Mbps.

 Gary Booker added:

“There are growing numbers of consumers wanting to be able to use the devices they get internet access on at home while they’re on the move.

“Whether tablet users who want access to the web, gamers who want to carry on playing wirelessly while they’re on the move or business customers who are fed up with slow connections on trains or hunting down the nearest WiFi point, O2 Hotspot is the ideal solution.

“Because you can connect up to five devices at once, we also think that this product will appeal to students who want a fast connection but don’t have a telephone line for home broadband or even those who want internet access out of the range of their home router – in the garden for example.”

To find out more, visit: http://www.o2.co.uk/broadband/mobile-broadband/o2-pocket-hotspot

London bans wireless access points at Olympics

If you thought the list of banned items at the Olympic Games couldn't get any longer, now the IOC is gunning for that mobile hotspot in your pocket. The prohibited list includes all of the things you'd expect (weapons, alcohol, toxic materials) but also this:  "Personal / private wireless access points and 3G hubs (smart devices such as Android phones, iPhone and tablets are permitted inside venues, but must not be used as wireless points to connect multiple devices)" Probably best to leave that router at home and make sure you only activate your smartphone's hotspot when you're hidden in a crowd, folks.

[Source: Engadget]

HP Launches the Industry’s First Wi-Fi® Mobile Mouse

HP announced the launch of the industry’s first Wi-Fi® Mobile Mouse. This product was unveiled along with a new line up of accessories at the HP Personal Computing Accessories Forum 2011 in Cannes. The new range, also including top-of-the-line Webcams, features sleek and modern designs to meet the needs of both consumers and businesses.

HP’s Wi-Fi® Mobile Mouse represents the industry’s first Wi-Fi® mouse. It has a sculpted shape designed to fit like a glove in your hand. It ranks as a technological revolution because it eliminates wires and external receivers forever, offering total freedom at your fingertips. The state-of-the-art mouse easily connects to your computer’s built-in Wi-Fi® receiver, allowing users to have a spare USB port to plug in other accessories. Its 9 month battery life also equates to 2 times the battery life of comparable Bluetooth®models1.

                                                                                                                          

The new HP Webcam HD-4110 allows full HD video calling in three easy clicks, giving users the best ease of use and video clarity yet. The webcam allows consumers to chat, take clear HD photos, videos and create images and was awarded the CES 2011 (Consumer Electronics Show) Innovations Design and Engineering Awards Honoree. Full HD 1080 autofocus widescreen model can record videos at up to 30 frames per second.

HP’s webcams make the end-user experience simpler and quicker with three buttons to launch end-user preferred Instant Messaging applications (AIM, Window Live, Skype, or Yahoo!), take pictures and record videos. According to HP research, 92% of webcam users participate in video chatting, 42% take pictures and 34% record videos2. The directional microphone filters out background noise, allowing users to enjoy louder and clearer sound.

 

Additionally, the launch of the HD Webcam HD-2200 makes HD affordable for easy video editing, online chatting with friends, and sharing still images – all with an integrated microphone and plug-and-play USB connection.

 

“HP’s new line of accessories work with any computer, offering great consumer choice while delivering intelligent design and unparalleled quality” said Tiago Drummond, VP of Retail Sales, HP Personal Systems Group, EMEA. “Everybody can now explore, travel and connect seamlessly with HP Accessories.” 

 

The full range of new accessories includes:

 

· The industry’s first ever Wi-Fi® Mobile Mouse offers consumers wireless connectivity and impressive battery life. HP’s new Wi-Fi® Mobile Mouse eliminates wires and external receivers, allowing consumers to click and go in comfort and style.

· The HP 2.4GHz Wireless Optical Mobile Mouse is available in seven exciting colours, ideal for the fashion-conscious consumer to match their style and their HP Notebook PC: Butter Gold, Sonoma Red, Pacific Blue, Leaf Green, Sweet Purple, Metal Steel, and Charcoal grey.

· The HP Webcam HD-4110 allows users to auto-focus and take clear, sharp pictures even in poor lighting conditions.

· The HD-2200 achieves crisp images and captures true-to-life sound, offering an impressive host of features at a very competitive price.

· HP Multimedia Speakers 2.0 and HP 2.1 Compact Speaker System deliver high quality sound coupled with a sleek design at a very affordable price.

• HP In-ear Stereo Headset is a new headset ideal for Smartphones, Tablets or PCs with a 4-conductor 3mm audio jack.

· An extension of HP’s successful line-up of retractable-handle and high quality black notebook sleeves, now available in 35.5cm (14”), 40.6cm (16”) and 43.9cm (17.3”) sizes.

• A new 43.9cm (17.3”) HP Urban Backpack, a trusty partner for the road and ideal for those travellers seeking a cool design and robust protection for their PC.

 

 

Pricing and availability

 

HP Wi-Fi® Mobile Mouse: price £39.99 available from May 2011.

HP 2.4GHz Wireless Optical Mobile Mouse. New colours available from July 2011 at £39.99

HP Webcam HD-4110: £59.99, available now

HP Webcam HD-2200: price £24.99, available from May 2011

HP Multimedia Speakers 2.0 price £19.99 and available now

New in-ear stereo headset: price £14.99 available from May 2011

HP Urban Backpack: price £49.99, available now

Retractable-handle black laptop sleeves: price £24.99 available from May 2011

 

Additional information is available here