If you let Google back up your Wifi passwords, then Google has your Wifi passwords The Internet has worked itself up into a bit of a tizzy over the weekend about an innocuous system-level feature that’s been around since Android 2.2 Froyo. The “Back up my data” option — found under “Settings>Backup & reset” on most Android phones — allows certain stuff, including Wifi passwords...
Most fans of Starbucks know about the free WiFi that the coffee company offers. It's currently offered by AT&T and while it isn't the fastest connection, it is reliable enough to get some work done. This morning Starbucks and Google announced that the search giant will be taking the reigns on the free WiFi for all stores based in the United States (sorry for all of you who live...
Tube connectivity provided by Virgin Media now available to O2 subscribers UK mobile operator O2 has today become the latest provider to launch free London Underground Wifi connectivity to its subscribers. Like rivals Vodafone and EE, O2's offering Wifi through a partnership with Virgin Media, which has hotspots at more than 120 tube stations across central London. After registering...
Operator transitioning to its own nationwide Wifi hotspot network O2 customers will lose their inclusive access to telco BT's UK-wide network of Wifi hotspots in just over a month, the operator has revealed. A message on the carrier's site says it's transitioning over to its own network of O2 Wifi hotspots from July 1, as the four-year partnership between O2 and BT Openzone comes to an...
You'll need to already have an AT&T roaming option on your plan, though Boingo today announced a deal that will give the former access to the latter's Wifi hotspots at locations worldwide for no additional charge. AT&T customers already have access to Boingo hotspots in major international airports; this expands the coverage even further. There is a slight catch, however, as you...
A great file transfer tool for power users As advanced as modern mobile devices are, getting files from one phone or tablet to another can still be problematic. Cloud storage apps like Dropbox can clog up your Internet connection. The BlueTooth-based Android Beam is slow, and can only be used for certain items. And S Beam, though faster, is restricted to Samsung devices. Enter SuperBeam...
If you're using in-flight Wifi on a plane over the United States, you're using Gogo's ground-to-air Internet service. And today the provider dropped a few statistical tidbits our way. The broad strokes are that 26 percent of smartphones connecting to Gogo's service are Android, with the rest running iOS. (BlackBerry and Windows Phone total just 0.016 percent.) That might not seem like a...
Many of us are coming to the realization that mobile data limits are, well, limiting. At the same time, public Wifi access has been a major initiative in many large cities and private businesses alike. WeFi Pro, which was previously only available to Cricket customers, is hoping to help users take advantage of the vast amounts of public Wifi available today. Stick around after the break...
Republic Wireless is now shipping out the phones many have pre-ordered, and the $19 monthly hybrid network is up and running, ready to go. After a beta period where users had a chance to try a modified LG Optimus One, the retail Motorola Defy XT units will soon be in customers hands, including ours. This isn't about specs, or playing the high-end phone of the month game. This is geared...
The ESPN ScoreCenter app has just been updated with a pretty handy feature for Samsung Galaxy SIII (S3) owners. With the latest update -- version 2.3.2 -- users that have a Galaxy S3 and a Smart TV (any DLNA compatible device, really) can push ESPN video from the phone to the TV over the local Wi-Fi network. This is functionality we usually only see for specific boxes, or with specific...
If you're trucking through an airport or are near one of the any other 4,000-some Boingo Wifi hotspots, you'll be able to connect for free through September, thanks to the fine folks at Google Play. But only if you're using an Android device, or a Mac or PC. iPhones and the like are excluded from this promotion, Boingo confirmed to Android Central. So sowwy. On the other hand, it's...
Here's some good nerd news for you road warriors who fly outside the U.S. Gogo has signed a deal that will bring in-flight Wifi to flights over portions of the Atlantic and north Pacific, and over Asia, South America, Africa and Australia. That means you can drag out the laptop if you want, but it also means you can whip out your Android smartphone or tablet instead. That's something I...
If you're among the many who have flashed a Jelly Bean ROM onto your Verizon Galaxy Nexus you no doubt realized there appears to an issue with the WiFi suffering from weak connections. No matter though, XDA member mwalt2 has taken things into his own hands and checked out the situation. Conclusion being, there is a singular file difference causing all the hassle and now that it's been...
HTC makes sending high-definition content from your phone to the TV easier than ever The prospect of magically sending content from your phone to your TV isn't new. The DLNA (or Digital Living Network Alliance) protocol has been around for some time now, though there's a decent chance you've never used it. Of newer interest to us is Wifi Direct, in which two Wifi-enabled devices talk...
DLNA, or the Digital Living Network Alliance is an organization set up by Sony in 2003 that determines a universal set of rules and guidelines so devices can share digital media. The devices covered include computers, cameras, televisions, network storage devices, and of course cell phones. The guidelines are built from existing standards, but manufacturers have to pay to use them and...
HTC's new Media Link accessory -- a Wifi Direct device that lets you easily connect your phone to a big-screen TV -- has been seen in fits and starts over the past couple months. One of the shining features is that it's not just mirroring what's on your device. It's a multitasker, so you can stream a movie to your TV while doing something entirely different on your phone. New to us...
A few days ago, we learned that Motorola and Google would be pushing Android 4.0.4 to the Motorola XOOM WiFi. A few folks got their hands on the update but it never seemed to roll out to most users. If you check for updates on XOOM, you should now find it available for download though and as a reminder, here is what the changes will include: Quicker screen rotation A new...
Good news for your frequent fliers who hit the skies with US Airways, as it announced today that it's adding Gogo Wifi service to its Airbus A319, A320 and A321 aircraft, as well as its Embraer 190s. (US Airways Express Embraer 170 and 175s also will be upgraded.) The expansion will bring Internet service to 90 percent of the airlines fleet. That means you'll be able to use the Gogo app...
Just a quick heads up for you folks flying to Austin, Texas, for SXSW -- GoGo Inflight Internet is free if you're flying on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines or Delta Air Lines to Austin from March 10-16. That means you can use the GoGo Android app to keep reading Android Central while you're at 35,000 feet. And that's a good thing. If you are flying to SXSW (South By Southwest) in...
With pre-orders for both the Wifi-only Motorola XYBOARD 10.1 and 8.2 having started up a while ago, Motorola has no decided its a good a time as any to actually start shipping the device out. An email was sent out, letting folks know the devices are now up for purchase on the Motorola website with free two-day shipping available as well for orders over $75. That's not a problem for...