wi-fi

There are lots of things in life that I can do, but there is a more constrained number of things that I should do.

This post on Lifehacker about how to steal Wi-Fi access reminded me of one more "can but should not" item to add to the list.

Apparently, someone figured out a way to trick Wi-Fi networks at airports with a "?.jpg" addition to URLs. The access-gaining trick works only on those networks that "allow images to go through without a redirect," but that's not really the point. It's similar … Read more

Power Downloader often uses his friends' Wi-Fi hot spots all over the world, but he doesn't visit each friend as regularly as he'd like. Months or even years go by before he sees them again. Whether they use a WEP key or a WPA, he never has to worry about keeping a password database with WirelessKeyView.

WirelessKeyView is a simple utility. The main feature lets Power D view the passwords his Wi-Fi manager has stored, but it offers more than just that. The spreadsheet-style main window shows the properties on any stored network name. Users can view not … Read more

We've come a long way since the 5GB iPod.

Today, you can find pocket-size video players, MP3 players with tiny flash drives offering up to 32GB capacities, even digital audio players built into sunglasses.

But one of the most advanced features you can find in today's MP3 players is wireless capability. This is generally split into two categories: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is the subject here, and the devices that incorporate it represent the cutting edge in MP3 players.

Although every device listed here integrates 802.11b/g connectivity, not all of them use this functionality in the … Read more

Remember the Brother HL-2170W from a couple months ago? It's a small-footprint, small-office laser printer that offers both Ethernet and Wi-Fi network connectivity. (USB, too.) Now it's 20 bucks cheaper, selling for just $79.99 shipped from Newegg. (Make sure to use coupon code EMCAJCBBF to get 10 bucks off the listed price.) It's a new unit, not a refurb, and you don't have to deal with any rebates.

My original post has all the deets you need on this printer, which remains a favorite in the Cheapskate household. It's rare enough to find an … Read more

American Airlines passengers will now have Wi-Fi access on some flights.

The airline said Wednesday that it has finally launched its in-flight Internet access service via Wi-Fi on 15 of its 767-200 airplanes. The service, called Gogo, will be offered on nonstop flights between New York and San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, and New York and Miami. The cost is $12.95 per flight. Passengers will be able to sign up when they boot up their browsers.

The airline will be restricting the use of voice over IP services, such as Skype, and it will still restrict the … Read more

A year after releasing the 605 WiFi portable video player (a CNET Editors' Choice), Archos is announcing plans to release three new devices in the following months: the Archos 5, Archos 7, and Archos 5G.

Archos is quick to point out that these new "Internet media tablets" are not to be confused with the company's line of portable video players (such as the Archos 605 WiFi), which will continue to be manufactured and offered alongside the new tablets. That said, the new offerings clearly draw on many of their predecessor's features. Like the 605 WiFi and … Read more

Monday marked a milestone for Epson printers, as the company revealed a new line of all-in-one and photo printers designed for the small- to medium-size business consumer.

The two single-function WorkForce 30 and 40s, as well as the higher-end WorkForce 500 and 600 all-in-ones, promise to deliver speed, quality, and utility in an attractive package. Judging from the initial pictures, the WorkForce 600, the new line's flagship model, appears to have a comprehensive set of buttons on the faceplate surrounding its 2.5-inch LCD screen.

According to the release, the 600 is both speedy and efficient, capable of printing … Read more

I'll never buy another printer that requires a cable. Wireless printing, that's the ticket. Fortunately, you don't have to pay a premium for this enviable capability, as evidenced by Dell's V305w--an all-in-one model currently on sale for $79.

Shipping is free (make sure to choose three-to-five day delivery at checkout), though you'll probably have to pony up a few bucks for sales tax.

The Wi-Fi-enabled V305w features a 100-sheet input tray, borderless photo printing up to 8.5 inches by 14 inches, and media-card slots for printing photos without your PC. (Alas, there's no … Read more

When we reviewed the Grace ITC-IR1000B Wireless Internet Radio back in March, we gave it a mostly positive review, but a couple annoying quirks and a general lack of connectivity kept us from a stronger recommendation. Since that time, Grace has released a firmware update that fixed most of the software bugs we complained about, and the company added the ability to access the Pandora streaming audio service. Since these changes added a good deal of functionality to the radio--and it's still one of the most affordable Wi-Fi radios on the market--we decided to take a second look at it.… Read more