Boingo Opens Up to Mobile Wi-Fi

By Geoff Duncan Published February 13, 2007

The problem of having a Wi-Fi enabled wireless device like a smartphone or PDA is that most Wi-Fi hotspots are designed to let users sign on with a notebook computer—and that’s particularly true if you’re a frequent traveler and you’re trying to guarantee yourself Internet access by signing on to a Wi-Fi network service.

Leading Wi-Fi network operator Boingo Wireless is starting to address that problem by opening up its worldwide network of Wi-Fi hotspots to Pocket PC and Windows Mobile 5 phones and wireless devices via Boingo Mobile. Once installed, the free Boingo Mobile software enables automatic connections and roaming authentication on services offered by more than 150 wireless network operators in more than 60 countries around the world. Subscribers may suse any Internet-enabled application on their phones and mobile devices, including VoIP and email applications, SMS messaging, accessing online news, uploading and downloading files, connecting with corporate or organizational networks, or (gasp!) even playing games.

Recommended Videos

“Wi-Fi enabled phones just became a whole lot more useful,” said Tim Farrell, Boingo’s VP product management and professional services. “With the worldwide access of Boingo Mobile, subscribers can use their phones for the applications that make them more productive, let them stay in touch or just have a little more fun.”

Boingo Mobile users can subscribe to flat-rate service for a $7.95/month; Boingo Mobile is also available for Belkin’s Wi-Fone for Skype, and at this week’s 3GSM conference, Boingo is demonstrating a version of Boingo Mobile for Nokia’s Symbian-based S60 phones. The company says it expects to be able to offer Boingo Mobile service to other classes of Wi-Fi enabled devices—like media players, gaming systems, digital cameras, and additional handsets&mdahs;in the “near future.”

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Mobile

How to quickly share Wi-Fi settings in Android

Share Wi-Fi with QR code

What network is it? What's the password? How do you spell that? If you're anything like us, you've heard those questions from guests to your home or work many, many times. You probably have the answers memorized, or maybe you have them written on a card for this precise situation.

With newer Android versions (10 and later), there's a quick, easy way to share pertinent information with someone — and it doesn't require you to remember any details or spell out a password. Instead, there's a quick shortcut option to generate a QR code that you can display on your phone screen with a tap. Visitors can then scan the code on their phone to connect instantly to your network.

Mobile

This Android tablet uses the internet without Wi-Fi or a SIM card

A look at the new Blackview Tab 13, a standard rectangular tablet that's connected to a keyboard. Behind it the first tablet are two others showcasing the devices' cameras.

Blackview is mostly known for making devices designed to withstand harsh treatment, and today the company announced the launch of a tablet that doesn't require Wi-Fi or a SIM card for users to access the internet. The Tab 13 is a little bit different from the rest of Blackview's lineup of sturdy devices as it doesn't feature any of the protective layers that the company is known for. However, its internet connection options make it stand out for reasons all on its own.

Instead of relying on Wi-Fi or other sources of connection, the Tab 13 makes use of SIMO, a service that relies on a digital SIM card (also known as an eSIM) to keep devices connected. The exact specifications of how SIMO's Wi-Fi and SIM card-less connection works aren't entirely clear from the company's website, but the Tab 13 promises painless and easy connection to SIMO subscribers in more than 135 countries across the world.

Mobile

How to listen to Apple Music in hi-fi on iPhone and Android

A person holds an iPhone 11 with the Apple Music app open.

Higher-quality music is always better, and Apple knows this. That's why Apple is updating all of the music on Apple Music to the new Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) format, giving Apple Music subscribers the ability to listen to their favorite music in the high quality it was always intended for.