Glastonbury hippies claim local WiFi network is damaging their “ley lines”

by Scott Carmichael on

In something that sounds like it came right out of a South Park episode, a local group of hippies is complaining that a recently installed WiFi mesh network in the UK village of Glastonbury is causing all kinds of health problems.

The new-age residents descended upon the village several years ago because they believe in its powerful healing abilities.

To combat the signals from the Wi-Fi hotspots, the hippies have placed orgone generators around the antennae, but so far without any success.

This might have to do with the fact that orgone generators look like they are just bundt pans with some tin foil pieces.

Speaking of tin foil, despite 100’s of research studies, nobody has ever found any links between WiFi signals and health issues, and the village of Glastonbury has been blanketed in mobile phone signals since the late 80’s without anyone feeling ill from the “radiation”.

(Via: The Inquirer)

Daily deal – Blue Proton high powered WiFi adapter for $21.99

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today may be a little too “geekish” for some, but don’t let the scary box and antenna scare you away.

The Blue Proton G-Sky USB Wireless adapter is a regular WiFi device with a twist. The G-Sky has a large external antenna, and a boosted transmission power of up to 500mW.

What this means to you and I, is that it will pick up WiFi signals your laptop usually can’t find. And once it gets a signal, it’ll lock onto it much better.

If you have ever stayed at a hotel with poor wireless coverage, or are just looking for something that can pick up more (often open) wireless signals, then this device may be worth your investment.

The package comes with the wireless adapter, a USB cable, the antenna and a CD with drivers.

This wireless adapter usually retails for $49.99, but Amazon currently has it on sale for just $21.99 (with $3.99 shipping). To make the deal a little sweeter, you can even add a free 1GB MicroSD card, just make sure you scroll down to “special offers and promotions” on the product page.

Early Christmas gift for iPhone and Blackberry users – free AT&T Wi-Fi access

by Scott Carmichael on

If you are an iPhone or Blackberry Bold customer with AT&T, then as of today you’ll finally be able to access any AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot for free.

The 17,000 AT&T Hotspot locations are primairily found at Starbucks and Barnes & Noble.

There are no additional steps required to access the hotspots, you can simply select the hotspot name like any other wireless access point and login using your mobile phone number.

Being able to access Wi-Fi only really makes sense if you don’t have the 3G iPhone or if you desperately need access to something faster than the existing 3G signal.

Of course, it could also help a lot if you find yourself outside the 3G coverage area, or if you need to access something not possible over 3G (like accessing the iTunes music store).

Wi-Fi access to the AT&T network normally runs $19.95 a month, so this freebie certainly adds some more value to the monthly plan. Of course, AT&T is not the first to offer free hotspot access with their phones, T-Mobile offers a similar perk for Blackberry and G1 users with select data plans.

Via: Engadget.

Which airlines let you watch porn?

by Mike Barish on

Last month, fellow Gadling blogger Grant Martin wrote about airlines filtering in-flight wireless content. Now MSNBC has an article on exactly which airlines are filtering adult content. So, who is letting you join the mile high club alone?

Well, if you are flying on American or Delta, be prepared to pack your own copy of Juggs, because they have asked their wireless provider, AirCell, to filter adult content. Coincidentally, these are two of my least favorite airlines to fly. Southwest is currently testing the use of in-flight wi-fi and their partner, Row 44, will also be filtering content. You’re now free to move about the country. But not your own genitals.

Air Canada will begin offering wireless next spring and their spokesman said that it is too early to comment on filtering. Their fellow hosers at Alaska Airlines have no immediate plans to filter content but will include “a few key bullets in the terms of service area” that will outline what they mean by “appropriate use.” That sounds hot.

Meanwhile, those rebels over at Virgin America have no plans to filter their wireless access. And they also do not filter their seatback touch-screen entertainment. It’s basically a flying peepshow. Kudos to you, Sir Richard Branson. I’d give you a high five, but I think I know where your hand has been.

So there you have it. Armed with this knowledge, your laptop and a 3 oz. container of hand lotion, you are now prepared to indulge in whatever internet habits you deem appropriate while crammed inside a flying tube. Remember: The only safe travel is self travel.

Daily deal – Eye-Fi Home wireless 2GB SD memory card for $60

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is another of my personal favorites when it comes to gadgets. The Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card fits in any digital camera that takes SD cards and instantly uploads any photos you take directly to your computer.

No more messing with cables or having to dock your camera after ever photo you take. As soon as your camera connects to the wireless network in your house, it immediately starts uploading all your photos.

I’ve had an Eye-Fi card since the day they were available, and it has completely changed the way I take my photos, even for simple things like creating an Ebay sale, I simply take the photo and 5 seconds later the photo is available on my desktop. I’ll post a full review of Eye-Fi in an upcoming review, but I did not want to withold the new prices of the Eye-Fi cards.

The Eye-Fi card is available in three different “flavors”; Home, Share and Explore.

The home card is used for taking photos and sending them to your home PC. The Share card can send photos to your home PC as well as a large number of photo sharing sites (like Smugmug, Flickr and others). And finally, the Explore card adds Wi-Fi hotspot access through Wayport for a year as well as basic “geotagging” of your photos.

The Eye-Fi Home card is currently on sale through J&R Electronics for just $59.99 (with $2.95 shipping). The other Eye-Fi cards can be found through Amazon.com.