Results tagged “wifi”

While Second Cup and Starbucks have offered Wi-Fi service for years, the cost model has always leaned towards laptop users: customers can choose to purchase internet for an hour, a day, or a month. However, the explosion of Wi-Fi enabled smartphones changes the use of Wi-Fi: checking an email, using GPS, or finding a telephone listing takes minutes. Here's a catch: in the States, the internet period is limited to a single session. Once you log off, you're done for the day. We wonder if Bell will make the session cumulative or if the telco will follow suit. (Doesn't it appears that telcos plan to take advantage of the changing market to manipulate Wi-Fi at the major coffee chains to become marketing tools for products like the iPhone or WiMax?)

The Toronto Public Library is an undeniably important public space in this city. Beyond offering a sanctuary for quiet study and learning, library branches provide after-school programming for youth as well as settlement information and language resources for newcomers. It’s little wonder that this fall, even as he was threatening budget cuts, David Miller remarked: "Our libraries are where people become Torontonians." Striving to remain relevant and innovative, the public library constantly introduces new programs, such as this year’s Museum and Arts Passes, free Wi-Fi access, and downloadable books, movies, and music.

Are you tired of study sessions completely uninterrupted by YouTube clips? Have you resorted to reading books and periodicals rather than maintaining a constant vigil over your Facebook profile? If this behaviour sounds familiar to you, and you live near one of these locations (that is Agincourt, Albion, Albert Campbell, Bridlewood, Centennial, Eatonville, Flemingdon Park, Gerrard/Ashdale, Lillian H. Smith, Mimico, Morningside, North York Central, Parkdale, Parliament, Richview, Riverdale, Toronto Reference, Woodside Square, and York Woods), you can finally breathe a sigh of relief. For today, the Toronto Public Library announces an expansion of its wireless internet service to 19 of its branches. That's 19 down, and only 80 left to go. But hey, it's a good start! And yes, this wi-fi is totally free to use.

Spring appears to have, er, sprung, at least temporarily, in most of the Ist-A-Verse, so naturally, we're all feeling pretty good. (Yes, we know that spring doesn't start till later this month. Just let us enjoy our weather!) And that makes us that much more eager to share all of the nifty things we're up to...

On Tuesday, Wireless Toronto (everybody's favourite community wireless group) held its very first Hacknight.

This was not a very happy week for the -ist network as one of our own, Phillyist co-editor Star C. Foster, passed away early in the week. Her wit, intelligence, and good nature shone through the site, making Phillyist an immensely fun read. She was loved by many and will be missed by all. Phillyist paid tribute to her this week with a heartfelt letter to her and an obituary.

In case you're sick of paying for coffee to get your daily Internet fix, and can't wait for Toronto Hydro's system, the good folks over at Wireless Toronto have created a free WiFi access point in Yonge-Dundas Square.

Toronto Hydro is leapfrogging over cellphone companies and planning to offer citywide WiFi which means you can access Torontoist pretty much everywhere. Like on skating rinks, or parks or heck, even while you're driving (something we don't support and won't be liable for if you're stupid enough to do it). According to the Toronto Star story Ted Rogers is very very pissed off about the development. All we have to say is good, that guy deserves it. Have you seen TOist's cable and phone bill?!

TOist has written about the mess the big four carriers are making of WiFi in TO (and Canada) in the past, with a mixture of frustration and apathy. So it's nice to see that some locally-wired citizens, loosely known as Wireless Toronto, are getting together to discuss the idea of creating wireless community networks. They're specifically looking to Ile Sans Fils, a Montreal group that offers WiFi when you're in their radius. TOist had opportunity to try it out a while back, and only hopes this group can muster up a similar operation for the WiFi-wanting here in TO. Gabe Sawhney will lead a discussion about approaches, models, and strategies for a community wireless group in Toronto.

A question has long been looming in Canada, especially among the big four mobility carriers, as to whether or not they can make a go of a pay-per-use model. But outlandish prices like these make one realize that we can't expect a fair pay-per-use model when greed resonates. If TOist needs WiFi, we will certainly be drinking coffee elsewhere.

When you’re toting your laptop around and want to fire off a couple emails and post a blog update, Toronto is a pretty desolate place. Canadian Starbucks locations are not Wi-Fi enabled, though our neighbors to the south are able to buy access accounts that work in locations all over the country. Coffee chain Second cup, is now teasing the geek set with free hotspots.