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Filed under: Business, Internet, Web services, Google

Google celebrates its first year of WiFi

Google celebrates its first year of WiFiIt's been a year since the folks at Google successfully knocked off WiFi in Mountain View California. Transmitting all those great 802.11 b/g signals to the grateful residents, businesses and visitors at absolutely no charge at all. They are still trucking along on the San Francisco wireless deal with EarthLink and the city to give all residents free connections to the internet, but who knows when that will all be resolved.

Nevertheless, Google is on a mission to provide top notch WiFi networks, but what exactly does it take? Well, in Mountain View there are over 400 mesh routers that cover 12 square miles and 25,000 homes, with 15,000 unique users per month. Traffic over this free network has risen 10% every month and handles 300 gigabytes of data each day and 95% of the routers are being used every single day.

Here's to hoping that Google someday manages to blanket San Francisco, and a few other cities with WiFi.

Where would you like to see Google create their next free WiFi Network?

Filed under: Google

SpaceShipOne bought by Google?

spaceship one googleDid Google buy SpaceshipOne? Michael Arrington has a scoop that Google has acquired the ship and is planning on storing it in building 43 at the Googleplex. The Ship is rumored to be still in the Smithsonian museum, since it won the $10 million X prize in 2004, but could be on the way to Mountain View California. We all know that Google can afford it with their sizable bank account, especially after the recent third quarter earnings released on Thursday. Larry Page is on the board of trustees of the X Prize foundation, so he does have some insides there if indeed it came onto the market. If you have a picture of SpaceShipOne taken on October 21st, Arrington wants it, and he's willing to give an iPod shuffle to the first person with evidence. This would be a great investment for Google, and then they could get back on track with their interplanetary operations. Stay tuned for further developments.

UPDATE: It looks like Google bought a full scale replica of SpaceShipOne. If you feel the desire, you too can get one from here.

Filed under: Business, Internet, Utilities, Web services, Google

Google WiFi Equipment

google wifiFor those lucky enough people sitting around and enjoying Google's free WiFi service in Mountain View California, this isn't really for you. Niall Kennedy has managed to snap some pictures of Google's WiFi equipment that sits atop street lights around their hometown, as well as the WiFi login screen.

The login screen for the system is pretty plain and to the point. Exactly how it should be. They have a basic entry area to fill in your Google Account credentials, or a link to create one. Google seems to also be providing a secure access kit that encrypts traffic. They are also pushing their WiFi service for home use as well. Like any good site, they have a help section.

The big deal for outsides and WiFi enthusiasts might be the setup that Google has fastened to light standards around Mountain View. It looks like a pretty standard setup for municipal WiFi projects on lamp standard number 20, nothing too outstanding. If anyone is well versed in WiFi equipment, let us all know what kind of equipment this might be. And to everyone in Mountain View, I hope you're enjoying your free WiFi, maybe we'll get some one day.

View Google's WiFi equipment

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Filed under: Google, Googleholic

Googleholic for August 18th, 2006

googleholicIn this issue of Googleholic we cover:
  • Google Map Search gadget
  • Grannies and Google Coupons
  • Google Music Trends
  • Brazil sues Google
  • Google Anniversary
  • Writely is open for business
  • China.com teams with Google
Welcome to Friday's Googleholic edition...

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Filed under: Fun, Internet, Utilities, Web services, Google

Google officially launched WiFi in Mountain View

google wifi mapToday marks the official launch of GoogleWiFi in Mountain View California. Transmitting 802.11b/g signals to the entire city, including residents, businesses and visitors, at no charge.

This is a big step in the development of free WiFi for cities, and Google is heading this initiative. Google's main aim at developing the service in their hometown, was to give back and engage the citizens of Mountain View.

Google has put together a nice map of the locations where the Mountain View coverage areas are. So, when you are cruising through Mountain View, look for the "GoogleWiFi" access signal, and sign in with your free Google Account credentials. If you have had the opportunity to try out some free Google WiFi, drop us a line, and let us know how it worked out for you.

Filed under: Internet, Productivity, Web services, Google

Google Wi-Fi Testing

google wifi testing mountain view californiaKatie Fehrenbacher was lucky enough to get invited to test out Google's free wi-fi service around the Mountain View California area. She was testing it out, and says that there is ample signal strength. She is set to drive around a bit and try out the different locations that are marked on Google's Mountain View wifi coverage map.

In order to download the the Google Secure Access, and start using Google's wi-fi, you must log on to https://wifi.google.com/download.html at a Google wi-fi network point and download the Google Secure Access VPN client.

The main purpose of Google's wi-fi project is the outdoor use; however, there are supposedly instructions in Katie's invitation that speak about pulling in signals for indoor coverage using a high power wifi modem. Stay tuned for Katie's Google testing tour around Mountain View.

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Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

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