Gadgets: Free Wi-Fi in public places
By Jay Garrett
Well, what a week for gadgets and tech! There's so many things I could write about.
History has been made as The LHC (or 'the black hole maker' as I like to call it) has been switched on and those protons have made their first 27km sprint. Scary thing is that the boffins are surprised it's gone so well so far – fills you with confidence doesn't it?
Apple events are generally newsworthy and the one that took place in San Francisco produced a new generation of iPod Nano's, updated iPod Classics, a new iPod Touch trio with added Nike+ for the healthy and a Genius infused iTunes 8!
One of this years most anticipated games has been released by EA. Spore for your home puter and Spore Origins for the iPhone/iPod Touch (£5.99 from the App Store) – I must add that it is ridiculously addictive!
And then there's everyone's fave portal to the interweb reaching its 10th year – I am of course talking about Google. To mark this occasion they're going to bring the Android powered HTC Dream to the UK in November.
But, let's face it – they've all been covered to death so there's no point in me going about it.
I want to bring you something more. I want to give you something free.
How about free Wi-Fi in public places? Just think about this familiar scenario:
You're out and about and need to check something before you hop on the train or board the plane.
You open up your browser and select the airport or stations Wi-Fi only to be sent to a ‘Pay To Browse Page’ - NOOOOOOOoooooooooooo………..
Here’s a neat trick to get you that quick hit.
When you open up your web browser you’re generally herded to the service’s sign and pay page.
The trick is to enter the web address you’d like to visit and add “?.jpg” to the end of the URL.
So you would go to http://www.idleparis.co.uk/?.jpg for example.
These pay-to-browse networks don’t block image files (yet), so you’re able to slip through the cracks this way.
Good eh? Just remember you didn’t get this from here, right?
_____
Jay Garrett is a a professional bass player and gadget junkie. Check out his blog at idleparis.co.uk
Read this on Lifehacker and tried it at the BT open Wi-Fi service in Glasgow Central Station. No luck, but they may have caught on to that.
Read about this earlier and though I would give it a go.
Works for me, I am sat in Starbucks now and not paying for this, thank you Jay.
I just hope Starbucks doesn't track me down - but let's face it, at the price they charge for coffee......... :0P
Sorry didn't work up in Glasgae - perhaps they're a bit more clued up.
Works in Kings Cross Station and in Costa as well - apparently ;0,
I'm hoping that you people are only using this hint to quickly check email, etc and not d/loading tunes.
I'd hate to think you'd be using this for evil ;0,
Other than that - glad I could help :)
Feel free to visit my main blog ;)
Jay G