Tag Archives: Wi Fi
How to survive without an unlimited data plan
Mobile consumers are inching closer to a world where unlimited data doesn’t flow as freely.
The decision by Verizon Wireless to drop unlimited data plans is the latest move by carriers to get customers to pay a little extra for all those Web pages, songs and videos they’re consuming.
But with some careful planning, the impact might not be as significant as you think. Here are a couple tips for coping with life after an unlimited data plan.
Wi-Fi is your best friend. Use reliable wireless broadband networks any chance you get. All data consumption via Wi-Fi will not count against wireless plans, so surf the Web or download apps freely.
Get to know the data hogs. If you’re Tweeting, updating Facebook, checking out websites or sending e-mails, there’s usually little impact to your data plan. Heavier tasks such as watching videos, streaming music, uploading photos
Article source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/usatoday-TechTopStories/~3/ANWGyqJILB8/1
Talking Tech: Customers clog Panera’s free Wi-Fi
The fresh breads eatery aimed to court customers in between meals. The experiment worked, raising sales early on about 15%.
But now, it’s become a challenge to meet the Wi-Fi demand, says Panera’s vice president of technology, Blaine Hurst. “With mobile carriers cracking down on data plans, more and more people say, ‘I’ll go to Panera for free Wi-Fi.’ How do we make sure we have capacity?”
With free Wi-Fi available at national chains such as Starbucks and McDonald’s, and becoming more accessible without charge at hotels or airports, Panera is grappling with how to keep its Wi-Fi customers happy amid heated rivalry.
For now, Panera has got a gold-plated problem: Customers’ use of its Wi-Fi is way up. Monthly connections to Panera’s wireless network at its 1,565 locations have grown
Article source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/usatoday-TechTopStories/~3/n6UyNGMi4uw/1
FBI warns travelers of Web attacks attacks
(CNN) — If you’re traveling abroad, your laptop could be attacked. That much, is certain, according to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, which warned this week that hackers are “targeting travelers abroad through pop-up windows while establishing an internet connection in their hotel rooms.”
The warning comes from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, or the IC3. But it lacks so many key details that security experts wonder if it’s of any use. It doesn’t say where these attacks have occurred, how prevalent they are, or how exactly they work.
Graham Cluely, a blogger with antivirus vendor Sophos, found the lack of details peculiar. “What’s fascinating about the advisory is what it doesn’t say,” he
Article source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/edition_technology/~3/UwhWInWEO1o/index.html
More great techie gift ideas for mom
When it comes to picking out the right gadget for any mom, keep it simple and fuss-free. Remember, what moms really love most is sharing moments with you. Here are my top picks for every mom and every budget.
1. The message of love
Price: Free
My most treasured gift from my daughter is a little box filled with slips of paper on which she wrote some of her fondest thoughts and memories of me. Right at this second, you have a ton of tools at your fingertips to do something very similar — in half the time!
More from Tecca
News, how-to guides and more at tecca.com to help you get the most out of your technology.
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STORY: 5 techie gift ideas for mom
Pre-write your
Article source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/usatoday-TechTopStories/~3/uKL8U_sCp44/1
Tip: Connecting on a cruise
Answer. Congratulations on your fun vacation! Most cruise lines do offer on-board Wi-Fi for Internet access. However, it can run as much as 75 cents a minute, and you’re not paying for great speeds, either. Your best bet is to connect quickly to download email, answer in off-line mode and reconnect to upload your reply. If you know you need more Internet access, you can save money by pre-purchasing blocks of minutes. However, at a rate of more than $50 for 100 minutes, it still isn’t a good deal. You’re much better off waiting until you hit a port and can find free or lower-cost Wi-Fi.
Understanding Twitter hashtags
Q. I just started using Twitter and all I see are pound signs everywhere! What is going on?
A. These are called hashtags, and they’re the way Twitter categorizes Tweets. Putting one or more hashtags in a Tweet causes it
Article source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/usatoday-TechTopStories/~3/GAIB6ILmFQU/1
