Google launches home town wi-fi network Richard Wray Wednesday August 16, 2006 Guardian Unlimited
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1851312,00.html Google today announced that it would move into the provision of internet access for the first time, offering free wireless access to the inhabitants of its home town. The online search giant will make the service available to the 72,000 population of Mountain View, California. The move is part of an experiment to see what applications its developers can come up with and discover which services people will use if they can get online while out and about. Google is already working with the internet service provider EarthLink to create a wireless network spanning San Francisco, but has struck out on its own in Mountain View. "We work here and we have a thousand-plus engineers," Chris Sacca, the company's head of special initiatives, said. "So you build something like this right in their backyard and they get really excited and start wondering, 'I know what I can do with this, I can write a new application'." Mobility has become an increasingly important part of Google's plans as the battle for users moves from the home PC to mobile devices such as laptops and mobile phones. The Mountain View network uses 380 short-range wi-fi transmitters, placed on lamp-posts, which cover an area of 11.5 square miles. It will allow Google engineers - as well as residents of the town who have a free Google account - to get online. "We want to understand what's different about how people search once they have an extra element of mobility," Mr Sacca said. Google will also be able to trial location-based services and contextual advertising over its new wireless network. Using a person's position to provide them with information - including adverts for goods or services in the vicinity - is still in its embryonic stage, but is likely to be the next battleground for online companies. Gregory S. Williams [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ Medianews mailing list [email protected] http://twiar.org/mailman/listinfo/medianews_twiar.org
