Frequent Business Traveler » Wi-Fi

Using Your Own Mobile Phone in Japan and Europe

Jonathan Spira — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

4G Data and Wi-Fi Hotspot Keep Costs Minimal

While planning my most recent trip to Japan, I stopped to think about the fact that my GSM mobile phone wouldn’t work there. On past trips, I used an inexpensive Panasonic mobile phone purchased in Japan that worked with Japanese PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) technology. (Japan uses three incompatible mobile phone technologies and GSM isn’t one of them.)

This time I had a plan to allow me to use my GSM phone, thanks to its UMA functionality. UMA is unlicensed mobile access. T-Mobile calls it Wi-Fi Calling, but regardless of the name, it allows users to attach a mobile phone to the mobile network via Wi-Fi and place and receive phone calls. An added benefit is that calls placed to the U.S. made from anywhere in the world using UMA are charged as local calls, as are incoming calls from the U.S.

All I had to do to use my phone in Japan was to set it to Wi-Fi Calling and carry a portable hotspot with me. But my Clear hotspot that works in the U.S. won’t work in Japan so I once again contacted Xcom Global and rented a MiFi Hotspot that would work in Japan, along with an extra battery.

I’m accustomed to having Wi-Fi everywhere I go in the U.S., primarily because I either carry around a portable hotspot or, more recently, use a 4G mobile phone that also acts as a hotspot.

Using your own portable hotspot is also far more secure than an open Wi-Fi signal at a hotel or conference facility and this is something of increasing importance to business travelers.

Once I got the MiFi device to see the network, with the help of a tech support representative from Xcom Global’s parent company in Japan, my plan worked flawlessly.

In the course of my eight-day trip, during which I was in Tokyo, Karuizawa, Okayama, and Kurashiki, I had reception everywhere, including on the Shinkansen (bullet train) and the Tokyo Monorail. Speeds were generally more than sufficient to support simultaneous voice and data, although I noticed significantly slower speeds, sometimes as slow as 0.25 Mbps, in smaller towns such as Karuizawa and Kurashiki.

Even with lower bandwidth, I was still able to make and receive phone calls (there were occasional gaps where I missed a word or two) but Web surfing was painfully slow and, in Karuizawa, I relied on the hotel’s wired Internet connection (fortunately it came with a very long cable).

By comparison, I had used Xcom Global’s European MiFi hotspot on several trips covering Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands and speeds were typically 1 Mbps or higher, even in small villages, and consistent speeds of 5 Mbps were not uncommon.

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Verizon Wireless and Novatel Wireless Unveil Jetpack Global Hotspot

Paul Riegler — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:40:56 +0000

Verizon Wireless and Novatel Wireless announced the Verizon Jetpack, a global hotspot that supports 4G LTE data in the U.S. and EDGE and HSPA abroad.

The mobile hotspot supports up to 10 connected Wi-Fi devices, has VPN support, and allows for download speeds as high as 5 to 12 Mbps. It supports WEP/WPA/WPA2 security and works with most Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Toshiba Introduces New 3D Smart TVs

Eva Leonard — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:45:55 +0000

Toshiba introduced a new line of 3D Smart TVs today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The new TV features include bezel-less design, an ePortal, a graphic interface, a tablet remote app for Android devices, built-in Wi-Fi, four pairs of passive 3D glasses, 2D to 3D conversion, 1080p full HD panels, and Audyssey sound enhancement.

The L6200 3D Smart TV will be available with 42-, 47- and 50-inch screens. The L7200 Cinemas Series 3D Smart TV also features USB video ports, HDMI ports, an HD PC input, and a wireless keyboard, and will be available with 47- and 55-inch screens.

Both the L7200 Cinema Series and the L6200 will be available in March 2012, with pricing to be announced.

Toshiba to Bring Excite X10 Tablet to U.S.

Eva Leonard — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:30:43 +0000

Toshiba announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that it plans to bring the world’s slimmest 10-inch tablet, the Excite X10 to the U.S., in the first quarter of this year.

At 0.3-inches thick (7.62 mm) and weighing 1.18 pounds (0.53 kg), the Excite X10’s features include a 10.1-inch display, both front- and rear-facing cameras, micro-HDMI and USB ports, and a micro-SD slot. Powered by Android, it offers both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Excite X10 will be available in 16GB and 32 GB versions and is expected to retail starting at $529.99.

XCom Global MiFi Hotspot Review

Jonathan Spira — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:57:54 +0000

Over the past few years, I’ve become accustomed to having Wi-Fi everywhere I go in the U.S., thanks to the various portable hotspots my colleagues and I have been using. But I spend a considerable amount of time in Europe and I need to stay connected for work while underway. In addition, using your own hotspot is more secure than using whatever Wi-Fi signal happens to be coming your way, even if you happen to be in a hotel or café.

If only I could borrow someone’s portable hotspot. Fortunately, there is a solution: the XCom Global MiFi Hotspot, and it’s available for you to rent.

I recently took the MiFi on two trips, covering a total of five countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands). Xcom Global provides a single hotspot that can work just about anywhere and it’s smaller and lighter than a mobile phone. It comes with the company’s Unlimited aXcess data plan. The company sends you the hotspot, an extra battery (optional), a power cord (it uses Micro-USB) with adapters for local power outlets, and instructions, all in a carrying pouch.

How It Works

I didn’t need the extra power cords or plugs so I just carried the hotspot and the battery along on my trip. I charged the MiFi before each trip in case I needed Internet access en route.

Using it is as simple as pressing the power button and entering a password. It can support up to five users or devices at once, which came in handy for me during meetings, but I typically used it only with my ThinkPad laptop and iPad.

In one hotel room where mobile phone reception was particularly bad, I used the UMA feature of my mobile phone to place calls and call quality was excellent. UMA, or unlicensed mobile access, which T-Mobile calls Wi-Fi Calling, allows users to attach a mobile phone to the mobile network via Wi-Fi and place and receive phone calls, with an added benefit that calls to the U.S. made from anywhere in the world using UMA are charged as local calls.

In my hotel room, I kept the MiFi plugged in to provide 24×7 Wi-Fi. The first device I had required frequent rebooting but the second device (on my second trip) worked perfectly. In both cases, connection speeds were quite fast and, as an example, I regularly saw over 5 Mbps download speeds in Maastricht in the Netherlands. My experiences in other hotels in other cities as well as on the road were similar. Of course, a lot of this has to do with the local network provider but the service was faster than the DSL service many people have at home even today.

On these two trips, I only used the MiFi in five countries but it will work in 42 European countries, 16 countries in the Asia Pacific region, three Latin American countries, as well as Israel, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Speed will vary by location.

It’s $14.95 per day for members, $17.95 without membership, and other fees may apply. Considering that some of the hotels I stayed in charge €30 (roughly $40) for 24 hours of connectivity, I consider the rental price to be a bargain as well, with portability thrown in to boot.

Marriott Rewards Adds AC Hotels by Marriott in Southern Europe

Eva Leonard — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 06:16:25 +0000

AC Hotels by Marriott is the newest brand to participate in Marriott Rewards, with more than 80 properties in Spain, Portugal and Italy which are the result of a joint venture between Marriott International and Spanish group AC Hotels.

New customers who sign up for Marriott Rewards while staying at any AC Hotel by Marriott by January 31, 2012 can earn a free night’s stay by completing one additional stay at any Marriott Rewards participating hotel.

When staying at AC Hotels by Marriott, members receive Elite night credit and Elite member benefits, which include priority late check-out and Marriott Rewards point bonuses on base points earned. Gold Elite members receive free internet access, room type guarantee and room upgrade based on availability at check-in. Platinum Elite members get these benefits, plus the choice of 250 bonus Marriott Rewards points, or a food and beverage option, and 48-hour guaranteed availability.

Amenities at all AC Hotels by Marriott include the AC lobby lounge and free Wi-Fi in public spaces and a complimentary minibar in the room. Marriott is offering a 15% discount on stays through January 8, 2012 (additional restrictions apply). For more details about this offer, please go to www.marriott.com and use code “ADV.”

Majority of World’s Subway and Metro Systems Have Internet Access

Paul Riegler — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:36:57 +0000

Do you use your smartphone or tablet on the go? What about when you are underground for your commute? Take our poll and tell us about your usage habits.

A recent study by the New Cities Foundation, a Swiss non-profit institution, showed that 60% of subway or metro systems worldwide offer Internet access.

The study showed that the highest availability of mobile Internet services was in South Korea and China, where travelers can stay online in 100% of major subway systems. In Asia, 84% of commuters have access; in the European Union, that figure is 56% and, in the U.S. and Canada, it is 41%. In both Eastern Europe and Central Asia the figure was 25%.

Poll: Do You Use Your Smartphone or Tablet to Access the Internet in Subways and Metros?

Paul Riegler — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:34:45 +0000

Do you use your smartphone or tablet on the go? How about when you are underground for your commute? Take this poll and tell us about your usage habits.

American Airlines Gogo Entertainment On Demand In-Flight Streaming Video Review

Eva Leonard — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:03:04 +0000

This summer, American Airlines became the first airline in North America to offer Entertainment On Demand in-flight streaming video. The new technology, powered by Gogo, enables customers to wirelessly stream content such as movies and TV shows from an in-flight library to select Wi-Fi-enabled laptops during flights. I recently tested American Airlines Entertainment on Demand in-flight streaming video on AA flight 179 from New York’s JFK airport to San Francisco (SFO). It was not working on my return flight from SFO to JFK however.

Entertainment on Demand is currently available onboard American Airlines flights on 15 767-200 aircraft – primarily transcontinental flights between New York JFK and Los Angeles and JFK and San Francisco. In addition, it is to be installed on more than 90 MD-80 aircraft before the end of 2011. The remainder of the Wi-Fi-enabled fleet, including additional MD-80 aircraft and Boeing 737-800 aircraft, will be equipped with streaming video by the end of 2012.

Seated in economy class on this flight’s Boeing 767-200 aircraft, I found that there was no outlet at my seat to charge my laptop. The passenger sitting in the closest seat with an outlet declined the flight attendant’s request to share hers with me. Although the flight attendant persuaded a more accommodating passenger to switch seats with me, the outlet at my new seat wasn’t working. Fortunately, my laptop had enough juice for the task at hand.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Currently, American Airlines’ in-flight streaming video supports recent versions of popular Web browsers on Windows and Mac platforms including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. Gogo will be adding support for certain Android Tablets on December 1, and for the iPad shortly thereafter.

After we reached cruising altitude, I powered up my laptop and accessed the service. After clicking on Gogo’s Entertainment on Demand banner, I was able to browse movie selections and view trailers quickly and easily before renting a title. I then selected a movie, set up an account, entered payment info, and installed the required browser plug-in.

The more than 100 TV shows ($0.99 cents each) and movies ($3.99 each) available included current shows and films, as well as classics such as “Vertigo” and “Psycho.” After setting Chrome as my default browser, I chose “The Interpreter,” with Nicole Kidman, and followed Gogo’s instructions to download the Widevine Media Transformer Chrome plug-in, which took only seconds.

The Gogo system allows passengers to watch rentals in full-screen mode, and although I found the picture quality to be so clear and sharp that I was immediately engrossed in the film, the audio was quite low and tinny, even when I cranked up the volume. However, this was probably due to the fact that I was using standard earphones, rather than noise-canceling headphones.

Passengers can switch between multiple film rentals (storing selections in Gogo’s My Library section) and finish watching film selections on the ground within 24 hours of purchase, and TV selections within 72 hours of purchase.

BOTTOM LINE

Although I was very pleased with the in-flight streaming video experience, when I tried to view the film on the ground, within 24 hours of rental, I couldn’t. While in-flight, even though I clicked on Gogo’s link to ground-viewing instructions, I couldn’t find them.

After my flight, a Gogo representative explained that the resumption of play on the ground is accessed from a link on the bottom of the customer’s email receipt, provided, of course, that there is an Internet connection and that the customer is within the U.S. territories. (Customers should not clear browser cookies prior to playing.)

Although most at-home broadband connections support playback of TV or video, some Wi-Fi hot spots, such as airport terminals, may have insufficient bandwidth to support playback.

Gogo’s FAQ has a couple of entries regarding this feature, but the Gogo rep agreed that the feature is not accessible enough, and noted that Gogo will be adding a more prominent link to resume play of unexpired rentals on its ground portal in the near future.

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American Airlines Business Class Flight 20 San Francisco to New York JFK Review
Vino Volo Wine Lounge, Restaurant and Wine Shop San Francisco Airport Review

Vino Volo Wine Lounge, Restaurant, and Wine Shop San Francisco Airport Review

Eva Leonard — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:01:07 +0000

Looking for something different to do before boarding a recent American Airlines flight out of SFO’s Terminal 2, I headed to Vino Volo, the wine lounge, restaurant and boutique wine shop, located opposite the American Airlines Admirals Club lounge, just after security. Branches of the Vino Volo chain can be found at airports in cities including Baltimore, Detroit, Newark, Washington, D.C. (Dulles), New York (JFK), Oakland, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Seattle, San Francisco, Sacramento, and at Orange County’s John Wayne Airport, with more locations in the works. The name “Vino Volo” is, according to the company’s Web site, derived from the Italian for “wine flight.”

To call it a chain, though, seems unfair, as Vino Volo offers travelers a unique airport sanctuary. The décor is streamlined and modern, yet accented with warm, colorful artwork and furnishings with soft jazz filling the room. Alongside Vino Volo’s impressive wine selection, delicious gourmet small plates, like smoked salmon served with crabmeat on crostini, and braised pork tacos, are served.

Vino Volo offers both bar and table service, and since I had a couple of hours before my flight, I took a table seat along the wall of wines for sale. Plentiful power outlets along the base of the banquettes allowed me to charge my laptop and cell phone, and Wi-Fi was also available.

Vino Volo customers may purchase wine by the glass, or sample flights of two or three wines (flight sampling ranging from $7 to $22). Customers can buy a bottle to take on their flight, or open their bottle at Vino Volo for a $12 corkage fee. From the wine list, focusing on California and other New World wines, plus Italian, New Zealand and Spanish varietals often from smaller, hard-to-find wineries, I enjoyed a full-bodied, with peppery notes, 2008 Chilean Calu Carmenere ($8 per glass).

I’ve also spent time before flights at JFK’s Vino Volo and found the quality of both food and wine to be as high as that which I enjoyed at the SFO location, and the atmosphere just as relaxing. And by joining Vino Volo’s Passport Wine Club (www.vinovolo.com/wineclub.php), you can have select wines from around the world shipped to enjoy at home.

RELATED REVIEWS FROM THIS TRIP

American Airlines Business Class Flight 20 San Francisco to New York JFK Review
American Airlines Gogo Entertainment On Demand In-Flight Streaming Video Review
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