It has been many years since Google first built their Wi-Fi network in their hometown of Mountain View California. While initially getting a lot of attention, their Wi-Fi efforts have since been over shadowed by the deployment of Google Fiber. In addition to offering Google Wi-Fi in Google Fiber locations like Kansas City, the company also this year gave a $200,000 grant to Pryor, Oklahoma to build a citywide Wi-Fi network. More recently, Google is providing 60 acres worth of free Wi-Fi access in Douglasville, Georgia, near where Google runs a 500,000 square foot data center. This week, Google also announced they’ll be paying around $600,000 to provide free Wi-Fi in at least 31 San Francisco parks.
Cybercriminals increasingly use the Tor network to control their botnets, researchers say
“Malware writers are increasingly considering the Tor anonymity network as an option for hiding the real location of their command-and-control (C&C) servers, according to researchers from security firm ESET.”
Ubuntu Edge pricing drops to $625 minimum on Indiegogo after initial sellout
“So far, it seems that Canonical’s $32 million Ubuntu Edge smartphone Indiegogo campaign has been a roaring success, having raised over $3.5 million in about 40 hours. But after selling out all 5,000 units in the lowest $600 pricing tier, Canonical has added three new pledge levels.”
Twitter Update Syncs Direct Messages Across Platforms
“Yesterday, 1:35 PM by Eric M. Zeman Twitter today pushed updates to its Android, iOS, Mac, and browser-based services. The update adds one critical new feature: Twitter will now sync direct messages, so if a message is read on one device, it will appear read on other devices.”
Verizon to Raise Price on Extended Warranty and Total Equipment Protection
“Verizon customers are getting dinged once again. This time the cost of both the Extended Warranty and Total Protection (TEP) will go up $1.01 for basic phones and smartphones besides the iPhone. The new monthly cost for the Extended warranty will be $3.00, and TEP will run you $8.”
AT&T to sell users’ anonymous usage and location data to advertisers
“AT&T is planning to cash in on the large amount of data it collects from its subscribers every month. The company said this week that it is looking to follow in the footsteps of Google, Facebook and Verizon, and begin selling information about its customers to other businesses.”
Vines Continues to Fight Off Instagram with Big iOS Update
“The odds are not stacked in Vine’s favor. Ever since Instagram added 15-second videos to its service, there hasn’t been a really compelling reason for existing Instagram users to jump ship.”
Two mystery Motorola phones hit the FCC, likely headed for Verizon
“While we’re waiting (and rather impatiently, we might add) for Motorola to officially take the wraps off the Droid Ultra and Moto X, a pair of mystery devices from the company have popped up at the FCC.”
Apple to build a 20-megawatt solar farm for its Reno, Nevada data center
“Apple’s Reno, Nevada data center might be a lot greener in the next few years — according to GigaOm, the company plans to build a 137 acre solar farm right next to it.”
