Free WiFi from Optimum Online!

If you are currently an Optimum Online customer, you can enjoy access to WiFi hotspots completely free! Tons of hotspots are located all throughout the NY, NJ, and CT area. With services like Skype for iPhone and BlackBerry, this could prove to be some great news for Optimum subscribers. As for those on Comcast, many people are still without access to their Comcast webmail ... might be a good time to move to an area covered by Optimum!

All you need to do is login with your Optimum ID and password. Find out if Optimum's free WiFi is available near you!

Skype for iPhone and BlackBerry Release!

Skype for both iPhone and BlackBerry have finally become official. Tomorrow (Tuesday) will mark the release of the iPhone version, but BlackBerry users will have to wait until May. While there isn't much information yet on the BlackBerry version, quite a few details have been reported on the iPhone app...

Here is a summary of what to expect:

• Typical iPhone app user interface
  
• Free Skype to Skype calls
• WiFi connection needed for VoIP (won't work over the cellular network)
• Basic chatting
• Mute call
• Hold
• Speakerphone
• Sort contacts
• Set avatar image by a taking photo right in the app, or using your stored photos
  
• Accept Conference calls (but can't make them... yet...)
  

The Skype app will work with the iPod Touch as well, but will require the use of headphones that include a microphone for voice calls. While it is not going to be part of tomorrow's release, hopefully video calling will be a feature added in the near future.

Will currently available services like Fring and Nimbuzz continue to exist after Skype enters the game for two of the most popular smartphones? Well, they better bring some new ideas to
the table if they plan to... Take a look at Google Voice as an example - they really seem to know how to set themselves apart from the competition.

Cnet already has a nice review on Skype for iPhone, as well as some awesome screen shots, so be sure to check it out!

Apple Touch Screen Netbook Soon?

According to the reputable DigiTimes, the Chinese-written Commercial Times reported Taiwanese company Wintek will be making touch panel displays for Apple's new netbook. Although they did not specifically say what, Wintek did admit they are working with Apple to develop new products. In addition, Quanta Computer will actually be the ones to use the displays to make the Apple netbook.

Rumors of an Apple netbook have been circulating on the internet for quite some time now, but it is always nice to have some new information from the companies who will play a role in making the device. Wintek also said that shipments will probably begin in the second half of this year (summer?!), so we'll see soon where this goes. The idea is interesting and could certainly be a mobile media wonderland, but I just can't see myself typing on a giant iPhone touch screen as if it were a laptop. I might end up using only my thumbs...

More info from DigiTimes here
Yes, the image is fake... It's from here

Blackberry Storm and iPhone Internet Speed Test

Wondering how fast your nice new BlackBerry Storm or iPhone is letting you browse the internet? Many people want to know if their nice new toy is living up to the hype and their own expectations. Cisco Global Internet Speed Test (GIST) for iPhone & Blackberry Storm is a neat little tool to test your mobile bandwidth. It actually includes speeds over WiFi as well, which are likely to be limited by the hardware and OS, and not the internet connection. The program quantifies your speed under three different classifications:

1. Web 2.0 Grade: surf the web and collaborate, you’re on a solid wave (150 – 449 kbps)
2. Music Grade: download/listen to your favorite tunes, you’ve got the bandwidth (450 – 749 kbps)
3. Video Grade: get your popcorn—it’s showtime, you’re in the fast lane (750+ kbps)

blackberrynews had a few posts made by people who tried out the program, and to be honest, the speeds did not seem very impressive.

Download the program from Cisco for free here!