08-29-2005, 03:00 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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GoogleNet - Free WiFi In The US?
http://www.business2.com/b2/web/articles/0,17863,1093558,00.html
"What if Google wanted to give Wi-Fi access to everyone in America? And what if it had technology capable of targeting advertising to a user�s precise location? The gatekeeper of the world�s information could become one of the globe�s biggest Internet providers and one of its most powerful ad sellers, basically supplanting telecoms in one fell swoop. Sounds crazy, but how might Google go about it? "
According to the article, Google has been quitely gobbling up so-called dark, or unused, fiber, and they have already been involved in helping set up some WiFi hotspots. Could Google blanket the US with WiFi?
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08-29-2005, 03:20 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 147
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Great Article - and an interesting scenario...
This would change the ISP landscape but that change is already taking place in some parts of the country. I know of several cities here in the Dallas area that are offering free wi-fi in various locations throughout the cities, mostly in the downtown areas. To take that and make it national is a huge under taking and I wouldn't even want to think of the logistics on it. 8O
That said, I use to work for a telco who's name begins with SBC. There is literally miles and miles of "dark" fiber not being used with no intention of use in and around Dallas. If SBC or whatever other Bell is making that available cheaply (including these bankruptcy's in the article), I could see where Google could do this for far less than they could say three years ago. Obviously the company is driven: Does anyone "Yahoo that for me." anymore? Nope, you Google it....
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Clinton Fitch ~ MVP-Mobile DevicesPrincipalClinton Fitch (Dot) Com!
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08-29-2005, 03:57 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 312
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Quote:
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And what if it had technology capable of targeting advertising to a user�s precise location?
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Does anybody else (besides me) find the above statement a little disturbing?
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08-29-2005, 04:07 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by jngold_me
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And what if it had technology capable of targeting advertising to a user�s precise location?
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Does anybody else (besides me) find the above statement a little disturbing? |
It shouldn't....it's happening to you now. 
Dave
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08-29-2005, 04:27 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 601
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Oct 21, 2006 Google switches on its nationwide WiFi network
Oct 22 Google becomes sentient using an odd combination of ultimate connectivity, web crawling bots, Google AdSense and GoogleEarth along with all of the bits and pieces of knowledge its touched from saved Google email, cached search results (both desktop and internet) and even BlogSpot.
8O :lol:
OK, pure FUD and conspiracy but one has to admit Google is racing to know all, see all and be all. Its stunning to watch as the mass and inertia builds.
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CTSLICK - ROCK ON
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08-29-2005, 04:30 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Paragon
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Originally Posted by jngold_me
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And what if it had technology capable of targeting advertising to a user�s precise location?
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Does anybody else (besides me) find the above statement a little disturbing? |
It shouldn't....it's happening to you now.
Dave |
That still shouldn't take away from it being distrubing.... :|
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08-29-2005, 04:41 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by genius74
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Originally Posted by Paragon
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Originally Posted by jngold_me
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And what if it had technology capable of targeting advertising to a user�s precise location?
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Does anybody else (besides me) find the above statement a little disturbing? |
It shouldn't....it's happening to you now.
Dave |
That still shouldn't take away from it being distrubing.... :| |
You're right. I should have said that it shouldn't be a surprise.
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08-29-2005, 04:58 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,041
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Yes, this gives me a bit of of Orwellian. National WiFi is cool, but I don't want to be tracked either.
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08-29-2005, 06:23 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 68
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ricksfiona
Yes, this gives me a bit of of Orwellian. National WiFi is cool, but I don't want to be tracked either.
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That's a little dramatic, don't you think? Reality check: nobody cares about you specifically, or your ATM PIN. They care about pushing a Starbuck's ad out to you while you're passing a Starbuck's. Stuff like that.
If it means national WiFi access, I for one welcome our new Google overlords. 
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Ray
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08-29-2005, 06:51 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 539
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man, google is really ambitious.
i'm just waiting for the day when it specialists will be admitted to mental institutions because they claim to be "sent back in time to prevent google from taking over the world"
seriously, free wifi access across the country would be phenomenal ... but since nothing in life is free, there will definately be some kind of drawback.
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