The City of Bologna has announced on its Web site that it will offer free high-speed Wi-Fi beginning June 12. The Iperbole Wireless Project is the first to offer coverage within a historic center in a major Italian city, according to a statement released by the city's deputy mayor. The network was deployed by Hi-Tel (a RoamAD partner), and Acantho, a local ISP. The University of Bologna was a financial supporter of the project, as well as the the City of Bologna and Laboratori G. Marconi, according to a statement from RoamAD.
Citywide Wi-Fi networks are on the rise as some officials begin to view Internet access as a utility. In the U.S., metro wireless networks are in the works in Chicago, Philadelphia and New Orleans, as well as in some smaller communities. EarthLink and Google are also trying to build a free Wi-Fi network for hilly San Francisco.
Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon--all are targets for Mozilla's plan to use Web apps to free people from ecosystem lock-in. Also: new Firefox features aplenty.
The rise of Apple's stores is one of the past decade's great retail stories. So, why then does the company continue to creep back into the big-box outlets and will this hurt the brand?
The company helps small businesses with little tech savvy build apps easily, and now its partner Constant Contact will email-blast prospective users, too.
The Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 S6500 could make its debut at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona later this month, according to a leaked promotional image.
Web giant is spending $120 million to beef up its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters, according to filings with the city reviewed by the San Jose Mercury News.
(someone had to say it)