Free Wi-Fi on Virgin America courtesy of Google
No, don’t get too excited. This only lasts until Jan 15th 2010.
virgin
Review of Virgin America’s in-flight WiFi service
I finally got a chance to test out Virgin America’s in-flight WiFi service for myself on a Boston to Los Angeles flight and found that it performed quite well. Download speed (which is what most folks care about) was well over 1Mbps in all of my various speed tests; in some cases, I got as much as 2.5Mbps. However, those folks looking to do some more serious work that involved uploads should be cautioned – I barely got 300kbps and those uploads tests stuttered in more than a few cases.
Virgin America uses Aircell’s GoGo service and while I find that $12.95 for a cross-country flight is a bit pricey (especially on top of the $20 they charged me for my 1 piece of luggage), business users shouldn’t blink for this chance to be more productive. I was also pleased that the staff announced prior to take-off that WiFi coverage could be spotty as we crossed Canada briefly, so we were duly warned.
If you’re on a VA flight, and you need to get on those addictive Interwebs, then you should be pleased with this service.
GfG’s Article Recap for Week Ending May 15, 2009
This past week we took a look at the very beautiful (although perhaps not awfully practical) glass foosball table from Teckell. We reviewed a powerful nutrition scale to help you keep an eye on what you eat.
Virgin Galatic is looking to offer uber short long haul flights and we reported on the new bill that may overturn the current online gambling ban in the US.
Google is always tweaking and improving their products and they’ve added tasks to G Calendar..
In the media center category, we featured the latest Netgear networked multimedia device – the Entertainer Elite, but in even bigger news, it looks like MvixUSA is about to roll out their much-awaited next-gen Media Center Player, successor to the MX-780HD.
A little coupon love to finish things off – $25 off SmartHome!
Virgin to use spacecraft for planetary transport?
Virgin Galactic is thinking ahead, although they are yet to run a commercial flight. If their spacecraft works out and the economics are there, then it may be possible to shuttle passengers on long hauls across the planet in much less time. Think Britain to Australia in 2.5 hours. That would be as big a leap as it was for the Concorde to go from London to New York in under 4 hours. I can’t wait.