Paris + WiFi = Free

Here's the Google Map of all the 260+ accesspoints:

(And the above website has loads of information on what else to do in Paris, with some information available in the English version of the website as well).

And here's how to signon :

Ok, if you needed help with that... here's the Google Translate output on the useful part:

1. Identify signage Paris Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi logo Paris

This indicates that you are in the area (of) an oasis Paris Wi-Fi

2. Turn on your Wi-Fi equipment

3. Select the Orange network.

4. Start your regular internet browser and type any website address (eg http://www.paris.fr).

5. Select your pass Paris wi-fi 2h offered by the City of Paris and the Ile de France

6. Now you can surf freely on the Internet, send and receive emails, and all this without needing to be connected in any way!

Surprise! Intel favors WiMAX over 3G for Centrino

Read the story on news.com

Well, this was going to happen sooner or later. Sooner the better.

One of the big scary/fuzzy things about WiMAX has been about 'killer' apps and devices. 3G struggled through that and with the help of Treo, Blackberry & 3G-PC cards found a niche with business users. Ordinary consumers will have to wait till Apple's iPhone (and its imitators) come out with an HSDPA version.

This is the big push that Intel was expected to deliver. A WiMAX device in almost every new Intel-based laptop to replicate the WiFi-Centrino success.

Ofcourse this hinges on delivering (not necessarily in the short-term) a 'world' WiMAX card/device, like the world-GSM phones out there right now. Also, important will be roaming agreements that the WiMAX Forum is hammering out currently (I believe).

To keep my facts straight (from PCWorld):
The new version of Centrino will be called Santa Rosa.
But Wikipedia says that WiMAX will be part of the next Centrino platform called Montevina.

Update: May 1, 2007
- Clearwire announces the Expedience WiMAX PC card from Motorola. Datasheet for the device.
- Nokia announces its WiMAX devices for 2008