With all the great mobile units on the market and the number of content providers streaming information out to the internet, it would seem there shouldn’t be anywhere in the world where a TV cannot be viewed. Unfortunately, with the number of Wi-Fi spots where you can make a connection to the internet, they are not all created equal.
For the most part, the strength of any internet connection will be determined by your proximity to the Wi-Fi hub as well as the size of the broadband connection. Look at the broadband as being multi-lane road on which many different vehicles travel. Some take up more room than others and some move slower when they are looking for places to go. When visitors sign on to a Wi-Fi network some are going to be searching for information, often running slower than the ones that know exactly where they are going.
There may also be some construction vehicles in the way, slowing things down considerably and the occasional accident (hackers) can bring the entire thing to a grinding halt. Since most Wi-Fi hotspots depend on wireless technology, the spot that could provide excellent connectivity one day could be running slower the next.
The strength of any online connection will also vary based on the carrier that provides the wireless connection in that area. If you have ever experienced dropped calls through your cell phone carrier, you have some idea of how some Wi-Fi hot spots are stronger than others. Additionally, if you are trying to connect to a service while in a moving vehicle, it just isn’t going to work. Unlike your cell phone that can move seamlessly from one tower to another. Wi-Fi hotspots typically have a limited range and once you exceed that range, your connection will be lost.
Looking at it a different way, the Wi-Fi hotspots can be compared to a wireless router connected to your home network. Every device you want to connect to the router has to be properly married to the device. Each device must also be “approved” by the router to allow it in to access the internet connection, usually with a password. Wi-Fi hotspots can issue a randomly generated password for “guest” connections, but you will usually have to register at some degree in order to use the connection.
The location of some of the strongest Wi-Fi hotspots can change with the weather, but there are a few that can be counted on. One of the first businesses to offer free Wi-Fi to their customers was Barnes and Noble Books, followed by Starbucks. Today, even McDonald’s restaurants offer free Wi-Fi for those who visit their outlets.
There are also several cell phone providers through which customers can connect to the internet and watch their favorite television shows on their computers or other mobile hand-held devices and their locations are often included in the Cloud. This means that as long as the device can obtain an internet connection you can watch your favorite television programs.
The post is contributed by Calvin Scott. Calvin is zealous about new technology and expensive gadgets. His collection of consumer electronics is worth appreciating.
I can’t help but amaze upon reading this article. For all I know wifi’s are just for networking computers to access internet and now it’s on TV. This is really awesome! I can watch my favorite shows using wifi. Technologies now a days are really fast unpredictable.
First and foremost, your device should have a TV feature on it or internet enabled to access these hot spots that we are talking about. And yes, McDonalds restaurants here in my city has free Wi-Fi connection. And is actually being abused by customers.
I often see Wi-Fi spot at the mall, restaurants, in universities and now even public utility buses.
Allen,
I found that Panera Breads has one of the best free Wifi in my area. The signal is strong and fast.
So true. I’ve also notice PUB with Wi-Fi on-board here in our place. It’s kinda amazing that people could avail free internet connection not only in fast food restaurants and cafe but also in vehicles .
Dhanna,
We reached a new era in technology that has many of us excited over the availability we have today with accessing the internet.
really awesome post will help the wifi users but that don’t have will not be benefited.