This Japanese Vending Machine Dishes Out Free Wi-Fi
To help boost Japan's public Wi-Fi coverage, Asahi Soft Drinks has introduced a vending machine that grants free access to the internet for 30 minutes.
TechCrunch reports that Tokyo-based beverage company Asahi Soft Drinks has introduced a vending machine that not only offers cold drinks, but also dishes out Wi-Fi signals within a 164-foot radius. The Wi-Fi access is absolutely free -- meaning there's no access fee and no need to purchase a soda from the machine. Users don't even need to create a special login account to surf the Internet.
According to the report, users will only be allowed access for thirty minutes at a time. However, once their time runs out, users can simply reconnect for another thirty minutes. After logging on, they're provided with various location-specific information on the home screen like popular local shops or specific sightseeing spots. In essence, it's a good way to advertise local attractions to out-of-town guests unfamiliar with the area.
Beginning next year, Asahi will establish 1,000 Wi-Fi vending machines throughout Japan including Tokyo, Sendai, Chubu, Kinki and Fukuoka. The company plans to distribute a total of 10,000 Wi-Fi-toting units within the next five years in an effort to boost Japan's overall public Wi-Fi access. Imagine if the the idea were applied locally here in the States so that every gas station, grocery store, flea market, public park and baseball field has free access to Tom's Hardware Guide.
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Wow thats very cool! I wish we had something like this (other then starbucks REQUIRING you to pay 10 bucks for a cup of coffee and 15 minutes of internet)
(as long as they are harmless like youtube ads)
Its a nice way to advertise, I wouldn't mind seeing an ad or 2 for free wifi
Wow!!! I hope there is something like this in my country...
This is great! More Wi-Fi, less 3G crap, Wi-Fi provides far superior speeds. Granting access for 30 minutes is great, too... but I bet it's based on the MAC. It's possible to spoof the MAC and connect again, I bet
3G in US is a joke (bay area santa clara) 3G in europe works as intended that is for normal use you dont have a problem with 3G
there is no such thing as free....somehow down the line customers pay for it
there is no such thing as free....somehow down the line customers pay for it
Advertisement - it states it in the article - companies pay to get on their home screen.
I actually like this idea, Not creating your typical login from places like Caribou or Starbucks, They can simply browser redirect to the first page opened to local adverts. Its amazing someone didnt think of that sooner! I just think i'll buy one of your sodas, thirsty or not if i ever come across one
free wifi service from vending machine that is japan. free condom in pharmacy that is in our country. will. I rather to pay for condom and get more free wifi service in the public. a voice from a ture geek.
It's possible to spoof the MAC and connect again, I bet
It states in the article you are free to reconnect after your 30 minutes are up, no need for spoofing.
free wifi service from vending machine that is japan. free condom in pharmacy that is in our country. will. I rather to pay for condom and get more free wifi service in the public. a voice from a ture geek.
So.... you are saying you'll never need a condom?
Besides, trojan and Lifestyles are better quality.
That is a 'cool' (pun intended) idea and has a lot of practical potential.
Provide a log on homepage with local links to services, maps and events, sponsored
obviously by the same, could pay for the cost of installation, operation and a nice profit.
can i haz moar wifi?
Advertisement - it states it in the article - companies pay to get on their home screen.
that's not enough....like i said, we pay for it....here is a good example.....cell phone carriers install bloatware on the phones, yet we get them half price or even less on contract...we pay for it because we give up the option of legally uninstalling them....i know that we can root phones and get rid of the bloatware....it should not be installed in the first place....get my point?
that's not enough....like i said, we pay for it....here is a good example.....cell phone carriers install bloatware on the phones, yet we get them half price or even less on contract...we pay for it because we give up the option of legally uninstalling them....i know that we can root phones and get rid of the bloatware....it should not be installed in the first place....get my point?
Not sure I know what you are talking about. I understand the whole part of how phone carriers work, but what does that have to do with the WiFi vending machines? Are you saying the vending machines will install bloatware on your phone when you use it?
nvm
Not sure I know what you are talking about. I understand the whole part of how phone carriers work, but what does that have to do with the WiFi vending machines? Are you saying the vending machines will install bloatware on your phone when you use it?
nvm....it was just an example....how about this....free wifi at the expense of your privacy, get it?.....how secure do you think these so called free hot spots are?
*sees vending machines all down the street* me gusta
nvmnvm....it was just an example....how about this....free wifi at the expense of your privacy, get it?.....how secure do you think these so called free hot spots are?
As safe as every other free wifi you will find anywhere, meaning not safe at all, but then again it is open and free so you get what you pay for.
Wish we had that in the states.
But until then I'll be tethering to my 4g android smartphone, I even got WPA2 so I'll be even safer.
The vending machines evolve further in Japan!
there is no such thing as free....somehow down the line customers pay for it
in Japan the Internet is already very cheap. 100 megabit up speed and 100 megabit down the speed that are usually under $30, I believe one places even at $20 or under, and the kind of Internet that's common in America, $9 or less. Sometimes units just given away for free at some apartment complexes just as a living there bonus.
then again if you ever seen with the Japanese Internet looks like, you wonder why they even have a need for anything more than dial-up. Seriously the majority of webpages look like someone just learned HTML and made a webpage for the first time, and a lot of those are professional webpages.
I'm sure if they tried to do this here, the environmentalists would complain.
I'm sure if they tried to do this here, the environmentalists would complain.
you got it wrong...it's the FCC
Free wifi- everybody goes nuts and giggly like it is some rare albino panda.
It is hard to understand all the fuss about free wifi as I live in Estonia. They dont ask money for wifi in public areas in here. It is pointless to set up a paid network in same area where there already are 6 free signals covering that area.