Is there an INTERNET GADGET?
 

What if someone only wants to go on the internet? Not type any word processing documents, not play games on the computer....ONLY GO ON THE INTERNET.

So they wouldn't need a laptop because you can do various other stuff with a laptop, or notebook, etc.

So, besides the IPAD (which I heard does not play videos that well), is there a computer hand held gadget or laptop size thingee that ONLY WILL GET YOU ON THE LAPTOP?

And if this exists, do they have pre-paid online thingees that you could plug into this gadget for a price of perhaps $10 a month.

If such a thing exists, I would like to know about it.

This device would of course need a keypad (for forums), and it would have to let you go on hulu or whatever and view an videos that are up on the internet.

I know you are probably saying "why doesn't she just get a laptop"

But this is 2010. THERE MUST BE A GADGET THAT ONLY DOES INTERNET.

thanks much

Meloldy

Not for $10 a month. You can get a Verizon Netbook or air card and get the small plan for $39.99 per month but that only gets you 250 mb. For $20 more you get 5000 mb of data (20 times more) for $59.99 per month. Or go to your local library for free access? Or a wifi hotspot? Data plans are not cheap, and that's what internet is, usually.

Know why I'm puzzled? Because in this age of technology and pre-paid phones (I have one and I love it), and yeah I have a desktop, but how come (in this day and age), no one thought to corner the market and develop a gadget that only does internet.

And I do not believe that it can't be done. This techo companies can do ANYTHING they want. I bet you some day that there will be disposable internet gadgets like disposable phones.

And I bet everyone will run out and get one. I mean think about it. No more routers hooked up to modems. You just go and buy a gadget, buy a prepaid thingee, stick it in, and THE PERSON WHO INVENTS THIS, will be RICHER than Bill Gates.

lol

Melody
Is there a way to find out which places offer wi-fi? I'm just curious. Like a sort of online database for wi-fi in my area?

something like hot spot finder { http://v4.jiwire.com/search-wifi-hot...53613281250001 }or use Google maps and put in "free wifi hot spots - "zipcode"

But with this you still need to use gas to travel to the free wifi hotspots. With the price of gas I don't know how practical this would be? :confused: I know there are supposedly some communities that will put in citywide wifi? But will it be secure? At least with the Verizon air card or mifi you have a secure connection.

I think she was just curious about any free wifi close to her home.

Correct!!!!

See what I found!!

http://www.openwifispots.com/Finder....,-73.993673,13

I can walk to many of these places.

So let me see if I got this straight.

I buy a notebook, it comes all set up with built in wi fi software (I have no idea what this means anyway).

I walk into to McDonalds, get a coffee I sit down,I open the laptop, I click on the IE icon, and it does it's thing, and BAM, I'm on the internet?? And I can go anyplace exactly like I do using my desktop?

And if I want to use this in my own home, I have to install a router on my modem?

Did I get this right?

Melody

Ok, so either I didn't read all the details correctly or I was tired, or both, lol. I hope you can get free access to the wifi in your area. For me it would mean driving to the nearby college town but if it's in walking distance that's awesome for you! :)

Yes Melody,
Most netbook/laptops have the wifi card & antenna built inside {real old ones may not} and the connection handling program is built into windows or Linux or Mac OS too.
I know Windows & Linux have it built in, so I'm pretty sure Mac does too.


some free wifi /hot spots places might still require you to sign up & log on but they don't charge for use. But you can't sit there all day and not buy anything LOL - they do frown on that part.:)

So any NEW laptop that I get should come with Windows 7, right, and before I buy it I would ask the guy "is this wi-fi ready, or do I have to do something?"

Then if he says "no it's all set, just purchase, go into McDonalds, and enjoy.

Since I go out for breakfast in the morning, I have my choice of 4 places that offer wi-fi. Before I buy anything, I'm taking a walk to each and every place, ask 2 questions;

1. do you have wi fi? and if says "sure", then

2. Do I have to sign up to use it.

Now I don't really care if I have to sign up to use it because it would be free.

So....when all is said and done, to rephrase the old adage, HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO!!!

I would have my laptop and Wi Fi TOOOOOO!!!

lol lol lol


P.S One more important thing. I would NEVER do any personal banking, put any personal information WHATSOEVER on this laptop because I know there are people who could be sitting next to me and copying everything off of my hard drive.

I WATCHED MISSION IMPOSSIBLE YOU KNOW!!!!

lol

I think the first time you go to each hot spot or wherever you plan to connect at - you would probably have to go to the network set up & connection section in the control panel.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...nnect-now.aspx

I haven't taken my laptop to other places to use the wifi so not exactly sure about how to do that part of it. But the section in contra panel should take you set by step.

But you wouldn't want it on all the time and you wouldn't want to have an open connection. {meaning no security }
There's WEP , WPA & WPA2 and pass phrase that you can set up.

Our laptop with wifi just picks up whatever is around.

If more than one exists, it lists them, by strength, so you can choose. In fact this year the one we commonly use at the laundromat had two routers going. It was run as a free service by the town travel aid group for tourists.

Some wifi's require a set up--- the library where we go has that type. We didn't try it this year, so I don't know if they changed it.
But before it wouldn't work on FireFox-- only on IE. You can even pick up other people's routers, if they have not password encoded them.

Alot depends on the type of computer and its software you are using I think.

Hi Jo and Mrs. D.

First, let me address this.

"There's WEP , WPA & WPA2 and pass phrase that you can set up."

Do you really think I know what a WEP, A WPA, AND WPA2 is???

rofl

I am going to borrow my neighbor's laptop. She lives across the street and has NEVER used it.

If her granddaughter didn't take it, it's still in her house, and I'll borrow it. I will then go to McDonald's and see how it all works.

And if you think I know what I'm doing. FORGET IT!!!!

I need someone to invent a gadget, hand it to me, tell me, "Okay, lift the lid, press on the IE icon and you're good to go".

Not in my lifetime!!

lol lol lol lol

P.S. and if you think Alan is any help, the other night he yells "something is wrong with the remote for the cable, I can't switch the channel, and WHAT IS THAT MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN"?

I looked at the tv and I said "Fool!!! Can't you see it's set to autotune and you have to interrupt it?, what did you do, program it to autotune??"

He looks at me and says "What on earth are you talking about?".

I fixed it in two seconds.

I then looked at him and said "what would you do without me"?.

We both burst out laughing.

Oh, and this will make you laugh.

Last night I was around the corner visiting my friend and when I came home, Alan says to me "If I never made you feel appreciated, please know that I APPRECIATE YOU".

I said "what program are you watching to say that to me". He said 'Wife Swap".

I look at the woman on the tv and she was about 45, no teeth, not kempt, etc, and Alan said "oh my god, I love you".

I never laughed so hard in all my life.

Mel

here's some more info about public wifi and security -
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials...le.php/3842921