Free Wireless In 20,000 gas stations;Buy gas, download email, check investments.

PC MAGAZINE ^ | February 4, 2003 | John Dvorak

[DensaMensa]

Toshiba also had a monster booth, but it always does. While showing off its latest award-winning laptops and other gear, the company also made the most overlooked announcement at the show.

Toshiba has teamed up with Unocal and Circle K to provide wireless Internet access points at Union Oil gas stations and Circle K mini-marts around the country.

[DensaMensa]

One of the more profound developments in the progress of the net IMHO.

[Mo1]

Don't they have warning signs at gas stations to turn off your cell phones???

But laptops are OK?

[Libertarianize the GOP]

bump

[Illbay]

Next, be prepared for the torrent of "Internet legends" about some schmuck turning on his laptop while sitting in front of the pump at Circle K, and getting blown to smithereens as the "spark" ignites the gas fumes.

[DensaMensa]

Here is a more detailed press release.

[AmericaUnited]

Yup! My whole existence is now complete because I can check my email during my once weekly 5 minute gas fillup. No wait, you mean I have to unpack my laptop first?? Yuch.

[SamAdams76]

This is a smart move. Long-distance drivers will be able to pull into a gas station and get their Free Republic fix with their laptops while they fuel and buy snacks. The revenues raised at these pit stops will far outweigh any expense of providing a wireless node to the Internet (which really isn't that expensive anymore).

When I take my annual road trips to Alabama, I'll be looking for these gas stations. BTW, I'm one of the early adopters of the SPEEDPASS system. It's so convenient to buy gas this way that I haven't been to a non-Mobil gas station in years.

[Illbay]

Oh, see my No. 4.

[Jim Robinson]

Whoo hoo! FReeping from the Circle K!

[Mo1]

OK .. that's what I thought ..

[DensaMensa]

Whoo hoo! FReeping from the Circle K!

I'm really turned on by this story. While it'll be worth a thousand jokes, the way in which we access the net will be forever changed.

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

[Illbay]

"Through Conoco/Phillips' more than 17,000 service station and retail outlets in the U.S., WorkingWild is uniquely positioned to capture the coming telematics and content distribution applications that will be the cornerstone of productivity tools for the market we call the `windshield warrior'."

You just can't beat a press release from a technology company in terms of "jargon per inch" of copy!

[HairOfTheDog]

This is cool for people who are traveling on a road trip. Some people do travel!

[right way right]

I just want my oil checked and my windows cleaned!

[DensaMensa]

be prepared for the torrent of "Internet legends"

Oh yeah, a whole new art form of jokes is about to evolve. When several major companies (Toshiba and Conoco/Phillips/Union76) join in such a huge rollout, hopefully they can do it right and avoid the reliability and access problems we currently have with wireless "hot spots".

[billorites]

Bad enough that convenience stores are full of losers buying scratch tickets.

Now folks will be surfing the web in their cars.

I'll never get a freepin' parking place.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Now they have done it!

More PC sales!

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[right way right]

disregard tag line in #15

[DensaMensa]

expense of providing a wireless node to the Internet

Do you have any idea what it would cost to install and maintain such a node when rolled out in this quantity? The bigger problem may be to furnish adaquate PARKING space at the stations! And not block the gas pumps while Freeping.