Google WiFi Service

[Dave]

UPDATE 2-Google prepares to launch WiFi service

They've been buying up lots of dark fiber all over the U.S. during the past year. Giving net access away for free on that scale is financial suicide.

My guess is they're attempting to network the U.S., and allow people to search on it using mobile devices. So you can walk into Best Buy, scan the UPC of an item with your WiFi-Widget, and have Google tell you if the Best Buy price is the lowest within a 10-20 mile radius, etc... Lots of revenue models could be derived from that.

[benedictw]

They could do that already with SMS though. I can see google rolling out a few sponsored hotspots but using 802.11g to do the whole of the US would be insane. WiMax, possibly, Wifi. I will watch with interest...

[mightyzim]

I imagine Google will buyout skype or similar and kill the telecoms market.
Search for an item and getting connected to the website/call centre in one hit

[Stone]

After all this attention, http://wifi.google.com now redirects to the main page, yet http://example.google.com doesn't. I spy a hasty coverup

Stone

[pixie]

http://wifi.google.com/download.html works still

[WHITAKER]

I imagine Google will buyout skype or similar and kill the telecoms market.

Ebay just bought Skype.

[teamonkey]

http://wifi.google.com/download.html works still

In case they take it down here's a copy of the FAQ linked to from that page.

Google Secure Access (Beta): Frequently Asked Questions

What is Google Secure Access?

Google Secure Access is a downloadable client application that allows users to establish a more secure WiFi connection.

Why would I want to download and install Google Secure Access?

Google Secure Access allows you to establish a more secure connection while using Google WiFi. By using Google Secure Access, your internet traffic will be encrypted, preventing others from viewing the information you transmit.

Does Google Secure Access connect to a VPN server?

Yes, Google Secure Access connects to Google's VPN ("Virtual Private Network") server provided for this service.

Why did Google develop Google Secure Access?

One of our engineers recognized that secure WiFi was virtually non-existent at most locations. As a result, he used his 20% project time to begin an initiative to offer users more secure WiFi access. Google Secure Access is the result of this endeavor.

What sort of information does Google have access to?

If you choose to use Google Secure Access, your internet traffic will be encrypted and sent through Google's servers to the Internet. The data that is received will then be encrypted and sent back through our servers to your computer. Your privacy is important to us, we strongly encourage you to read our Privacy Policy to be fully informed about how your privacy is protected.

Is there a fee for using Google Secure Access?

No, Google Secure Access is free.

Where can I go to download Google Secure Access?

The program can currently be downloaded at certain Google WiFi locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

When I install Google Secure Access, why does it ask if I also want to install the Google Toolbar?


We've included the option to install the Google Toolbar because it improves your browsing experience.

Can I uninstall Google Secure Access?

Yes. You can uninstall Google Secure Access by simply running the Uninstall program. This can be found by clicking on Start Menu, Programs, Google Secure Access, and then choosing Uninstall.

How do I make my connection even more secure?

You can make your connection even more secure by using a software firewall. Windows XP users with Service Pack 2 can find it by clicking on Start, Control Panel, and then choosing Windows Firewall.

Will my corporate VPN still work?

Yes. You can connect to your corporate VPN while running Google Secure Access.

I have configured Google Secure Access to connect automatically, but it's not working. What's going on?

Certain wireless LAN management utilities and older wireless LAN adapter drivers prevent Google Secure Access from detecting that you're connected to the Google WiFi network. In this case it will not connect automatically, and you should connect manually to ensure the privacy and security of your network traffic.

Will Google Secure Access work at other locations?

While Google Secure Access should work, we have not tested it at other locations.

Why is Google Secure Access a beta product?

Google Secure Access is a new product that is only available at certain locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are constantly working to improve this product.

My highlighting. Hmmm...


Here's the privacy policy, if anyone's interested.

Google Secure Access Privacy Policy

The Google Privacy Policy describes how we treat personal information when you use Google's services, including information provided when you use the Google WiFi or Google Secure Access client. In addition, the following describes our practices that are specific to the Google Secure Access client:

Using Google Secure Access

We understand and respect that you are concerned about your privacy, that's one of the driving reasons why we created Google Secure Access. Using insecure networks, such as public wireless networks, can leave your internet traffic open to snooping by others in the vicinity of the wireless network. Google Secure Access helps address this problem by encrypting all traffic from and to your machine and passing it from the insecure network through a trusted gateway. If you choose to use Google Secure Access, your internet traffic will be encrypted and sent through Google's servers to the internet, then received from those servers to be encrypted and sent back through our servers to your computer.

Google is committed to helping our users ensure their privacy and understand their privacy choices. That's why we want you to know that if you choose to use Google Secure Access, all your internet traffic will pass through Google's gateway servers. That means that your internet traffic is sent through Google's servers and Google is careful not to store any of that information except as noted here.

Google may log some information from your web page requests as may the websites that you visit. We do this to understand how Google Secure Access is being used and to improve our services. Google Secure Access does not log cookies and strips potentially sensitive query data from the end of requests to help better protect your privacy.

Google also logs a small set of non-personally identifiable information -- such as routing information, session durations and operating system and Google Secure Access client version numbers -- in order to create your Google Secure Access connection, understand how people are using Google Secure Access and help us maintain the Google Secure Access client.

Google will not sell or provide personally identifiable information to any third parties except under the limited circumstances described in the Google Privacy Policy. If Google concludes that we are required by law or have a good faith belief that collection, preservation or disclosure of additional information is reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property or safety of Google, our users or the public, such as if we believe the Google Secure Access service is being abused, we may for a limited period of time preserve additional internet traffic or other information.

[Darkflame]

err..if they are acting as an ISP, isnt it normal for your traffic to go ver their severs

[Stone]

err..if they are acting as an ISP, isnt it normal for your traffic to go ver their severs

Actually it looks as if they're a secure VPN which you access through an existing Wifi-based connection's ISP; still normal though.

Not such a bad idea, either

Stone