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Google and Skype in Startup to Link Hotspots

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the resistance-is-futile dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Google and Skype are investing in a new startup (FON, the Spanish startup) that plans to help hotspot owners charge for Wi-Fi access points. The plan outlines two different classes of customer; "Linus" members, named after Linus Torvalds, will share their hotspot with other Linus members for free and "Bill" members, named after Microsoft's Bill Gates, will charge for access to their hotspot. FON will get some of that revenue, and share it with ISPs."

6 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. Fantastic names by TallGuyRacer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Linus & Bill. I love it. Glad to know someone still has a sense of humour out there.

  2. Competition by quokkapox · · Score: 4, Funny
    I really don't see how Google and Skype are going to compete with the free Linksys hotspots that are already well-established in the marketplace.

    I just don't understand what they could offer that would make me switch.

    They can't compete on price, nor anonymity.

    --
    it's a blue bright blue Saturday hey hey
  3. Re:geek pride by Peter_Pork · · Score: 4, Funny

    Agreed. The usual Deluxe and Premium please my macho pride much better.

  4. And Balmer members.. by Pranjal · · Score: 5, Funny

    And Balmer members will throw their wi-fi equipment at each other and threaten to fucking kill the linus members.

  5. "Steve" membership by RCanine · · Score: 5, Funny

    The "Steve" membership will cost twice as much as the "Bill" membership, but will require no configuration, have longer uptimes, and all of its interfaces will be so damn pretty.

  6. Re:Aliens by Zork+the+Almighty · · Score: 4, Funny

    They should have called the Aliens "Steve".

    --

    In Soviet America the banks rob you!