UK lampposts to get WiFi, flash memory
posted Mar 24th 2005 6:00AM
WiFi hot spots? Bah — UK company Last Mile Communications says it will convert the humble lamppost into all the internet access you need. But why stop there, when a lamppost could be so much more? Last Mile's plans include installing flash memory inside the posts to store information about local stores and restaurants. Then, all a passerby need do is run a bit of proprietary code courtesy of Last Mile (dubbed MagicBook by some marketing exec who's clearly absorbed too much Harry Potter) to access the information on the lamppost. Not convinced yet? But wait — the lamppost hot spots could be used by… emergency services! Yeah, that's it — when firefighters arrive on the scene to combat a raging blaze, they'll just take a moment to whip out their laptops and see which neighborhood pub will be best for cooling off in afterwards. We've seen plans of this variety in the States, too, but somehow we have yet to see the thronging hordes crouched against a lamppost with Pocket PCs, looking for clubs.
I'm beginning to wonder which conceited idiot writes these reviews. Personally I'm in interested in the tech - i.e. the gadget in enGADGET - not your poor attempts at humour. If I'm after shallow critique then I'll watch Letterman.
Well maybe you should go watch Letterman and shut the fuck up.
I whole heartedly agree with poolshark. If you don't like the way reviews are written...go somewhere else!
You'll put your eye out with that BB gun...
Anyway, could these control the lampposts too? Then a hacker could light up messages to his girlfriends in space... The entire city of London could say "Golden Casino" or "Freeipods" or some such...
Hey number #1... you're number 1 on my list too... except i don't work at the post office or wear lipstick... (it's a movie reference, idiot)... These guys F'ing rock and "Well maybe you should go watch Letterman and shut the fuck up." Yea that about says it.
UK law says that local councils can't get involved in private profit making. As all lampposts are owned by the council, they can't get involved in this. A similar scheme exists in the soho district of London, legal constraints, however, allow it only to be used for council buisness:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/04/30/westminster_wifi/