Nintendo, Boingo bring free airport WiFi to 3DS, commuter rage to slightly dip
Know what could save you from that inevitable bout of holiday travel-induced rage? Free WiFi on your 3DS, that's what. Let's be real, you and a few million others are about to be stuck waiting on a tarmac somewhere or suffocating in a boarding area throng of weary travelers. So, if you've got Nintendo's latest portable handy, you'll at least have a free internet connection to latch onto, courtesy of Boingo. The company's recently announced an agreement with the Big N to make its service free of charge to users across 42 of our nation's airports. You'll be able to take advantage of the gratis goods once your console receives a scheduled firmware update, due to roll out today. Now if that doesn't get you in a festive spirit, you're probably just a mean, green 'ol Grinch -- or a PSP owner.
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Nintendo Extends Free Wi-Fi Service for Nintendo 3DS Users to 42 Boingo Airports in North America
LOS ANGELES, Calif. and REDMOND, Wash. – Dec. 8, 2011 – Boingo Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: WIFI), the Wi-Fi industry's leading provider of software and services worldwide, today announced an agreement with Nintendo of America Inc. that provides Wi-Fi access to Nintendo 3DS™ owners via 42 of Boingo's North American airports.
The agreement enables Nintendo 3DS owners to stay connected when traveling through one of Boingo's managed and operated airport networks – including Chicago O'Hare, New York JFK and Houston George Bush Intercontinental airports. Nintendo 3DS users who bring their devices with them on their travels will be automatically connected for free to participating Boingo hotspots.
"As the global leader in airport Wi-Fi, Boingo is an ideal wireless provider for the millions of Nintendo 3DS users who want to stay connected as they travel," said Zach Fountain, Nintendo of America's Director of Strategic Partnerships. "Nintendo 3DS is our most connected device ever, and this agreement will allow people to stay entertained while they're on the go. Whether it's accessing special offers and content, downloading items from the Nintendo eShop, receiving surprise SpotPass content, or automatically receiving 3D videos from the Nintendo Video service, there have never been more reasons to connect."
"With the holiday season approaching, more leisure travelers and families with children will fill our airports and have access to our hotspots," Colby Goff, senior vice president of strategy and business development for Boingo Wireless. "Our state-of-the-art networks will provide Nintendo 3DS users with seamless connectivity and fast, reliable service to help them make the most of their travel downtime."
Nintendo Zone will become available at participating Boingo hotspots with the next Nintendo 3DS system update, available December 8th, which will offer users a range of new features and enhancements. The Wi-Fi access is available at no additional cost to Nintendo 3DS users.
The Nintendo 3DS system, which offers gameplay featuring real 3D graphics without the need for special glasses, includes the SpotPass™ feature, which when enabled, allows the system to detect wireless hotspots or wireless LAN access points and obtain information, game data, free software, videos and more-even when the system is in Sleep Mode.
Boingo joins Nintendo's current roster of hotspot partners, who together provide Wi-Fi connectivity for Nintendo 3DS users at more than 29,000 locations across the country. To find a participating location, go to www.nintendo.com/3ds/hotspot-locator.
