I guess offering free WiFi no matter the operating system you use is a bit too magnanimous, but Google doesn’t see it that way. The company has partnered with Boingo to provide free WiFi to more than 4,000 hotspots across the country, so long as you’re not trying to access them using iOS, Windows Phone, or BlackBerry. It makes sense as the promotion is being sponsored exclusively by Google Play, which is formerly known as the Android Marketplace.
The interesting aspect of the promotion is that while iOS, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry users are left out, OS X and Windows laptops are perfectly fine to use. I guess Google Chrome is the link the company sees for those devices. The promotion will be available across country and includes 15 airports, as well as numerous other public places such as hotels, cafes, shipping malls and more. Dawn Callahan, the VP of Boingo seems particularly pleased with the deal.
“Google Play is the first to take part in our newly expanded Wi-Fi sponsorship network, which reaches millions of consumers each month with place-based brand engagements. Sponsorships like this give users the free Wi-Fi they crave, advertisers the consumer interaction they need, and venues the revenue to offset the costs associated with providing a high-bandwidth Wi-Fi experience.”
So there you have it, folks. If you’ll be traveling over the upcoming holidays you won’t be able to connect your Windows Phone to Boingo’s wireless networks for free, but don’t hesitate to connect your laptop.
[via NBC]
