While it causes greater battery drain than perhaps any other feature, I still love using Wi-Fi on my Nexus One. Maybe it’s because before this I used Verizon (still do, really), which only welcomed Wi-Fi last year. Still, whenever I get a chance to use it with my Nexus One I do — that is, as long as I have enough battery and know I’ll have a chance to recharge in the near future. Today we learned of an excellent development for Android users who prefer Wi-Fi when it’s available. Cablevision, Comcast, and Time Warner, three of the largest cable providers in the New York Metro area, have announced a Wi-Fi partnership.
Each of the companies hosts its own Wi-Fi networks at various locations, including train stations. The problem of course, is that each offered Wi-Fi to only its own subscribers, so while you might have access to Cablevision Wi-Fi, if Comcast was the only available network you were a bit out of luck. With the combined agreement users get access to the internet regardless of the provider. All you need is an account with one of the three and you can access these hotspots, which exist in hundreds of locations in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.
Again, you’ll probably want to make sure there’s a power outlet nearby so you can charge up after Wi-Fi usage. If you have that, well, then have at it. You’ll be watching high-res steaming video like you can’t really experience on a 3G connection. That, I think, is worth the battery life trade-off.
