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What people say:
Brad Murdoch
" Just a quick note to thank you for your help and let you know that I am sending this email from Starbucks... without having had to login to my
T-Mobile account!
It's great -
keep up the good work! "
Devicescape's Frequently Asked Questions
We find that most questions fall into one of the following categories:
Basics: general questions about the service, benefits and getting started.
Devices: questions about devices and use in hotspots.
Services: questions about wireless services and networks.
Basics:
- What is the Devicescape?
- Why would I join?
- How do I start?
- How much does connecting cost?
- What about my information?
- Where can I learn more?
- If I install Devicescape will I have to view ads or receive spam in order to use it for free?
Devices:
- What type of device can I use with Devicescape?
- What other devices can I expect to use on the Devicescape in the future?
- Can I register more than one device and service at Devicescape.com?
- What if I lose or give away my device?
- Can I use more than one device at a commercial hotspot?
- How can I make free calls with my smartphone or PDA?
- Do I need to install a root certificate with the FON service?
Services:
- Which Wi-Fi hotpots and municipal networks can I use?
- Do I need to have a special agreement with my service provider to roam on various hotspots?
- Do I have to select every free service to use these from my device?
- Will Devicescape enable me to jump on any hotspot for a pay-as-you go rate?
- How does my device know which hotspot to connect to?
- Will Devicescape work with my home Wi-Fi network, or my friend's home Wi-Fi network?
- Will Devicescape affect the security of my communications at a public hotspot?
- Will Devicescape prevent me from using my device on my home or company's Wi-Fi network?
- How fast should I be able to get connected at a hotspot?
Basics:
What is the Devicescape?
The Devicescape is the collection of connected devices, networks and the people who use them.The Devices:
Devicescape enables devices, like VoIP phones, web tablets, PDA’s, media players and portable game systems to connect automatically to hotspot and municipal Wi-Fi networks. This connection magic is possible due to our patent pending technology that is embedded or downloaded into devices. You simply set up your device once via our easy to use web site and you are ready to go.
The Networks:
Devicescape makes it easier to get onto existing and new networks to which you are subscribed, as well as access free Wi-Fi and municipal networks. Via our easy to use web interface you set your preferences and manage you Wi-Fi provider accounts. The rest is automatic. Your device initializes contact and simply connects.
People:
Devicescape was designed around the needs of people. No long strings of user names, passwords or other information to remember or enter when you want Wi-Fi access from your device. Just always ready connections. Once you’ve set up your account, connecting your wireless device on all the networks you need throughout the day is as easy as making a cell phone call.
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Why would I join?
By joining Devicescape you can experience a whole new level of Wi-Fi connectivity:- Impossible tasks like using a VoIP or Skype phone at a hotspot are now possible. Additionally, with Devicescape, mobile devices that don’t have a browser, like MP3 players and digital cameras, will be able to connect too!
- Difficult tasks like using a stylus to enter your user name and password to connect your PDA are now easy.
- Time consuming tasks like connecting your laptop to a hotspot are now automatic.
Plus: Joining the Devicescape is FREE!
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How do I start?
It's as easy as 1-2-3!- Sign up with Devicescape and download the latest Devicescape software onto your device. (Some devices may not require this download step. Check your new device package to see if it comes pre-loaded with Devicescape.)
- Login to your my.devicescape.com account to activate your devices.
- Indicate your wireless service plans.
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How much does connecting cost?
There is no charge to enter the Devicescape. You can join for free, you can download all of the Devicescape software for free and you can access any free Wi-Fi networks for free. You can use you existing hotspot subscriptions with Devicescape for no additional charge. Networks and hotspots that require payments and/or subscriptions will cost whatever the service vendor is currently charging. There are no additional costs to use those services via the Devicescape.back to top
What about my information?
Devicescape takes privacy very seriously. Devicescape does not and will never rent, sell or share information that personally identifies you for marketing purposes without your express permission. Read the Devicescape Privacy Policy for more information.back to top
Where can I learn more?
Check out our Learn More page at www.devicescape.com/learnmore. There is also great community information being generated on our forums.back to top
If I install Devicescape will I have to view ads or receive spam in order to use it for free?
No, we won't subject you to advertising or spam. Our application and service are completely free to consumers.back to top
Devices:
What type of device can I use with Devicescape?
Devicescape is busy adding new devices to the 'scape, but at the moment, you can use the following:- PC's running Windows XP
- Any Wi-Fi enabled Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone
- Nokia 770 Internet Tablet
- Linksys WIP300 Wireless-G IP Phone
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What other devices can I expect to use on the Devicescape in the future?
We plan to activate every type of mobile and electronic device that can use Wi-Fi connectivity including portable game consoles, MP3 players, digital cameras, digital media players, converged cell phones, and GPS systems.back to top
Can I register more than one device and service at Devicescape.com?
Yes, you can register as many devices and as many services as you like on your my.devicescape.com page. There is no limit.back to top
What if I lose or give away my device?
No problem. If your device is lost, stolen, given away or sold, you can simply remove it from your registered devices list. If the device is no longer registered it will not be able to use your subscribed services or any of the free network services.If your device is found after you've disabled it, you can re-activate it at anytime.
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Can I use more than one device at a commercial hotspot?
This depends on your hotspot operator. Some allow it, some don't. Check the terms of service with your operator, or simply give it a try!back to top
How can I make free calls with my smartphone or PDA?
If you have a Windows Mobile 5.0 smartphone that supports Wi-Fi, you can download and install VoIP applications like Skype or Gizmo that enable you to make free (or very inexpensive) phone calls. When combined with Devicescape you'll have super cost-effective alternative to cellular phone service that works just like a mobile phone whenever you are within range of a Wi-Fi network - anywhere in the world!back to top
Do I need to install a root certificate with the FON service?
Starting with Devicescape 0.9.11 for Windows Mobile 5, proper certificate checking is enforced on that platform.While this helps to improve the security of the software and our users' credentials, due to the limited number of root certificates distributed by default in Windows Mobile 5, it may mean that customers need to add the appropriate root certificate for the services they use.
So far, the only provider that this situation has been found for has been FON. Users of Windows Mobile 5 devices with the FON service should:
- Download the AddTrust ExternalCARoot.cer file
- Copy this file to their Windows Mobile 5 device using ActiveSync.
- Use "File Manager" on the Windows Mobile 5 device to navigate to the locat ion of the file and select it.
- Confirm that you wish to add this certificate to the device's certificate store.
Additional details on Fon's certificate:
FON's certificate is issued to them by USERTrust. That USERTrust certificate is in turn issued by AddTrust. AddTrust is the root certificate authority that needs to be added to be able to trust the FON certificate.AddTrust External CA Root
UTN-USERFirst-Hardware
*.fon.com
(Note that while there is a self-signed UTN-USERFirst-Hardware certificate available, adding this certificate alone to Windows Mobile 5 has not been sufficient to authenticate the FON certificate.)
Note regarding Fon's "wildcard" certificate:
Note that the certificate for FON is a "wildcard" certifcate for "*.fon.com". By default Windows Mobile 5 does not support wildcard certificates. Devicescape added special handling of wildcard certificates for the application on Windows Mobile 5, but this does not effect other network applications such as Internet Explorer. Web browsing with Internet Explorer on the Windows Mobile 5 platform, even with the AddTrust External CA Root added, will indicate a security issue due to the wildcard certificate not exactly matching the name of the server (e.g., https://en.fon.com or https://login.fon.com)back to top
Services:
Which Wi-Fi hotspots and municipal networks can I use?
Devicescape supports an ever-growing list of hotspots and muni networks, both commercial and free. You can review the latest list on our Services page.We also want your help to capture even more networks - especially free hotspots and muni networks. Let us know if your favorite network is not currently covered and we'll add it to our list. We'll send you a special ping when it's available.
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Do I need to have a special agreement with my service provider to roam on various hotspots?
No. Once you have subscribed to a service provider, you are free to roam on any of their designated hotspots. In addition, most service providers have reciprocal agreements with other service providers in order to expand coverage. If your phone or PDA is Devicescaped, it will automatically connect to any and all hotspots in the coverage area. (Reciprocal coverage often includes regional and international agreements. Check with your service provider agreement for the exact terms of coverage.)back to top
Do I have to select every free service to use these from my device?
No. You are not required to select each free service. By accepting the Devicescape Click-Through License Agreement, you authorize Devicescape to accept the terms and conditions of each free Wi-Fi network on your behalf. For more information, see the Click-Through License Agreement at www.devicescape.com/clickthrough/.back to top
Will Devicescape enable me to jump on any hotspot for a pay-as-you go rate?
Not yet, but we are working on it. This is something we will offer very soon.back to top
How does my device know which hotspot to connect to?
For most devices, you simply select the network you prefer and Devicescape handles the log-in.back to top
Will Devicescape work with my home Wi-Fi network, or my friend’s home Wi-Fi network?
We're working on a way to make it fast and easy to add Wi-Fi devices to your home network, and let your friends easily get on your network (and vice versa) using our website. This will be much simpler than the current method involving the programming of your Wi-Fi router and devices with complicated security pass codes and other networking parameters. We'll be alerting registered users of this capability when we roll it out.back to top
Will Devicescape affect the security of my communications at a public hotspot?
No, the Devicescape application does not affect the security of your Wi-Fi connection at a hotspot, or on any other wireless network for that matter.back to top
Will Devicescape prevent me from using my device on my home or company's Wi-Fi network?
No, the Devicescape application does not affect the behavior of your device on a home or corporate Wi-Fi network.back to top
How fast should I be able to get connected at a hotspot?
Connection times vary by hotspot and device, but we commonly see our laptops and wireless VoIP phones get connected in about 4 seconds.back to top