Devicescape's Frequently Asked Questions


Basics:

  1. What is Devicescape?
  2. Why should I join?
  3. How do I start?
  4. How much does Devicescape cost?
  5. Is Devicescape secure?
  6. What about the privacy of my personal information?
  7. Are my hotspot passwords stored on my device?
  8. If I install Devicescape will I have to view ads or receive spam in order to use it for free?
  9. Where can I learn more?

Devices:

  1. What type of device can I use with Devicescape?
  2. What other devices can I expect to use on the Devicescape in the future?
  3. Can I use more than one device and network with Devicescape?
  4. What if I lose or give away my device?
  5. Can I use more than one device at a commercial hotspot?
  6. How can I make free calls with my smartphone or PDA?
  7. What do I need to do to use my Windows Mobile device on FON?

Networks:

  1. Which Wi-Fi hotpots and municipal networks can I use?
  2. Will Devicescape work with WEP-encrypted hotspot networks (such as SoftBank Mobile or NTT HOTSPOT)?
  3. Will Devicescape allow my device to roam onto other hotspot networks?
  4. Will Devicescape enable me to jump on any hotspot for a pay-as-you go rate?
  5. Will Devicescape work with my home Wi-Fi network, or my friend's home Wi-Fi network?
  6. Will Devicescape affect the security of my communications at a public hotspot?
  7. Will Devicescape prevent me from using my device on my company's Wi-Fi network?
  8. How fast should I be able to get connected at a hotspot?

Basics:


What is Devicescape?

Devicescape is a service that automatically connects your wireless device to Wi-Fi hotspots, municipal networks, home networks and office networks. Devicescape enables you to quickly and easily get online without having to configure your device, use a browser, or remember and enter usernames and passwords.

Devicescape uses a combination of small software application running on your device and a web service that we operate. You either download the Devicescape application into your device, or purchase a device with the application already installed. After a quick online registration process, you'll be able to use your device at hotspots and other Wi-Fi networks around the world.

Devicescape works with notebook PCs, smartphones, VoIP phones, PDAs, web tablets, media players, portable game systems and more.
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Why should I join?

By joining Devicescape you can experience a whole new level of Wi-Fi connectivity:
  1. Previously 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!
  2. Difficult tasks like using a stylus to enter your user name and password to log your PDA into a hotspot are now easy.
  3. Time consuming tasks like connecting your laptop to a hotspot are now automatic.
  4. You can easily share your home or small office Wi-Fi network with friends and family.
Plus: Joining Devicescape is FREE!
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How do I start?

It's as easy as 1-2-3!
  1. Download and install the Devicescape application on your device. (Some devices may not require this download step. Check your new device package to see if it comes pre-loaded with Devicescape.)
  2. Create a Devicescape account and register your device.
  3. Tell us which Wi-Fi hotspots, municipal networks and personal networks you want to use.
Now you're ready to go.
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How much does Devicescape cost?

There is no charge to use 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 your existing hotspot subscriptions with Devicescape for no additional charge. Note that some public hotspots levy an access fee; however there are no additional costs to use those networks with Devicescape.
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Is Devicescape secure?

Yes, quite secure. All your personal information is maintained in encrypted format on our servers located in secure hosting centers. All communications between your device and our servers is strongly encrypted. And, Devicescape will only connect your device to Wi-Fi hotspots that are verified to be who they say they are - this means you won't accidentally get connected to phony hotspots set-up to steal your passwords and other sensitive information.
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What about the privacy of my personal 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.
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Are my hotspot passwords stored on my device?

No, the username and password used to log in to a hotspot is not stored on your device. Instead, our web service stores these credentials and supplies them to you on-demand when the device wants to log on.
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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.
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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.
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Devices:


What type of device can I use with Devicescape?

You can currently use the following types of devices with Devicescape:
  1. Windows XP and Windows Vista notebook PCs
  2. Apple Mac OSX notebook PCs
  3. Windows Mobile Smartphones and PDAs with Wi-Fi
  4. Nokia ESeries and NSeries phones with Wi-Fi
  5. Nokia N800 and N770 Internet Tablets
New phones, PDAs, and web tablets will be available soon. Check back with us often. We will announce whenever a new device has been added to our list. If you have a device you think should get priority, let us know via our Forums.
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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, GPS systems and more.
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Can I use more than one device and network with Devicescape?

Yes, you can register as many devices and as many networks as you like in your Devicescape account. There is no limit.
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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!
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How can I make free calls with my smartphone or PDA?

If you have a Windows Mobile smartphone or PDA that supports Wi-Fi, you can download and install VoIP applications like Skype, Gizmo or Fring that enable you to make free (or very inexpensive) phone calls. When combined with Devicescape you'll have a 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!
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Do I need to do to use my Windows Mobile device on FON?

Devicescape keeps you secure by checking the digital certificates provided by hotspot networks (a digital certificate is a special electronic credential that can be used to prove the identity of the person or company you are communicating with).
Due to the limited number of root certificates distributed by default in Windows Mobile, customers need to add the appropriate root certificate for the FON network. Users of Windows Mobile devices should:
  1. Download the AddTrustExternalCARoot.cer file
  2. Copy this file to their Windows Mobile device using ActiveSync.
  3. Use "File Manager" on the Windows Mobile device to navigate to the location of the file and select it.
  4. Confirm that you wish to add this certificate to the device's certificate store.
Devicescape will be then able to securely log your Windows Mobile device onto the FON network.

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 validate the FON certificate.

Also, the certificate used by FON is a "wildcard" certifcate for "*.fon.com". By default Windows Mobile does not support wildcard certificates. Devicescape added special handling of wildcard certificates for the application on Windows Mobile, but this does not carry over other network applications such as Internet Explorer. Web browsing with Internet Explorer on the Windows Mobile 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)
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Networks:


Which Wi-Fi hotspots and municipal networks can I use?

Devicescape supports a lengthy list of hotspots and muni networks, both commercial and free. Click "Add a Public Network" on your My Networks page to review a listing of hotspots by region and type.

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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Will Devicescape work the WEP-encrypted hotspot networks (such as SoftBank Mobile or NTT HOTSPOT)?

Yes. All you need to do is add one of these networks to your Devicescape account, along with your username and password. The Devicescape web service will automatically set-up your device with the correct WEP key and other network parameters so you'll automatically connect.
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Will Devicescape allow my device to roam onto other hotspot networks?

Yes, for any network provider in your Devicescape account, your device will also automatically connect to any of their roaming partner networks (provided those roaming partner networks are supported by Devicescape as well). For example, if you have a Boingo account, you'll be able to automatically roam onto the WIFLY network in Taipei, Taiwan. Please note that additional fees may be incurred when you roam.
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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.
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Will Devicescape work with my home Wi-Fi network, or my friend's home Wi-Fi network?

Yes, you can now add Personal Networks, which can be your own home Wi-Fi network, a friend's network, or even a small business network. This is much simpler than programming your devices with complicated security pass codes and other networking parameters.
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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.
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Will Devicescape prevent me from using my device on my company's Wi-Fi network?

No, the Devicescape application does not affect the behavior of your device on a corporate Wi-Fi network.
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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.
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