Google gives gift of Wi-Fi

From now until January 15, 2010, Google will be providing free Wi-Fi services at 47 airports--including Milwaukee!--across the United States:

The upcoming Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holiday is one of the heaviest travel seasons of the year, and according to FAA estimates, over 100 million people will pass through the participating airports between now and January 15, 2010. Due to bad weather and other extenuating circumstances, travelers often have extra time on their hands in the airport after they pass through security - 70 minutes, on average. Not surprisingly, having an Internet connection during this time can make a difference. A recent study conducted by the Wi-Fi Alliance reported that 50% of business travelers take red-eye flights in order to be "reachable" during business hours, and an overwhelming 82% said that being connected through Wi-Fi would help solve that problem.

Thank you, Google. Now, if you will just turn "January 15" into "indefinitely" and "airports" into "everywhere on the planet," we'll really have something to cheer about this holiday season.