The Hamptons, where New York City goes to summer, will provide free wireless, according to a
report today in the NY Times. A new Suffolk County WiFi cloud would cover an area 900 square miles in size. Now the walkabout web will encompass sandals and cargo shorts.

The system would allow anyone to use computers and P.D.A. devices with wireless capabilities anywhere in the county, and would also be available to visitors, businesses, government agencies, institutions and groups. …

The potential uses are virtually endless, proponents say. People could flip open a laptop and surf the Web while at the beach, pull over and park to check their route on MapQuest, get a head start on office e-mail while commuting to work on the train or pause on the golf course to track stock prices by glancing at a P.D.A. device.

Think back to some of those smart-alecky remarks about Gee, why wouldn’t I just want to use my laptop? and A PDA has it all! when the Nokia 770 first appeared. They show their naivete now. After all, you can’t surf and cruise on Dune Road without a 770!