Alaska Airlines has just announced that it will bring inflight wireless Internet connectivity sometime next year, based on Row 44’s satellite-based broadband connectivity solution. The system will first be tested on a next-generation Boeing 737 aircraft next spring. Depending on the outcome, plans will be formulated to equip its 114-aircraft fleet. About time, if you ask me.

Archos is ready for the world. The Archos 105, 405 and 605 WiFi are all out today — the 2GB 105 for $89; 2GB 405 for $149; the 4GB, 30GB, 80GB and 160GB 605 WiFi at $199, $299 and $349, $399, respectively; 80GB 705 WiFi at $399, 160GB at $499; 80GB Archos TV+ at $249, and finally the 250GB TV+ at $349.

The plan to WiFI the whole of San Francisco will have to wait a while. Google and Earthlink were to partner up on this endeavor, but Earthlink’s Rolla Huff made unwelcome comments about city officials.

If EarthLink had responded to supervisors’ requests for contract alterations made in July, including increasing required data speeds and privacy controls, a contract could have been approved and sent on to the full board for a vote Wednesday, an aide to SF Supervisor Aaron Peskin said. Now, a vote will not be possible until September at the earliest.

City residents will just have to connect like the rest of us until the big boys iron out their differences.

American Airlines is joining other carriers like Lufthansa and Qantas, to provide its passengers with WiFi access via AirCell.

Beginning with the Boeing 767-200 aircraft, which primarily fly transcontinental route, the service is an air-to-ground network.

“We understand that broadband connectivity is important to our business customers and others who want to use their PDAs and laptops for real-time, in-flight broadband communications,” said Dan Garton, Executive Vice President – Marketing for American Airlines. “This is part of our continuing effort to take the lead in enhancing the travel experience for our customers and meet their evolving needs.”

“Travelers are already bringing their own Wi-Fi enabled devices onto planes,” said Jack Blumenstein, AirCell CEO. “Bringing broadband access onto domestic flights at an everyday, affordable price provides travelers the opportunity to recapture time. Making productive use of the time in the air will give them time back on the ground with family or just relaxing.”

The cost of this service has yet to be announced, but I will gladly give up the food for this!

A Japan phone, this one might just duke it out with Apple’s iPhone.  Some of the features on Sophia’s Mobile Nani is bound to bring some excitement to those who can’t or won’t ever support Apple’s iPhone.  It comes with a large 4.3 touchscreen, video playback (800 x 400 pixels), expandle MicroSD slot, camera, WiFi, and a nice little TV tuner.  Even though it might not last 12 rounds in this slug fest with the iPhone, it’ll sure put up a battle before it gives in and buyers out there becomes “one of them…one of them…”

It’s not too shabby eh?