Seattle Times
Speakeasy tries marketing Wi-Fi by outfitting condo
SEATTLE - Seattle Internet service provider Speakeasy is taking an unusual approach to telling customers about Wi-Fi Internet access. It has partnered with upscale Belltown condominium complex The Vine to outfit a vacant unit with Wi-Fi access and other features, such as a phone that sends voice information in digital form via the Internet.
Speakeasy said marketing via condo has exposed hundreds of people to its technologies, and it may invest in a similar setup in other cities.
The Belltown condo is available for tours through July 11.
Seattle PI
BROADBAND REMODEL: Want to have all the latest whiz-bang technology? Better get out your checkbook.
Seattle Internet service provider Speakeasy recently remodeled a 10th-floor condominium at The Vine in Belltown with everything that a techno geek could desire: plasma screen TV, voice over Internet telephone, Wi-Fi access, Windows XP Media Center software, and of course, Speakeasy's DSL service.
Price tag for all of the gadgets and services: $10,000.
That's the bad news. The good news is that Speakeasy plans to give everything away in a promotion next month. (Unfortunately, the condo, with views of Elliott Bay, is not included in the giveaway).
Speakeasy, which has led 250 people through the condo, came up with the idea as a way to build awareness for broadband services.
"It is not only Bill Gates in his mansion in Medina anymore," said Speakeasy's Arnaud Gautier. "It is possible for you and me to do this."
Seattle 24 x 7
http://www.seattle24x7.com
Broadband Open House
Seattle's Speakeasy has unveiled the Speakeasy Broadband Remodel, a
broadband-optimized residence located in The Vine Building, at 2605
Western Avenue, one of Seattle's new condominium developments. The
Broadband Remodel showcases Speakeasy's broadband Internet connectivity.
WiFi networking allows music, games and other online content to travel
freely throughout each room of the residence. Users can also stream
music over their home sound system, play online games with a
WiFi-enabled console, access their work computer remotely from their
home network, talk on the phone over a broadband connection, and surf
online from any room. Broadband-enabled devices include a Plasma/LCD
screen in the entertainment center, a Tablet PC in the kitchen and a PC
configured in the office. To view the concept model in QTVR, visit
http://www.speakeasy.net/dsl/remodel. [24x7]