Tech Superpowers Inc. plans to operate its “WiFi Fleet” — two cars outfitted with wireless Internet access, e-mail and the ability to send iLife-created “video postcards” — during next week’s running of the 107th annual Boston Marathon.
Tech Superpowers Inc. is a Boston-based Mac consulting and training service based on Newbury Street, a stone’s throw from the end of the world-famous Boston Marathon itself. Tech Superpowers operates NewburyOpen.net, a free WiFi service offered by several local Newbury Street vendors.
The company’s “WiFi Fleet” is an extension of the NewburyOpen.net service — it comprises a Lexus and a Saturn outfitted with free Internet access. Tech Superpowers plans to park the two cars at the intersection of Newbury and Hereford Streets, about a half a mile from the end of the Marathon. You can bring your own PowerBook or iBook to log on to the Internet while you’re waiting for runners to pass by, or you can use systems that Tech Superpowers will have set up.
Tech Superpowers is collaborating with the Boston Final Cut Pro Users Group (BOSFCPUG) to provide free “video postcards” from the two cars — passersby will be able to send digital pictures or ten-second downloadable video clips to anyone, thanks to Apple’s iMovie and iDVD, PowerBooks and Sony and Canon cameras.
That’s not all, either — the WiFi Fleet will also provide users with the ability to check on individual Marathon runners’ progress — users can fire up the BostonMarathon.com Web site from systems stationed at the two automobiles and see their update almost in real-time thanks to “ChampionChip” technology that records runners’ times at intervals.