Find wireless hotspots before you travel

Travellers can find the location of free and paid-for wireless hotspots on their intended route thanks to a new feature on the maps website Map24.

It uses data from the hotspot directory at Spotigo, which gives the location of 50,000 access points in Europe and a further 50,000 worldwide. Chris Wallett, managing director for Mapsolute in the UK, said their are more than 500 official free hotspots in Britain.

Map24 claims wireless users can pinpoint exactly where they can use their wireless computers in hotels, shopping malls, bars, cafes, airports and leisure centres.

Wallett said they would not be offering the information through satellite-navigation devices but he does think this kind of information could be sold by other people.

"We're also considering putting the information onto our free smartphone software," he said. The software is available for Windows Mobile PDAs and Smartphones.