Want to make a few extra bucks from your wireless Internet access? Start-up LinSpot announced on Wednesday that their LinSpot 1.0 application for Mac OS X allows you to do just that, with the company taking a 15 percent cut for services sold over your wireless network.
The LinSpot software is a free download that configures automatically upon installation and features end-to-end encryption, automatic self-updates, and the ability to accept PayPal as well as all major credit cards. If you’re feeling generous, you can direct LinSpot to provide free unrestricted Internet access to certain computers on your network, such as your own. And owners of WiFi-enabled phones can access your network to place calls.
“Instead of trying to get new equipment installed at a very few selected locations,” said LinSpot CEO Jasper Nuyens, “we want to turn the already installed WiFi infrastructure into the largest HotSpot network in existence.” LinSpot works with any WiFi router, including Apple’s AirPort Base Stations.
Pricing is US$2.50 per hour, $5.00 per day, $10.00 per week, or $25.00 per month, with transparent billing reports. While LinSpot is available only for Mac OS X right now, users can run any platform to access the service, and the company will soon ship Windows and Linux versions of the software.