This initial test was done at a runway at California’s Mojave Air and Spaceport this morning – Monday, that is, the 29th of April. This test was done with carrier mothership WhiteKnightTwo, it carrying SS2 to an altitude of around 47,000 feet (14,300 meters) where the smaller craft test-fired a rocket engine that would, or will, eventually carry it to its space-bound top height.

This test is only the very first in a set of tests that will eventually prove the craft viable for real human use. British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, owner and founder of Virgin Galactic, Virgin Airlines, Virgin Mobile, etc, spoke this morning of the event in brief, suggesting his day thus far has been “ridiculously exciting”. With flight tickets set at the moment at an expected two hundred thousand dollars a person, it’s not difficult to see more than one reason why Branson would find this day a positive one.

According to Virgin Galactic, they plan on running their first official full space flight by the end of the calendar year. This flight may or may not be working with user-purchased tickets at that time.

Virgin Galactic is a concept born not just of Branson’s wishes to head to space, but of the company’s ever-expanding aims to bring consumers entertaining experiences in travel. Such is a flight aboard a Virgin Airlines flight, complete with posh interiors and wireless phone chargers in specialized waiting rooms at the airport. After Virgin Galactic takes off for real, we expect Virgin Volcanic to head below our Earth with a giant drill – it’d only be right.

UPDATE: A video has been released showing this event, specifically the bit where the SpaceShipTwo breaks the speed of sound – watch for it now.

[via Space]

Those on Vodafone, EE – or its Orange or T-Mobile UK brands – or Virgin Media will all be able to get online free, having inked wholesale access agreements to the WiFi network back in November 2012. Those on O2 and 3, however, will have to pay, as will those users wanting to connect with their WiFi-only tablets, notebooks, portable games consoles, and other devices.

Three tariff options are available, varying in price and length of access. Daily plans are £2 ($3) while a week’s access is £5 ($8); finally, a month’s access to the WiFi network is £15 ($24). Virgin Media says that those opting for the full monthly package in February will get three months access for the price of one.

Eleven new locations have been lit up today, and Virgin Media is apparently on track for 120 stations to be connected by the time March 2013 is through. You can find details on all the WiFi stations here, as well as price plan information. Those logging on without a plan will have access to up-to-date Tube timetables and service status.

EE and Vodafone UK have each inked deals with Virgin Media to use the Underground connection, while the company’s own subscribers will also get free access. Everyone else will have a choice of three rates, depending on how long they want to use the WiFi.

A day’s access will be £2 ($3.22) while a week’s access will be £5 ($8); the full month will be £15 ($24). Even without a subscription, users are able to see Underground service status information.

The newly added locations include:

• Belsize Park
• Notting Hill Gate
• Camden Town
• Seven Sisters
• Chalk Farm
• South Kensington
• Highgate
• Swiss Cottage
• Mornington Crescent
• Bounds Green
• Balham
• Finsbury Park
• Clapham Common
• Holloway Road
• Oval
• Russell Square
• Clapham South
• Turnpike Lane
• Lancaster Gate
• Wood Green

Virgin Media says it still aims to have 120 stations connected by “early 2013″ with another 28 due in the new year. The service works in ticket halls and on platforms, but not in the tunnels themselves; you can find the full list of supported stations here.

The free content on the channels will include: H+ The Digital Series from Warner Bros., Crash Course and Written by a Kid from Geek and Sundry, Blue from WIGS, and The Key of Awesome from Barely Political. In making this content available, YouTube is expanding its audience and presenting its content offerings to a larger demographic of users, who may not be aware of the content it currently offers.

This reflects on Virgin’s stated goal of increasing the number of videos it offers four-fold, something it would do in conjunction with increasing the size of its 9-inch rear seat displays, which are available on a quarter of its US flights. This is in addition to the in-flight wireless Internet it offers on many of its flights.

Virgin already offers a variety of in-flight video content via other deals, bringing fliers content from Vevo, Funny or Die, Red Hour Digital, Stoodpid Monkey Productions, Barry Katz Entertainment, AEG, Vice, Rogue, Relativity Media, and more. Back in July, we reported that Virgin American was rated the top domestic airline for the fifth time straight.

[via Variety]

Catch-up TV will be included, with shows from all of the BBC channels, and there will be behind-the-scenes content from sports and other events. The BBC already offers “Red Button” services via traditional broadcast, including news, weather, and other content, but by using internet streaming rather than the broadcast signal, the amount of data on offer can increase considerably.

Initially, 1.2m Virgin Media TiVo boxes will be compatible with the new Connected Red Button services, though the BBC says that will be extended to other internet-connected TVs “over the coming months.” We’d expect to see web-enabled set-top boxes from Freeview, YouView, Freesat, and others join in the fun in time.

According to the BBC Internet blog, meanwhile, phones and tablets could eventually be integrated, with the hint of second-screen style content shown on both big-screen and mobile device. There’s also the possibility of retroactive updates for existing web-capable AV kit to get Connected Red Button service.

“Throughout 2012 the BBC has also been engaging with a number of TV manufacturers and platform operators regarding our connected TV application plans and the related technical specifications and certification requirements” Matt Coulson, executive product manager for Red Button says. “We’ll be rolling out Connected Red Button to a range of connected TV devices during 2013 and in many cases 2012 TVs will also be upgraded to Connected Red Button.”

You’ll need to have a Virgin TiVo box in the UK in order to try the Connected Red Button service out today.

In order to qualify for the current unlocking program, iPhone owners have to meet certain requirements that are revealed by the leaked memos. For starters, the iPhone must be owned outright, and cannot be on a contract plan. The iPhone owner must be a post-paid Bell or Virgin customer as well. Those who don’t meet all three requirements are out of luck.

Information that the two companies planned to offer an iPhone unlocking service first appeared over at iPhone In Canada, but was lacking in details. With this leaked memo, we get a nice glimpse into the stipulations and fee, but also a notice that additional information will be available in the near future. Says the leaked memo, the eligibility guidelines will be expanded during the “next Phase in 2013.”

Reads the Virgin Mobile leaked image: “Hey Peeps! Virgin Mobile is getting into the Holiday spirit by supporting our Members with unlocking their sweet iPhone! Starting Monday, November 26th, you’ll play the role of Santa’s little helper and assist in their request to unlock their iPhone.” Customers can take advantage of this service via Bell’s Credit and Prevention line, or via Virgin Care for Virgin Mobile customers.

[via Mobile Syrup]

There are as many as 45 channels at launch, though what you get to watch will depend on what Virgin TV package you’ve subscribed to at home. That means, if you’re a Sky Movies or Sky Sports subscriber, you’ll also get access to content from those channels while you’re out, just as long as you can find a WiFi connection.

Initial live streaming channel line-up:

Unfortunately, that isn’t the only limitation. Virgin says that on-demand access isn’t expected to land on the mobile client until sometime next year, and so until then it’s live streaming only. Update: You’ll also need to have a TiVo box in order to use the mobile app.

Initial on-demand channel line-up:

As for your Virgin-supplied TiVo, users will be able to use the remote control functionality – initially available for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch users – to remotely set recordings, delete shows, and rate them. It will also work as a touch-remote when users are actually at home in front of their TV.

Subscribers to Virgin TV can find the new Anywhere app for iOS in the App Store [iTunes link]; Virgin tells us an Android version will be out sometime in 2013. Up to two devices can be used with the service at any one time, and users can change them “on a monthly basis.”

Sure, it’s not going to set the world on fire, but it’s an affordable entry-level smartphone that should be suited to first time users of Android. The price certainly makes it attractive too thanks to the lack of a two-year contract, so you could always jump to one of Virgin Mobile’s other phones once you’ve outgrown the Chaser. Virgin has outfitted the handset with a number of bundled apps to get your started, including Facebook, Twitter, and Virgin Mobile Live.

The company says the smartphone should be available on its website right now, although Virgin notes that the phone will begin rolling out to retail stores throughout September and October. Looks like the phone has already proved popular though, as it’s showing as out of stock on Virgin’s website. Head over here to keep an eye out for the next wave if this sounds like the entry-level phone for you.

The Canon EOS C300 played a pivotal role in capturing the movie which has another product tie-in with the airplane being specifically a Virgin Atlantic flight. This movie also has the lovable trip of Philip Baker Hall, Janeane Garofalo, and Luis Guzman in it, and has already premiered in short at the LA Film Festival on the 17th of June. It wasn’t revealed until now the full details of the shoot.

Director of photography Doug Chamberlain spoke up about filming the movie with the equipment of choice:

“I knew it would be a challenge to figure out how to get it done just in terms of lighting, mobility, electrical power, and airport security. I looked at the Canon EOS C300 digital cinema camera and was immediately convinced that it’s the perfect tool for shooting ‘Departure Date.’ The EOS C300 is a very production-friendly camera.” – Chamberlain

This movie had Chamberlain using the Canon EOS C300 with PL-mount compact prime lenses and the camera’s long recording time options to make it all work out well. Have a peek at our Canon EOS C300 timeline below to find out more about the camera and how you’ll be using it for your own film and photo adventures soon!

Maybe it’s the one-of-a-kind mood lighting within the cabin, or it could be the touch-screen food and drink ordering system. All of these factors, along with of course the fact that Virgin America has just about the most modern fleet in the country, are what caused Travel + Leisure magazine to pick the nascent carrier, yet again, for its coveted top spot.

“We are honored to have won top marks from Travel + Leisure readers for the fifth year in a row,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. “There are many awards that rank airlines that are paid or that include only the largest airlines, so it is a real distinction to win the top quality ranking in an independent survey of thousands of some of the most discerning travelers out there. As we mark our fifth year anniversary this summer, this award is a testament to our unique product,” the airline said in a statement.

[via Sacramento Bee]

That’s because existing customers get a £5 discount to achieve that £21 per month rate, whereas everyone else will be paying £26. There’s also a second, “Starter” plan priced at £13 for Virgin Media customers (and £18 for everyone else) though that doesn’t include unlimited data.

Subscribers will free access to the Virgin Media-powered London Underground WiFi service at select Tube stations, which will be free during the 2012 Olympics but switch over to paid plans after that. They’ll also get unlimited calls and texts to other Virgin Media subscribers.

The new plans – which will be offered with a range of devices – have 24-month agreements. If you’d prefer SIM-free, then there are month-to-month rolling plans starting at £20 for the Premiere tariff for existing broadband/TV subscribers.

Meanwhile, there’s an inclusive insurance program – for new and existing subscribers – that will cover the loss of a phone anywhere in the UK including 24hr replacement. Virgin Media will also remotely backup all contacts to restore to the replacement device.

$30 per month – or $35 if you don’t agree to automatic billing – gets you 300 anytime minutes and unlimited messaging, along with “unlimited” data subject to a 2.5GB fair-use policy every month. $40 per month – or $5 more without auto-billing – increases the minutes to 1200.

Finally, $50 per month – again, $5 more without auto-billing – steps up to unlimited minutes. If you want to use your iPhone as a mobile hotspot, that’ll be another $15 per month, with a step up to 3.5GB of data.

For those unwilling or unable to get a regular contract, and still desperate for an iPhone, the Virgin Mobile option does introduce some flexibility compared to on-contract service from rival carriers. The handset will go on sale come June 29.

The stations include popular tourist destinations such as Piccadilly CIrcus and Leicester Square, plus several central hubs such as Oxford Circus, Euston, Paddington, and Liverpool Street. Interestingly, both Heathrow stations will also be equipped with WiFi, letting travellers and passengers stay up to date right up until a flight or coming off of one.

Virgin will be upgrading a further 40 stations, set to go live at the end of July. All in all, 120 Tube stations out of the 270 found across London will be upgraded. There’s no word yet on exactly how much Virgin plan to charge for WiFi when the free option is nixed, but just like on train platforms, we’ll keep a watchful eye out.

[via The Verge]

Rory Cellan-Jones, a technology journalist for the BBC, had a chance to test out one of the new WiFi hotspots located on the Tube. He posted a Tweet from a platform, then recorded some video for the world to see, and streamed some Apprentice via BBC iPlayer for good measure.

Virgin Media is said to be installing WiFi in around 80 stations across London, hooked up to its fibre network. The service will be free to start off, but Virgin will introduce paid plans later on to monetize the service. The WiFi access will only work on the platforms and station, however: users won’t be able to access the information superhighway while trains are in motion as the signals don’t stretch into the tunnels.

[via Pocket-Lint]