In our everyday lives, we still often forget the fact that somewhere OUT THERE, there are still thousands of people without internet access. As the world shifts to digital form, including even the most basic work tasks, THOSE people without internet access are at a huge disadvantage. A new project emerging in New York aims to remove these barriers by transforming ordinary trash cans into high-tech devices. Behind this is Bigbelly, a manufacturer of smart Wi-Fi trash and recycling bins. These will be placed in five boroughs to serve as free Wi-Fi hot-spots. We already know the containers in their original form. Solar-powered sensors detect when the bin reaches its capacity (or when the container really starts to stink badly), and then alert its manager that it needs to be emptied. Two of the smart trash cans already stand in Manhattan and, in addition to their sensor work, they also function as hot-spots providing free Wi-Fi internet connection with a capacity of 50 to 75 megabits per second, which is pretty decent speed for a trash can. Just for comparison, downloading an HD movie would take nine minutes at this speed. The smart bins will offer free Wi-Fi internet connection, but with ads displayed. red