Microsoft + Municipal Wi-Fi

Microsoft has thrown its hat into the municipal Wi-Fi ring, partnering up with MetroFi, based in Mountain View, California. MetroFi takes the ad-supported free muni Wi-Fi model. Katie Fehrenbacher at GigaOm thinks that Microsoft might have pumped some cash into the deal, but no one is talking. Microsoft plans to utilize location info from Wi-Fi access points to deliver localized information, possibly advertising. If I recall, Google is doing something similar with muni Wi-Fi, so that they can deliver mobile ads. Of course, they also plan to give away free mobile phones. Microsoft still seems to me to be floundering around for some Internet-based idea so that they can be relevant again, so maybe this will help them.