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AT&T Offers iPhone Users Free Wi-Fi
For real this time....

Though it took a few false starts, AT&T is finally officially offering free Wi-Fi to iPhone customers across the provider's fairly significant network of Wi-Fi hotspots. According to the new website AT&T put up today, that's more than 17,000 locations, including most Starbucks. That's particularly handy if AT&T hasn't yet upgraded your neck of the woods from EDGE to HSDPA connectivity. AT&T iPhone customers (though apparently not all of them yet, because I never got one) have been getting SMS messages alerting them to the perk. Instructions from AT&T:

quote:
Click for full size
•Activate Wi-Fi from the settings icon on your iPhone

•Select "attwifi" from the list of available networks

•Enter your 10-digit mobile number and check the box to agree to the Acceptable Use Policy. Tap 'continue'

Click for full size
•You will receive a text message from AT&T with a secure link to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot. You will not be charged for the text message.

•The SMS link will only be valid for 24 hours at the location it was requested. Another request must be submitted when using another hotspot location.

•Open the text message and tap on the link for 24-hour access to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot
Hopefully the rumored iPhone tethering system in development will make an appearance before long, though if we know AT&T, you'll pay extra to migrate that free iPhone Wi-Fi to your laptop. AT&T's Wi-Fi is currently free to the company's high-speed Internet customers, with everyone else paying either $20 a month or $4 per session.
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ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList

Premium Member

is this...

the same wifi that i have access to with my Uverse account?

insomniac
Oh Yeah
Premium Member
join:2002-09-22
Naperville, IL

insomniac

Premium Member

Re: is this...

Yes.

TamaraB
Question The Current Paradigm
Premium Member
join:2000-11-08
Da Bronx

TamaraB

Premium Member

It's True

Just got home, and a "free SMS message" popped up. Exactly as the article noted.

Neat! I thought Starbucks always had free WiFi No? I went to the link to find the nearest Starbucks, and woe! There aren't any.

Bob

sansri88
digital is here
Premium Member
join:2005-12-17
New York, NY

sansri88

Premium Member

Re: It's True

Hmm haven't gotten anything yet here.

darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
Premium Member
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR

darcilicious to TamaraB

Premium Member

to TamaraB
I don't think Starbucks ever had free Wifi -- previously (and still?) they offered T-Mobile hotspots but those certainly aren't/weren't free...

Deft
Stros in '08
Premium Member
join:2003-09-06
Grand Forks, ND

Deft

Premium Member

Orly?

Might have to go to AT&T!! cant wait till 2010.. to long already..

Im going to look cool with my iTouch and iPhone.. what what..
stufried
Premium Member
join:2003-10-13

stufried

Premium Member

Also Free to Laptop Connect Users

ATT wifi is also free to laptop connect users, but they just changed the stupid validation system so you need to plug your card in and remove the same. I'm not sure whether it is free to people who have tethering plans.
Madtown
Premium Member
join:2008-04-26
93637-2905

Madtown

Premium Member

Why I won't be getting an iPhone (correct me if I'm wrong)

1. You have to pay a Cell Phone fee

2. The screen is too small for Internet use

3. I already have a laptop I can carry with me, 15.4 inch screen that is.

4. I rather use a mouse and a keyboard not one of those crayons to point and click.

5. Only little babies should be in possession of a crayon.

Now tell me what makes the iPhone better than having a laptop, and what does it have that a laptop doesn't have?

My laptop has Wi-Fi enabled and I can surf the internet free on any ATTWiFi hotspots.

JRKy
Woops
join:2002-04-13
Colorado Springs, CO

JRKy

Member

Re: Why I won't be getting an iPhone (correct me if I'm wrong)

Without an iPhone you won't be able to pay inflated data package prices that you can't tether with. That should be reason enough to jump right in.
skrupowies
join:2002-08-22
Bristol, CT

1 recommendation

skrupowies to Madtown

Member

to Madtown
said by Madtown:

1. You have to pay a Cell Phone fee

2. The screen is too small for Internet use

3. I already have a laptop I can carry with me, 15.4 inch screen that is.

4. I rather use a mouse and a keyboard not one of those crayons to point and click.

5. Only little babies should be in possession of a crayon.

Now tell me what makes the iPhone better than having a laptop, and what does it have that a laptop doesn't have?

1. Of course you pay a cell phone fee - it is, after all, a cell phone.

2. The screen is small so you can fit it in your pocket - try doing that with your 15.4 inch screen laptop.

3. How many phone calls can you make with your laptop?

4. You don't use a crayon unless you call your finger a crayon. You only use your finger - no crayon, no stylus.

5. See number 4.

The size of the iPhone makes it better to carry around with you. A laptop is better for what it intended to do, but rather than carry a bulky, somewhat heavy laptop AND a cell phone AND an MP3 player, it's nice to have one device. Obviously you wouldn't use an iPhone as your primary browsing medium or for writing resumes, but as an all in one product it works pretty well. Plus with all the aps you can get (free and paid) you only make the iPhone that much more usable.

a333
A hot cup of integrals please
join:2007-06-12
Rego Park, NY

a333

Member

Re: Why I won't be getting an iPhone (correct me if I'm wrong)

hear, hear

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI

Nightfall to skrupowies

MVM

to skrupowies
said by skrupowies:

said by Madtown:

1. You have to pay a Cell Phone fee

2. The screen is too small for Internet use

3. I already have a laptop I can carry with me, 15.4 inch screen that is.

4. I rather use a mouse and a keyboard not one of those crayons to point and click.

5. Only little babies should be in possession of a crayon.

Now tell me what makes the iPhone better than having a laptop, and what does it have that a laptop doesn't have?

1. Of course you pay a cell phone fee - it is, after all, a cell phone.

2. The screen is small so you can fit it in your pocket - try doing that with your 15.4 inch screen laptop.

3. How many phone calls can you make with your laptop?

4. You don't use a crayon unless you call your finger a crayon. You only use your finger - no crayon, no stylus.

5. See number 4.

The size of the iPhone makes it better to carry around with you. A laptop is better for what it intended to do, but rather than carry a bulky, somewhat heavy laptop AND a cell phone AND an MP3 player, it's nice to have one device. Obviously you wouldn't use an iPhone as your primary browsing medium or for writing resumes, but as an all in one product it works pretty well. Plus with all the aps you can get (free and paid) you only make the iPhone that much more usable.
Excellent reply to a very ignorant and negative post.
forefun
join:2004-04-21
Austin, TX

1 edit

forefun to Madtown

Member

to Madtown
I actually find that using the iPhone is a very gratifying experience.
I have used several devices for checking email when mobile.

Old Motorola Flip Phone with Windows Mobile
Nokia 6820
Palm tethered via Bluetooth
Palm Treo
Blackjack I

None of them have ever really wowed me.
In fact, it always seemed like a chore to do anything on these devices whether it be checking email, surfing the web, etc. Now all of these things just seem to work the way I want. There some situations that are just satisfying when using the iPhone.

To list a few:
Browsing iTunes music previews using Wifi or 3G
Downloading the SBUX song giveaway's while I am still at the store.
Snagging a free Wifi Signal to check email in random places (This thing picks up just about everything)

3G is OK, but Wifi is very fast on this device and really makes the experience rock.

I find that I still need to bring a laptop for travel, but only for work stuff. If I could leave the work behind, the iPhone would be all I need on a trip.

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI

Nightfall

MVM

Re: Why I won't be getting an iPhone (correct me if I'm wrong)

said by forefun:

I actually find that using the iPhone is a very gratifying experience.
I have used several devices for checking email when mobile.

Old Motorola Flip Phone with Windows Mobile
Nokia 6820
Palm tethered via Bluetooth
Palm Treo
Blackjack I

None of them have ever really wowed me.
In fact, it always seemed like a chore to do anything on these devices whether it be checking email, surfing the web, etc. Now all of these things just seem to work the way I want. There some situations that are just satisfying when using the iPhone.

To list a few:
Browsing iTunes music previews using Wifi or 3G
Downloading the SBUX song giveaway's while I am still at the store.
Snagging a free Wifi Signal to check email in random places (This thing picks up just about everything)

3G is OK, but Wifi is very fast on this device and really makes the experience rock.

I find that I still need to bring a laptop for travel, but only for work stuff. If I could leave the work behind, the iPhone would be all I need on a trip.
I have to agree with you on every point. I have tried so many phones and this one has gotten the most use for me. I couldn't be happier.
TahoeTeal
join:2008-10-24
Reno, NV

TahoeTeal

Member

Starbucks/ATT wifi

Starbucks switched to ATT wifi earlier this year. It's been free to ATT DSL customers since then. The screen on the iPhone is small for serious surfing but comes in very handy to keep up with e-mail, stock market, etc. I's not for everyone but I enjoy mine.
techygeek6
join:2008-04-30

techygeek6

Member

This is great, VZW should do this too..

VZW should sign up with select resturants/hotels/gas stations/etc. around the country to offer this as well. They just need to come out with a newer line of phones that can do Wifi.

mikes60
My Paradise
Premium Member
join:2001-07-31
Boynton Beach, FL

1 edit

mikes60

Premium Member

Some WI-Fi is not free

For customers in the old BellSouth region, Wi-Fi at their "premium" locations- Hotels, Conference centers and Airports is not free. It is an $20.00 per month. It's only $10.00 per months in most other areas.

These are the places I need it most.