T-Mobile promises three free months of WiFi for Vista users

We know, it's a tough call. Do you stick with the operating system you finally got running like a well-oiled machine, or do you throw caution to the wind and pick up Vista even though service packs are already in the works? Just in case you needed a little more persuading to upgrade your laptop to Microsoft's latest OS, or to snag a brand new machine with Vista pre-installed, T-Mobile is hoping to coax users by offering up three months of free hotspot service at the firm's North American WiFi access points found at Starbucks, Borders, FedEx-Kinkos, hotel chains, etc. Interestingly, the offer actually goes "live" on Australia Day, while the freebie comes to an end on April 30th, so if you somehow acquire yourself a copy before the January 30th street date, you can snag a few more precious hours of gratis surfing courtesy of Mr. Gates and T-Mobile.

[Via BetaNews]

[Andrei Vassiliev @ Jan 25th 2007 2:18PM]

Now all we have to do is work at Starbucks. Then we won't have to pay our T-Mobile phone bills.

[nigel @ Jan 25th 2007 2:27PM]

dosent starbucks and fed ex already have free wifi? why pay t-mobile?

[monal @ Jan 25th 2007 3:38PM]

no u have to pay t-mobile when using wifi at starbucks, no free wi-fi at those locations

[fangorn81 @ Jan 25th 2007 4:02PM]

I'm still astonished everytime I walk into a Borders and see that apparently people WILL pay $6 an hour for something that's free (or at least FAR cheaper) elsewhere. Like all of downtown in my city....

I suppose if people will continue to take it T-Mobile is more than willing to dish it out.

[Ben @ Jan 25th 2007 4:54PM]

Would be nice if they'd credit our T-Mobile bills for that HotSpot charge you must pay if you want internet service. Unfortunately, they don't offer HotSpot independant of internet access for your phone, so you pay for both whether or not you use the HotSpot service.

[Kaitlin @ Jan 25th 2007 7:37PM]

Actually, T-Mobile HotSpot does not offer internet access for your home. The only internet service that's offered for the home is through a GPRS-based internet service that T-Mobile Cellular provides. It works off of the T-Mobile cell phone towers. The HotSpot service is different--it's location based and works off of wireless Access Points. The prices aren't actually that bad considering that they have more global locations than any other provider.

[Charles @ Jan 27th 2007 11:36AM]

Not sure what you're referring to, I have DSL at home. I use T-Mobile's GPRS (Edge) internet access on my smartphone. To get this service, I must also purchase HotSpot access -- I'm aware of what the service is, I just don't need or want it, but must pay for it as T-Mobile's GPRS (Edge) internet access isn't available ala carte.

I was referring to this when I wished they'd credit exisiting customers for 3 months.

[GIjoe @ Jan 26th 2007 9:58AM]

T-Mobile plans on dishing out a new at home VoIP service with the HOTSPOTS brandname on it. So, this might be a lead up to that also.

[Skrilla @ Jan 26th 2007 11:18PM]

I just got a new laptop and was looking forward to taking lunch breaks at Starbucks - until I found out about the T-Mobile HotSpot fee, I'll have to drive a few more miles to get free access!!! Will this work on cracked Vista?