AT&T already turns off free WiFi for iPhone users?

Easy come, easy go: looks like that free WiFi for iPhone users could already be turned off, as apparently users are starting to get login screens instead of the free web access they so quickly came to expect. The only real question is whether the whole free iPhone WiFi was simply flipped on early, and will be officially announced at a later time, or AT&T changed its mind about the whole thing. Guess we'll soon see.

[Via Gear Diary]

[N30 G30 @ May 3rd 2008 5:36PM]

It's probably due to the non iPhone users that were getting free internet access at supporting locations.

I didn't do it, I was planning to. It was fun while it lasted for the people that got to do it.

AT&T will probably try to find a different solution to free internet for iPhone users that can't be easily compromised.

[stiltskin @ May 3rd 2008 10:04PM]

iPhone and iPod Touch users are supposed to get free internet at starbucks according to apple when the ipod touch was released.

[Confused @ May 4th 2008 1:38AM]

Actually I remember them saying you'd get free access to ITUNES store to download songs, but not the internet...

[Greg @ May 4th 2008 8:58AM]

I blame that lifehacker article telling people how to set up their browsers to send fake iPhone headers.

[CharlieX @ May 3rd 2008 5:38PM]

more likely all the suits looked at each other and realized "free" means they don't make money. and that's not the AT&T way.

[Adam @ May 3rd 2008 7:55PM]

More likely that they offered a "free" service to who they thought were going to be subscribers though they realized there was an exploit that was being taken advantage of.

[Jake E. @ May 3rd 2008 5:38PM]

Well so much for going to Starbucks after seeing Iron Man tonight...

[Taylor @ May 3rd 2008 8:00PM]

So that you could use wifi? Wow, thanks for the heads up. After you see Iron Man alone, you could just go curl up with your mom.

[N30 G30 @ May 3rd 2008 5:50PM]

Taylor,

U Madd?

[Chris @ May 3rd 2008 5:59PM]

Iron Man was flippin sweet!

[Jordan @ May 3rd 2008 6:15PM]

sexiest movie ever.

[Jonathan-DBOSS @ May 3rd 2008 11:41PM]

*Spoiler Alert*

Stay after the credits... for a surprise! ;-)

[ed @ May 3rd 2008 5:56PM]

Is it just me, or have several of the recent posts been missing verbs in crucial spots?

[dBs @ May 3rd 2008 5:57PM]

No, I its just you.

[Snitch @ May 3rd 2008 6:07PM]

Sounds like AT&T got flooded with calls on how there WiFi was only free to iphone users, Why theres people that got to bitch about every fcking thing????

[andres @ May 3rd 2008 7:00PM]

or maybe its because it was so easy to do it for free that for security reasons they had to take it down.
why these people gotta jump to conclusions

[phanbouy @ May 3rd 2008 8:02PM]

cuz it's a jump to conclusions mat!

[jP @ May 3rd 2008 8:51PM]

I don't know, but I do know that your idea of what happened is completely realistic because giant corporations ALWAYS do what the consumers say.

[wildd86 @ May 3rd 2008 6:17PM]

Gave it a try this morning after using it last week, and they definitely did turn it off for iPhones. Instead of the screen where I'd enter my iPhone phone number, I got the screen to enter an email address or att account info and that didn't work either. Something might just be down...

[Dan @ May 3rd 2008 7:07PM]

Looks like grammar check could already turned off.

[Seth A @ May 3rd 2008 7:14PM]

Ow Man, I was about to go out the door and go to the McDonalds with WiFi to try it out, I guess I will just go to the one down the street. Damn. Anyways, I always thought is was weird the way they did it. Some type of sign in type thing that uses your wireless number and a password would be nice. Or, you know, make it free period, since charging for WiFi was so 1999.

[gabe @ May 3rd 2008 7:56PM]

i hope your walking

not just burning gas to test out wifi

[Chris @ May 3rd 2008 8:11PM]

Wait wait wait, AT&T screwed over their current customers in favor of making money? Get the fuck outta here!

[ChrisM @ May 5th 2008 8:56AM]

wait, wait, a company wants to make money?
wait, wait, someone expects free additions to the contract they already signed?

All the corporation bashing is getting old. Hows that nationwide open source Linux cell network going?

[w00t @ May 3rd 2008 8:11PM]

The cloud only ever asked for my phone number and only the first time too so I don't see why that couldn't work for AT&T!

o2 iPhone subscribers get free access with them. I think they also use MAC addresses to stop people freeloading though...

[apeguero @ May 3rd 2008 8:13PM]

"Native American" givers!

[Josh @ May 3rd 2008 8:17PM]

Isn't it in AT&T's best interest to let these iPhone users use their wi-fi? It would help cut down on the EDGE network traffic.

[Vault @ May 3rd 2008 8:20PM]

bleugh, another reason to hate Apple and AT&T

[kastonie @ May 3rd 2008 8:38PM]

wait so you telling me that if i have a iphone, and i am using it in my house on my wifi network, I will not be able to? or is this just talking about att wifi hotspots?

[Derry Quinn @ May 3rd 2008 11:30PM]

I hate to be a troll here (lie) but grammatically its AN iPhone not "a iphone" as you put it but no this is only regarding at&t wireless hotspots, your other option makes no sense and is downright stupid, how could someone with the tech know how to read this blog never mind use an internet browser not understand this simple matter.

Now I know I'm going get shitty comments telling me how gay or friend-less I am, but I've seen so many stupid posts I'm just letting all the hate I'd built up flow right now.

(PS. I bet you still use IE)

[Firen @ May 4th 2008 6:55AM]

Yeah you're right Derry Quinn, you#re just being a unfriendly, rude troll.

[kastonie @ May 4th 2008 12:40PM]

WOW..
I'm glad I could be your punching bag.
Thanks for answering my question among other things.
Always remember, hate leads to the dark side...

You need therapy

[c.Lake @ May 4th 2008 4:52PM]

@Derry Quinn

Wow, you're a douchebag. Oh... wait, I mean an iDouchebag.

[John Strickland @ May 5th 2008 2:30AM]

Don't you remember? All girls throw grammar out of the window, shoot it with a goddamn .357 whilst it falls and then throws a Molitov cocktail at it for good measure.

KK lol omg so leik i was wit my frnd megan an she was liek totaly!>@ super neato burritos! tee haa ehteha ke ke ke

[01 @ May 5th 2008 4:46PM]

He was a jerk, but I'm just not sure how you came to the conclusion that you wouldn't be able to use your own wifi on the iPhone/Touch. Where in the article did it suggest that?

[Colin Kelly @ May 3rd 2008 9:07PM]

There seem to be a lot of people here who expect businesses to give free stuff out. The purpose of this thread was to discuss the plug of an apparent exploit allowing virtually anyone who reads this the opportunity to access 17,000 hotspots free of charge.

What blows me away is that people literally drop the f-bomb in shock that a business wouldn't correct the mistake. Seriously, who would expect it to stay that way. Would Coke or Pepsi allow an exploit to drain their thousands of machines without any profit?

To each of you having a meltdown over a missed opportunity to squeak out some free wifi, I want to know where you work. A car dealership? I'm ready for my free oil change and tire rotation. You work at an airline? Two round trip tickets to Hawaii - on your company of course...

It doesn't take a four-year degree to understand that businesses charge for their services. If you're one of the people having a difficult time understanding this principle, make sure to mention that during your next job interview. I'm sure the guy signing your paycheck (the one that comes from your company's profits) will want to know...

[Zac @ May 3rd 2008 9:31PM]

@ Colin Kelly

There is a major difference between giving access to wi-fi(something that already exists whether it is being used by 5 people or 50) and Coke giving away free physical product. iPhone users are already paying for service - its really not unreasonable for them to want/expect free AT&T wi-fi - especially while they are waiting for 3G.

It doesn't take a four-year degree to understand a company wanting to build some good will with their customers who are already paying for service by helping them out with something at no additional cost to themselves.

[russ_schroeder @ May 3rd 2008 10:34PM]

@Zac

You're missing Colin's point entirely. The issue is not screwing iPhone users but rather removing an exploit that ANYONE can use. If you read the previous posting, it was very easy to circumvent the system so that anyone, not just iPhone users could use the hotspot. Why is AT&T obligated to provide free wi-fi to anyone/everyone? Sure it would be great but AT&T is in the business of making money and hope that either these individuals pay for the service or consider making their next mobile phone purchase an iPhone as one benefit would be to have free wi-fi at an AT&T hotspot.

Clearly, AT&T was actually trying to reward their customers. If you want to be pissed at anyone for losing this benefit, direct your anger to anyone who cheated the system to get free access.

As an iPhone user myself, I hope they can plug the hole and once again offer free wi-fi as I am often at Starbucks and would love to be able to utilise wifi rather than EDGE.

[zac @ May 4th 2008 12:55AM]

@russ_schroeder

I actually did miss that point. I thought he was saying iPhone users were being greedy for wanting free AT&T wi-fi where it is available. I really don't even care much, because, even though I am an iPhone user, I think coffee is gross and wouldn't really want to hang out at a Starbucks anyway. Now - if iPhone users could get free access on their laptops - that would be something that would interest me as its always nice to find free wi-fi when I'm traveling.

[JRD15 @ May 3rd 2008 9:47PM]

Oh no! I hope AT&T didn't shut-off Wi-Fi for the iPhone!!! It's not like I should be worrying about other things like hundreds of people dying in Iraq each day!! My stupid iPhone won't work while i am drinking my sparkly frap. with strawberries! omg! oh on! waa!

[JRD15 @ May 3rd 2008 9:47PM]

Oh no! I hope AT&T didn't shut-off Wi-Fi for the iPhone!!! It's not like I should be worrying about other things like hundreds of people dying in Iraq each day!! My stupid iPhone won't work while i am drinking my sparkly frap. with strawberries! omg! oh on! waa!

[Amol @ May 4th 2008 7:15AM]

Huh?!

[jere @ May 18th 2008 5:10PM]

@JRD15
Why are you posting on a tech blog?! People are dying out there!! Get off your computer and go make a difference!!!

[duskyyouth @ May 3rd 2008 10:17PM]

is there an echo in here?

[sl @ May 3rd 2008 10:25PM]

Lol; AT&T, continuing their proud tradition of screwing over paying customers, again and again.

This is why I will NOT get an iPhone.

[maikel @ May 3rd 2008 10:39PM]

That sucks. I was looking forward to use it. Damn AT&T !!!

[Steffen Jobbs @ May 3rd 2008 11:28PM]

Six million iPhones turned on at once must have put a hurtin' on their network. Think of what 12 million iPhones turned on by the end of the year will do.

[007baf @ May 4th 2008 12:41AM]

I tried at a Starbucks in Colorado Springs and there was no free Wi-Fi for the iPhone. I don't care for their coffee anyway! If you want free Wi-Fi in Colorado Springs try www.coloradocoffeemerchants.com

[Garst @ May 4th 2008 2:20AM]

Maybe you need an AT&T SIM card to get "free" access.

[RobertR @ May 4th 2008 3:08AM]

I just bought a new Pearl 8120 using T-mobile. It connects with any open WiFi hotspot and counts the WiFi minutes. I could pay $10/month more for unlimited WiFi.