AT&T already turns off free WiFi for iPhone users?
By Ryan Block 
posted May 3rd 2008 5:27PM
posted May 3rd 2008 5:27PM
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]
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.
iPhone and iPod Touch users are supposed to get free internet at starbucks according to apple when the ipod touch was released.
Actually I remember them saying you'd get free access to ITUNES store to download songs, but not the internet...
I blame that lifehacker article telling people how to set up their browsers to send fake iPhone headers.
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.
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.
Well so much for going to Starbucks after seeing Iron Man tonight...
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.
Taylor,
U Madd?
Iron Man was flippin sweet!
sexiest movie ever.
*Spoiler Alert*
Stay after the credits... for a surprise! ;-)
Is it just me, or have several of the recent posts been missing verbs in crucial spots?
No, I its just you.
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????
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
cuz it's a jump to conclusions mat!
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.
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...
Looks like grammar check could already turned off.
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.
i hope your walking
not just burning gas to test out wifi
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...
Wait wait wait, AT&T screwed over their current customers in favor of making money? Get the fuck outta here!
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?
"Native American" givers!
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.
bleugh, another reason to hate Apple and AT&T
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?
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)
Yeah you're right Derry Quinn, you#re just being a unfriendly, rude troll.
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
@Derry Quinn
Wow, you're a douchebag. Oh... wait, I mean an iDouchebag.
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
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?
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...
@ 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.
@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.
@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.
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!
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!
Huh?!
@JRD15
Why are you posting on a tech blog?! People are dying out there!! Get off your computer and go make a difference!!!
is there an echo in here?
Lol; AT&T, continuing their proud tradition of screwing over paying customers, again and again.
This is why I will NOT get an iPhone.
That sucks. I was looking forward to use it. Damn AT&T !!!
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.
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
Maybe you need an AT&T SIM card to get "free" access.
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.
Free w-fi from AT&T? wtf, it always gave me the login thing just like in the screen shot, it was never free.
Or is it because of where I live? I live in the Seattle area.
AT&T was not rewarding their customers. My prediction: the data usage of iphone users is substantially higher than predictions. With the new phone being 3G, the problem is going to be much worse, and AT&T is trying to come up with ways to reduce their costs. Moving traffic from EDGE/3G to Wi-Fi is one way to do it. Unfortunately, I believe what we will see next month with the release of the new iPhone is a statement such as: "Now Internet access at all the places the iPhone is most commonly used to access the Internet is free. When you're not in one of these places, rest assured you can still access the Internet via AT&T's high speed 3G network for a nominal charge." In other words, kiss goodbye the $20 all you can eat data plan. AT&T is going to raise the price of the unlimited data by a considerable amount, and point to the free WiFi as a way of saying they are actually making it cheaper for "most users". Yea, right.
Actually, if you check the starbucks website, you have to register a starbucks card in order to get the username and password. So I guess it's not free wifi...But you could buy any amount on the gift card so it's not that bad I guess...I have an Ipod touch and it's been making me sign in for about two weeks now, but it has been really great once I typed in the username/pass. Hope this helps guys!
It just doesent make sense
i forgot to add this- is it true you can only use the iTunes store via wifi?
iPhone users must have low self-esteem to be shit on by Apple and AT&T, time and time again.
starbucks? i had an account to use their wifi but it was through tmobile, i didnt think att had anything to do with the sbux wifi...
Problem #1, it didn't go pass Paul C's steely 7 eyed gaze!! They would have surely told them that browser finagling would easily bypass their lame azz controls!!! Yea, keep doing these "speed to market" endarounds, Schmucks!!
well if you have internet service through att, all you have to do is type in the master email account and password & you can get free wi-fi at ANY att hot-spot (starbucks, McDonald's, etc.)
So AT&T is shutting customers out. Good move AT&T.