AT&T sending out SMS to confirm free iPhone WiFi at Starbucks

Oh, so you know what's hot, huh AT&T? Is flipping the on / off lever back and forth a gazillion times on this finicky Starbucks iPhone WiFi plan hot? Because it feels downright cold over here. While we can only hope and pray that this is the signal to finally close the book on this ridiculous saga, AT&T users all over the US are receiving text messages from AT&T confirming that free Starbucks WiFi (for iPhone owners) is on. Reportedly, the message indicates that their iPhone purchase gives them access to two hours of gratis use per day, though we'd go in with the lowest possible expectations in order to not be let down (again). Good luck, mettlesome ones.

[Thanks, Boy Genius]

[totorototoro Posted Oct 30th 2008 12:15AM]

Its not 2 hours a day. It is 24 hours a day. I don't think the writer bothered to actually check out the details.

[ArhcAngel Posted Oct 29th 2008 2:33PM]

If you have ATT DSL or U-Verse you should be able to use any ATT WIFI hotspot gratis using your login credentials and any WIFI enabled device.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 2:37PM]

right from att's website:

Q. What messages am I billed for?

A. AT&T bills for all messages whether sent or received, read or unread, solicited or unsolicited. Also, any message sent or received that is longer than 160 characters will be delivered as multiple segments of up to 160 characters each. Each segment is billed as a separate message.


http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/messaging-internet/messaging/faq.jsp#pricing-text

[zrealm Posted Oct 29th 2008 2:51PM]

This does not apply to some free messages from AT&T themselves (which usually say so, even)

[Squid7085 Posted Oct 29th 2008 2:52PM]

Thats nice and all, you don't have to believe that AT&T doesn't charge for texts they send if you don't want to. Continue your rant. However, its common knowledge that AT&T does not charge for texts sent by them. However it would not be beneath them to charge, just nobody has brought up in a Staff meeting that if they charge for text they send to their subscribers they can make One Billion Dollars!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 2:57PM]

If you have purchased a text messaging plan at all from them, then yes you are paying for the text; regardless if the text itself says it is free or not.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 5:53PM]

Did you recieve the message or are you just trolling?:

AT&T Free Msg: Your Apple iPhone...etc.

hmm, I wonder if it's free...

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 2:53PM]

Starbucks + Wifi = Low battery and a full cup of joe

Just got a gift card for my birthday from Starbucks and what better opportunity. It works seamlessly and fairly fast . Even though the prices are killer I van still return with my 9.08 on my gift card and maybe just look around and post again!

[carrera594 Posted Oct 29th 2008 4:03PM]

In harford county maryland my 3g iphone now gets 5 bars 3G everywhere, as opossed to switching in between edge and 3g every 10 secs.

I know this doesnt deal with the free wifi but I thought I let someone know.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 3:37PM]

To the person who asked if you can be on another carrier and get free access, no. This is a service provided by ATT, not apple, so ATT will verify that you have an iPhone in service with them before giving you access.

[rsperez Posted Oct 29th 2008 3:40PM]

I believe it's free at all at&t hot spots. I just connected at a McDonalds AT&T hot spot. As an original iPhone user, I think it's awesome!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 4:00PM]

How about going to a Caribou Coffee shop - where all wifi is free for anyone. :P

[n2whyteguyz Posted Oct 29th 2008 4:05PM]

I live in DC and they cram free wifi up our asses here. This is a city were we've only been able to buy video games within its borders since a couple of years ago, when a Best Buy was built at its edge. Where are people living that something like this even matters?

[Higher Up Posted Oct 29th 2008 4:27PM]

I was getting worried but I finally got the text message at 4:26 PM EST.

[Sarig Posted Oct 29th 2008 4:30PM]

What's the big deal about sitting in an expensive coffe-shop looking at your cell-phone btw? Curious minds in Europe don't get it.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 5:54PM]

So I take it that the ATT Wi-Fi can detect the type of device, right? Otherwise, we could just use laptop or another phone to log on ATT Wi-Fi.

Looks like I still need to keep using my starbucks card every 30 days for my laptop.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 6:07PM]

Yay! This means more customers hopefully! Meh...us Starbucks partners get free wifi at all AT&T hotspots anyways but finally more people can join in!

[tealfixie Posted Oct 29th 2008 6:15PM]

Starbucks is spamming your SMS mailbox.

[vvtopkar Posted Oct 29th 2008 7:21PM]

Darren! How dare you be so harsh towards the companion of Apple!

[pablofamoso Posted Oct 29th 2008 7:32PM]

wow, this is just like having a Starbucks card (2 hours of free Starbucks wifi per day)!

... except i can't put my iTunes on my Starbucks card. :(

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 9:17PM]

Interesting enough I got the message on my unlocked iPhone using AT&T go phone sim card. They must know!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2008 9:52PM]

Apple, now please just make it easy to tether our iPhones and we'd be all set.

[Avedis Posted Oct 29th 2008 10:09PM]

Sure you don't mean "meddlesome", not "mettlesome"?

Vocabulary FTW!

~Jeff

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 30th 2008 1:12AM]

Never received the text message here, about 12 hours after it was announced... in RI... maybe New England is amongst the last on the list to get it? Anyone else from the area get it yet?