You know, there's something to be said about making something easy: people usually take advantage. So seems to be the case with AT&T's WiFi connections after the release of iPhone OS 3.0, which
finally became useful when users could seamlessly connect to one of the thousands of AT&T hotspots around the nation rather than having to stumble through a painfully long process on iPhone OS 2.x. According to an AT&T spokesperson speaking with
AppleInsider, the amount of iPhone users linking up with AT&T's WiFi network tripled in June, and overall, it saw a 41 percent increase in connections compared to the prior quarter. It comes as
no surprise to hear that AT&T is working feverishly to expand said network in order to
relieve strain from its
house of cards-styled 3G network, and while we'd definitely prefer
a bit more reliability with the latter, we'll happily accept more WiFi in the meanwhile.
posted Jul 31st 2009 5:04AM
I hear the Phone has an SMS virus...
I guess everyone has to turn off SMS at the carrier level until Apple can correct this.
Think different!
AHAHHAHAH!!!
An SMS vulnerability was found on iPhone, Android and WinMo. Not just iPhone.
Google fixed Android long ago. Apple fixed iPhone yesterday after Black Hat Conference.
WinMo ... still not fixed.
Thanks for playing, thanks for failing.
Making WiFi access is a huge +. Now I can't wait for MMS and Tethering :)
Can't tell if this is sarcasm.
If it is...then welcome to 2009, glad you could finally break free from the shackles of 2005 and join us!
personally I think it is huge... it's not just wifi access, it is easy auto-connect what makes it great. This means not only faster browsing in weak spots like SF downtown, but also tiny bit less users on already crowded AT&T 3G
is it new amazing technique, of course not. Is it useful? Hell yeah
Yes, YES, more useless apple posts, I love learning about new gadgets.
At the risk of sounding obvious
the headline read... Captain Obvious
So why the oblivious serendipity act?
this article has not much to do with Apple, this is AT&T report about usage of their network
I wonder why Cpt. Obvious chose to leave his report here and not on my desk where it is supposed to be.
michael pachter?
NUMBER of users, not amount of users! This is the second day in a row, Mr. Murph! If the noun is countable, you say number, like number of users, number of days. If it isn't countable, you use amount, like amount of patience, amount of time. Same goes for less and fewer. I have fewer cars than you, but less money. Please try to avoid this simple mistake!
Eassssyyyyyy Scooter, he ain't hurtin' nobody.
Calm down there professor.
Professor? Knowing the difference between mass and countable nouns is not advanced grammar, it is basic grammar.
I've said it before - there is a difference between being someone who puts words on a page, and being a writer. Knowing the rules of grammar is a large part of that difference.
With the update to OS 3.0, WiFi on my iPhone is unstable. It used to be rock solid. Now it usually can't find or hold WiFi.
So WiFi use on my iPhone is way down.
It's still more reliable than the AT&T network for me.
AMEN! iPhone OS 3.0 BLOWS in the wifi dept. I'm running a 3G S and have a 3G, the 3GS on 3.0 is very spotty in wifi, and the 2.2.1 3G works perfect. THIS, needs to be fixed.
Hmm no problem with WiFi on the 3GS, and I finally got the speed back that I miss from the old 1.x days. I had no idea there was ATT autoconnect though.
The handling of Captive wifi networks is sorta annoying though. You never know when the browser window is gonna pop up -- usually about 2ms after you hit the home button, so you cancel the wifi action, and then can't bring up the captive security window again.
I know there's a change in 3.1 though, because 3.0 broke a wifi client I am familiar with.
Just earth shatteringly important "news" Darren really thank you............
Makes up for the horrible nationwide 3G coverage. Less bars in more places.
I wonder what it costs AT&T to maintain that WiFi network?
I like the idea of this feature a lot, but if I'm using 3G in the car, sometimes I'll get a dropped connection if we stop at a red light that happens to have a Starbucks on the corner. It will detect the network, switch, then die when the light turns green and drive away. Not a huge deal, but kind of annoying.
Does this mean Captain Obvious is Darren?
"the amount of iPhone users" should be "the NUMBER of iPhone users"!! Basic grammar, people!
Not to mention their iPhone would be connecting when they wouldn't want it to as well.
Check a text message, answer a call, just awake their phone from sleep, boom.
oh WOW AT&T sees surge in WiFi use i guess thats all the People That Have Wifi Working on their 3G & 3Gs ever since 3.0 many 3G/3Gs iPhone users Wifi do not work.
Apple has not admitted to the problem i guess that makes At&t Happy
CAN you PrOVIDE a LINK? iHAVE not HEARD of any WIFI problems on 3.0 and seen NONE on MY 3GS.
My only problem with claims like these are that this is just an increase in connections made, which doesn't necessarily mean an increase in usage. With the automatic login, people walking by a Starbucks might have their iPhone login without the people actually using the Wi-Fi. I know I've gone to Starbucks plenty of times to buy coffee or something and walking out without bringing out my iPhone once, but that would still count as a connection for AT&T.
Of course AT&T has seen a surge of its WiFi spots! The reason they are allowing iphones to connect for free to their WiFi network is because they rather iphone users do that than them using their already clogged 3G network. This is why AT&T has been buying WiFi providers all over the country. If you thought AT&T was being nice by providing free WiFi think again. They are just covering their rear since their 3G network cannot handle the load.