Memo to Rick Wagoner:

While you were busy crafting your pay package and boasting about the simulated Ferrari engine sound you thought would be such a great feature in the NOT YET AVAILABLE Volt, we bought a VW TDI.

Congress: fund the up and comers, or fire management. The 250 million cars on the road won't evaporate. There will still be a market for auto employees.

"(with another year of warranty)."

Ha. You have a vivid imagination. Better check into this between now and 6/29 so you can acutally buy AppleCare.

Here's an update for DC:

http://www.looprumors.com/article.php?free-att-wifi-hotspot-access-for-iphone-users,589033123

Per my comment, this is exactly what ATT should have done. Free. Easy.

#2, I think you took HL's monologue too literally. While much of what he said is directly supportable by history, it's the more abstract truth of his observations that are not only timeless, they speak profoundly of the human condition.

So, why does Gillmor need TechCrunch? Not that there's anything wrong with TC.

"Giving two hours away for free is like a car dealership letting you test drive its cars. It's a sample of the real product to entice you to actually buy."

Now I see where you're coming from. That, frankly, is an inapt analogy, one that applies to a vast _minority_ of SBUX customers.

If you don't agree, I ask you this: what percentage of SBUX customers stay in-store for more than the 5-to-15 minutes it takes to get their cup in hand?

My guess, as I've never seen a formal estimate (and I look for this stuff, because I own SBUX shares), is something in the range of 15-25%. The rest take their coffee and roll.

Therefore, I'm assuming that ATT is more interested in gaining customers in _general terms_ (read ATT Wireless, broadband, etc, across the board) than they are holding out hope that they'll get SBUX customers to sign up for their pay-for WiFi services.

Peace

Chartier,

Kudos on a _long_ reply. Have that in pocket?

I never mentioned SBUX (as wifi provider).

I also didn't suggest that ATT should offer UNLIMITED free wifi. Just a streamlined approach to offering access.

I'm not one to hold my opinions on a rail. You make some great points.

I count six ways to connect there. I'm wondering if they wouldn't profit more, AT&T, by streamlining the service down to one option: free wifi. It's not like you can take it with you, and the good will goes a long way these days.

Besides, cafes offering free wifi are a dime a dozen these days.

@brandon, you're right: the Nike+ site is powered by Flash. Sad, but true. Flashy means no iPhoney + Safari if we're to believe the current dirt. But I would kill to get Nike+ on my iPhone even if I have to go back to the Mac to track the log and goals. Come on, Apple. Just Do It.

@ezra, if you knew what you were talking about you'd be dangerous. (I recommend trying the Edge 305 HR+ if you have the means.)

I emailed Nike after buying and loving (if you haven't seen what the Nike+ site has to offer, check it out) the N+SK at its launch. I asked for a cycling-related Nike+ SK. Nothing so far.

I use the N+SK running and the Edge 305HR+ on my CR1. Nike's $30 experience wins over the Edge's $300 experience HANDS DOWN. If Nike got this rolling, they'd simply KILL this niche.

Where in that letter does the word "rejected" or anything like that appear?

It seems very clear that, based on the following statement, Apple has not made any finite decision regarding these applications, they simply aren't allowing everyone immediately:

"We will contact you again regarding your enrollment status at the appropriate time."