Forums | MacLife
You are not logged in.
#1 2008-02-11 2:04 pm
- Random User
- One of those Internet guys
- From: Houston, TX
- Registered: 2002-06-17
- Posts: 1151
Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20 … h-att.html
At Starbucks, T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in, at least when it comes to WiFi. AT&T and Starbucks announced their new partnership this morning, saying that the carrier plans to offer a variety of service offerings at 7,000 Starbucks locations in the US. Best of all, many customers will be able to access the service for free (as in beer), with paid offerings as low as $3.99 for two hours of use.
Unfortunately, AT&T wireless customers—such as the plethora of iPhone owners who frequent Starbucks—don't have any special access as of yet. "This offer is for AT&T broadband customers who can access WiFi in the stores over a WiFi-enabled device. [iPhone users] who are not broadband subscribers can't access for free at this time," AT&T spokesperson Brad Mays told Ars, although the company says that it plans to expand its Starbucks benefits to those subscribers "soon."
I wonder what actually sparked the move to AT&T from T-Mobile. Regardless, I think it is a good move.
"Blu-ray is just a bag of hurt." - Steve Jobs
Offline
#2 2008-02-11 2:11 pm
- HackerJax
- Previous Poster
- From: *unknown*
- Registered: 2002-07-13
- Posts: 4871
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
No idea but I still can't fathom how a company as big as starbucks isn't offering free wifi regardless.
I can get free wifi at numerous locations around my home town, hell a mom and pops burger joint offers free wifi in town yet the starschmucks a quarter mile down the road wants you to pay for access.
Offline
#3 2008-02-11 2:30 pm
- dv
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 18103
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
HackerJax wrote:
No idea but I still can't fathom how a company as big as starbucks isn't offering free wifi regardless.
I can get free wifi at numerous locations around my home town, hell a mom and pops burger joint offers free wifi in town yet the starschmucks a quarter mile down the road wants you to pay for access.
Because people go there specifically to use the wifi, so they will charge for it.
If I go into a SBs, I buy a $2 cup of coffee. If I go into an SBs and use the internet for an hour or more, they've probably still only sold me a $2 cup of coffee.
If Mom & Pop aren't charging for wifi, it's because either nobody abuses it, or because they actually WANT people squatting in their stores for hours. For atmosphere or somesuch.
See, you've got it backwards - the bigger companies are more concerned with making money and corporate standards, so they're more likely to charge for every last thing they can.
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
Offline
#4 2008-02-11 4:29 pm
- HackerJax
- Previous Poster
- From: *unknown*
- Registered: 2002-07-13
- Posts: 4871
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
dvpierce wrote:
If I go into a SBs, I buy a $2 cup of coffee. If I go into an SBs and use the internet for an hour or more, they've probably still only sold me a $2 cup of coffee.
See, you've got it backwards - the bigger companies are more concerned with making money and corporate standards, so they're more likely to charge for every last thing they can.
Fair enough, it makes sense even though its annoying. 
Offline
#6 2008-02-11 8:45 pm
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
HackerJax wrote:
No idea but I still can't fathom how a company as big as starbucks isn't offering free wifi regardless.
I can get free wifi at numerous locations around my home town, hell a mom and pops burger joint offers free wifi in town yet the starschmucks a quarter mile down the road wants you to pay for access.
QFT: and I refuse to go to a starbucks for the WiFi. There's ALWAYS another alternative around when I want it.
Offline
#7 2008-02-11 11:07 pm
- fuzzynormal
- Member
- Registered: 2001-03-26
- Posts: 1083
- Website
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
Wait wait wait... Starbuck's is selling coffee? So that's what they're calling it these days? I thought it was some kind of milkshake.
Offline
#8 2008-02-11 11:17 pm
- knobtwirler
- Anthropocentric Temporal Chauvinist
- From: NYC
- Registered: 2003-07-28
- Posts: 3245
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
fuzzynormal wrote:
Wait wait wait... Starbuck's is selling coffee? So that's what they're calling it these days? I thought it was some kind of milkshake.
That's for that fat bastards that don't drink coffee but think a Starbucks milkshake is a cup of coffee. You have the option: coffee, or sweet fat milky (or soyie) beverage disguised as coffee. Americans like giant sweet milky fatty stuff to drink.
If you look around the table and can't tell who the sucker is, it's you.
Offline
#9 2008-02-11 11:25 pm
- FutureDreamz
- 1.1.2.3.5.8.13.21.34.55
- From: カナダ
- Registered: 2007-01-07
- Posts: 4511
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
knobtwirler wrote:
fuzzynormal wrote:
Wait wait wait... Starbuck's is selling coffee? So that's what they're calling it these days? I thought it was some kind of milkshake.
That's for that fat bastards that don't drink coffee but think a Starbucks milkshake is a cup of coffee. You have the option: coffee, or sweet fat milky (or soyie) beverage disguised as coffee. Americans like giant sweet milky fatty stuff to drink.
So THAT's why the locations in the US almost rival Tim Hortons in the mornings.
I think.
Thanks for clicking.
Offline
#10 2008-02-11 11:49 pm
- knobtwirler
- Anthropocentric Temporal Chauvinist
- From: NYC
- Registered: 2003-07-28
- Posts: 3245
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
Hey, when is MacDonald's gonna offer Wi-fi? The Mickey D's next door to the starbucks here just did a huge renovation to look more like Starbucks with dark red soothing earthtones and padded couches, whereas just 2 weeks ago it looked like a pink and purple bad lighting circus funhouse/high school cafeteria.
If you look around the table and can't tell who the sucker is, it's you.
Offline
#11 2008-02-12 1:31 am
- fuzzynormal
- Member
- Registered: 2001-03-26
- Posts: 1083
- Website
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
Aw, screw it, we're all going to hell on a wave of frothy foam, crashing into the slushy shores of diabetes. Oh, woe to me, the goo-filled American.
Offline
#12 2008-02-12 2:38 am
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
dvpierce wrote:
HackerJax wrote:
No idea but I still can't fathom how a company as big as starbucks isn't offering free wifi regardless.
I can get free wifi at numerous locations around my home town, hell a mom and pops burger joint offers free wifi in town yet the starschmucks a quarter mile down the road wants you to pay for access.Because people go there specifically to use the wifi, so they will charge for it.
Funny - I go to their competition specifically to use the FREE wifi.
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
Offline
#13 2008-02-12 2:40 am
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
Oh - and I buy far more coffee than I would if they didn't have free wifi.
Sometimes I even buy a bowl of soup.
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
Offline
#14 2008-02-12 4:28 am
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
knobtwirler wrote:
Hey, when is MacDonald's gonna offer Wi-fi? The Mickey D's next door to the starbucks here just did a huge renovation to look more like Starbucks with dark red soothing earthtones and padded couches, whereas just 2 weeks ago it looked like a pink and purple bad lighting circus funhouse/high school cafeteria.
Our McDonalds did that years ago. Brown and tan on the outside, fireplace inside, looks like a coffee bar... like a StarBucks, yes. That's it.
Offline
#15 2008-02-12 8:21 am
- dv
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 18103
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
resedit wrote:
dvpierce wrote:
HackerJax wrote:
No idea but I still can't fathom how a company as big as starbucks isn't offering free wifi regardless.
I can get free wifi at numerous locations around my home town, hell a mom and pops burger joint offers free wifi in town yet the starschmucks a quarter mile down the road wants you to pay for access.Because people go there specifically to use the wifi, so they will charge for it.
Funny - I go to their competition specifically to use the FREE wifi.
You have principles and no expense account. For other people, it's visa versa.
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
Offline
#16 2008-02-12 1:52 pm
- bratboy
- laden with emotion
- Royal Wombat
- From: Austin, Texas
- Registered: 2003-01-19
- Posts: 34106
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
knobtwirler wrote:
Hey, when is MacDonald's gonna offer Wi-fi? The Mickey D's next door to the starbucks here just did a huge renovation to look more like Starbucks with dark red soothing earthtones and padded couches, whereas just 2 weeks ago it looked like a pink and purple bad lighting circus funhouse/high school cafeteria.
I'm pretty sure lots of McDonald's do have free wi-fi....
*edit*
Yeah, a check on their wifi locator shows that most of them here in Austin have wifi.
"One thing we've learned is there's a difference between being disappointed and having madmen in authority."
--Paul Krugman
Offline
#17 2008-02-13 11:34 am
- frankly
- Greetings Citizens!
- Registered: 2000-09-16
- Posts: 5103
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
HackerJax wrote:
No idea but I still can't fathom how a company as big as starbucks isn't offering free wifi regardless.
I can get free wifi at numerous locations around my home town, hell a mom and pops burger joint offers free wifi in town yet the starschmucks a quarter mile down the road wants you to pay for access.
I agree. I think this is a positive step away from T-Mobile but I would still prefer free Wi-Fi. The T-Mobile service was ridiculously expensive, especially when you consider how few places (aside from Starbucks) where it was available.
xkcd: Listen to Yourself
There are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who don't.
Offline
#18 2008-02-13 11:38 am
- frankly
- Greetings Citizens!
- Registered: 2000-09-16
- Posts: 5103
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
knobtwirler wrote:
Hey, when is MacDonald's gonna offer Wi-fi? The Mickey D's next door to the starbucks here just did a huge renovation to look more like Starbucks with dark red soothing earthtones and padded couches, whereas just 2 weeks ago it looked like a pink and purple bad lighting circus funhouse/high school cafeteria.
You mean like this:
http://attwifi.know-where.com/attwifi/c … OPT2=#list
Also, the McCafé concept is supposed to spread across the US at a rapid rate. It is already popular in Europe. I was there over the holidays and they had really good coffee. Of course, just about everywhere I went in Europe had good coffee.
xkcd: Listen to Yourself
There are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who don't.
Offline
#19 2008-02-13 1:25 pm
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
McDonalds up here has wifi, but only for customers.
When you order food, they give you a card with the key written on it.
Never done it, but I've seen people do it (mostly for phone browsing).
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
Offline
#20 2008-02-13 1:28 pm
- dv
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 18103
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
frankly wrote:
HackerJax wrote:
No idea but I still can't fathom how a company as big as starbucks isn't offering free wifi regardless.
I can get free wifi at numerous locations around my home town, hell a mom and pops burger joint offers free wifi in town yet the starschmucks a quarter mile down the road wants you to pay for access.I agree. I think this is a positive step away from T-Mobile but I would still prefer free Wi-Fi. The T-Mobile service was ridiculously expensive, especially when you consider how few places (aside from Starbucks) where it was available.
1) Radio says Starbucks is going to start rolling out free Wifi.
2) Kinko's has T-Mobile too. 
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
Offline
#21 2008-02-13 2:01 pm
- frankly
- Greetings Citizens!
- Registered: 2000-09-16
- Posts: 5103
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
dvpierce wrote:
frankly wrote:
HackerJax wrote:
No idea but I still can't fathom how a company as big as starbucks isn't offering free wifi regardless.
I can get free wifi at numerous locations around my home town, hell a mom and pops burger joint offers free wifi in town yet the starschmucks a quarter mile down the road wants you to pay for access.I agree. I think this is a positive step away from T-Mobile but I would still prefer free Wi-Fi. The T-Mobile service was ridiculously expensive, especially when you consider how few places (aside from Starbucks) where it was available.
1) Radio says Starbucks is going to start rolling out free Wifi.
2) Kinko's has T-Mobile too.
I actually enjoy going to Starbucks a few times a week and looked up T-Mobile pricing a while back. Their prices are so high for such a limited service. Add to that the fact that there are very very few T-Mobile HotSpots in my town and it was most certainly not worth the cost. So what ends up happening is that I'll stop at Starbucks for an occasional coffee but most of the time I go to Panera or Atlanta Bread for coffee and free Wi-Fi.
In fact, there is actually a Starbucks right next door to an Atlanta Bread Company in one location and so sometimes I get coffee from Starbucks and borrow Atlanta Bread's Wi-Fi.
Frank
xkcd: Listen to Yourself
There are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who don't.
Offline
#22 2008-02-14 12:43 am
- knobtwirler
- Anthropocentric Temporal Chauvinist
- From: NYC
- Registered: 2003-07-28
- Posts: 3245
Re: Starbucks - T-Mobile is out and AT&T is in
frankly wrote:
In fact, there is actually a Starbucks right next door to an Atlanta Bread Company in one location and so sometimes I get coffee from Starbucks and borrow Atlanta Bread's Wi-Fi.
Frank
Noice!
If you look around the table and can't tell who the sucker is, it's you.
Offline
