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So, I've seen this online everywhere and still don't quite follow how it's going to work with "Starbucks Card Holders". I get that you can use any pre-paid card to get 2 hours each day, but can you reuse the same card to get 2 hours everyday FOREVER? i.e. if I go out to Starbucks tomorrow and buy a gift card for whatever amount, can I keep that card on me to use everyday to get 2 hours? What if I use up the amount or part of it? From what I'm reading most people translate the news that if they have a prepaid card with money on it they can use it forever to get 2 hours a day. I hope it's true.

I know, this is a Mac forum and not a Starbucks or ATT forum, but I'm hoping someone here has read something else somewhere else and/or knows something more than me.

I know I'm technically challenged, but how will Starbucks know if you are an ATT broadband customer?
 
I know I'm technically challenged, but how will Starbucks know if you are an ATT broadband customer?

You choose the AT&T wifi signal via airport. Browse a web page and you will be prompted with a login page. Type your AT&T email account name and password.
 
I know I'm technically challenged, but how will Starbucks know if you are an ATT broadband customer?

That I don't see being a problem. Much like the T-Mobile Hot Spots, when you go to use the WiFi a log-in screen will come up where you can either enter in the Starbucks Card info, buy the time to use the WiFi or log into your ATT broadband account. These systems have already been in use for quite a while.
 
I can't see why they don't have free wireless for anybody, especially based on what they charge for a cup of coffee. I go to a competitor here, Jittery Joe's, who has free access.

I agree. I met with someone at Starbucks with my laptop a few days ago to work on a project online, and was shocked to see that one, they charged for internet access (guess I should've researched first) and two, they charged $9.99 USD for a day pass (with T-Mobile hotspot)......well I guess that's how they make all their money...
 
It is about time though Starbucks dropped Tmobile for something more worthwhile like AT&T especially with the whole ordering from iPhone plans and Starbucks iTunes store
 
It is about time though Starbucks dropped Tmobile for something more worthwhile like AT&T especially with the whole ordering from iPhone plans and Starbucks iTunes store

I'm glad they're at least getting to better pricing and decent free amount of time with a Starbucks Card. If/when I'm there, I hardly ever spend more than an hour or two at Starbucks at one time so this is perfect for me. Plus, if I do decide to spend more time I might just pick up another card and see if I can get 4 hours a day with two cards. Sure as hell beats paying for it and I can use the card for more coffee. Yum!
 
So, I've seen this online everywhere and still don't quite follow how it's going to work with "Starbucks Card Holders". I get that you can use any pre-paid card to get 2 hours each day, but can you reuse the same card to get 2 hours everyday FOREVER? i.e. if I go out to Starbucks tomorrow and buy a gift card for whatever amount, can I keep that card on me to use everyday to get 2 hours? What if I use up the amount or part of it? From what I'm reading most people translate the news that if they have a prepaid card with money on it they can use it forever to get 2 hours a day. I hope it's true.
Last fall/winter Sbucks was selling the iTunes Plus Two gift cards. When you went to sbucks online and registered the card (up to three cards) you would get an code you could redeem for two free iTunes downloads. (You can also cancel a registered gift card if lost which I actually had to use once :blush:, and the online balance is immediately updated.)

My guess is that you'll use a similar page to link your AT&T wifi account to an Sbucks card (or cards, up to three). After a purchase that day on that card you'll be able to activate your two hours from the standard AT&T wifi login screen.
 
I could have sworn Starbucks already offered free WiFi- the one at the bookstore near my house does, as does another one a little farther away. McDonalds and Panera also offer free WiFi so I don't see why Starbucks can't. I assumed they already did.

This is somewhat good news for me. Since I don't have any internet access at work I would love somewhere to check my email and other things on my lunch break and there are very few places outside the NYC area (unless I am missing something) that offer free Wi-Fi. Starbucks is very close, but their wifi fees were way too much.
 
Caribou Coffee

You know, around Chicago, Caribou started with AT&T Wireless for Wifi access (they very soon switched to some other service that gave it for free).

But, at the time, AT&T DSL users can add access to AT&T Hotspots for an extra $1.99/month on their bill. I never bothered to cancel it.

I was just reading the article at AT&T and it says that unlimited access at Starbucks will be available to AT&T Broadband subscribers.... :D
 
Last fall/winter Sbucks was selling the iTunes Plus Two gift cards. When you went to sbucks online and registered the card (up to three cards) you would get an code you could redeem for two free iTunes downloads. (You can also cancel a registered gift card if lost which I actually had to use once :blush:, and the online balance is immediately updated.)

My guess is that you'll use a similar page to link your AT&T wifi account to an Sbucks card (or cards, up to three). After a purchase that day on that card you'll be able to activate your two hours from the standard AT&T wifi login screen.

Well, I'm not an AT&T WiFi customer so I'm not worried about that. Plus I'm pretty sure they'll just have an AT&T login screen for current AT&T customers to use so they don't have to buy a Starbucks Card.

I'm trying to figure out what the duration of the free two hours each day with a Starbucks Card will be. Whether or not it will be active as long as there is money on the card/you have a code from a card/if it expires/all that jazz. I'm looking for details and it doesn't look like those have been released yet.

Either way it's a step in a better direction by Starbucks to get WiFi out to its customers.
 
As soon as Starbuck's switches over to CoffeeMate creamer, I'm in like Flynt. I can't stand liquid creamer, makes me sick. But I would still most likely try out the service there.

And what exactly is a Starbuck's card? I haven't been in a store in almost a year... :eek:
 
Nothing beats free. AT&T can suck it.

i agree. wi-fi for my iPod touch is sorta worthless to me. i need it when i'm on the train to work and i don't frequent Starbucks very often. so, I carry my touch and my Treo (Verizon). However, if Starbucks offered free wi-fi to customers, maybe I would stop in for coffee more often.
 
You choose the AT&T wifi signal via airport. Browse a web page and you will be prompted with a login page. Type your AT&T email account name and password.

Brilliant. I've always been too cheap to pay at Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, et al.
 
no perk for iphone users?

As far as I can tell, it does one no good to own an iPhone with an AT&T account. This deal seems to only be for AT&T broadband customers.

The lack of consistent, available Wi-FI access--free or not--in the U.S. is starting to drive me crazy. Being an iPhone AT&T customer doesn't help, being Boingo subscriber doesn't help that much--they're not everywhere, by any stretch...

I'd like to get the 881 USB 3G modem AT&T service. Seems like that would provide Internet access more easily and consistently.
 
As soon as Starbuck's switches over to CoffeeMate creamer, I'm in like Flynt. I can't stand liquid creamer, makes me sick. But I would still most likely try out the service there.
Coffeemate! :LOL:

BTW, they have soy milk for people who are lactose intolerant (I do Sbucks runs for a friend who has that problem).

And what exactly is a Starbuck's card? I haven't been in a store in almost a year... :eek:
Its just a prepaid debit card or gift card.
 
I spoke with someone who worked on this project and I understand that the two free hours a day may only require two "transactions" per month on the starbucks card. I like it a lot. Buy two cups a month (or 1, plus deposit onto the card), and you get two free hours a day at any store anytime.

I was also told iPhones get free access AND there are some Apple affinity things still coming (like iTunes caching servers at every store and free feature songs daily and more stuff I can't remember).
 
dumb question? i thought starbucks had wifi for anyone who was in their store. am i wrong? i didnt think one had to pay for it. or is this something starbucks planning on charging people?

so when i get my ipod touch i wont be able to just go into any starbucks and connect to their wifi?
 
All of the Starbucks that I've been to that had WiFi used T-Mobile's HotSpot service for the WiFi (which is not free).
 
where do they offer free wifi? now...i am starting to have second thoughts about getting the ipod touch.
 
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