You’ve probably noticed that earlier this week AT&T turned on free WIFI access for some of their Starbucks and Barnes and Noble locations. The login screen (depicted above) automatically authenticates any iPhone user who enters their phone number. Now someone has figured out how to “spoof” this login process to make a laptop browser appear to be an iPhone browser - thus granting free WIFI on a laptop. While spoofing your browser’s user agent (see link below) may be considered hacking by some, I think it’s more likely a brilliant move on the part of AT&T to bring traffic into retail stores that host the WIFI access points. WIFI is somewhat of a commodity and there is probably more value in using it to attract customers to a store (and away from online shopping) than in selling WIFI subscriptions. Here’s the link below if you want free WIFI via your Laptop. Note: You’ll still need to enter in a valid iPhone telephone number and your mileage may vary on which Starbucks and Barnes and Nobles offer this free service - as reported by Patrick at JustAnotherIphoneBlog.

Link: Get Free Wi-Fi Access on Your Laptop at Starbucks, Barnes and Noble