Web surfing on the iPhone is without a doubt an experience unrivaled in any other handset. Thanks to the incredible Safari browser and processing prowess of the iPhone, hitting the interwebs over the AT&T EDGE connection is great. But, mobile browsing with a broadband WiFi connection is simply astounding.
So, it’s good to hear that AT&T is committed to making the whole browsing-on-iPhone undertaking just a bit more enjoyable. Following on AT&T’s official push to replace T-Mobile as the WiFi HotSpot service provider at Starbucks stores in the US, AT&T has announced that it will be offering iPhone users complimentary access to their AT&T WiFi HotSpots at all Starbucks and Barnes & Nobles locations across the nation.
The iPhone-specific WiFi portal automatically detects your iPhone and offers up a custom login screen. Your iPhone phone number is all that is required to log in for unlimited WiFi access.
And, here’s a little secret, the iPhone WiFi portal at AT&T WiFi HotSpot locations determines your iPhone eligibility by detecting your iPhone User Agent. So, you could actually spoof the WiFi portal into thinking that your laptop’s Safari browser is actually an iPhone – as long as you have access to a valid iPhone phone number. Shhh, don’t tell anyone.
On your laptop:
- Fire up Safari
- Navigate to Safari Preferences > Advanced and check the box under “Show Develop menu in menu bar”
- Goto your Safari window and find the “Develop” menu
- Navigate to Develop > User Agent > Mobile Safari 1.1.3 – iPhone
- Log in and get free AT&T WiFi HotSpot access!
[Via: MacRumors]