Free Wi-Fi Coming to Starbucks

Starts on July 1. You'll also get free access to pay sites like the Wall Street Journal and Zagat.com.

Here's the Times on it: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/15/technology/15starbux.html?hpw

And here's a discussion of it on Jim Romenesko's Starbucksgossip.com:

http://starbucksgossip.typepad.com/_/2010/06/starbucks-to-offer-free-no-registration-wifi-beginning-july-1.html#comments

Jim's take:

I think the whole thing is very interesting. McDonald's is clearly getting to them.

But this might hit indie shops (and even places like Panera) the most who have always provided free wi-fi as a way to differentiate themselves.

Interestingly, the Times mentions that part of the reason that Starbucks sales are up is because of the number of unemployed hanging out and working on their resume, looking for a job, etc.

 

Didn't they used to have free wi-fi?

Fuck them and fuck their horse shit coffee.

 

At $4 for a cup of coffee, ain't nothin' free about the Wi-Fi.

 

That's for a big, fancy drink.

You can get a small drip coffee for a lot less.

And, if you want to be a total ass, you can just buy nothing.

From Starbucksgossip.com:

 

They already have free wifi as long as you buy & register a card, and keep any balance on it. You also get free flavored syrup & free refills.

I view the price of the coffee as rent for the hours I'm there - it's the only place I can get any work done.

 

I give it four days before someone is caught jerking off to internet porn on their laptop in the bathroom.

 

Doesn't anyone have a Panera in their town?

 

McDonalds has free wifi in most markets.

 

The biggest problem facing American education is children who have high speed internet at home and the gap between them and those who do not.

So these poor kids will be brought into Micky D's. I just marvel at how ahead of the curve that red haired clown is.

 

I appreciate some good hyperbole as much as the next guy, and that is certainly an issue, but no it's not.

 

Guy, it is. If it is not the highest, it is in the discussion.

When your child starts school in the fall, tell the teacher you do not have internet at home. If you really want to suprise them, tell them you do not have a working computer.

 

Districts are cutting classes, cutting teachers, even closing schools in some areas, and the lack of high speed Internet is a huge priority?


It probably also depends on what type of district you're in as well. A suburban one and people may think about the Internet issue. An urban one, no way in hell is that a top priority.