Simple actually, you buy this little device, kind of like a USB mobile network dongle that all the networks sell, expect this has its own power supply and network system to let you access it like a wifi point. Cool eh?  So if you are in a city that support Sprint’s 4G network, you can access on your iphone.

The Win?  Lets say you live somewhere where there is not 3G coverage for AT&T (like over 70% of the country if Verizon is to be believed), or you live in San Francisco or New York *better known and cell purgatory.   IF.. and this is a big If, you have Sprint 4G in your area, you can basically ignore AT&T 3G or edge for that matter, and have monster speed all the time. Also, if you have issues even getting a cell connection, but CAN get sprint, then you could set your phone to use Skype or Google Voice. An even bigger Win?  Connect your iPad to this babby.  Yea!  now your talking.  So I can basically get at home wifi speeds on the iPad anywhere.  Nice. If they had a pay as you go place (which I could not find), or at least compete with AT&T’s iPad prices, I would think about this and perhaps not consider the iPad an ‘only at home’ device as I have been thinking about it.

But its not all Win as you would expect…

First, battery life. Keeping you iphone connected to this device on wifi could actually take your battery down a bit. I do not know how smart this system is for keep alive pings, but its something to test for.  Second you have to keep two devices charged and finally and the big finally.. This ain’t cheap!  We are talking another $60 a month for this service.  Now if $60 is not a big deal to you, then this could be a win.  In fact, if it supports more then one device, it would be a great little office tool for those in your office with iphones but poor or no 3G coverage.

Check out the video.. does not say anything, but eh, figured I would through it in here…

This is sooooo sweet.   Just came across it today.  The program is called Discover. What it does is give you limited access to your iphone like a USB drive except this does it using WIFI!  There are two other programs I have already that give you wifi access but whta discover does differnetly is it give me access the photos! I also have the ability to set login and passwords as well as public and private folders.  Since its wifi, sharing iphone to iphone is very easy.  it even has a browse button to look for other iphones!

Even better?  This app is Free!  So go get it.

The first time I tried it, it did not work, thinking, ‘great, another starbucks wifi fail’.  Well, a week later I tried it again.  Well, well.. it worked!  I then had an afternoon meeting at another starbuck in SF and it failed the first time.  I turned wifi off then back on, and then ‘ta-da’.. connected.

So I would recommend getting this. I would also recommend turning the app on when you are about a block away from the starbucks.  It does take some time to login, so give it as max a head start as you can.

Gezzz..  Strike Two.  I’ll give it a few more days and try again, but to whomever reads this, I recommend you get the free stabucks card, put a few bucks on it, register it via the web and go that way.

iPhone users, get started with Wi-Fi

• Activate Wi-Fi from the settings icon on your iPhone
• Select “attwifi” from the list of available networks
• Enter your 10-digit mobile number and check the box to agree to the Acceptable Use Policy. Tap ‘continue’
• You will receive a text message from AT&T with a secure link to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot. You will not be charged for the text message.
• The SMS link will only be valid for 24 hours at the location it was requested. Another request must be submitted when using another hotspot location.
• Open the text message and tap on the link for 24-hour access to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot

It seems like a bit of a pain, but not over the top.  I’m going to talk by my local starbuck tonight and give it a shot.  I’ll update this blog once I find out.

Now, what I want to know is.. where ELSE besides starbucks?  On the site they list:

Thousands of AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot locations nationwide

• Airports
• Hotels
• Universities
• Convention Centers
• Sports Centers
• Starbucks locations
• Restaurants
• Bookstores
• Supermarkets

Ok, where are they?  Can I get a list based on my location? Real value would be the ability to search ATT hotspots on google maps. I gave it a shot and only found 1 hotel within Oakland/Berkeley.  Let’s get on it eh?