Someone is finally getting the idea--hotspots for FREE is a great marketing concept.
It seems that AMD is partnering with companies to offer free hotspots to their customers. This is essentially intended to compete with the Intel Centrino campaign--the difference being that the Intel sponsored wi-fi spots are charging a fee.
Now, I already have internet access at home and at work. And although I'd love the convenience of pulling out a wireless PDA (someday) and using the internet while I'm having lunch, I'm certainly not willing to pay for it. Well, maybe I'd pay a LITTLE. But the T-Mobile Hotspots found at Starbucks, Borders, etc. are not cheap. Plans range from $6.00 for an hour to $29.95 per month.
I suppose I wouldn't gripe about paying $29.95 a month for unlimited use if I could get to it ANYWHERE (including my home). But if I gotta drive to the nearest Starbucks to check my e-mail--that's not quite working for me.
Hopefully, businesses will realize that free wi-fi access will bring in customers. I personally would go a little out of my way to eat at a restaurant that offered it.
Then again, I'm a pretty big geek.
Posted by geekchik at March 17, 2004 07:05 PM