This past summer AT&T announced free Wi-Fi access for iPhone users, then pulled it—but now it's back. Today they announce that iPhone owners can again get free wireless access from any of their hotspots, including at Starbucks. CNET reports that a text message supposedly went out to iPhone-owning AT&T owners bearing the good news, but neither Adam or I received one (nor did the CNET staff). Update: Adam got his as I wrote this post, so they're going out right now. There's also a new procedure for getting online with your iPhone at the hotspots—presumably one that will keep the laptops using the iPhone user agent from getting free access. Here's how to use a spot with your iPhone:
* 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
Update: As a few sharp commenters point out, tethering your iPhone using something like the erstwhile NetShare app or the jailbreak proxy solution plus the user agent switch just might let you get Wi-Fi to your laptop via the iPhone. If anyone tries that out, let us know how it goes! Any iPhone owners try getting the free access? Let us know how it went in the comments. AT&T Wi-Fi Access [via TechCrunch]
iPhone users get free Wi-Fi access from AT&T [CNET Wireless]


</img> </img> </img> </img>