03-11-2003, 06:45 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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McDonald's To Offer Wi-Fi
Some low-budget competition is coming to Starbucks/T-Mobile: McD's.
"Would you like super-sized Internet access with that burger and fries? In a further sign of the spread of wireless Internet technology, McDonald's restaurants in three U.S. cities will offer one hour of free high-speed access to anyone who buys a combination meal. Ten McDonald's in Manhattan will begin offering wireless WiFi, or 802.11b, Internet access on Wednesday, McDonald's spokeswoman Lisa Howard said."
I like the sound of that - one hour with a purchase. This should be a model that Starbucks/T-Mobile should offer as well -- how about 15 minutes with your cup of coffee? It would ensure the consumption of lots of coffee, at least. 
Incidentally, this announcement is timed to coincide with the debut of Centrino products - Intel's new portable wireless-enabled processor/chipset solution.
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03-11-2003, 07:04 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,608
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Also announced today was Border's chain of bookstores to offer wi-fi 'hotspots' in all of it's stores across the US 
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03-11-2003, 07:06 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,608
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Since we can't seem to attract a Starbucks franchise in my town, this is exciting news for me coupled with the Border's announcement.
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03-11-2003, 07:15 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 740
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Mmmmmm!
McWi-Fi!
Wonder if I can get that SuperSized...
Christopher Spera
__________________
Kind Regards,
Christopher Spera
Gear Diary Review Team
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03-11-2003, 07:19 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,185
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Can't wait to see the troubleshooting stories that come out of this one. I really hope the network is as solid as can be. I get nervous about asking for them to modify their standard menu. Can't begin to imagine what would happen if a user needed assistance in logging on :P
But, I say good for WiFi and good for Borders & McDonalds getting on the program. Good work Intel. More! More! More!
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03-11-2003, 07:22 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,639
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All these new people allowing access can only be good.
Hopefully the pricing will be sensible, the McD scheme seems to be a good deal.
__________________
Cheers!
David
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03-11-2003, 07:27 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 111
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What's odd about this is that McDonalds has traditionally designed their stores so that people don't linger - hard seats, bright lighting, etc. They're all about volume. Do they really want tables full of laptop toting geeks taking an hour of their space? Cafes have traditionally been more lingering spots, which makes sense for them to offer WiFi.
I wonder if this proliferation of hotspots will be like the dotcom boom of a couple of years back - people jumping on the bandwagon because it sounds sexy, and then a shakeout when lots of them can't make money doing it, which then could lead to some smart company buying up all the hotspots cheaply and offering a semi-seamless network... At least putting up a hotspot is pretty cheap...
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03-11-2003, 07:53 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 18
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at this point, I think Mcdonalds will take whatever customer they can get.
they've reported substantial losses over the last couple of quarters. I'm surprised they would invest money in this project.
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03-11-2003, 08:22 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 338
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I think this is awesome news... no, not that I really want to surf all that much at McDonald's, but.. because of the business model they are using.
I love the idea of restaurants, coffee shops, et. al., giving you free access when you buy/use their services. It's a win-win situation. With WiFi devices slowly growing in acceptance, this is a perfect pairing of old line businesses with new-line technology.
I was using MobileStar (predecessor to T-Mobile's HotSpot business with Starbucks) for quite a while... but then the newness wore off and I couldn't justify spending $30 bucks a month for unlimited use... even the per minute charges were ridiculous, given that they had to be pre-paid, and your pre-paid acct had to be used or minutes forfeited. With this new business model, I can do a little bit of computing, and still support the merchant.
Let's pray that those market tests McDonald's proposes pan out and that we ultimately get this type of business model throughout North America. It would be so convenient!
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03-11-2003, 08:48 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 64
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Hmmph, I'd start hanging out at Mcdonald's, but I do't eat meat. I do like the sundaes and breakfasts, though =>_>=
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