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• New Google phone is no iPhone killer

  Posted Sep 23 2008, 09:53 AM by Kim Peterson
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  Filed under: Google, Apple, wireless, T-Mobile, Kim Peterson
  Money Blog: Top Stocks Blog - MSN Money

  Google jumped into the phone business today with G1, its new smartphone that will be available in October for $179. The phone is a direct attack on Apple's iPhone and the BlackBerry line. Will it kill the iPhone? No.

  The phone is a huge bet for the company. Google knows that mobile is the next big jumping off point for the Internet as people move from simple text messaging to Web surfing, checking e-mail, listening to music and watching videos. Google wants to be the point man for all of that, controlling the software and making more than a few ad bucks along the way.

  So Google made software, called Android, for mobile systems. The software can work with just about any phone, and several makers are coming out with Google phones in the next few years. HTC made the first Google phone, the G1 announced today. Google shares are up less than 1% to $432.30.   Read More...

  Discuss ( 33 comments) 51,349 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• Free Wi-Fi at Starbucks starts today

  Posted Jun 03 2008, 11:18 AM by Kim Peterson
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  Filed under: wireless, AT&T, Starbucks, T-Mobile
  Money Blog: Top Stocks Blog - MSN Money

  Starbucks has finally called off the T-Mobile hounds and now offers two hours of free Wi-Fi a day to customers. Well, it's not completely free, but it's close. Here's how to get it:

  First, spend at least $5 on a reloadable Starbucks card, which you can get in stores. Then, go online and register for Starbucks' rewards card program. Then create an AT&T Wi-Fi account. You have to agree to let AT&T send you four spam "special offer" e-mails a year. You also have to use the Starbucks card once a month, which means you have to buy something at Starbucks once a month. Sounds like a bit of work, doesn't it? Starbucks shares are down 2% today to $17.57.

  Why the sudden burst of generosity?   Read More...

  Discuss ( 61 comments) 21,221 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• Starbucks dumps T-Mobile for AT&T Wi-Fi

  Posted Feb 11 2008, 01:23 PM by Kim Peterson
  Rating:
  Filed under: wireless, AT&T, Starbucks, T-Mobile
  Money Blog: Top Stocks Blog - MSN Money

  AT&T gets another win today. Starbucks is ditching T-Mobile and going with AT&T for its customer Wi-Fi service at 7,000 locations.
  

  People who have a Starbucks prepaid gift card can get two hours of free Wi-Fi per day at Starbucks. Glenn Fleishman confirms that you can buy and activate a card, and then get free Wi-Fi from that day forward. Most of AT&T's broadband and U-verse customers will also have free access, but AT&T wireless customers (including iPhone users) won't get the same deal.

  Surprisingly, the per-hour Wi-Fi fees will drop under AT&T to $4 for two hours or $20 per month for unlimited access. (T-Mobile used to charge $6 an hour).   Read More...

  Discuss ( 272 comments) 168,914 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this