US McDonald's Wi-Fi Going Free In January 376
Knowzy writes "After five years behind a paywall, McDonalds plans to stop charging for its Wi-Fi in mid-January in the US. According to the Dallas Morning News, you aren't even required to make a purchase — 'free is free,' a spokesman said. It's also been widely reported that they won't impose time limits on your surfing. With around 20,000 free hotspots between McDonald's and Starbucks (who went free[ish] earlier this year), anyone still charging for Wi-Fi is going to look foolish, if not downright greedy."
Re:Burger King is still better (Score:3, Insightful)
They're both junk anyways.
Re:Man, If I had a nickle... (Score:5, Insightful)
Peppermint Mocha Extra Pump Extra hot no foam Chai Late Fusion Coffee
That actually made my teeth, brain and stomach hurt.
Doesn't anyone drink a normal cup of coffee anymore?
I use Dunkin' Donuts brand regular grounds in a Mr. Coffee.
Re:Man, If I had a nickle... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Meh... (Score:5, Insightful)
Nice try, but that's a different market. At McDs, they want to lure you in and keep you there as long as possible. Even if you don't order anything, at least you will be immersed in their branding. The airport is just the opposite - they have a *captive* audience, and they're the only game in town. That's why a soda at the airport costs 5.00 while the same one at McDs costs $.79. Basic supply and demand.
Re:McDonald's Doesn't need wi-fi, it needs bikes (Score:4, Insightful)
Nobody going into a McDonald's should be allowed to sit for more than the time it takes to scarf down the food.
In fact, all McDonald's should be placed at the top of long flights of stairs; or better, escalators running backwards.
And you should only be allowed to use your computer after watching wrestling, drinking a few beers and getting laid.
You see, making sweeping generalisations about other people's lifestyles, and deciding unilaterally that you are right and they are wrong, is easy.
Re:We have this in the UK (Score:4, Insightful)
It always seemed like McDonalds didn't want people to hang around anyway. They've always had horribly uncomfortable seats, cramped seating areas, unsettling colors (per color theory if you believe that stuff), etc. Even the PlayPlace ones seem mostly uninviting.
I always just assumed that they didn't actually want people hanging out. "Get your burger and get the f* out".
Re:Burger King is still better (Score:3, Insightful)
Their fries don't mould, you can leave them for months and they won't rot... Not even the mould wants to eat them!
Re:Meh... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Burger King is still better (Score:3, Insightful)
Their fries don't mould, you can leave them for months and they won't rot... Not even the mould wants to eat them!
Yeah because mold not wanting them has nothing to do with the fact that they are covered in a preservative like salt.
VOIP! (Score:3, Insightful)
Android users (and apparently Nokia n900) are experiencing seamless voip integration... looking bad for the telecos!
It's the expensive places that still charge for it (Score:5, Insightful)
I've noticed that, in general, the more expensive a place is the more likely it is to charge for WiFi. Hotels are especially bad about this. Inexpensive chains usually offer free WiFi whereas expensive hotels generally charge. Hiltons, in particular, often charge unbelievable rates: $15/night in some hotels. Far from competition bringing the price down, some have actually increased their rates over the years; $10/night used to be fairly standard. As best I can figure, they're targeting business travelers with expense accounts. For example, many hotels charge extra for the ability to use a VPN, which makes no technical sense but is a great way to price discriminate.
I've also found that the terrible WiFi rates at many high-end hotels actually make sites like Priceline less useful. Yeah, you might get a great rate on a 4-star hotel, but when you figure in the cost of WiFi and parking it often ends up being nearly a wash. I think in the end it'll actually be the cell phone companies that kill overpriced WiFi. If you can use your tethered cell phone, why pay for WiFi? Sure a tethered data plan might be $60/month, but that's for 30 days compared to just 4 nights of WiFi at a Hilton.
Re:Nice, but I don't see it lasting. (Score:2, Insightful)
Starbucks and McDonalds business models are based on rapid customer turnover. Get 'em in, get 'em fed/caffeinated, get 'em out.
My local McDonalds remolded early this year into a McCafe. Coffee, some pastry, the wifi in addition to the standard fat pills. The model (for that one) does not quite seem to be the hurry-in/hurry-out model.
Re:Man, If I had a nickle... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Burger King is still better (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Burger King is still better (Score:3, Insightful)
What's in them dollar burgers anyhow? McD's?
Why 100% pure beef. At least, some of them contain 100% pure beef. Which is kind of like saying that they are not 100% pure beef since even the most diluted mixture contains 100% of whatever is being diluted.
Re:Man, If I had a nickle... (Score:4, Insightful)
Locutis
selvin
sieze
Aaaaaah, my I's!