T-Mobile Hotspot Connect hits Android Market

22 October 2008 by Staff Editor

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+7 [7 votes]

Google finally added the T-Mobile Hotspot Connect to the Android Market, and not a minute too soon. Now you will be able to use your G1 to connect to any T-Mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for free saving your battery from the strain of using 3G.

You can find T-Mobile Hotspots in many places including coffee shops, hotels and airports with more added all the time. You can use the hotspot for anything from surfing the net and sending instant messages to connecting to your corporate network with confidence on a completely secure network. I personally do not know anyone who actually uses this feature. I can imagine it coming in very handy in times when coffee shops charge you for internet use. To date I only know of one place that actually has a hotspot, who knows of a local hotspot that they will be using regularly?

Join the Discussion (24 comments)

snoslicer8

10-22-2008 02:55 AM

This app is just like the WinMo version that's on all T-Mobile phones. It supplies your username/password to HotSpot access points to connect you so you don't have to go through the webpage-based login form every time.
Xondria

10-22-2008 03:02 AM

I'm confused, I thought we got free hotspot usage on the G1's?

The app says "Your G1 Phone lets you use Wi-fi at thousands of T-Mobile HotSpot Locations. Simply turn on Wi-Fi and Surf"
snoslicer8

10-22-2008 03:04 AM

We do, it's included with the G1 plans.

I thought Vince was asking if you could use it without a plan.

All T-Mo data plans (except T-Zones) include HotSpot use for free.
TheSpaceProgram

10-22-2008 07:56 AM

Hotspots are free to use if you already have a T-Mobile data plan... This is how a rep described it to me.

Though few of us will be scoping out hotspots just to suck up some 'free' bandwidth, they are useful on vacation. S Bucks seems to be the most widespread.
Orange Crush

10-22-2008 09:32 AM

So . . . if we have the G1 data plan w/ free hotspot access--will it only let us use the actual G1 or could we, for instance, bring a laptop and get free wifi on it too?
franCyx

10-22-2008 10:45 AM

I just downloaded it off the market place..

where the hell is the pac man app though... LOL...
bugmenot1

10-22-2008 12:57 PM

Wait, but doesn't wifi drain the battery faster than 3g?
Mr.G1Star

10-22-2008 02:42 PM

Great! This is a EnergySaver thats all. Make sure you go into your Settings and turn on your WiFi. There are some Great Apps....You guys make sure you Rate your Apps so we all can know which are Best. Lovin' my "G"!

All~G1

10-22-2008 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent

Wait, is this a free service? Would be nice if there was a tethering app if it's free Internet. Shawn, check it out at the starbucks we usually work out of.

Sorry but Tmobile pulled their HotSpots out of Starbucks, atleast they have in FL. They are getting replaced by AT&T

snoslicer8

10-22-2008 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All~G1

Sorry but Tmobile pulled their HotSpots out of Starbucks, atleast they have in FL. They are getting replaced by AT&T

There is a roaming agreement in place for T-Mobile customers for the next few years. You'll still use your T-Mobile phone number and password to log on, then select T-Mobile from the roaming partner pull down menu on the log-on page.

All~G1

10-22-2008 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoslicer8

There is a roaming agreement in place for T-Mobile customers for the next few years. You'll still use your T-Mobile phone number and password to log on, then select T-Mobile from the roaming partner pull down menu on the log-on page.

Awesome, good to know!

Im usually there anyway

Tmobile G1 FTW!!!!

Atean

10-22-2008 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugmenot1

Wait, but doesn't wifi drain the battery faster than 3g?

Think about that for a second...

Wifi connects locally. At a few feet's distance. While 3G connects to <BLANK> which is <BLANK> miles away. Correct?

Which method of connectivity do you think would require more energy to execute?
A F 1 G 3

10-22-2008 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All~G1

Sorry but Tmobile pulled their HotSpots out of Starbucks, atleast they have in FL. They are getting replaced by AT&T

They did that at my Starbucks also here in Northern VA. But the thing about AT&T is that it will be provided free to anyone.

Chotpy

10-22-2008 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange Crush

So . . . if we have the G1 data plan w/ free hotspot access--will it only let us use the actual G1 or could we, for instance, bring a laptop and get free wifi on it too?

i'd like to know that too

snoslicer8

10-22-2008 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange Crush

So . . . if we have the G1 data plan w/ free hotspot access--will it only let us use the actual G1 or could we, for instance, bring a laptop and get free wifi on it too?

T-Mobile HotSpot access can be used by any WiFi device in the account holder's possession. This includes laptops, iPod Touches, anything that is WiFi enabled.

Skatturbrain

10-23-2008 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoslicer8

I tried using my phone number and pass for my.tmobile at Starbucks today and it would NOT let me on.... Am I doing something wrong?

Cyrus

10-23-2008 05:12 AM

if you have the data plan is this included??
seth_thomas

10-23-2008 07:12 AM

I tried using my phone number and pass for my.tmobile at Starbucks today and it would NOT let me on.... Am I doing something wrong? by Skatturbrain

my.tmobile requires you to have registered 1st to manage ur tmo account. it doesnt allow access to a T-Mobile HotSpot. The G1 data data package includes the "free" hotspot account. Your G1 authenticates based on ur number and G1's imei automatically with the hotspot connect app. It cannot be used for laptops or any other device for wifi browsing.
seth_thomas

10-23-2008 07:14 AM

my.tmobile requires you to have registered 1st to manage ur tmo account. it doesnt allow access to a T-Mobile HotSpot. The G1 data data package includes the "free" hotspot account. Your G1 authenticates based on ur number and G1's imei automatically with the hotspot connect app. It cannot be used for laptops or any other device for wifi browsing.

snoslicer8

10-23-2008 09:48 AM

You've probably not signed up for it yet...first time HotSpot users have to go through a signup. The link should be somewhere close to the login window on the HotSpot browser page that opens when you first connect to the network.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skatturbrain

I tried using my phone number and pass for my.tmobile at Starbucks today and it would NOT let me on.... Am I doing something wrong?

Doom_dance

10-25-2008 02:29 AM

Tmo rep here. Accounts with the Total internet for Winmo phones and the G1 data plan come with a Hotspot account. You can definitely use it with your laptop.

Your phone number is the user name and the last 4 numbers of the account holder's social security number is the password the first time you log in. You will then be prompted to change it. If you have an account under a business the password is the last 4 of the tax Id.

To find t-mobile hotspots go to hotspot.t-mobile.com.

Poop.
Kvizz

12-04-2008 06:28 PM

Just wondering. What if you don't have the data plan and just use WiFi?

Will Hotspots still be free, or what. How does it work?

Cause the WiFi is straight forward and free.
DaYuMu6ft7

12-06-2008 02:43 PM

Doom: I've always wondered how that worked, you've just enlightened me.

Thanks!

xyrcncp

01-14-2009 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doom_dance

Tmo rep here. Accounts with the Total internet for Winmo phones and the G1 data plan come with a Hotspot account. You can definitely use it with your laptop.

Your phone number is the user name and the last 4 numbers of the account holder's social security number is the password the first time you log in. You will then be prompted to change it. If you have an account under a business the password is the last 4 of the tax Id.

To find t-mobile hotspots go to hotspot.t-mobile.com.

Poop.

Didn't work for me. Just came back from the Starbucks down the street. Entered my phone number as the username and the last 4 of the ssn and nothing. Even entered my my.tmobile.com credentials and nothing....

Do I now need to sign up for the $9.99 hotspot service?

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