I'd like some wi-fi with my chai chai

Just over a year ago (and I'm talking JUST) Starbucks and AT&T announced their partnership to bring ATT WiFi to all Starbucks locations.  This roll out was going to take some time so now that a year has past I decided it would be time to put their partnership to the test at my local Starbucks.

I'd like to be able to say that no Starbucks employees were hurt during the creation of this post, but unfortunately a very nice young lady spilled my green tea (I typically get coffee but I'm feeling under the weather so I thought green tea was more appropriate) on her hand . . . OUCH.  She's now fine, but it wasn't pretty.

I digress . . . the first test of any Wi-Fi offering is signal strength.  If you can't get a signal nothing else matters.  We can check this off the list . . . full signal.

Next - Connectivity, or how easy it is to connect to the internet after acquiring a signal.  Upon opening your favorite web browser (mine is FireFox.  I'm rocking the new(ish) Beta 3.1 . . . it's a beta) you're immediately taken to the ATT splash page where you can create your account OR if you're really prepared you can log into your existing Starbucks account.  The process was seamless.

Two recommendations here:  1.  Get a Starbucks card even if you don't go to Starbucks regularly.  A once a month visit will keep your account in good standing and gives you two free hours of Wi-Fi a day.  2.  Setup your account prior to getting to Starbucks.  You'll then simply enter your username and password and then you're off.  My user name and password is...

Come on, you didn't really expect me to give it up did you?

Once connected I've found speed tests to be excellent.  My favorite website, thedigitallifestyle.tv loaded without pause, even the mogulus video player where we bring you TDL Live.  Now I must confess . . . I was the only person with a laptop open during this test.  I'm going to imagine performance might be impacted with more users on the network.  Luckily my Starbucks location only has about a dozen seats.

In summary I'd give the ATT Wi-Fi experience an A+.  It's far superior to the former T-Mobile hot spot partnership.

Have you been using ATT at Starbucks?  Let us know what you think in the comments now that a year has passed.