Premium Content Promoted at Starbuck's Hotspots
As an experiment, I've signed on to the T-Mobile wi-fi plan for one month, unlimited service @ $40. I already understood that when I went to any Starbuck's to find a functioning hotspot, I was on my own. The staff generally don't know anything about the service, but once you find a clean, not rickety table, away from the foot traffic, that's near an electric outlet, you're set for your wi-fi session. At the Starbucks in my neighborhood in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, that's one table, but I've been able to use it each time I visit, so far.
Starbuck's is currently promoting the Sundance Online Film Festival with a carboard cube on each table which I'm sure goes completely unnoticed to the typical coffee crowd and they usually wind up on the window sills. Once you log onto the wif-fi service the opening screen offers you a free one-day pass, which I tried. I looked through some animation pieces but wasn't too impressed. One was a parody of Schwartzenegger's gubernatorial bid, but it was the type of Flash animation that you could easily find someone on the Web for free. I didn't really have the time or inclination to watch anything else. You really need headphones to compete with the ambient noise and the one-step-above-muzak tunes that are constantly playing in every Starbucks.
Beyond the 24 hours, you're offered: Get your $10 digital ticket now to experience the Sundance Film Festival from your desktop. With over 30 short films, new forms projects, and new special features footage, there is something for everyone! You can view films everyday until February 15. Another problem, besides the noise level, is that even if you do see something interesting, you can't link to it and share it with others.
The ironic thing was that just as I was getting back to sifting through my email, in walks a young woman bundled up in a down jacket (I can't believe I just typed that), pushing a cheap suitcase on wheels. She unzippers the flap revealing a cache of DVDs and CDs--all the currently popular picks, Bruce Springsteen's Essentials, etc. all for $5 each. The couple to my right eagerly look through the collection and ask, "Have any Mandy Moore?" For me, it was more of an annoyance, and I almost became self-righteous and tempted to butt in and say something about this. I just took out my Treo, snapped a picture of this scene, and eventually the woman with the case left and all was returned to normal. I won't post the picture, this is not my fight. I just want to get my work done.
2:40:33 PM 
|
|
