I can access T-Mobile UK WiFi HotSpots with my T-Mobile Mobile Broadband account (I have a 3G USB stick) but I find the signing in process rather painful. It goes something like this:
I have to remember my phone number (I never call my USB Stick so I've never memorized it) and type in my crazy long password (which I have, apparently memorized). This means that I bring up dashboard, copy my phone number from a sticky note, paste it into the form and then type my password and remember to tick the checkbox so that I agree to T-Mobile's terms and conditions for the millionth time.
Needless to say, this gets old fast.
So, I took a little time out and built a little AIR app to automate the process. You can install it using the AIR badge (works on Mac, Windows, and Linux), above, and you can see it in action in the screencast below.
I hope someone else out there finds it useful and T-Mobile, if you're listening, get in touch with me at aral@aralbalkan.com if you'd me to make an app like this for you guys.
Update: Exactly 11 minutes after I tweeted about this, Nate Beck from T-Mobile US contacted me and, before the night is over, the app is getting prepped for an internal demo at T-Mobile US next week.
Moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of the Twitternets or the importance of apps, even simple ones, that improve user experience. :)
The An easier way to sign in to T-Mobile UK WiFi HotSpots article by Aral Balkan, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 UK: England License.
You sir, are a true genius.
Great idea and pretty nice AIR app! Any chance to extend the app for using it in other countries (I’m client of T-Mobile for using Hotspots in Germany)?
-Jens
That’s dope! Great job man. :: don’s critical jerk who should DIAF hat :: Dude, brand the badge, don’t use the default.
Lol, you almost wouldn’t believe this, but I’d run this application, just because it looks so cool :D (No T-mobile in Belgium ;))
Great job, Aral, and congrats!
Great work Aral.
I was on a train last week and had exactly the same issue with my Android G1, which amazingly is provided by t-mobile. Pity air wont run on it though….
Or, even easier – install Devicescape, which does this on mac, PC, iPhone, S60 etc….
http://www.devicescape.com/
Hi Matt,
How’s Devicescape “even easier”? I have to sign up for an account with them and divulge my WiFi log in details.
Hi, Aral, any change you could release the source, so I can make a similar application for T-Mobile HotSpots here in the Netherlands?
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