Coffee Shops Currently Testing Free ‘Facebook Wi-Fi’
Facebook has been working on a project called “Facebook Wi-Fi.” Not exactly the coolest name, but at least you’ll know what it is when you hear it.
The project has consisted of offering free Wi-Fi when one checks into a particular business through Facebook.
The concept was thought up during one of its “Hackathons,” where Facebook employees spend the night programming new features. This one must have been the latest winner.
Coffee shops Such as Philz Coffee and retail stores around San Francisco and Silicon Valley, Calif. have been used as the guinea pigs.
For those who don’t want everyone knowing where you are, they have offered the option of setting the “Audience” feature to “Only Me” so it’s not visible to the world.
Of course, those using the Wi-Fi would have to fill a survey, or see an ad before allowed access.
The notion is that it is a win-win situation for all parties involved. The businesses get exposure every time someone checks in, Facebook collects data to help gear their advertising and customers get free internet access.