I just got back from my local Starbucks in Foster City, CA where I was doing a little investigating of my own after reading on Ars Technica that AT&T quietly rolled out free Wi-Fi access for the iPhone at some hotspots. It appears the rumors are true. After firing up the Safari browser on my iPhone, I was taken to an AT&T page that clearly said "Free AT&T Wi-Fi for iPhone."

The page prompts you to enter your phone number and agree to their terms of agreement, before you're taken to a second page that says "You are now connected to the Internet." You don't have to sign up for an AT&T hotspot account, and it seems you have unlimited Web access on your iPhone as long as you're at that location.

Thankfully, this free Wi-Fi access is not limited to Starbucks locations. MacRumors says Barnes and Noble is also offering iPhone owners free Wi-Fi access, and it's possible some of its other 71,000 hotspots are too. If true, iPhone users can jump on the Web at places like Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, McDonald's, and some hotels and airports. Nothing has officially been announced yet, but maybe the company is waiting until all its locations can provide this free service.