Retail Locations

Here are some national chains that provide free Wi-Fi access in some or all of their stores:

• All Apple retail stores. See http://www.apple.com/retail/ for locations.

• Panera Bread is aiming to have all its locations offer free Wi-Fi. In the meantime, many Panera stores already are "unwired." See http://www.panera.com/wifi.aspx for details.

• Many Schlotzsky's Deli locations. See http://www.schlotzskys.com/wireless.html for a list.

Here are a few of the national chains that provide Wi-Fi access in some or all of their stores using a paid provider (this means that you have to pay for your access):

• Barnes & Noble stores rely on various different providers. The best way to find a Barnes & Noble location that provides Wi-Fi access is to use one of the directories listed in the section "Online Directories."

• Borders bookstores are "unwired" using T-Mobile Hotspot's network. The best way to find a Borders location that provides Wi-Fi access is to use one of the directories listed in the section "Online Directories."

• All FedEx Kinko's stores offer Wi-Fi access through T-Mobile Hotspot. See http://www.fedex.com/us/officeprint/storesvcs/technology/wifi.html for information and locations.

• Some McDonald's locations are being equipped with Wi-Fi access. The providers vary depending on the location, but usually it is Wayport. See http://www.mcdonalds.com/wireless.html for more information.

• Starbucks Wi-Fi access is provided by T-Mobile Hotspot. See http://www.starbucks.com/retail/wireless.asp for locations with this service.