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Lion: Join captive networks without a web browser

by Michael Rose Jul 23rd 2011 at 6:00PM

It's a relatively minor feature on Lion's 250+ list, but certainly a helpful one for frequent travelers or coffee shop denizens: browserless login to captive Wi-Fi networks.

If you've ever used one of these institutional wireless offerings, you know how they work: first you connect to the Wi-Fi network, then you pop open a browser tab and try to navigate to any external site (Apple, TUAW, CNN -- I know someone who does a Google search for 'hello' as his connectivity probe). If you're not authenticated yet, the service throws up an interrogation page asking for your credentials, or just an acceptance of the terms and conditions -- click through and you're online. Most airport & hotel Wi-Fi networks behave this way, as does AT&T's WLAN in Starbucks stores, and the subscriber networks from Optimum Online, Time Warner Cable, Boingo and others.

In Lion, you can skip step two. The OS itself notices that you're not connected all the way to the Internet, and puts up a small Webkit window where you can log in or accept the T&Cs. Handy, and helpful!

iOS users will notice that this is yet another 'import' from Apple's mobile system, as the iPhone and iPad already work in exactly the same way.



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It's a relatively minor feature on Lion's 250+ list, but certainly a helpful one for frequent travelers or coffee shop denizens:...
 

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nonsparker

Do you know if there is a way to disable this new feature? one wireless network I connect to the popup comes up and closes before you can even see the page.

July 29 2011 at 2:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
maclabop

"OS users will notice that this is yet another 'import' from Apple's mobile system, as the iPhone and iPad already work in exactly the same way."

Or don't work in exactly the same way. I've had more problems with my iPad (over a few versions of iOS) not bringing up the T&C page. So I'm just sitting there wishing I'd paid for the 3G model.

July 25 2011 at 9:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Leonick

Even better would be if hotels, coffee shops and so on would simply use a secure network (instead of open) and give the password to customers, not only does it take away the need for a page with terms like "do not intercept other persons communications over this network" but it also encrypts the network and stops such things from being such childsplay...

I hate such open networks, sure, it's nice to have internet access available, but when you know it would take absolute zero effort or even knowledge about computers to get just about all the login information anyone on said network is entering it's not as nice anymore...

July 24 2011 at 9:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
AJvK

as the iPhone and iPad already work in exactly the same way.

Oh? I never knew that. The only way I know how to connect my iPhone to the web from McDonalds is the aforementioned Safari method. Maybe because its The Netherlands I'm talking about? Or maybe Micky D's?
Anyway, It seems like a nice feature to have on my MacBook.

July 24 2011 at 3:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to AJvK's comment
Andrew

This was one of those "sometimes works sometimes doesn't work" thing for me. I remember the iOS update where this was mentioned and it worked great for a little while, then I upgraded phones or SSID's at Starbuck changed or something and for the last year or two it hasn't worked for me ever...

July 24 2011 at 5:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark Ormesher

Some credential sites (George Mason University for one) require you to keep that page open. Yet the minimize is broken on the webkit page. I'd like it to connect and hide, any ideas?

July 23 2011 at 7:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Mark Ormesher's comment
Justin

Use Mission Control to leave that as it's own Desktop. I know that seems a bit excessive, but it could work as a workaround for the time being.

July 23 2011 at 7:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Isaac Moore

You could always open the page in a web browser, this is just provided as an easy alternative.

July 23 2011 at 9:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
CyBeR

I found it broke on BT Openzone in the UK. Of course, BT Openzone breaks a lot of things so colour me not surprised.

July 23 2011 at 6:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MJZimmer88

I'm at a hotel, and noticed this today.

What would be REALLY useful, is to have it save my credentials, see that I've accepted their terms, and automatically log me in. Have you found a way to get it to do this yet?

July 23 2011 at 6:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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