Ever wish you had an easier time finding Wi-Fi access when using your iPhone? iPass has 25,000 hotspots in its virtual network--many of them AT&T's--not to mention 100,000 hotspots worldwide. Any iPhone or iPod touch owner can access them for just a few bucks a month.

The new iPassConnect software for iPhone is a free download from the iTunes App Store (link only works if you have iTunes). iPassConnect doesn't work with jailbroken iPhones, and it's limited to the 2.1 or higher version of the iPhone's MacOS. It does work on the original 2G iPhone however, and even on iPod touch, though the latter can't get free access from AT&T.

When you install the app, iPass will ask you to sign up for an account and to pick a price plan--either $9.95 a month, which you can quit any time, or $6.95 a month if you get a two-year contract. Enter your new iPass credentials in the software, and you're ready to connect. By doing this, you can avoid using the 3G network, which might be important in avoiding overseas roaming charges; you've all heard the horror stories.

The downside? Apple doesn't let anyone have access under the iPhone hood. So, unlike the iPassConnect clients on Windows, this app doesn't work directly with the Wi-Fi connection tool. When you get to a hotspot, you still need to go into the settings and choose what network to connect to. After you've chosen your network, go to iPassConnect to sign in. If that seems like one step too many, iPass agrees; it hopes that this software is popular, and enough people complain, so that Apple will give them an API.

Another downside is that if you're already a user of the iPassConnect service (which is geared toward individual travelers, unlike the traditional iPass service that is resold to corporate IT departments with lots of road-warrior employees), you can't just add charges to it to use the iPhone version. For now, to make it to market this fast, iPass decided to keep it separate. It might be worth it if you absolutely must download things from the iTunes store when on the road since it only allows downloads when connected via Wi-Fi.

By the way, it's a three-step process if you want free access via your iPhone while at an AT&T hotspot. First, connect to the network SSID "attwifi," then enter your AT&T mobile number when prompted, and finally, you'll get an SMS text message with a link that provides access. The link is good for 24 hours of access and you need to get a new link if you change locations. But, it's free.

Laptop users should also note that iPass has lowered its price for combo Wi-Fi/3G service to $59.95 in the U.S. That's about the same price as the EV-DO service direct from Verizon or Sprint (iPass's unnamed 3G partners), so it's almost like getting the Wi-Fi for free. Almost.