MiFi Thoughts.

[jyl]

Quick thoughts on an interesting product, the MiFi. This is a portable 3G modem + WLAN access point, about the size of a credit card but 1/3” thick, with a 4 hour battery life. The idea is, you turn it on and toss it in your briefcase or pocket, the MiFi creates your own personal WLAN hotspot that your laptop, cellphone, etc can connect to – up to 5 devices. The battery lasts 4 hours. Or, you can connect it to your laptop via USB cable and it runs off the laptop’s battery while acting like a 3G modem. Verizon and Sprint offer them, cost about $50 plus a monthly EVDO data plan.

Basically, I like it. If you simply want to get Internet access on your laptop, it is more convenient to plug a USB, PC Card, or ExpressCard 3G modem into the laptop. But the MiFi lets multiple devices connect to the Internet (your spouse’s laptop, your phone, etc), it works with any laptop (don’t need a card slot), and doesn’t have a protruding dongle like a USB modem. When I go camping in the vanagon, I’ll bring this along.

[red-beard]

I've been thinking about one of these myself. I don't need it yet, though.

I had something similar, but not quite as integrated, in Romania. It was a USB device that connected to a Wifi Router. It was 3G and gave _reasonable_ access, not great. I even used it in the car sometimes, by using a mini 12V to 120VAC inverter. Remember, where you want to use it, has to have 3G.

I do think that the Spint Network is quite a bit faster than most of the 3G networks.

[looneybin]

Why don't you just tether your lap top to your phone?
But that only works if you have internet access on your phone

[Rikao4]

I have the Verizon thing..
ditched TW (Roadrunner)..always something..
TW wrote the book on lousy service..
so for less $ I have it when and where I want it.
Running 2 desk, + 2 lap units..no issues.

Rika

[masraum]

I do that with my phone. I've got a 3G data plan on my phone. I've got an app that allows my phone to act as a wifi access point. I used it when I was at my mother's house a couple of weeks back.

My work also pays for an ATT 3G card for my laptop, but I forgot that at home which was why I used the phone.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by masraum

I do that with my phone. I've got a 3G data plan on my phone. I've got an app that allows my phone to act as a wifi access point. I used it when I was at my mother's house a couple of weeks back.

My work also pays for an ATT 3G card for my laptop, but I forgot that at home which was why I used the phone.

Which phone do you have?

[red-beard]

Wow

http://www.walkinghotspot.com/

$25 and I have a tested phone - Treo Pro. Somehow, I doubt that my T-Mobile EDGE access will be fantastic.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Which phone do you have?

T-Mobile G1.

I had to root my phone to get the wifi tether capability, but that was no big deal.

[jyl]

I have hacked my iPhone to enable tethering, but I'm reluctant to use it as I'm unsure how AT&T might be able to detect my tethering, which is in violation of contract. Also when I am traveling for work, I use about 1GB of data in 3 days, which I'd rather not fund from my personal AT&T account. Work pays for this Verizon MiFi so why not.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I have tethered my iPhone many times and no issues with AT&T. I do keep the usage down to stay under the radar.

Of course the 3.1 update killed the hack. Do not upgrade - I can't tell any diff anyway.

[porsche4life]

I have tethered my iPhone lots since the Hack came out. ATT hasn't said schit. They can't really tell other than the spike in data usage.

[jyl]

That's interesting. Okay, I will not upgrade to 3.1. Thanks for the info.

[red-beard]

Hmmmm. I was considering switching to AT&T for the 3G service, but between this thread and another, it sounds like AT&T is having trouble handling the iPhone 3G traffic as it is...

The Palm PRO can't do 3G with T-Mobile. A little difference in bands.

[jyl]

AT&T network has gotten worse this year. They are scrambling to add enough capacity for iPhone users. They will get it done, not sure of timing.