Comments on: Novetel’s MiFi Isn’t Just a Skinny Looker. It’s Smart, Too.

By: sam

sam — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:32:18 +0000

I recall an app that lets you convert a 3G winmo phone into a wifi hotspot, now that’s a killer app! battery life is still an issue but the same pb applies to laptops anyway

By: fraggo

fraggo — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:12:10 +0000

This thing would be great for road trips and such. Inexpensive devices like netbooks and ipod touchs can take advantage of the internet sharing ability to provide connectivity for a group.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:08:50 +0000

Oliver, there are two currently planned models: a GSM version for HSUPA support and a CDMA version for EV-DO Rev. A.

I hear you on the “it’s another device to charge” thought. The flipside though: if your computer uses less power for a Wi-Fi connection instead of a 3G connection (via USB or otherwise), you’d get a little longer run-time on your computer using a device like this for connectivity. Maybe not enough to justify the cost, but it’s something to think about.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:44:13 +0000

Hmmm, not quite sure why I’d “suck” the email into my MiFi device instead of into my laptop (where I could then read it during the flight… or just use WiFi during the flight on more and more carriers).

Am I the only one who wondered what 3G standards/networks this device would support?

@JK — not sure I’d want another battery-powered device that needs to be (kept) charged when I could just plug a USB dongle into my laptop. Or even better, just use plain WiFi (I dropped my Sprint EVDO a year ago and haven’t really regretted it).

5 GB is a joke. Especially for a device that you might want to use to offer a shared internet connection for others (e.g., in a conference/hotel room).

By: HG

HG — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:00:44 +0000

Hmm… this sounds like I can be a walking WiFi tower, just stick it in your back pocket and away I go. WiFi for my Wind, Sony P, and SC3. The only reason I use BT DUN with my Storm whenever I can is because I turn off WiFi on my devices and use the BT to tether, because it gives me more battery life.

By: JPB

JPB — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:01:29 +0000

“My hope would be for a special plan price that lifts the 5GB cap when using this device, but that’s probably wishful thinking on my part.”

It is indeed wishful thinking. Wireless carriers do not have a bottomless supply of spectrum to give every one of its customers — or even a small fraction of its customers — unlimited bandwidth. In fact, things are headed in the opposite direction. Expect to see “per unit” (KB/MB/GB) pricing from carriers as the only option in the near future. It’s the only realistic option.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:08:47 +0000

I am thinking that this is a great modem in place of my USB one. Why have to tether the modem to anything? Just turn on the MiFi and instant 3G for 5 devices.

By: Rick Huizinga

Rick Huizinga — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:12:57 +0000

Now, if only the iPod Touch had a built-in microphone…

Here’s why: you could use this device to provide WiFi access to your iPod touch where ever you go, and use the Skype app (with a SkypeIn #) on the iPod Touch as your phone. We just have to wait for iPhone OS 3.0 for background notifications so the Skype app could receive an incoming call when not running.