MiFi is an interesting new invention that gives you a personal modem that will work just about anywhere. That’s right. Your own signal.
Ever used a laptop at a coffee shop and been amazed at home many people it takes to ruin a perfect WiFi experience? You know – you’re sitting there reading Manolith like it ain’t no thang and then like everybody and their Mom wants to check their Facebook all at once, and then EVERYTHING is REALLY slow. It happens a bunch.
Or even, per-say, you’re just wanting a simple wireless set up.
From the New York Times article:
It’s the Novatel MiFi 2200, available from Verizon or Sprint ($100 with two-year contract, after rebate). It’s a little wisp of a thing, like a triple-thick credit card. It has one power button, one status light and a swappable battery that looks like the one in a cellphone. When you turn on your MiFi and wait 30 seconds, it provides a personal, portable, powerful, password-protected wireless hot spot.
The MiFi gets its Internet signal the same way those cellular modems do — in this case, from Verizon’s excellent 3G (high-speed) cellular data network. If you just want to do e-mail and the Web, you pay $40 a month for the service (250 megabytes of data transfer, 10 cents a megabyte above that). If you watch videos and shuttle a lot of big files, opt for the $60 plan (5 gigabytes). And if you don’t travel incessantly, the best deal may be the one-day pass: $15 for 24 hours, only when you need it. In that case, the MiFi itself costs $270.
Seriously. This is a big deal; and totally, totally freaking awesome.
Comments
Jessie
June 3rd, 2009 - 1:57:59 PM
still a little to pricey for me, but yeah, this is awesome. look forward to this technology improving and getting cheaper in the coming years.
Joe Frambach
June 4th, 2009 - 6:12:35 AM
I would have expected a cover over the power button, or a depressed toggle switch. If it's the size of 3 stacked credit cards, it'll be carried in a wallet, and that power button will be pressed. I foresee pulling out a dead MiFi. Also read this please: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_se
bos beemer
June 4th, 2009 - 6:13:29 AM
how is it different from a laptop connect card. Every laptop itself can act as a WiFi hotspot if it has a laptop connect card.
James G
June 4th, 2009 - 6:14:23 AM
I must be missing something, as I can't see how this is substantially different from existing 3G modems and data-plans. The only benefit I can see to this is that the WiFi transmission over the last step potentially allows you to share the connection. However I'd take a USB powered, PC-card or inbuilt version any day: less to go wrong. Also, I'm aware that the US has substantially more expensive mobile providers than the UK, but the $60 p/m for 5GB is a rip off compared to the mobile broadband deals you can get over here. Is that really considered competitive in the US?
Bob
June 4th, 2009 - 6:15:06 AM
Um... this is a horrible deal... I can already do this with my G1 at no additional cost, no data cap, and I actually get a phone out of the deal. Do some research next time?
Giles
June 4th, 2009 - 6:15:37 AM
Really? In the UK we have had 3G usb modems on every network for the last 2 years that cost a lot less than $60 a month for 5 gig, also you dont have to pay for them, you get the modem for free. Then you dont have to rely on wifi or the battery running out on your 'mifi' etc as it plugs straight into your usb.
brian
June 4th, 2009 - 6:19:18 AM
unfortunately in the US it is the average price for 60 for 5 gigs although they usually claim its "unlimited" but yes the connect cards are usually free this device is retarded those of us that are smart have phones that can tether and with no additional charge just use our phone as a modem
Ray
June 4th, 2009 - 6:53:15 AM
the MiFi benefit is setting up a group WiFi in an area that does not have any. It least then you can rationalize the monthly cost. the 3G data growth will not happen till the cellular guys figure out that the average guy is not going to pay $ 60 a month for surfing the net when there are enough wifi spots around even whne everybody on facebook.
Carl
June 4th, 2009 - 12:15:20 PM
How about just tethering your cell phone? That's SO much easier and built in to your existing data plan. This is a novel idea at best and a rip off at worst. Here's the downsides to me: -Dying battery (vs a plug in USB adapter that won't die and a tethered cellphone that will likely last much longer). -3g to 802.11g (b? n?) conversion is probably fluid, but it's one more technological translation that isn't needed in USB adapters and tethered cell phones. -The size is nice (re:Joe Frambach) but how long can a battery of that size last and how good can the wireless strength be (both 3g and 802.11x) with that small of a battery, especially if you do intend to share the signal (re:James G).
Gary
June 20th, 2009 - 1:45:53 PM
Carry the mifi and a wifi equipped cell phone with a voip plan....and you will soon see the financial logic in this setup. This device renders the 'rip-off' merchants into dumb pipes that can't charge you the Earth for 'services' that cost them very little to provide. FINALLY!