Comments on: MiFi Will Change Everything You Know

By: Gary

Gary — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:45:53 +0000

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!

By: Carl

Carl — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:15:20 +0000

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).

By: Ray

Ray — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:53:15 +0000

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.

By: brian

brian — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:19:18 +0000

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

By: Giles

Giles — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:15:37 +0000

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.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:15:06 +0000

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?

By: James G

James G — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:14:23 +0000

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?

By: bos beemer

bos beemer — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:13:29 +0000

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.

By: Joe Frambach

Joe Frambach — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:12:35 +0000

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

By: Jessie

Jessie — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:57:59 +0000

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.