Following the much-blogged, much twittered news of Verizon launching their MiFi product last week, it’s now Sprint’s turn. There doesn’t seem to be a day plan, only a $60 5GB plan and a bundle which includes a phone. Availability is ‘June’. More details here.
It’s no secret that Telefonica have already announced the Mifi 2352 HSPA version in Spain (under the Movistar brand) and I’m hearing ‘days’ rather than ‘weeks’ for availability which means I’ll probably be able to get hold of an unlocked version for testing. Can’t wait!
“Among the key attributes of MiFi 2352 is an on-board Linux based operating system capable of delivering mobile software applications and media. These advanced capabilities add to the intelligence of MiFi and will enable future support for applications such as automatic VPN connectivity and automatic email synch. The combination of internal (ROM) storage, up to 16 GB of expandable memory via MicroSD and on-board GPS capabilities make MiFi 2352 a flexible and robust platform capable of supporting a variety of location-based applications and enabling the storage of personal content such as music, video and pictures. inch [Source]
The MiFi is clearly going to be a very popular product this year so excuse me if I don’t report on every carrier deal across the world!
New article: Sprint Will Also Offer MiFi. HSDPA Version With Telefonica. http://cli.gs/gabrhh
I will have to say, I’ve been interested for some time, in seeing weather the use of a cell phone based Wifi Hot spot(WMWifirouter) or a device based(Viliv S5 or other Sim enabled device) would stack up against a dedicated Wifi connection hub. Especially since Windows 7 has become so efficient, the burden of connecting multiple devices, to say…..a Viliv S5 as a Hot spot, might be a better alternative than carrying something like the MiFi.
But, is it possible to create wifi network in infrastructure mode based on wifi card from Viliv S5? WMWifiRouter has only ad-hoc mode.
not buying until i have a gphone/iphone working as infrastructure wifi router. -end
when are they goin to make a cell phone that gets the psp/ds + laptop online w/ no 5gig cap?
write me a letter when it happens and i’ll get service..
while i am no fan of apple, i think iphone os 3.x will allow wifi based routing.
as for the 5GB cap, thats a carrier issue, not a phone issue. Only option there is to move to a different nation where the carrier is a bit more open to informed users…
am i right in guessing that the operators that seems to have the biggest fear of tethering are the ones that are offering this product?
This thing need World edition, pronto!!! :)
Yes, a world edition is needed… I want it on AT&T 3G!!!
The Linux layer comments are interesting… having a device like this set up for OpenVPN into my work would be _amazingly_ useful. Or being able to run some sort of persistent environment for Pidgin and/or Google Voice, that I can connect to from a netbook, Samsung Q1 Ultra, Nokia tablet, android phone, or other MIDs and mobile devices. So I wonder how accessible the linux layer is, for user created services like that.
Not very likely that one can access it at all. At least not on the operator branded variants.
has anyone bought the 2352 from Telephonica (sp?) and tried it on AT&T?
I am considering purchasing a Sony Ericsson and I dontk now if I can use it on the Verizon network in particular. I have only been able to find out that it can be used on the T-Mobile network. I have also ben told though that unlocked phones can be used on any network. Which one is true??!!
Generic, operator and contract free, version already available for purchase: http://tinyurl.com/noszje
There is something similar?
I love Google Voice. There SMS feature really got me into it. I can send off free text messages to Bangladesh, India, and USA. It saves me good money on my texting plan from Verizon Wireless because I can use that to text. I think Google always does a wonderful job of giving users what they want and need. I have discovered in the future they are integrating Voice with the Android. Plus they bought a new VoIP company which they will mix with the other two to give some outstanding features. I need to get myself an Androind now haha.
So do , i love the google voice is a great way of talking , but i do still love telefonica.