Mobile Wi-Fi from Verizon's Wireless MiFi.

Being caught without Internet access when you really need it sucks. Thankfully, Verizon's got a solution that will stop you from ever being without Internet again, as long as you don't mind paying. The MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, made by Novatel Wireless, will connect you to the Internet almost anywhere in the country.

In essence, the MiFi is a Wireless WAN card that provides 3G Internet access to up to five Wi-Fi devices. It has integrated CDMA and WiFi antennas, and a four hour rechargeable battery. Plus it is portable; the Mi-Fi weights just over two ounces, and is about the size of a 3.5 card. That definitely qualifies as 'portable'. I'm impressed.

What I'm not, is convinced that the MiFi is worth the cost. It's only $150 bucks, with a $50 mail-in rebate. That's not too bad. What is sort of annoying, are the monthly price plans. $39.99 a month for 250 MB and 10 cents per MB over, or $59.99 for 5 GB and 5 cents per MB over. You can also buy a 24 hour access pass for $15.

I know what the MiFi is supposed to be. It's an emergency back-up, and it's not meant to be used unless the 'net is down and you have no other options. I suppose for some people it will be a good deal, but not for anyone who has a smartphone with 3G access. If you really need to get online, and you have a 3G phone, just leash it to your netbook or laptop, download the proper software, and use your phone's Internet in a pinch.

If you don't have a smartphone, or want extra assurance that you'll be able to stay connected, than go for a MiFi. Just don't use it too often or you'll end up surfing yourself broke.

What Others Say about This

Cisco: mobile connections to hit 10 billion by 2016

Global mobile data traffic is expected to increase 18-fold over the next five years to 10.8 exabytes per month according to Cisco’s Visual Networking Index Forecast (VNI). Cloud traffic is expected to account for 71%, or 7.6 exabytes per month, of total ...
Full article at: BGR  More like this  43 minutes ago

Industry's First Piezo Physics App - Free

Auburn, MA | Posted on February 14th, 2012 If you have a comment, please Contact us. Abstract: PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P. - a leading manufacturer of precision motion control systems — has updated it's piezo physics app. PI is the first nano/microposit ...
Full article at: Nanotech Now  More like this  2 hours ago

PlayStation Store Update

Hey everyone, It’s a special PS Vita early launch week / Valentine’s Day edition of the PlayStation Store Update! But it doesn’t mean there’s no great new PS3 content to talk about either. Which means we’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s get to it. Kicking ...
Full article at: Playstation Blog  More like this  3 hours ago

Don't miss ...

news

 

T-Mobile wants to be the Number Three in USA within Four Years

Jan 31 2011

The mobile phone market in the United States has two...

news

 

The Sidekick Is Back! This Time In 4G

Jan 20 2011

Three (four?) cheers for T-Mobile!

news

 

Sprint Data Plans Jumping $10

Jan 18 2011

But it's still cheaper than other carriers....

news

 

T-Mobile Pushes 3G To The Limit

Dec 17 2010

Working on 3G and 4G development simultaneously

 

 

Portable Devices

Panasonic LUMIX FZ47 with 24x Zoom unveiled

 

 

• More Portable Devices Stories
• I4U News Homepage