mi-fi

Should I take that sweet deal on the iPhone 4 or not?

A free iPhone sure sounds like a sweet deal. But when that iPhone is already three years old, is it really such an awesome deal?

That's the question I answer in this edition of Ask Maggie. A reader writes to me about an awesome offer from Verizon Wireless. She can get a new iPhone for nothing. All she has to do is sign up for another two-year contract. The problem is that iPhone is the iPhone 4 and that model is nearly three years old.

Also in this Ask Maggie, I help a reader figure out the best option … Read more

Verizon clears Jetpack 4G Mobile Hotspot for take off

Need a way to surf almost anywhere without relying on sketchy public Wi-Fi? Verizon sure thinks you do and hopes to entice subscribers with a new Jetpack mobile hot spot. … Read more

AT&T sells Samsung Express, touch-screen hot spot Nov. 16

On November 16, AT&T will begin selling two new devices. The MiFi Liberate stands out as the first hot spot with a touch screen. The device, which is designed by Novatel Wireless, can connect up to 10 devices and will sell for $49.99 with a new two-year service agreement. It qualifies, of course, for AT&T's shared data plan.

AT&T will also stock shelves with the Samsung Galaxy Express, a $99.99 midrange 4G LTE smartphone. It sports Android 4.0, a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen, and a 1.5GHz dual-core … Read more

AT&T's MiFi Liberate LTE is first touch-screen hot spot

What would you say to an LTE hot spot that connects up to 10 Wi-Fi devices and comes with a 2.8-inch touch screen?

The MiFi Liberate, made by Novatel Wireless, uses the screen to offer easy access to management menus directly from the device. Icons that smartphone and feature phone users are accustomed to pressing lead you to data usage, connection details, and settings.

The Liberate will offer 11 hours of continuous use on its battery, AT&T says, and comes compatible with networks in more than 200 countries. We don't have any pricing and availability just … Read more

Get a TruConnect MiFi hot spot for $74

Recently I plunked down at a Starbucks with plans to work for a couple hours while my son was up the street at a birthday party. Just one problem: their Wi-Fi was down.

Without Internet, it's downright impossible for me to work. That's why I always pack a mobile hot spot, which I can use in a pinch when there's no Wi-Fi available.

Of course, I don't want to pay $50 per month for two years for a service I use only occasionally. Enter TruConnect, a company that offers no-contract service and pay-as-you-go rates.

The hardware … Read more

Verizon Jetpack MiFi 4620L mobile hot-spot review: It's a Rocketeer

I can't count anymore how many mobile routers I have reviewed, but that also means that I know the Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 4620L by Novatel Wireless is different.

And it's not because of its crazy long name.

Instead, it's partly because of its craz,y long battery life. The router is the first I've seen that comes with two batteries. The standard one offers about 5.5 hours of continuous usage on a charge, and the second one offers about twice that. Combine the two, you have about two days' worth of charge, if you only use it during working hours that is.… Read more

Get a DataJack MiFi Hotspot for $49.99

For frequent and infrequent travelers alike, nothing beats the convenience of a mobile hot spot.

Folks who travel a lot will probably want something with unlimited data and 4G service, but occasional users may want to consider a more affordable solution.

Here's one: DataJack has the MiFi 2200 mobile hot spot for $49.99, plus around $10 for shipping, when you use coupon code DEALNEWS1.

That purchase also entitles you to a free month of service, albeit with DataJack's low-end, 200MB data plan. Thankfully, there's no contract here, so you can let your service expire if you … Read more

Blast off! Verizon's LTE Jetpack hot spot launches April 12

Hotspotters, start your engines. The latest MiFi hot spot, known formally as the Verizon Jetpack Hotspot MiFi 4620L, delivers 4G LTE to up to 10 devices.

We first heard of the Novatel-made Jetpack at CES, where it was one of two hot spots revealed at the show. The Jetpack promises 4G data speeds up to 12Mbps down and 5Mbps up. The global-ready MiFi will work wireless data services in more than 205 countries -- though expect to surf 3G speeds in more than 125 of them.… Read more

XCom Global Wi-Fi service: 0 to addicted in 24 hours

BARCELONA, Spain--Even with some significant engine trouble, it took me a day to go from zero to addicted to XCom Global's MiFi rental service for travelers.

TheInter Communications subsidiary offers a handy service--$14.95 a day to rent a mobile MiFi network access point with unlimited data access when you're traveling abroad.

The price looks painful until you compare it to the alternative: I just paid my French carrier, SFR, a whopping 19 euros (more than $25) for a measly 40MB of data while I'm at the Mobile World Congress show here. And carrier gouging isn'… Read more