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CLEAR “true 4G” WiMAX arrives: faster speeds, new logo

Chris Davies — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:51:03 +0000

The whole Clearwire/Clear/WiMAX/Sprint/XOHM branding situation was never all that straightforward to begin with; let’s face it, consumers want to know exactly what they should be asking for when they go into the store. Now Clearwire are seemingly intending to make things easier – or upset the whole situation once more, perhaps – with a fresh new relaunch as CLEAR. The new name apparently signifies the switch from “pre-WiMAX service” to true 4G WiMAX, and brings with it a fresh boost of speed.

The new name (all capitals now) and logo come with a newly redesigned website, too, though we’re assuming users will be more interested in the faster connectivity. One customer – who has had his early modem switched for a newer CLEAR model – reports a jump from 1.6Mbps download to 5Mbps.

Otherwise, all is as it was. That means high-speed wireless connectivity via the WiMAX network in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Portland, Texas, Idaho and Washington, or at least certain cities among them, using either USB modem cards, standalone modem/routers, or devices with CLEAR modems embedded.

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Samsung Mondi launches as CLEAR WiMAX spreads to Las Vegas

Chris Davies — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:42:49 +0000

Samsung have officially released their Mondi MID, the Windows Mobile based WiMAX handheld, to coincide with Clearwire’s CLEAR WiMAX service rolling out in Las Vegas. That takes the number of WiMAX markets to three, with Clearwire claiming around 1.7m residents have now been covered with the new service rollout.

The Mondi has a 4.3-inch touchscreen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, together with WiFi connectivity and GPS for turn-by-turn directions courtesy of Route 66. Since it’s based on Windows Mobile, it has integrated messaging and Exchange support, together with the usual bevy of productivity and PM apps.

As of August 1st, the Samsung Mondi will go on sale at Clearwire retail outlets and select Best Buy stores in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Portland, OR. No word on pricing as yet. Clearwire also reveal that Panasonic will be releasing a WiMAX Toughbook notebook later on in 2009.

Press Release:

Samsung Mobile Launches First WiMAX-Enabled Mobile Internet Device for Commercial Service

Full Broadband Speeds, HTML Web Experience with Touch Screen and Mobile WiMAX/WiFi Access Powered by Samsung Mondi™

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced the commercial availability of the Samsung Mondi™, the most advanced Mobile WiMAX-enabled handheld device in the U.S. The touch screen Mondi, which is Latin for “world,” is designed for use with the Clear™ Mobile WiMAX service from Clearwire in the activated markets of Atlanta, Las Vegas, Portland, OR and future WiMAX markets.

The Samsung Mondi can harness upload and download speeds that double comparable devices running on 3G networks while taking advantage of the widespread connectivity of Mobile WiMAX. The Mondi is also equipped with WiFi, allowing users to keep strong wireless connections while working outside designated Mobile WiMAX markets.

Available in a solid black finish, this device slides open horizontally to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. The Mondi is packed with multimedia features that offer instant access to E-mail, Internet, video content and business applications. The device also supports various services including Fring™, Gypsii™, and Windows Live Messenger. The Mondi is equipped for GPS Navigation through Route 66, providing turn-by-turn directions.

The Mondi’s compact design provides the user with a more mobile form factor and ease-of-use than the typical laptop or netbook. While it is small enough to fit into the user’s hand or pocket, the Mondi packs an impressive Web browser, powered by Opera 9.5, which takes full advantage of the device’s 4.3-inch touch screen.

“The Mondi is a perfect example of the powerful and stylish innovation that Samsung is bringing to the U.S. mobile market,” said Omar Khan, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Product Management for Samsung Mobile. “The Mondi packs productivity tools, entertainment options and content management applications into a compact device that is flexible and intuitive.”

The Mondi is completely customizable, thanks to a set of widgets that can be dragged and dropped anywhere on the display screen for easy viewing and use. The Mondi is also an excellent device for work or for play. WiFi connectivity offers the business user fast and simple connections to Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile and many other vertical business applications outside the Clear service area.

“With the Samsung Mondi, people can take advantage of powerful broadband speeds to access familiar, easy-to-use software like Microsoft Office Mobile on a sleek, new mobile Internet device,” said Stephanie Ferguson, general manager of the Business Experiences Team at Microsoft Corp.

The Mondi is currently available on www.Samsung.com and at select Samsung authorized distributors.

Starting August 1, 2009, the Samsung Mondi will be available at Clearwire retail outlets and select Best Buy stores located in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Portland, OR.

Samsung is the global leader in delivering mobile WiMAX technologies and offers an end-to-end solution including chipsets, infrastructure, mobile devices and consumer electronics, including devices capable of accessing both mobile WiMAX and other wireless technologies. UQ Communications in Japan and Scartel LLC., in Russia are examples of other operators preparing for significant commercial deployment of nation-wide service using Samsung’s Mobile WiMAX total solution.

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungmobileusa.com.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company consists of two business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

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Clearwire CLEAR Spot portable WiMAX router

Chris Davies — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:20:12 +0000

If you’ve paid out for a high-speed WiMAX subscription, the last thing you want is to be stuck using it with just one device at a time. That’s presumably the motivation behind the Clearwire CLEAR Spot Personal Hotspot, a battery-powered router intended to share your WiMAX hookup with nearby WiFi b/g devices.

Unlike the MiFi, say, which we caught up with at ShowStoppers this week, which has a modem built in, the CLEAR Spot requires a separate USB CLEAR modem – priced at $49. Clearwire are keeping coy on battery runtime details, but they have said that up to eight WiFi devices can connect to the Spot at any one time.

Of course, it’s only any use if you’re in an area served by CLEAR’s WiMAX network, which right now means Portland, Oregon. Any Portland, Oregon residents keen to share their WiMAX will be able to pick up the CLEAR Spot router for $139 later this month.

Press Release:

Clearwire Transforms Wi-Fi Devices with the CLEAR((TM)) Spot Personal Hotspot Accessory

The Combination of a CLEAR(TM) USB Modem with the CLEAR Spot Accessory Creates a True Mobile Broadband Connection for Wi-Fi-Enabled Devices
KIRKLAND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mar. 31, 2009– While many portable electronic devices now incorporate Wi-Fi, consumers typically have been unable to connect to a true broadband network without first finding a Wi-Fi hotspot. Today, Clearwire Communications LLC, an operating subsidiary of Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR) announced the CLEAR™ Spot Personal Hotspot, an accessory which enables standard Wi-Fi products to connect to the Internet, at true broadband speeds, via the company’s CLEAR™ mobile WiMAX service.

The CLEAR Spot creates a personal Wi-Fi hotspot that travels with consumers anywhere they happen to be within the CLEAR service area. Manufactured by CradlePoint, this first CLEAR Spot device is a portable, battery-powered router that seamlessly connects up to eight Wi-Fi devices to the Internet via CLEAR’s mobile WiMAX network. Customers simply insert their CLEAR USB Modem (available for $49) into the router and an instant Wi-Fi hotspot is created allowing any Wi-Fi-enabled consumer electronic or PC device to utilize the power of CLEAR’s mobile WiMAX network. With CLEAR Spot, any existing, off-the-shelf Wi-Fi device (compatible with 802.11b/g) can connect to CLEAR’s mobile WiMAX network.

“With CLEAR Spot, we’ve combined the speed and mobility of our 4G service with the ubiquity of Wi-Fi to create the best possible broadband experience for our customers,” said Scott Richardson, chief strategy officer for Clearwire. “While many CE devices will eventually include embedded WiMAX technology, our customers can now easily use their existing Wi-Fi-enabled phones, cameras, game systems, or laptops in compelling new ways. Since CLEAR is a true broadband Internet service, which just happens to be delivered wirelessly, we actually welcome the use of heavy bandwidth data applications that conventional 3G network operators may discourage or simply can’t support. In fact, we encourage our customers to use their Wi-Fi-enabled smart phones, or other CE devices, on our open network to receive better Internet connections.”

“CradlePoint technology is at the forefront of device interoperability and we are excited to enter the WiMAX ecosystem through our relationship with Clearwire in developing the CLEAR Spot device,” said Jack Alton, CradlePoint vice president of sales. “Clearwire’s mobile WiMAX network offers an attractive opportunity to expand the reach of our products into a new and growing mobile networking standard while helping the company to expand the value of WiMAX to the wide array of Wi-Fi-enabled devices already in the marketplace.”

Wide Range of Devices & Applications

With an all-IP network designed specifically for data, CLEAR’s mobile WiMAX service delivers mobile download speeds up to 4Mb per second to any Wi-Fi devices used in conjunction with CLEAR Spot. CLEAR’s mobile Internet plans do not require long term service contracts and can be purchased by the day for just $10, or by the month, starting at $30 per month. CLEAR’s flexibility and capability enables consumers, businesses, and government agencies to receive greater value from the devices they already own. Possible examples include:

3G Smartphone Owners: Owners of an Apple® iPhone™ 3G and iPod® Touch, select Blackberry® smartphones or Windows Mobile phones, a G1 (Google’s™ first Android™ phone), as well as the upcoming Palm® Pre™, could connect to the Internet at speeds several times faster than their phones’ embedded 3G technology – without having to find a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Music Lovers: CLEAR customers with an Apple iPod Touch, Microsoft Zune®, or other Wi-Fi-enabled MP3 player can wirelessly download new songs while sitting outside with friends, commuting to work, or at the gym.
Photos and Videos: Owners of Wi-Fi-enabled digital cameras or video cameras, like the Sony Cybershot™ DSC G3, Panasonic® LUMIX® DMC-TZ50, or Nikon® Coolpix® S610c, can now use CLEAR Spot to upload photos or videos right from the ball game, company picnic, or while walking around town.
Gamers: Fans of the Sony PSP® or Nintendo DS™ can take portable gaming to the next level by connecting over CLEAR’s 4G network to enjoy high-speed multiplayer action on the go.
Families: One CLEAR Spot device plugged into the family Minivan’s power adapter can bring a world of information and entertainment to the backseat. Since CLEAR Spot supports multiple users, one child could use Google to research a homework assignment on a netbook, while another plays video games, and a third watches Hulu while checking on friends through Google Latitude on a laptop.
Emergency Responders: At the scene of an incident, public safety personnel can use one CLEAR Spot device to set up a mobile command center for up to eight of their existing laptops. This means they no longer need to rely on relatively slow cellular modem cards in order to receive or transmit critical, time sensitive information.
Business Professionals: The pervasiveness of embedded Wi-Fi in laptops, netbooks, and Macbooks enables business professionals to receive true broadband Internet service around the city, while mobile, or at the office.
Pricing and Availability

As part of a multi-year network build-out plan, CLEAR’s mobile WiMAX service is expected to become available in major metropolitan areas across the U.S., and is currently available in Portland, Oregon. The CLEAR Spot router, manufactured by CradlePoint, will be available for $139 at CLEAR stores and authorized dealers or online at www.clear.com in early-April. The new router is just the first CLEAR Spot Wi-Fi-enabled device from Clearwire. The company expects to introduce other CLEAR Spot enabled products in the coming months.

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Samsung SWD-100 Mondi WiMAX MID accidentally confirmed

Chris Davies — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:20:51 +0000

The Samsung SWD-M100 WiMAX MID that we saw back at MWC has been prematurely named by the company’s RSS feed. Now known to be the Samsung Mondi, the MID has a 4.3-inch touchscreen, slide-out QWERTY keyboard and 4G WiMAX access via the Clear network in the US.

Video overview of the Samsung SWD-M100 Mondi after the cut

No other specifications for the Samsung Mondi have been confirmed, but we’re assuming that the same details the company told us last month hold true. That would give the compact handheld the Windows Mobile OS, dual cameras (one 3-megapixel on the back, one 0.3-megapixel on the front), Bluetooth and WiFi b/g, the Opera internet browser and a microSD slot.

SlashGear caught up with the Mondi at Intel’s MWC booth last month. The device itself was non-functional – Samsung’s rep couldn’t quite explain why – but we did get an overview video and some live photos.

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Clearwire portable WiMAX WiFi router imminent [Updated with Video]

Chris Davies — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:14:08 +0000

Clearwire are preparing to launch a portable WiFi router compatible with a Motorola WiMax USB stick modem, intended for sharing a WiMAX connection with more than one user. The router, seen here in prototype form, was demonstrated at the official Clear launch in Portland, Oregon, yesterday.

Video demo of the Clear router after the cut

Although a WiMAX router has been announced by ZyXel, it will require a separate subscription to a USB modem for an individual device. With this Clearwire router, the same USB modem could be used for mobile surfing as well as home internet connection. Clearwire are apparently keen to promote devices such as these, which will share out a single connection, rather than seeing them as a bandwidth threat.

According to Scott Richardson, Clearwire’s strategy officer, the router will cost in the region of $125 and be available “soon”, possibly even as quickly as February 2009. The final product will also be smaller than this prototype, more “like a hockey puck”.

[via Engadget]

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