Verizon announced today that it will be launching a new 4G LTE mobile hotspot on April 12. The device is called the Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 4620L and will be available through Verizon's website and stores as well as through Best Buy for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two-year service agreement.
When testing out the new iPad's battery life, AnandTech discovered that the device could actually achieve 25.3 hours on a single charge when used as a personal hotspot with the power-hungry Retina display turned off. This is about 5 times longer than the LTE MiFi hotspots from Novatel and Samsung. The Verizon LTE iPad model, however, is the only one at the moment that has this feature enabled.
The GSMA and Wireless Broadband Alliance announced today a new partnership in order to simplify smartphone connectivity to wireless hotspots. Right now, there are so many different providers offering their own hotspots that getting on to them individually can be a pain, requiring multiple login credentials. The GSMA and WBA’s hope is to standardize on a universal login.
Nokia's Lumia Windows Phone handsets will soon be updated to support tethering, according to the FAQ section of the Nokia Connects website. This means that a Nokia Lumia phone can act as a mobile WiFi hotspot through which your other devices can connect to the internet. Although the new feature is confirmed, Nokia has yet to reveal when that update might arrive.
Verizon has confirmed that its 4G LTE network will support the new iPad's Personal Hotspot feature at launch. This means that Verizon's customers will be able to use the iPad as a mobile hotspot to which other devices can connect to access its LTE network. Both Verizon and AT&T will be getting the device on March 16, but AT&T will not be enabling the mobile hotspot feature.
Up in Canada folks across the nation will be getting one whole heck of a lot faster with Rogers upgraded LTE speeds via a couple of fancy new pieces of hardware. First you'll find the Sierra Wireless 4G LTE Rocket stick, then the mobile hotspot as well will keep you well on your toes in the very near future. These devices will be the first in the Canadian wilderness to be running on both 1700/2100MHz and the 2600MHz LTE spectrum bands.
If, like me, you have a Nintendo 3DS just collecting dust, there's a new push to take your handheld device out into the world and gain access to exclusive content. There are 29,000 so-called "Nintendo Zone" locations throughout the US and Canada. These special hotspots give dedicated content to anyone who pulls out their 3DS, ranging from videos to mini-games. These Zones haven't gotten much traction, but Nintendo hopes they will now that they've evoked the magic word: Pokemon.
Clearwire has released information on price and release for a couple of new hotspots, both of them running on their current WiMAX 4G network. The first is a $99 wifi router mobile hotspot combination device called Clear Hub Express, it made for both your home and your mobile office. The Clear Spot Voyager, on the other hand, is a $124 device and the ability to run WiMAX wirelessly to eight devices for up to six hours on its own internal battery. These come amid Clearwire upgrading their network to LTE, but stick to WiMAX in the interim.
T-Mobile is preparing to launch Unlimited Premium 5GB and 10GB data plans that can have Smartphone Mobile Hotspot and MobileLife Album Plus services added on for free, according to a leaked memo obtained by TMoNews. The promotion will be launched quietly, meaning the company won't actively promote the deal and the additional free services are only included if customers ask for them.
Nintendo and Boingo forged a partnership that will offer Nintendo 3DS users free Wi-Fi access at 42 airports in North America where Boingo provides wireless hotspots. Unlike the yet to be released PS Vita, the Nintendo 3DS does not offer a cellular version and has relied on Wi-Fi connections for surfing the web, downloading games and videos, and to access the Nintendo Zone for promotional offers, coupons, and game previews.
The BlackBerry 7 OS devices recently launched have on their boxes the label "Hot Spot Capable," and yet none are capable of this feature just yet. A leaked memo to the Now Network carrier, however, reveals that the mobile WiFi Hot Spot feature will be coming soon via a software update in the coming months.
Skype has just rolled out a new iOS app called Skype WiFi that will allow users to access over 1 million WiFi hotspots around the world. If you travel abroad frequently, this app will come in handy as it allows you to avoid data roaming charges. Whenever you need to check email or make a quick Skype call, you can simply use the app on a per minute basis than be charged hefty data fees.
