Comments on: Atheros Chip Creates Wi-Fi Hotspots From 3G Phones

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:42:46 +0000

I’ve been using my phone as a modem for years, and it’s a fine solution for emergencies. But the MiFi takes that concept to a whole new level. And I’m willing to pay for it because the first time we really have to use it, the MiFi will pay for itself many times over. A few specific comments:

1) I need to be able to make/receive calls at all times. That’s the main point of having a phone. If phone calls stop while I’m using the phone as a router, then it’s no good.

2) Again, I need to be able to make/receive calls at all times. If my 4-person sales/support team is using my phone as a router during a meeting and I can’t make calls at the same time, then it’s no good.

3) If the battery time in my phone is compromised by using it as a router, then it’s no good.

4) I like being wireless. Using a USB to connect computer and phone seems so 2005.

So while I expect that we’ll see phone/modem/router devices eventually, I really expect it to take a few more years to get it right. In the meantime, the MiFi seems like a winner.

By: Darren

Darren — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:41:42 +0000

Many roadwarriors have made a distinct choice to use separate mobile data and voice devices, be it a USB stick, Express/PC Card, or the lovely new MiFi. This tech won’t change that decision, or the reasons for it (redundancy, battery life, voice/data use contention etc).

What this will do, hopefully, is make tethering simpler and more accessible to people like my wife who would use it occasionally but wou’dn’t make use of a $65/mo standalone mobile broadband device.

By: Vic

Vic — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:01:50 +0000

Other than the fact that this will be vaporware for domestic carriers, not a bad idea.

But, domestic carriers want to get paid for data use so there is no way they’ll install this into phones and allow you to use it unless they get paid.

I’m sticking to mifi. Loving it.

By: vw

vw — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:00:11 +0000

I plug wmwifirouter in when I am using it, but it also only supports adhoc mode which limits the devices that will connect with it.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:54:30 +0000

Da5id: What product do you use on the G1? How much? Where did you get it? Thanks,

By: cybertactix

cybertactix — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:48:10 +0000

I too use WMWiFiRouter. While I like the idea of only having to carry one device and have 1 broadband account, the battery issue is a big one for me and I find myself using a cable tether to my laptop more often than not in order not to drain my phone’s battery.

By: Da5id

Da5id — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:40:45 +0000

I do it on my Android phone. I did it on my previous smart phone, too. This is not news.

The only caveat is it tends to eat battery; so I keep my G1 plugged into my computer via USB.

By: Rick Lobrecht

Rick Lobrecht — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:24:01 +0000

I have WMWiFiRouter on my WM phone. And while functional (and at this point pretty much one button to start) it will completely drain my phones battery in less than an hour, leaving me with a phone that will substitute as a hot plate. I wonder if having an onchip solution would be more battery friendly.

By: MPJ

MPJ — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:35:07 +0000

Can you use the phone and leverage the 3G simultaneously? The concept is nice, but since you would need a particular phone to get this I would pass.