Comments on: Palm Mobile Hotspot Speed Tests — Not so Good

By: Greg Phillips

Greg Phillips — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:08:47 +0000

So, now I have a new project tonight. Thanks!

By: Greg Phillips

Greg Phillips — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:04:19 +0000

James, I am going to give you a true review based on 10 months of use. Also, I rely on these connections exclusively, as I have no alternative other than Satellite or Dial Up. I live in my Father’s Mother-In-Law Suite. I have a Palm Pre Plus and he has MIFI, both on Verizon. Your research is correct, of course! At times, I do have bandwidth that is equal to his MIFI. However, sometimes I can notice their is less. My connection has been stable the entire time. Both phones are well worth the $20 savings per month.

One downfall I will mention is the slow offline networking between connected devices. I use the phone to operate 2 desktops, a laptop, a Wii, and my primary cell (Samsung Omnia II). When I use Acronis to backup my computers, or transfer songs from my media desktop to my Omnia II, it is extremely slow at about 300 kb/s.

I am moving though. Time Warner here I come and also will enjoy not having to switch routers when I want to transfer files over my network.

By: Kimberli

Kimberli — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:32:10 +0000

I didn't download anything and mine works just as well as the internet I've been paying my local provider $60 a month for. Hotspot is now free, as well, so for me my phone would be the $60 cheaper version. I've had full signal strength every time I use it.

The only drawback, though-- and the reason I'm a little wary of canceling my internet-- is how HOT my phone gets when I use Hotspot. I have a Palm Pre Plus. They warned me about the battery dying quickly (they were correct), but if I just plug it in while I'm using it for Hotspot, that can be fixed.

I can't find anything on my phone getting so hot.

Anyone know if this is going to damage my phone or set my apartment on fire?

By: dreamworm

dreamworm — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:39:00 +0000

I just tested the Palm Pre verizon hotspot and I got 150kbps\260kbps and on the MiFi 700kbps\300kbps similar to what James reported from Orange County, CA. I just installed WebOS1.4 and no additional patch. Any suggestions on how to address this issue? Thanks...

By: Skipp

Skipp — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 03:41:24 +0000

I am getting 2.25 Mbps download and 450 Kbps upload in Gilbert AZ with the Pre Plus.

By: Rick Huizinga

Rick Huizinga — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:30:18 +0000

The Mobile Hotspot feature on the Palm Pre is now free as of April 1st. This is NOT an April fools joke.

By: Dave Nanian

Dave Nanian — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:08:20 +0000

I read your post yesterday, and happened to be traveling today, so I did a speed test in Portsmouth, NH. With a Pre Plus, in the hotel, I'm getting 1385K down and 413K up, which is totally reasonable...

By: sudojudo

sudojudo — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:20:53 +0000

Logically, you'd think they'd cripple the Mobile Hotspot speed somewhat to protect their MiFi business.

But less than 1/5 the download speed is ridiculous.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:53:58 +0000

The way I see it you pay the $30/ month for the PDA plan, and then $40/ month on top of that.

By: jbrandonf

jbrandonf — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:42:47 +0000

To be clear..you can buy just $40 data plan to tether..and that includes a data package for the phone?

Or are you buying $30 a month plus $40 on top for the tethering ability?

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:49:30 +0000

I'm glad to hear that others are getting good speeds from the Mobile Hotspot. I've said many times that location is key to 3G throughput, but I tested this in several different locations.

I'm still not sure why the MiFi would give much better speeds at these locations, though. Same network, different modem is all.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:48:06 +0000

Correct, no patches.

By: Luscious

Luscious — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:34:51 +0000

If speeds are this slow perhaps it would be better to stick with USB/BT tethering. I've been thinking of grabbing a 4500mAh battery for a TP2 and doing just that - all day wireless. The data plan would only cost me $20 extra on top of what I pay for voice, and no restrictive cap to worry about.

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:06:40 +0000

Some don't believe the unthrottle patch have any real effect on performance. I'm begining to think it's locations.

By: Ivan Samuels

Ivan Samuels — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:58:29 +0000

I just read your post. I am sitting in Panera getting 1300 down on their wifi. I powered up my Palm Pre Plus and ran the hot spot. These are my results. i am getting 2271 Mbps down and 400 up. The test was run in Atlanta. Perhaps the location may make a difference. i own a Mifi but don't have it with me today. My only problem is the battery life on the Mifi is better than the Pre Plus. i carry an extra battery since in only get 2.5-3.5 hours....where the mifi is usually 4+ hours. by the way it is easier to change the battery on the Mifi.

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:47:20 +0000

I think James got these from Verizon as eval units and probably didn't apply patches.