MiFi is a line of compact wireless routers produced by Novatel Wireless that act as mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. The MiFi can be connected to a mobile phone (cellular) carrier and provide internet access for up to 5 devices. The MiFi works at a distance up to 10m or 30ft distance and will provide internet or network access to any WiFi enabled PC, Apple Mac, Linux, Android or peripheral device.
The first MiFi device was introduced in the U.S. in May 2009 by Novatel Wireless, and Novatel owns a registered trademark on the "MiFi" brand name in the U.S. The Novatel MiFi is also marketed as such in the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Qatar, Kuwait, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico. However, in the United Kingdom, mobile operator 3 owns the "MiFi" trademark and markets a similar device from Huawei under the name.
MiFi (and MiFi-like) devices
Novatel MiFi 2200
Limited to 5 Wi-Fi clients such as laptops, cameras, gaming devices and multimedia players; with the exception of manually editing the devices config file to allow more clients.
May be connected to a computer via a MicroUSB connection, though doing so disables the Wi-Fi networking, converting the device into a traditional single-client modem. (However, CNET has introduced a tweak to charge the device over USB while maintaining its functionality.)
Includes GPS unit.
Uses 3G data network (CDMA 1xEVDO RevA).
Novatel MiFi 23xx series
Same functionality as 2200, plus:
Billed as an "intelligent" mobile hotspot, includes processor and linux-based operating system.
Includes an
SDK (available here) for development of 3rd party applications to run on-board..
Sprint featured the MiFi 4082, a
WiMAX version.
Both devices maintain backward compatibility with existing 3G networks. Other features include:
MiFiOS with widget support
MicroSD card slot
GPS receiver
4 hour battery life
Front panel status display using
E Ink technology. The front panel display shows battery, signal strength and number of connected devices. The difficulty of viewing such information was seen as a major shortcoming of earlier MiFi devices.
Pannon in Hungary
PCCW in Hong Kong
Mobitel in Slovenia
Bell Mobility, MTS Allstream, Rogers, and Virgin Mobile in Canada
Zain in Kuwait
Orange and Telefonica Moviles Espana in Spain
AT&T;, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, and Virgin Mobile in the United States
3 in Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Internode, via Optus, in Australia
Iusacell in Mexico
CAT in Thailand
Qatar Telecom ("Qtel") in Qatar
T-Mobile and Vodafone (in partnership with The Carphone Warehouse) in United Kingdom (marketed as "Novatel Wireless Intelligent Mobile Hotspot")
Inter Communications & a2network in Japan
Internode & Virgin Mobile in Australia
Hutchison 3G in the United Kingdom and Ireland
FarEastTone 3.5G in Taiwan
Alternatives
"MiFi"-like configurations have been created using the AT&T;
3G or
EDGE data network and
Jailbroken iPhones.
There are several software and apps that can turn mobile phones into wifi hotspots similar to MiFi via tethering.
The main ones are:
JoikuSpot can also be used in S60 phones to create "MiFi"-like network using the phone's Internet connection.
MyWi which can turn the iPhone into a wifi hotspot.
WMWifiRouter can also be used on Windows Mobile phones to create a wireless network sharing the phone's Internet connection.
Android phones running Android 2.2 or later can create a personal hotspot.
The Palm Pixi Plus and Pre Plus on Verizon Wireless can be used as a mobile hotspot, with a 5GB cap.
Awards
Novatel MiFi 2200:
Mobile Village "Mobile Star" (Portable Remote Connectivity Gear): "Superstar" Award (2009)
Laptop Magazine Editor's Choice (2009)
PC World "Gear of the Year" (2009)
Mobile News "Most Innovative Product (non-handset)" (2010)
* Novatel MiFi 2352:
Plus X Award in Technology (2009)
CTIA Emerging Technology Award (Fashion & Lifestyle Products), 1st Place (2009)
CTIA "Hot for the Holidays" (Mobile Internet Device or Netbook) Award (2009)
CES Innovations Award (Enabling Technologies) Winner (2010)
Mobile World Congress "Global Mobile" Award: Best Mobile Connected Device (2010)
MiFi in the news
Security Issues
In January 2010, two major security holes were discovered with the Novatel MiFi 2200 which, if properly exploited, could allow a malicious user to obtain the device's current GPS location and security keys. If the malicious user were physically close enough to use the device's Wi-Fi signal, this could give access to the MiFi's
3G connection as well as any other connected devices. Novatel responded that a security patch would be available in February 2010.
The popularity of MiFi devices can also be problematic for corporate network security. Corporations generally expect to control on-site internet access: many use firewalls to reduce the risk of malware, and some enforce restrictions aimed at employee productivity. Personal mobile hotspots may provide a "back door" by which employees can circumvent these precautions.
Recall
In May 2010, the Mifi 2372 was recalled in Canada by Bell Mobility and Rogers Communications. In two documentated cases, difficulty of opening the MiFi battery compartment had caused customers to use levels of force that caused physical damage to the batteries, which subsequently overheated. Novatel replaced the recalled units with a type that featured an easier-to-open battery compartment.
Customers were sent prepaid courier envelopes and instructed to send back their Mifi units for replacement of the battery and battery compartment cover. Customers were notified that Novatel would return the serviced units within 6 to 8 weeks of their return. Bell customers were provided with cellular internet access via Novatel U998 USB sticks, which were provided as temporary replacements by Bell.
Radio interference at trade shows
At two major
trade shows in 2010—
Google's first public demo of
Google TV and the
iPhone 4 demonstrations at the 2010
Apple Worldwide Developers Conference— keynote presentations using available Wi-Fi connectivity were disrupted by network unreliability. The problem was traced to massive
radio interference, caused by the popularity of MiFi and similar devices for "
liveblogging" from the trade show floor. In the case of the Apple conference, Apple
CEO Steve Jobs stated that 570 different Wi-Fi networks ("several hundred" being MiFis) were operating simultaneously in the exhibit hall.
References
External links
Novatel Wireless
MiFi Europe
Category:Mobile hotspots
Category:Wi-Fi devices
