Consulting and publishing
A couple months ago, I received a Sierra Wireless Overdrive review unit – a 3G/4G pocket router – thanks to the lovely people at Sprint!
I used it for several weeks, mostly on 3G. I also visited the nearby Silicon Valley for 4G, since there’s no coverage in San Francisco yet…
Continue reading “Quickie: Sierra Wireless Overdrive”
It’s time for another podcast (44 min):
– Audio version
– Video version
Both Matthew Bennett (Nokia Daily News, US Mobile Industry) and Tony Peric (fone frenzy) joined me this week… Thanks guys, and props to Tony for the editing!
We covered the HTC Incredible, the upcoming HTC EVO 4G, the Sharp/Microsoft Kin, the Apple iPad 3G, and the (now official) Nokia N8.
Other topics include the Sierra Wireless Overdrive, and Matt installing MeeGo on his Asus Eee PC, and Android on his iPhone – madness :)
Click here to subscribe to this podcast.
A few months ago I wrote about rocking a router in my pocket by running JoikuSpot to share HSDPA over WiFi on my Nokia N95-3…
This solution works well enough, but only provides minimal control over routing and wireless setup. Furthermore, WiFi range is limited and battery drain is significant.
Enter the Cradlepoint PHS300, a battery/AC powered, pocketable, mobile wireless router designed to interface with a variety of USB 3G modems and phones.
The PHS300 is a black box resembling a 2.5″ hard drive enclosure, and is equipped with a USB port, a power connector, and power switch. The top features 3 status LEDs (power, 3G, & WiFi) and the bottom hides a Li-ion battery behind a removable cover (see my unboxing pictures).
Initial setup was as simple as inserting my AT&T SIM (MEdia Net data plan) into my Sierra Wireless AirCard 875U modem, plugging it into the USB port, and turning on the PSH300.
Within seconds, all 3 LEDs turned green and an additional WiFi network appeared. After connecting my computer to this WiFi network and opening my web browser, I was greeted with a login screen.
Once logged in (using the last 6 digits of the MAC address assigned to the PHS300), the web interface is similar to the one featured on most modern cable/DSL wireless routers. So I personalized the configuration, and I was immediately impressed with the routing features offered by the PHS300.
You see, before this review, I was thinking: “Why bother with a dedicated mobile wireless router when there’s software like JoikuSpot and WMWifiRouter?” Well now I know :)
The PHS300 supports PPP, DHCP, NAT with SPI, SSID enable/disable, Internet access control (services, URL, & MAC), 64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK, UPnP, multiple and concurrent VPN pass-through sessions (IPSEC, L2TP, & PPTP)… Hmmm, that’s quite a mouthful!
Performance and stability are top notch. Battery life is about 2 hours, as advertised.
Of course, all this flexibility comes at a cost. The PHS300 is larger and heavier than most mobile devices, and still requires a 3G modem or phone to function. Together with my Sierra Wireless AirCard 875U, it makes for quite a bulky and unwieldy monster beast :)
So, what’s the verdict?
If you need basic mobile routing for personal use, or a truly pocketable solution, I suggest you pick software like JoikuSpot (especially if you own a compatible smartphone).
But if you need advanced mobile routing for a small group, or emergency routing for a small business. I highly recommend the PHS300.
Happy new year :)
Here’s last month’s tasty bits, a little behind once again! I’ve decided to stop numbering the column hereafter…
JKK added HSDPA to the Asus 701 (Eee) – I’m working on a similar mod using a Sierra Wireless AirCard 875U HSDPA modem…
Also I’ve started using Qik to stream live video with my Nokia N95!
I’m keeping an eye on all the CES madness this week and I’ll be at Macworld next week, so stay tuned :)
Asus 701 (Eee):
– WiMax-Enabled Asus Eee PC Confirmed
– How to add internal 3G HSDPA to Asus Eee PC
– How to add touch panel to Asus Eee Pc
– It’s official: upgrading the Asus Eee PC memory keeps warranty intact
– eeeXubuntu: Ubuntu distilled for your Eee
– Ubuntu on the Asus Eee PC: Part 1 (or How to run a functional Ubuntu install off a USB drive)
Nokia N810:
– Nokia N810: unboxing and first impressions
– Canola2 Now Out!
Nokia N95:
– Nokia N95-3 Finally Gets an Update to v 11.2.009
– The N95 classic hits v20 firmware
– The N95’s camera quality? It just got better…
– Hands-on with the Nokia N95 8GB for North America!
Nokia N82:
– Nokia N82: impressions after a week…
– Nokia N82 hands-on
– Nokia N82 preview: First look
– Nokia N95, N95 8 GB and N82: The evolution of the multimedia computer
More Nokia:
– Cellphones: Alleged Nokia N96 Spy Shots Look Yummypianoblacklicious
– New Slider: Nokia’s Patent Reveals Innovative Six- or Eight- Megapixel Slider Phone
– Video streaming from your phone QIK-ly, as in: instantly
– All About N-Gage – Totally CONFIRMED Star Wars N-Gage Video
– emTube – YouTube client for S60 phones
– Nokia Internet Radio
– Clarification: Upcoming Nokia IS a QWERTY Nseries
Apple iPhone:
– Breaking: iPhone Firmware 1.1.3 Video and Evidence Confirms Update Is Real, Breaks Unlock, Third-Party Apps
– How to Install Applications on iPhone 1.1.2 (Video Tutorial)
– Syphon lets you save iPhone text messages
– Control Pro Tools with your iPhone
– Apple doesn’t give us MMS on the iPhone, so the community does
– iPhone gets video recording capabilities
– Not all is lost: partfoundry developing GPS module for iPhone
– Fixing YouTube on your Jailbroken iPhone
– Mobile Safari plug-in downloads files to your iPhone/iPod touch
– Apple relents, sanctions custom ringtones!
OQO Model 02:
– OQO Announces model e2 with Built-In HSDPA Mobile Broadband Capability
– OQO does WiMax and 64GB SSDs
Neonode N2:
– Neonode N2 officially coming to the US
– Review of the unique Neonode N2 multimedia phone
BlackBerry 9000 (aka. BlackBerry 8xxx):
– BlackBerry 9000 specs revealed, our early Christmas present to you
– BlackBerry 8xxx hails from Rogers!
– BlackBerry 9000 series spy shot revealed?
Samsung:
– Hands-on with the Samsung G800
– Hands-on with the Samsung P520 Armani
– Samsung’s P720, F490 make their video debut
Other:
– Google Maps for Mobiles shows your location, even without GPS
– Verizon Wireless will open network for non-Verizon devices, services
– Photo of the Sony Ericsson P5i Leaked
– Wibrain’s B1 UMPC gets showcased on video – Engadget
– Hands-on with the LG KU990 Viewty
– A teaser shot of Motorola’s 5 megapixel multimedia maven?
Contrary to popular belief, I rarely get free devices to review! So after recently acquiring my Nokia N95, I decided to sell my Nokia N80 – I also decided to sell my Samsung i607 (BlackJack), and I acquired a Sierra Wireless AirCard 860…
The AirCard 860 is extremely affordable and is HSDPA (1900/850MHz) and EDGE (quad-band) compatible. This is my first time owning a dedicated data card – mine is unlocked, and is working very well with both Cingular (HSDPA) and T-Mobile (EDGE) in Windows XP Pro.
I plan to test it in Linux (Ubuntu) as well :)
