Just because you can, does that mean you should? This is from Nikkei Business Publications site…
FreeBit announced the latest version (1.1b) of its “ServersMan@iPhone,” communication software for Apple Inc’s mobile phone, “iPhone 3G.” This software turns the iPhone into a Web server that is accessible via the Internet. Using “Emotion Link,” the company’s proprietary communication technology, the software builds up a secure virtual network on an existing IP network.
You can read more here…
If you are a road warrior who needs data access not just through your iPhone but also via a notebook, you basically have three options: Either search for Wi-Fi hotspots (these days not as ubiquitous as it used to be, since Wi-Fi is locked more often), jail-break your iPhone, so your notebook can use it as a 3G modem (AT&T is expected to offer iPhone tethering soon, but it will not be free) or get a 3G USB modem from your carrier for $60/month, thus putting your overall iPhone/USB 3G bill to $130 or even more.
As of today, there’s a fourth option and it has the potential to be a game-changer: Verizon today started to sell its MiFi service for either $40 or $60 a month, with bandwidth caps at 250MB and 5GB respectively.
In essence, the MiFi is a small, battery operated device that you can carry in your pocket, purse or briefcase. It’s small and weighs about 2 ounces. Either connect it via USB to your notebook or connect up to 5 devices wirelessly through Wi-Fi, essentially creating a “Wi-Fi bubble” around you. For Wi-Fi connectivity, simply switch it on and when using it for the first time, enter the wireless key that is printed on the back of the MiFi device into the browser of your notebook or iPod Touch. Done.
Why could the MiFi be a game-changer? Because you can supply all your wireless gear with 3G based Wi-Fi on the go. And that gives you options. If you don’t like the phone quality of your iPhone (a lot of people complained about it, while others, such as Om Malik, went as far as abandoning their iPhone altogether), you can switch to an iPod Touch as your mobile data device and get an all-you-can-eat prepaid cell plan for $50/month. Together that would cost you $110/month, $20 less than you had to pay before. Or ditch the cell phone, use Skype on your iPod Touch and save even more.
In addition, if you travel on business with a co-worker, you could share the Wi-Fi bubble. You would not need separate 3G USB modem connections any longer. Wireless is also an option for more and more DSLR and point-and-shoot cameras — these can be connected, too. In short, a 3G USB stick connects only to one device at a time (which also has to have a USB port), whereas the MiFi connects to 5. Big difference!
Mid-term, I see the MiFi more as a threat to AT&T than to Apple. If AT&T prices iPhone tethering at the rumored $30/month (similar to their existing tethering plans for other devices), the Verizon MiFi becomes a much more interesting option for road warriors. For not that much more than the tethered AT&T solution, I can get wireless access to multiple people and/or devices at the same time through Verizon MiFi. And ditching the iPhone makes even more economical sense. I bet AT&T is watching this development closely…
For us photographers, should the next version of the iPod Touch feature a camera, it would make switching from an iPhone to an iPod Touch so much easier…
For more on Verizon MiFi, we recommend:
- David Pogue, NY Times: Wi-Fi to Go No Cafe Needed
- EVDOinfo.com: Verizon Wireless MiFi 2200 Review
- GigaOm: Build your own Verizon iPhone this Sunday
