Computer, Gadgets and All Things Digital

I have been using Verizon’s Novatel Mifi 2200 Mobile 3G router  for about a year  during my occasional traveling to the US thought  it was time to share experiences and thoughts on the device. It is a belated quick review anyway since Verizon Mifi 3G has now gradually been replaced with a newer 4th generation such as Verizon’ Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot

Verizon’s Novatel Mifi 2200 is basically a Wireless EVDO card in a small casing approximately  the size of a credit card that acts as a Wifi Router and enables you to connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices to connect to it.

The Mifi is like any other wireless  router and usually comes with a SSID (memory card ) and a WPA Security key so you can connect any of your devices to it via Wifi securely. Still not familiar yet with Mifi? Click the following link to find out : what is Mifi

Battery Life

You can use Mifi 2200 for up to 4 hours non-stop if charged fully. My job sometimes involves using internet access while on the go with my other two friends  and you can safely say you can at least use the Mifi device for around 4 hours. In case you need to use it beyond the average battery life then you need to connect the device to a power outlet. The Verizon Mifi 3G device is usually used by me  when traveling along the interstate roads. My commutes usually take about 4 hours round trip per day and therefore we don’t need an external power outlet. I usually enable streaming stock quotes on my BlackBerry and surf the using my HTC  for the entire time to really put it through its paces.

Verizon Mifi 3G With Novatel 2200 Speed

What about the speed? That’s where the Mifi shines.  I have to admit I am  impressed by the Mifi 2200 Speed . Since you can make  a speed test from a mobile device I used used my notebook to do that using speedtest.net. I did about six speed tests in various areas around Los Angeles to ensure they are as precise as possible. The typical speed you get  is approximately 1.75 Mbps for download and close to 800 Kbps for upload. Quite impressive.

The Downside

Since Verizon does not have  unlimited data plans you need to keep your eyes on the data usage and it is very likely you may go over if you are not careful. Verizon seems very keen on getting you to sign up for a contract.  Even if you pay full price for the Mifi 2200 and intend to use the device occasionally on a pre-paid basis , you will find that they have devised the  data pricing against you. Rather than the $59 for 5 Gigs of data usage  that is reportedly allocated  for prepaid users, it’s in fact you will  just  get 500 Mb for 50 bucks. I do not know if it is only me to experience this weird thing. To  fix  this is you need  sign up for an account that renews automatically which is kind of hard  to get, you need to do the credit check and send a copy of your monthly bank statement by fax. On top of that you will need to pay a $35 activation fee. So it is pretty useless to use Novatel Mifi 2200 for Verizon Mifi 3G service  unless you are planning on signing up  for a contract.

See also an overview of faster and the newest generation of Verizon mobile hotspot device : Verizon Mifi 4G with Novatel MiFi 4510L

What is Mifi? MiFi is a range of portable wireless routers manufactured by Novatel Wireless that serve as mobile Wifi  hotspots or mobile hotspot. A Mifi is essentially a wireless broadband device  with which you can share internet connection with  up to five Wifi-enabled devices.  Unlike wireless modems which can operate without a battery a MiFi device comes with a battery with up to 4 hours when in use. The MiFi is capable of sharing wireless internet access at a range up to 10 meters or 30 feet. You get up to five client devices to connect to the Mifi at the same time. This is a convenient  alternative to wireless modem and cell phone to access and share internet while on the go such as during traveling in a train, car etc.

The Mifi delivers several benefits to users, such as faster mobile internet connection with speeds up to 10 Mbps anywhere in areas covered by 3G/4G networks. The first MiFi device has been around since 2009 in the U.S. and Novatel is the owner of the Mifi brand name. Novatel also sells the device in other countries such as Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Germany, etc. In Britain , mobile operator Three  has the “MiFi” trademark and sells an exactly the same wireless device made by Huawei under the same name . Mifi comes with an internal battery that is able to provide more than forty hours standby or more than 4 hours if there are clients connected to it.

Mifi, approximately the same size as a credit card, let users choose access EVDO or HSPA high-speed data networks. This high-speed wireless internet connections that MiFi offer could also be between devices such as notebooks, cameras, gaming devices and other multimedia players and support Wifi.
MiFi also enables users  to use cheap or even free local or international calls over Voip. You can make calls over Voip  using a notebook and software-based VoIP programs, or via a Wifi mobile phone, using mobile VoIP applications such as Nimbuzz, Skype etc.

Wifi hotspot with Mobile Phones

Several mobile phone brands such as iPhone 4, HTC Evo, Palm Pre and Android-run smartphones  with data plan connection can be turned into wifi  hotspots or commonly called mobile in a similar fashion to  “real”  MiFi devices. A downside of creating wifi hotspot with mobile phones however is that it will drain a phone’s battery faster. To take to full advantage of wifi hotspot or mobile hotspot you need to plug it into an external power outlet.

Mifi Devices  : Overview

In the US Mifi is offered by Verizon, Sprint and AT&T. Sprint is the first US carrier to introduce Mifi 4G service. Verizon Mifi 4G data plan was introduced couple weeks ago and has won favorable reviews from both consumers and IT geeks.
Verizon has just launched Verizon Mifi 4G with the 4510L model, which works in  Verizon’s newly launched LTE 4G network, The carrier boast a  5-12 Mbps download and 2-5 Mbps upload data transfer.
On the other hand, major Verizon rival Sprint featured the Sprint  MiFi 4082  4G which is a WiMAX (also a 4G technology) version of the device.
The above Mifi 4G devices can also be use on a 3G network if your area has not been covered by a 4G networks. Most Mifi devices comes with memory card slot and a GPS receiver. Just like a conventional phone , a Mifi comes with front display showing battery and  signal strength and also  number of connected devices.
What is Mifi? Now you have find out the answer?

References:
Wikipedia
Novatel

Couple days ago I bumped a quite old yet still  useful a trick posted here about how to make your iPhone as a Wifi hotspot. I thought, since this is a very useful trick for those who want to create a Wi-Fi hotspot with their iPhone 3Gs  (Verizon , AT&T and Sprint  iPhone  phones that run the latest iOS can be turned into a mobile hotspot without jailbreaking and this trick) ,  it would be cool to share the trick here.  Essentially what  I describe here is just a summary of the above post from redwriteweb.com because I have not tested myself .

As you might have been aware the mobile hotspot feature  or Wi-Fi hotspot on iPhone is only available on iPhone 4s, iPhone 4 and iPhone 3Gs that has run at least iOS 4.3  , and not  available in previous iPhone models. If you already own an iPhone 4  or iPhone 4S you can skip this post and go to here to find out how to create the so-called iPhone personal hotspot. If you’re living  in the US and want to learn which carrier fits your needs I have posted a related article on Sprint, Verizon and AT&T iPhone 4S  mobile hotspot comparison  in a separate post.

Essentially in order to make your iPhone as a Wifi hotspot you sort of modify the iPhone 3Gs  source code.

Before you proceed here are what you need to take into account:

1. You first need to jailbreak your iPhone 3Gs  to enable the phone to install the necessary application. If you’re not familiar on how to that you can follow the instruction here
2. Use the trick at your own risk because the app is still buggy (not yet stable)

How To Make Your iPhone 3Gs as Mobile Hotspot:

1. The very first step is to jailbreak your iPhone. If you need help or are not familiar with iPhone jailbreak you can find out how to do that here.
2. As soon as you’re done with jailbreaking your iphone open the Cydia application store.
3. In Cydia, look for “MyWi.” You will find two applications that are listed there. Please note that you must not the one that says “No Rock” close to it. Get the other one instead
4. Tap on the search result for the app, tap the “install” button located  the upper-right corner, after that  tap “confirm.”
5. Once you have done installing the app, tap the “Reload SpringBoard” button. You can restart your iPhone if  this part gets stuck.
6. Launch the MyWi app. Follow the Wizard and check the User Agreement and tap “OK.” Now comes the tricky part. According to redwriteweb.com , the app would barely remain open for more than a few seconds at this stage.  Instead of registering for an account through the app with your iPhone , you need to register with RockYourPhone.com via browser and register there instead.
7. Re-launch MyWi. Tap “sign in.” Type  your e-mail with which you register with RockYourPhone.com  and enter your password. The app will check for your registration (and most likely crash again)
8. The app will check for license updates after which allows you to use a trial license. This part is quite tricky since the app often crashes.
9. After you get the app to work, you will see the option to turn Wi-Fi Tethering on using a toggle switch at the top. You can  also switch on USB and Bluetooth tethering utilizing the toggle towards the bottom. With tethering on, you can share the internet connection with other Wifi-enabled devices such as laptop, digital camera etc. You’re done the not-too-easy job to make  iPhone as a Wifi hotspot
10. You may use security encryption to protect the newly-created iPhone mobile hotspot from unauthorized users.
11. When you are finished, you can switch tethering off and close the application.

Still confused? See the bellow video to make your iPhone 3Gs as a mobile hotspot in the bellow video:

Video:  courtesy Youtube and ThatSnazzyiPhoneGuy

If you don’t want the hassle and seek an easier way to create your Wi-Fi hotspot you may want to give mobile hotspot using Palm Pre, HTC Evo and other smartphones a try,  just browse the ‘Mobile Hotspot’ category for details.

This is a follow up of my previous post about how fast is 4G a day earlier which among other  explained what download speed you basically would get from  US major carriers’ 4G networks. Since, to the best of my knowledge, is the first US carrier to introduce the 4th generation of broadband internet and has more areas covered by its 4G netwok, we will first take a glance of Sprint 4G service. Sprint’s 4G service  has been around for more than a year. The 4G generation wireless broadband internet is claimed to deliver ten times faster data transfer than its predecessor, 3G generation.

On its website ,Sprint lists 3 – 6 Mbps as the average download speeds and claims  the speed can peak at more than 10 Mbps. It provides  WiMax wireless service 62 cities  in the United States. As stated in my previous post the network mostly offers excellent coverage on the coasts, but you may find some areas with no 4G coverage in the middle of the country, and there are 12 states with no Sprint 4G service coverage at all. Currently Sprint charges a monthly subscription of USD 49.9 for 4G service. In order to get access to the Sprint  4G network, you will need a dual-mode 3G/4G device, or single-mode 3G/4G device, along with a Mobile Broadband Connection plan or 4G Day Pass.

But how fast is actually Sprint 4G internet speed ? is it worth for you to spend additional surcharge of 10 dollars a month to enjoy what the carrier touts as DSL internet access in your pocket?  Take a look at the bellow video from consumerreports.org staff who traveled to Philadelphia to test Sprint’s HTC Evo on the carrier’s 4G network.

Video credit : consumerreports.org

As 3G wireless internet has now been a thing of the past in many advanced countries , carriers have been grappling  with growing data demand stemming from increasing needs for streaming videos and other bandwidth-hungry multimedia contents which require faster data transfer rates. Since 2009 major US carries have begun implementing 4G service on their networks and this is the question raised by those not covered yet by 4G wireless service. How fast  is 4G internet?  4G generation is a successor to the 3G and 2G wireless internet technologies. ITU-R defined  the specifications for 4G requirements, setting max speed for 4G service at 100 Mbit/s for high mobility communication (such as from trains and cars) and 1 Gbit/s for low mobility communication such as pedestrians and those not moving from their place while accessing the internet.

A 4G technology is a faster,  more secure  all-IP based mobile broadband for those connecting to the internet using wireless modems, smartphones, as well as other wireless devices. Wireless technologies before 4G internet such as mobile WiMAX and first-generation Long term evolution (LTE) have actually been around on the market since 2006 and 2009 respectively, and they are also defined as 4G generation while present versions of these technologies do not actually fit into ITU-R requirements of data rates around up to 1 Gbit/s for 4G networks.

Today carriers are offering faster fourth-generation wireless networks as the next generation of internet connection. To take advantage of the faster data you need to purchase a 4G-capable device or modem and a new data plan, which is usually costlier than a 3G data plan.

How fast is 4G internet in the US?

Since most of this site visitors come from the US I will only post 4G internet speed on major  US carriers. Anyway, since the 4G technology is universally adopted you will not notice any differences in data transfer rates if you live in outside the US if your area has been covered by 4G networks. Currently US  carriers  claim (on their respective websites) the average download speed on their 4G networks is hovering at between 3Mbps up to 6 Mbps and 10 Mbps peak download speeds. The speeds will gradually increase within the next few years.

Sprint, the first carrier to adopt 4G technology provides  WiMax wireless service in  62 cities  in the United States. The network mostly offers excellent coverage on the coasts, but you may find some areas with no 4G coverage in the middle of the country, and there are 12 states with no Sprint 4G service coverage at all. Currently Sprint charges a monthly subscription of USD 49.9 for 4G service.

T-Mobile presently (as of June 2011)  provides an enhanced High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) 3G network.  AT&T is also presently busy launching HSPA+ and is also testing Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology for a full-pledged commercial 4G service within the next two years. In the meantime, Verizon has just unveiled its own LTE network with limited coverage in 38 metropolitan areas and sixty airports. Verizon says the 4G network will likely be available nationwide in 2013. Currently Verizon LTE service is available in some parts of New York City. Now you have found out the answer to the question “how fast is 4G internet?” it is high time to jump on the wagon and enjoy blazing data speeds while on the go

Three is one feature of Palm Pre and Palm Pixi Plus many are not aware of , that is their capability to turn themselves into a wireless router or mobile hotspot. I am also no exception, after several  trips to the US, I was only aware of this feature recently even though this mobile hotspot feature on Palm Pre has been around for more that a year.   Yes, with just flip of a switch the you can transform the smartphones into a wireless router to which up to Wi-Fi-enabled devices can connect.

You can create a Wi-Fi hotspot with Palm Pre and Palm Pixi Plus easily by flipping the switch from OFF to ON. After that you need to pick a password with which your peers connect to the newly-created mobile hotspot. Just like setting up the Wi-Fi, keeping it running is also very simple. You can change the name of the password or the Wi-Fihotspot with just few finger tapping and typing. Just in case  you forget your Wi-Fi hostpot password because you  need to share it with your  friends  you can access “Show Passphrase” button located  at the top of the Palm Pre  by tapping it once and your password will be displayed instantly.

What puzzled me though, there is  no way you could  manage users connected to your device. While you will be able to see a list of users currently connected to your mobile hotspot created with your Palm Pre you can not disconnect them without changing the password.  I also found it weird that there was no data usage meter to monitor your bandwidth usage.  Verizon charges 40 dollars for 5 Gigabytes of data for  3G Mobile Hotspot access and it is therefore quite understandable that users want to monitor how much data they use such a pretty hefty price. You can find your data usage by accessing your Verizon account page anyway.

Mobile hotspot access using any smartphones and Mifi devices is eating into battery life quickly even if your device is in stand by mode even when there are no clients connected to your device. Therefore you may not want to share the internet connection using mobile hotspot devices or Mifi devices unless otherwise  you are near a power outlet. The more people you are  connected at the same time , the faster it will  drain the battery. You can expect to drain your battery  dead in around three hours  if you have three users pulling down a fair share of data concurrently.

Speed Test

This is something that is of utmost  importance for many. Is the speed worth the monthly subscription fee?  When I ran speed tests using Speedtest.net  with  the Palm Pre Plus in I got an average speed of  80 KBps for both upload and download time on Verizon 3G network. Of course you download and upload speed varies from one place to another and the data transfer speed is slower than using Verizon MiFi 4G devices. If you still in love with your Palm Pre and your area where you live has not been covered yet by Verizon LTE (4G) network and you don’t mind spending 50 bucks a month for a 5 Gigs of data  then this Verizon mobile hotspot with Palm Pre data plan is for you.

Got an iPhone 3Gs  and want to turn it into a Wifi hotspot? visit the following link : How To turn iPhone into a mobile hotspot

The Sprint MiFi 4082 for has been available since April this year at 3G store. The rival of Verizon MiFi 4G 4510L mobile hotspot device from the same mobile hotspot vendor Novatel has won many positive reviews from its customers and just  like its predecessor, the Mifi device sports a sleek  design and very user-friendly web interface. There is of course  a marked  improvement on the previous Mifi 3G/ 4G offerings from Sprint in terms of data speeds as this device works with Sprint’s 4G network.

With Sprint MiFi 4082  G/4G mobile hotspot you access the internet on any device on the go from a portable device smaller than your wallet and  connect to the Sprint 3G or 4G networks. When used  with a Sprint 3G/4G data  plan, the MiFi is able to accommodate  both the connection  and data volume of up to five clients at the same time.

Sprint MiFi 4082  3G/4G

Sprint MiFi 4082  3G/4G Mobile Hotspot Features

The MiFi 4082 is much like its predecessor – Sprint mobile hotspot 3G mobile router, the MiFi 2200, one difference is that the Sprint Mifi 4082 can only work with the company’s LTE network. As with other Sprint mobile hotspot the device  supports up to five  devices at the same time. The MiFi 4082 dimension is small yet it  provides many interesting  features, which includes network storage in which it can host a micro SD card.  With this network storage feature a user can share files on the SD card with others who are connected to the mobile hotspot device. You can also use the device as a modem in tethering mode when attached to a notebook using a USB cable. What is interesting  is that it can be used in both Wi-fi and tethering modes concurrently. Its user-friendly  web interface also offers access to location-based points of interest and weather information.

The MiFi 4082′s Internet connection, while faster compared to a 3G device, is in fact not as fast as 4G modems, averaging about 2.5Mbps for downloading and 9Mbps for uploading. Yet, 2.5Mbps is definitely fast for an internet connection to stream high definition content comfortably. Keep in mind that these connection speeds can be different depending on the locations where you’re, so you may find yourself getting faster or slower connections from one place to another. See the complete 4G coverage area here.

What’s going to stay the same in the mobile hotspot, however, is its Wi-Fi speed, that is amazing considering its small size. The Sprint  MiFi 4082 also provides GPS-related capabilities via its web interface, including weather information and also other localized services. The mobile hotspot device has  around four hours of battery life, which is quite  long compared to other mobile routers . The mobile hotspot gets hot sometimes, however, and runs out of battery charge rapidly.

Data Plans

The router costs $80 with a two-year contract and  works with Sprint’s $59.99 monthly  3G/4G data plan subscription , including  unlimited 4G access and 5GB of 3G access. Because the monthly subscription is the same  as Sprint’s 3G-only data plan, using this newest Sprint’s  mobile hotspot device is really an excellent option even for subscribers who have not had access to Sprint’s 4G network.

Overall, the Sprint MiFi 4082  is  an excellent wireless solution for those who need internet connection on the go while sharing the internet connection with others.

Verizon MiFi Plans on Novatel Mifi 4510L, mobile hotspot device  that supports Verizon’s  LTE technology,  was launched April this year and is still a hot item at Verizon. Yes Verizon MiFi 4510L is now available for those seeking faster internet speed access. At a glance this  Verizon LTE MiFi 4G device is similar to the mobile hotspot device  that is available on Verizon’s rival ,  the Sprint mobile hotspot version with some apparent distinctions;  Sprint MiFi 4082 mobile hotspot. They both have the same curvy, chrome edges and glossy black surface. It is quite in opposite to the modern-look, minimalist yet sleek Verizon’s other 4G LTE hotspot offering, the Samsung SCH-LC11. Verizon  MiFi 4510L weighs 3.2 ounces and measures  3.7 x 2.4 x 0.5 inches which is slightly  larger  and heavier than the Samsung SCH-LC11  mobile hotspot which weighs around 3 ounces and measures 3.5 x 2.4 x 0.5 inches.

The Verizon MiFi Plans with the MiFi 4510L costs $49.99 after a $50 discount, provided that you’re satisfied with the two-year data plan contract; they translates into$50 a month for 5GB of data use. The mobile hotspot MiFi 4510L joins the Samsung SCH-LC11 which also cost  $99  as the second mobile hotspot device offered by Verizon. The mobile hotspot device can share its connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as digital camera that supports wifi.

Not like its  WiMax sibling ,the Verizon LTE MiFi 4G doesn’t have  a microSD card slot for memory storage. It’s a not a big deal though since the device  is mainly used for data connection, instead of data storage.

With the Verizon 4G MiFi, you’ll be able to connect up to five wife-enabled devices wirelessly. And fortunately, not likely some broadband traditional USB  dongles, you do not need to install driver since the is no  software installation required for this  Verizon Mifi 4G Broadband Internet With Novatel MiFi 4510Lmobile hotspot to work. Verizon’s LTE network is available in 40 cities and 64 airports at this time with 105 more markets scheduled for the end of the year. See the complete Verizon 4g coverage map here.

Verizon MiFi  4510L 4G Mobile Hotspot Speed

The MiFi 4510L’s 4G  speed performance is  stunning. When you connect it via Wi-Fi to a wifi-enabled laptop, the typical data transfer speed you will get is hovering at  16.Mbps, and  you will get average download connections as fast as 20.1 Mbps in some places with strong 4G network coverage. When tested this Verizon new data plan on Verizon’s 4G network it also delivers a blistering uploads speed transfer. You will experience the average upload rate of 5.7 Mbps using this  MiFi 4510L.

Verizon MiFi 4510 is substantially faster than any mobile hotspot offerings. If  you are searching for the fastest mobile hotspot and especially those looking  the fastest and sleekest Verizon mobile hotspot data, the Verizon MiFi 4G is worth a try. It has its downsides, yet for the most part, it does not get any better than this.

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What is Mobile Hotspot? A mobile hotspot is  a  portable mobile broadband device which allows up to five  users  to share  high speed 3G or 4G broadband connection over a Wi-Fi network. Mobile hotspots are self-contained devices have a built-in rechargeable battery and are plug-and-play. You can  just power it on, and you   are going to have high speed, self powered  internet access wherever you are. This is particularly useful for those traveling a lot while needing a reliable wireless internet connection on the go with your colleagues , in a car, train etc. As many hotels charge a hefty price for allowing you to access the internet via their hotspots this can be an alternative for those who want to save on their internet bills while traveling.

Mobile Hotspot With Mifi

MiFi is a line of portable wireless routers manufactured by Novatel Wireless that serves as mobile Wi-Fi  hotspots just like a wireless router. The MiFi can be linked to a mobile phone and provide internet access for up to 5 devices. The MiFi works at a distance up to 10m or 30 feet and  provides internet or network access to any WiFi-enabled  devices.

Verizon Mifi 2200 (Image Credit: Novatel)

Each mobile hotspot device  works with the network’s specific systems since US carriers use different technologies. AT&T uses HSPA+ technology and LTE  for enhanced 3G speeds, Sprint uses  Wimax  and Verizon use 4G LTE technology, respectively.
Mobile hotspot in a 3G environment can be enjoyed in most parts of the US  while works on expanding 4G network coverage are still in progress. Many of the so-called 4G technology is currently only available in big cities and urban areas and they have so many gaping holes, particularly in the upper Midwest of the US

Mifi devices cost for around $300 yet if you sign up with a two-year contract, you can have them  for less than 100 bucks. Keep in mind though, the two-year contract  can add up very fast since you will incur an extra monthly phone bill of  $20up to  $60in  data service. Some carriers  restrict the amount of data you can download. See the summary of mobile hotspot data plan and pricing from three major US carriers bellow.

Mobile Hotspot : Data Plan and Pricing Source: Computerworld

Update: Sprint killed unlimited mobile hotspot  plan  on 4G October this year, imposing a  5GB data cap, with overage fees costing 5 cents per MB.

Mobile Hotspot With Smartphones

Lots of robust and amazing features are crammed into smartphones nowadays such as dual core  processors, high-definition video recording capabilities, blazing browsing capabilities and social media integration. However mobile hotspot using smartphones  is one of the areas  that have not being brought to the fore. By using a mobile hotspot application you can enable a smartphone’s data connection to be shared with other wifi-enable devices including a laptop, portable media player, iPad, or digital camera. This is an alternative to mobile hotspot devices like the MiFi which requires you to carry another device while the smart phone.

In the United States, a growing number of smartphones on the Verizon Wireless and  Sprint provide hotspot capabilities. Currently the two other major US carriers -AT&T and T-Mobile -have also offered this services. This mobile hotspot feature  also enables you to transfer files between your devices by hooking them up to the Wi-Fi network with convenience and at  much faster speeds. While you can do that via USB or via Bluetooth in some instances, however the first option requires that you use a USB cable, while Bluetooth is not the convenient way to tether your phones since it is quite cumbersome to setup.

Several  newly-released smartphones, such as  the iPhone 4, and the iPhone 3Gs that have been upgraded to the latest  OS (iOS 4.3)  let you tether a notebook or tablet to your smartphones using a Bluetooth or USB connection, turning it into a  hotspot. Several smartphones ,when used  as a Wi-Fi hotspot, prevents you from accepting calls. Other major drawback is using a phone as a mobile hotspot can drain the phone battery quite fast and, as with a MiFi,  you need to spend extra bucks since carriers charge additional  monthly subscription on top of the regular data plan. US carriers charge a monthly fee of between $15 and $30 for allowing you to do the tethering.

Sprint HTC Evo 4G (Image credit : Sprint)

Verizon offer around seven smartphones with mobile hotspot capability which include the Motorola Droid X, Motorola Droid 2, HTC Droid Incredible, Samsung Fascinate, Palm Pre Plus, and Palm Pixi Plus. Most of the Verizon phones allow connectivity for as many as five devices at the same time. The service charges you a monthly USD 20 data plan and in case you go over the data quota, it can cost you a $10 per additional GB of data. Verizon and AT&T imposes data caps on their customers while Sprint currently offers true unlimited mobile hotspot plan for its subscribers who user the carrier’s 4G networks.

Sprint at lest offers two phones with mobile hotspot capability, the HTC Evo 4G and Samsung Epic 4G and the list keeps growing. The carrier charges $30 for its mobile hotspot service, more expensive  than Verizon’s, however the data use is  unlimited. That is a big deal for heavy internet users. Unlike Mifi devices and other smartphones high-end HTC smartphones like HTC Evo 3D, HTC Evo 4G support up to eight clients that can connect to the mobile hotspot the devices create.

To find out more more about the latest mobile hotspot devices and mobile hotspot phones  from major US carriers Click here

This problem commonly affects Windows XP users even though  other Windows version users such as Windows Vista are not exempt from this . You can not hear sound from your computer and your computer says? “No Audio device was found . The  No Audio Device Error message  typically stems from improperly-installed sound card although other hardware-related issues may also cause this annoying problem.

Common Causes:

1. Your audio card is not properly connected to  the motherboard.
2. You don’t have an audio controller connected.
3. The audio device you try to use isn’t compatible with the computer  motherboard.

No Audio device was found error in Windows XP and Vista Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting 1

Go to my Control Panel, switched to Classic View, and open up the Device Manager. Then  access the Sound folder, clicked on the your audio sound card and try to Disable, then Enable it.

Troubleshooting 3

Here are a couple tips  to fix the most common  culprit an incorrectly installed card, if the above trick does not work :

1. First of all  you need to  find your audio controlling device or audio controller. From your Start Menu, go to your Control Panel. Next, go to Add Hardware and check if the audio device is already installed. make sure you  do not let your computer search for it automatically, since you may not be able to tell  if the audio device is improperly installed.
2. Scroll down to sound devices and check  your audio controller. Look into the device properties to see if it’s installed correctly. If the audio device  is not installed correctly you will notice a yellow-highlighted question mark next to the device’s name.
3. Uninstall / remove your sound card and its drivers. After removing the audio device you will need to reboot your computer, enter the bios, disable the onboard audio device, game port, and midi. Then start up and boot back into Windows , go to Add Remove Programs and make sure that the Audio device drivers have all also been uninstalled.
4. Reinstall the sound card and drivers. Uninstalling and reinstalling the sound card will in most cases fix No Audio Device was found  Error message in Windows XP and Vista . Make sure you first search for the latest driver updates by visiting the audio device  vendor website  before installing the driver. It’s possible that the driver for the device  have been updated since you first bought your computer .
5. Reboot your computer again. If you purchase a separate sound card you better off  disable the onboard sound card completely.

Troubleshooting 3

If you’re still encountering problems and still get the “No Audio device was found” in your Windows XP or Vista , try the following troubleshooting tips.

1. Use  a different PCi slot, this way Windows may detect it as a new slot  rather than attempting to reconfigure it on the slots. This trick allow s you to tell whether one of the slots are damaged.
2. In case you own an onboard sound card and yet you are attempting to use a separate sound card, make sure the onboard audio device is disabled.  And Last but not least always make sure the sound card you purchase is compatible  with your computer motherboard.
3. If you believe your sound card can not  be repaired  it is a good idea to borrow a still-working sound card from a friend, if possible, and try installing it to find out if the error is in fact  in the card itself. If it turns out the computer works with the sound card you borrow from your friend and you don’t get the “No Audio device was found”  error in your Windows XP or Vista  then a  final decision has to be executed. Buy a new sound card