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AT&T Announces Their Very Own MiFi Mobile Hotspot

Ramon B. Nuez Jr. — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:07:31 +0000

As subscribers we have become rather demanding of our mobile operators. We want an inexpensive always on connection so we can connect our smart devices to the Internet. This “always on” culture lends itself to a rapidly growing smart device population. In my household alone we have multiple — smartphones, laptops, tablets, cameras and media players.

As such, having the ability to connect these devices to the Internet is becoming more important. Over the past year we have seen mobile operators — like Sprint and Verizon — move quickly to provide portable hotspots. AT&T is the latest carrier to start offering a portable hotspot.

Today — AT&T announced that the company will be making available the AT&T Mobile Hotspot MiFi 2372. The device is from Novatel Wireless and will be sold beginning November 21. You will be able to pick up the MiFi from AT&T (company-owned stores) and online for $49.99 after $100 mail-in rebate ($100 AT&T Promotion Card). Subscribers can choose from two DataConnect plans: $35 a month for 200MB or $60 a month for 5GB.

The Mobile Hotspot MiFi will offer you Wi-Fi connectivity for up to five devices, including PCs, cameras, digital media players, tablets and gaming devices. The devices must be within 30 feet of the hotspot. The MiFi supports HSPA 7.2 and will come preloaded with the new MiFi OS. The OS introduces application support and access to widgets such as data usage, SMS and GPS apps.

For more information on AT&T’s MiFi, please visit www.att.com/mobilehotspot.

CrunchBase Information

AT&T

Information provided by CrunchBase

The Samsung Mobile Galaxy S Launch Party – [fun events]

Zev Mo — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:59:16 +0000

Ramon Nuez and I were fortunate enough to attend the Samsung launch party, where we got a sneak peek of the new line of Galaxy S mobile devices. There were celebrities, there were musicians, there were cameras, there were little tiny hamburgers, and of course there was tech.

Samsung Mobile released 4 brand new phones:

Each phone has its own individual flavor. Samsung has a long tradition of well crafted technology, and you can see that they take their mobile market seriously, and with great pride.

Another Android Phone?

Yeah, yeah, I know what you are saying. Geez, it’s like another one is going to come out NEXT week! Ultimately, this is what is most annoying about this platform. So many phones, so many manufacturers, so much confusion. I agree with you.

HOWEVER, this can also be a good thing in the long run. Actually, a really GOOD thing. We haven’t reached the over-diversity peak of the scale yet, but we are getting there. Samsung realized that and offered 4 models that offer you the best of the Android platform, and will compete or exceed the specs of any of the other Android mobile devices out there.

Whether it be the amazing Super AMOLED screen, their TouchWiz user-interface, the custom TouchWiz apps (like Daily Briefing, Social Hub, Remote Control, etc.), hummingbird processor, or simply the quality design, you can bet that Samsung is now leading in this platform.

Which one, which one…

Look, it all comes down to your carrier. Personally, the Verizon Fascinate is my favorite, followed by the thin T-Mobile Vibrant, but I really would liked to have seen a forward facing camera like the Epic 4G has.

The Epic 4G has a physical keyboard, which I personally think is a waste of space since the on-screen Swype software (shipped as default) is a really good input method.

The AT&T Captive looks a little like the Blackberry Storm 2, and is a perfectly good device, I just like the styling of the other two.

Is it perfect?

No device is perfect, and each person has their own needs. So, this is where I wished for all phones in one.

For me, I would have liked an LED flash on the back, and a forward facing camera on all of the devices. One thing to note, Samsung made a point in removing the trackball/trackpad on most Android phones, to make way for the larger screen. I say, hurrah! Manufacturers have to push Android to be a truly touch-screen interface… no ‘mice’ needed.

As far as Parental Controls, again, Android fails to deliver. I am waiting to see if Android 2.2 or 3.0 will be adding any major changes to this shortfall.

Just try one

If you are looking for a new phone, I suggest you take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S line. The speed, screen, interface, and design are really sweet advances to the existing line of available Android smart devices.

More Information:

Samsung Mobile Introduces the U.S. to the Galaxy S – Ramon Nuez (Huffington Post)

Check out our pictures from the evening:

[flickrset id="72157624270881191" thumbnail="square" overlay="true" size="medium"]

[starreviewmulti id=3 tpl=20]

Ford Sync Making Your Car A Hot Spot

Ramon B. Nuez Jr. — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:01:05 +0000

Back in November I wrote a post on Ford SYNC. In the article I explained how absolutely fantastic the technology is and that I was able to demo Ford SYNC. I was speechless and could not really think of anything that SYNC needed to make it better. Well, to be honest, I thought how cool would it be if SYNC had WiFi. That would be an absolute industry game changer? Just think – why would you ever use your cell phone minutes if you can make WiFi calls through an application like Skype. I am sure Skype and Ford are having talks, right now, if they are not they really should be. Integrating Skype into Ford SYNC would be a great marriage of services.

From what I gather the WiFi feature will be available in the next SYNC update; which is sometime next year. SYNC will utilize your USB mobile broadband modem; i.e. Sprint Mobile Broadband USB Modem. SYNC will also secure your mobile Hot Spot by using a secured wireless protocol (WPA2). That is it folks – Ford charges you no subscription fee’s.

The Ford press release: PRNewswire

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –

Next-generation SYNC(®) system to incorporate in-car WiFi system powered by customer’s USB mobile broadband modem, turning entire car into hot spot

New capability will be standard on select SYNC-equipped vehicles with no additional hardware or subscriptions required beyond the user-supplied mobile broadband modem

Standard WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) security protocols will be in force, and only owner-permitted devices will be able to access the network, helping ensure secure, robust connectivity for in-car users

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) will turn vehicles into rolling WiFi hot spots when it introduces the second generation of its popular SYNC(®) in-car connectivity system next year.

Inserting an owner’s compatible USB mobile broadband modem – sometimes called an “air card” – into SYNC’s USB port will produce a secure wireless connection that will be broadcast throughout the vehicle, allowing passengers with WiFi-enabled mobile devices to access the Internet anywhere the broadband modem receives connectivity.

“While you’re driving to grandma’s house, your spouse can be finishing the holiday shopping and the kids can be chatting with friends and updating their Facebook profiles,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “And you’re not paying for yet another mobile subscription or piece of hardware because Ford will let you use technology you already have.”

Studies by the Consumer Electronics Association show that as many as 77 million adults make up the so-called technology enthusiast drivers population, more than half of whom express the desire for a connected communications and information system in their vehicles. Even among the general population, more than one third of Americans would be interested in the ability to check email and access Web sites in their vehicles.

Upgradeable and secure

The USB port provided by SYNC lets owners leverage a variety of devices, including the mobile broadband modem. And through simple software updates, SYNC can be adapted to connect with the latest devices.

“The speeds with which technology is evolving, particularly on the wireless front, makes obsolescence a real problem,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford’s Connected Services Solutions Organization. “We’ve solved that problem by making SYNC work with just about any technology you plug into it. By leveraging a user’s existing hardware, which can be upgraded independent of SYNC, we’ve helped ensure ‘forward compatibility’ with whatever connectivity technology comes next.”

The SYNC WiFi capability is a simple solution for bringing internet into the vehicle, versus competitive systems on the market. Being factory-installed, the hardware is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle, whereas competitor’s systems are dealer-installed and require a bulky bolt-in receiver and transmitter that take up cabin space. Also, competitive systems cost approximately $500 for equipment and installation, not to mention the monthly subscription fee.

“Using SYNC with existing mobile devices helps Ford provide the most value, the most flexibility and the most convenience for owners,” said Fields. “Constant connectivity is becoming a routine part of our customers’ lives, and we’re making existing technology more accessible without adding costs: That’s the kind of value Ford drivers have learned to expect.”

Using the SYNC WiFi system, a signal will be broadcast throughout the vehicle. Default security is set to WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), requiring users to enter a randomly chosen password to connect to the Internet. When SYNC sees a new WiFi device for the first time, the driver must specifically allow that device to connect, preventing unauthorized users from “piggybacking” on the SYNC-provided signal.