Today we are looking at a truly exciting product, the Novatel Wireless Intelligent Mobile Hotspot 2352 as it is known in the EU, or in the US, simply the MIFI.
If you’ve not heard of the 2352, here’s the basic concept. You purchase the device and a 3G enabled sim card. You place the aforementioned card into the ‘MIFI’ and this acts as a portable WiFi hotspot, allowing up to 5 devices to connect and share the 3G Internet broadcast from the MiFi as any normal wifi router.
The concept is brilliant, but there’s very little on the market. Fortunately, there doesn’t need to be, the MiFi is so good, you won’t need to set your sights on any other offerings.
Features
- Connects up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
- Computers, PDA’s, cameras, music players, personal and game players and more
- Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
- GPS- enabled
- Advanced internal antenna system
- NovaSpeed® capable
- Auto-install and auto-connectivity
- 10M (30 ft) range of network coverage
Set-up & Test
We had to collect the 2352 from our local delivery office and when we did, it gave us an ideal testing environment. We were obviously away from our office macs and had access only to the iPhone. We opened up the 2352 package, inserted the included LiOn battery (rechargeable – so you don’t need to fish round for AAA cells all the time!) and turned it on. Then, we realised the pass code for the 2352 is located on the battery door cover, so this was removed, duly noted and then we set the iPhone to scan for WiFi networks. Sure enough the 2352′s network appeared instantly – all this within 2 minutes of opening the box and without the need to connect to a computer.
Novatel were kind enough to include a T-Mobile UK sim card for us to test, with the company having reasonable coverage of most of the UK this made sense. We had a good connection in the built-up area whilst we tested the Novatel and we were very impressed with the device.
Connecting our Macbook to the Novatel proved just as easy – simply connecting to the 2352 and surfing away. It’s an exciting prospect to think you could literally go work anywhere you have Internet connection, in a field, in a park or in a non-wifi cafe. This device really does bring freedom to your computer use. The Novatel will really come into it’s own on a long trip, with the kids been able to use it as a mobile router and for dad who can still access news and emails on the move.
Likewise you can see how the support for up to 5 devices could empower a team of business workers on a trip to keep up on their work, plan a new project or meet in a location they had previously been unable to do so. The 2352 opens up some thrilling new concepts.
The device
Fits in the pocket…
Or a camera bag
And is no bigger than an iPhone
The actual device is smaller than a deck of cards, and would fit into just about any pocket, like below for example.
In the hand, it feels light, and the rubberized underbelly gives the product some protection when traveling from scratching and scuffing.
The topside is finished in a fingerprint attracting chrome bezel and piano gloss plastic cover. Still, it looks good, even if it stays clean for zero seconds.
There’s only 1 button on the MiFi (2 if you count the reset button) and in order to display the current activity of the router there are several colored LEDS housed within the case, 1 under the power button that lights in blue and green (to indicate the service type between EDGE and 3G) and another on the front left side that lights up a small blue WiFi button. These are invisible when turned off.
Performance
The included lion battery
We we’re very impressed with the ease of set-up on the MiFi. There’s no need to connect up to the Mac on the first boot up as our test in the car showed. Making use of 3G internet makes sense as this is pretty fast.
Performance wise, the MiFi should be set for 4 hours use and can be recharged via the included charging cable with a US and UK type fitting plug included.
Included in the box is a 2GB micro SD card that sits neatly within the 2352 and can be used to quickly transfer files between devices.
Conclusion
All in all, you can’t ask much more from this device. It frees you from the confines of a desk or an office. No longer do you have to go to Starbucks all the time to jump onto their WiFi- this gadget will allow you and 4 friends to enjoy wireless, cordless internet anywhere you go. This is one of our favourite products we’ve tested ever. We’ve never had such a simple set-up for a product that performs such a useful task. Amazing!
The Novatel 2352 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot (MIFI) is available from most major retailers online. For more information, visit:
http://www.novatelwireless.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=285:mifi-2352-intelligent-mobile-hotspot-for-hspa-networks&catid=75:mifi&Itemid=622 (EU) & US http://www.novatelwireless.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=298:mifi-2372-intelligent-mobile-hotspot-for-hspa-networks-for-north-america&catid=75:mifi&Itemid=622