Today, Clear introduced the ‘iSpot’, a 4G WiFi access point for Apple portable devices. It has a month-to-month $25 unlimited data plan. On sale today for $29 + monthly charge.
Seems like it is $100 less than a 3G iPad and offers unlimited data.
Anyone thinking of this?
The biggest problem is it only has a WiMax radio in it (besides the WiFi radio it obviously has). So you can only use it with Clear’s WiMax network, which only covers about 1 in 6 people in the US? No 3G to fall back on. In my experience when they claim you can expect 3 Mbps you can really expect well under 1 Mbps. They say you can connect a bunch of iOS devices to it, although I don`t really understand why you would want to… but if you did you’d be spreading very little bandwidth between all of them.
And iPhones require cellular data plans so you’re not saving any money vs. your iPhone, and only iOS devices can connect. So that leaves iPad. Personally I wouldn’t want another big bulky thing to carry around just to connect an iPad to. I don’t have an iPad, actually, but I do have an iPhone, which requires a data plan, and a Macbook Pro. But neither of them would do me any good. So it’s a big white thing that you carry around to get Internet on your little iPad if you’re in Clear’s WiMax regions?
It’s an interesting idea but seems pretty poorly executed and limiting it to only iOS devices and not including a 3G radio makes it pretty much useless, in my opinion.
Just bought one of these, but WiMax is coming to O-town here in the next month or two.
Price is right, and the no-contract no activation fee pricing is pretty good.
I’m not really trying to save money on my data plan w/ my i-devices, but since I’m not cool enough to have the unlimited data plan, I can connect this up and go crazy. A little mac spoofing also solves the no- non-idevice limit too.
Well, wouldn’t this thing work with an iPod touch? iSpot + iPod touch = iPhone without a monthly cellular plan.
iSpot + iPod touch + Skype = Substitute Cellphone for a small minority of people who live in certain areas, don’t want/need e911, etc.
Do want! Except, you know, not American.
Every cell carrier is coming out with those mobile internet sticks these days, I want one that can work with my Touch.
Order is in. Arrives tomorrow.
The $29 into price was too good to pass up. If it does not work out, I’ll just cancel the monthly and eBay the iSpot - bound to get most if not all of the $29 back.
Will also try the MAC address spoof on my laptop.
Will report back tomorrow if anyone is interested.
Right. I sort of completely forgot that iPod touch was something that existed once iPad was released. But absolutely it is. Good point.
Works as advertised. I’m getting 6/1 mbps at home, have not tried roaming around.
Laptop worked with standard configuration. I don’t think that will last. I expect that the device will be remotely locked as my order is processed through their system.