Verizon MiFi and Jetpacks 4G LTE connect up to 10 devices

I have an older Verizon MiFi that connects only 5 devices. The Wi-Fi hotspot is capable of 4G LTE, but it's an older version (MiFi 4510L). It still works fine, so I'm not upgrading anytime soon.

The newer Verizon 4G LTE hotspots are capable of connecting up to 10 devices. So, if you're traveling with friends, family, or co-workers, you can get your tablets and laptops online through a single hotspot.

Here are 3 of their current models:

• Verizon Jetpack™ 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi® 5510L
• Verizon Jetpack™ 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi® 4620LE
• Verizon Jetpack™ 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot 890L

Verizon MiFi 4510L Mobile Hotspot on 3G (EVDO) & not switching to 4G (LTE)? Here's a solution.

I have a Verizon MiFi 4510L Mobile Hotspot and recently I experienced the issue where my device was stuck on 3G (EVDO) and was not switching to 4G (LTE) even though I knew that 4G service was available. The device indicator light was blinking purple/violet instead of green. This is apparently a known problem for this device. So, if your device isn't switching to 4G, it's not defective. Resetting the device won't do anything.

Here's how I got it back to 4G (LTE):

• Connect to your MiFi
• Log in to your MiFi by typing this URL into your browser: http://192.168.1.1/
• Click on "Setup Wizard"
• The default password is "admin" (unless you've changed it)
• When it asks you to set up a new password, click "cancel"
• Now you'll see that you have several new menu options at the top red horizontal navigation bar: Home, Wi-Fi, LAN, WWAN, Security, Advanced

Now, you'll want to click on WWAN -> and then go to the "WWAN Settings" at the bottom of the page.

• Under the WWAN Preferred Mode, select "LTE only"
• Then, click "apply" and the device will reboot.

My understanding is that this is a temporary fix. Therefore, you may need to do this periodically if you move into areas where you only have 3G coverage. The MiFi could have a tendency to get "stuck" in 3G mode and it needs to manually get moved back to 4G using the steps outlined above. 

Free Wi-Fi hotspot tethering on the HTC ThunderBolt 4G

Verizon Wireless has been gracious to extend the free Wi-Fi hotspot tethering on the HTC ThunderBolt 4G. So, you can continue to use your ThunderBolt as a MiFi for free until June 15. Perhaps Verizon is still trying to finalize how much it will cost to tether on their 4G LTE network.

Verizon MiFi 4510L 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot

The first 4G Mobile Hotspot on the Verizon network is the MiFi 4510L 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot.

4G is up to 10X Faster than 3G!

Features

• 4G LTE Mobile Broadband and Mobile Broadband capable
• LTE: Typical download speeds of 5–12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2–5 Mbps.
• Connect up to 5 Wi–Fi® enabled devices at one time
• MiFi 4510L does NOT support VZAccess® Manager
• Chipset: MDM9600
• 4G SIM Card compatible
• Slim, Compact size
• Integrated External Status Display
• User–Friendly Web UI: No Software to install
• High performance internal antenna
• Multi–color service state LED
• External Antenna Connector (External antenna sold separately)
• VPN Capability
• Auto–Connect
• Global Data roaming is set to ON by default

Battery Times: Usage–Up to 5hrs.

Which MiFi would you get?

I need to purchase a mobile WiFi hotspot. Which one should I get? I currently use my Droid X as a 3G Mobile Hotspot and it works fine, but I now need a dedicated WiFi hotspot.

Here are some of the ones I'm currently considering:

• Sprint Overdrive™ 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless
• Verizon MiFi™2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot
• Verizon Wireless Fivespot™ Global Ready™ 3G Mobile Hotspot
• AT&T Mobile Hotspot MiFi® 2372

Then again, I should probably wait until 4G rolls out everywhere. I also need some clarification as to whether you can use these different MiFi models when it's plugged into a power source. Some online forums appear to report that the WiFi stops if you plug the MiFi into a microUSB power supply. I think I'll have to run my own experiments so that I can find a way around that issue.

Battery life when using my Droid X as a 3G Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot

The Droid X and many other smartphones are capable of turning themselves into 3G Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspots that allow you to connect up to 5 mobile devices. When you enable this feature, you'll get a notice reminding you that this feature will drain your battery very quickly, so you should plug your phone to a power source.

A few weeks ago, I was using my Droid X every day as my personal hotspot. I was using an external battery pack, so I had the ability to recharge my battery during the middle of the day. If I didn't have that battery pack, my phone would have died by noon.

The 3G mobile hotspot on the Droid X is a great feature, but it would be nice to see a higher level of battery efficiency in these devices. The MiFi 2200 is rated to 4r hrs and the Fivespot Global Ready 3G hotspot lasts 5 hrs, so those devices aren't great either unless you're carrying a separate battery pack.

Using my Droid X as a 3G Mobile Hotspot for my iPad

Since I'm on the Verizon Network, I got an iPad that only has Wi-Fi access. Fortunately, I can use my Motorola Droid X as a 3G Mobile Hotspot so that I can get online with my iPad when I'm out and about. It's a great feature and it allows me to use my iPad without a separate 3G hotspot like the MiFi 2200 Mobile Hotspot.

I'll probably need to invest in an extended battery for my Droid X if I plan to use it as a 3G Mobile Hotspot for extended periods of time. Tethering via Wi-Fi will drain your battery quickly!

To use your Droid X as a 3G Mobile Hotspot, click on the green icon that says "3G Mobile Hotspot" and make sure that you have this feature enabled on your service plan.  It's an extra $20/month.

BlackBerry Storm 2 will launch tomorrow (Oct 21)

The rumors are true. The BlackBerry Storm 2 will launch tomorrow (Oct 21) on Verizon Wireless. Are you excited? The Storm 2 will have Wi-Fi capabilities, and it may also serve as a Wi-Fi router (similar to the MiFi).

Weekend visit to the Sprint Store

Over the weekend, I had the chance to walk around the mall with my family. Naturally, I'm drawn to all the mobile phone stores and kiosks to see all the latest and greatest smartphones that are on the market. I spent a fair bit of time at the Sprint Store playing around with the Palm Pre. I know several people who have the Pre and they seem to really like it. I admit that the device has a very appealing design. It's simple, yet sophisticated. I really enjoyed playing around with webOS. It's a sleek OS that allows you to multi-task effectively.

I also had fun playing around with the MiFi. That's a tiny portable Wi-Fi hotspot that easily slips into your pocket. Of course, if you really want to set up a Wi-Fi hotspot, you don't need the MiFi. You simply need a customized smartphone that has built-in Wi-Fi (probably need a custom ROM on that smartphone).

Sprint and the MiFi Router

So Verizon isn't the only wireless provider who is offering the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 portable EV-DO Rev A router. You can also configure a smartphone that has built-in Wi-Fi to act as a wireless router (but you may need to make some modifications to the ROM). I don't want to say that you'd have to "hack" your phone, but that's essentially what you'll have to do if you want to use your smartphone as a Wi-Fi router.

Verizon MiFi 3G Router

What, a 3G router? EV-DO speed transmitted via Wi-Fi to your notebook, ultra-mobile PC, or netbook. Consider it wireless tethering (well, you can tether using Bluetooth, so I suppose that's wireless tethering too). However, the MiFi 3G router isn't a phone. It's specifically designed to be a router. So, if you're on Verizon Wireless, you may want to consider this as a "backup" for your current Internet connection. Or, maybe you can throw a party at the beach and host Wi-Fi through your MiFi 3G router.