In May 2009, Novatel Wireless introduced a brand-new type of wireless access solution called MiFi for use in laptop and other mobile devices. Not all mobile devices are come with the support of 3G internet connection. But nearly all of them will come with the WiFi support. MiFi is actually a portable wireless router that lets you create a WiFi hotspot and allows your WiFi-enabled devices (e.g. laptop) to gain 3G access anywhere. With MiFi, you no longer need to hunt for WiFi hotspot or Internet cafe to connect to the Internet. Various carriers such as Verizon Wireless, 3UK, Vodafone are already offering MiFi solutions with different data plans.

With a basic understanding of MiFi, here is a great application I am going to introduce to you — MyWi. In brief, the MyWi app can easily turn your iPhone into a wireless hotspot just like what MiFi does. The app supports jailbroken iPhone only running iPhone OS 3.0 or up. It is now available via Cydia or Rock App for US$9.9.

How to Turn Your iPhone into a WiFi Hotspot

Though the app is available via Cydia, the best is install it using the Rock App. I have tried to install the app using cydia. It just doesn’t work for me. So, the below procedures will walk you through the installation process via Rock App. If you already installed Rock App on your iPhone, go straight to step 3.

1. Launch cydia and search for “Rock App”. Tap “Install” to install the app.

2. Once installed, go back to home screen. Tap “Rock” icon to launch Rock app.

3. If this is the first time you use Rock app, you will be prompted to sign up a Rock account. Simply follow the instruction and apply the account. It’s completely free.

4. Under “Rock” tab, click “MyWi” and then tap “Trial” , followed by “Confirm” button to install the application.

5. It just takes a while to complete. When done, you will be prompted to soft restart your iPhone. Tap “OK” to continue.

6. Okay, now you should have the MyWi installed on your iPhone. Tap on the “MyWi” icon to launch it.

7. When launched, accept the agreement and the MyWi notice.

8. That’s it. You are now ready to turn your iPhone into WiFi hotspot. But before that, I suggest you to enable “WEP Security” and fill in the “WEP key”. You can think of the WEP key as the password for accessing this WiFi hotspot. This can prevent unknown users to use your hotspot for accessing the Internet.

9. After that, switch the “WiFi Tethering” to ON. MyWi will then automatically initiate your iPhone as hotspot.

Note: When MyWi is enabled, it will increase the battery consumption. So, please take note.

That’s it. Now you are ready to use your iPhone as 3G modem to share the Internet connection with other WiFi devices. Say, if you have a WiFi version of iPad, you can now connect your iPad to the “Simon MyWi” WiFi network and gain Internet access via iPhone’s 3G network.

Sprint is making the case for an iPad 4G — literally, in leather with pockets for both an iPad Wi-Fi and an Overdrive (think MiFi but with WiMax speed).

The 4G Case has a pocket to house an Overdrive3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, so you can simultaneously connect your iPad™ and four more Wi-Fi enabled devices at 4G speeds anywhere within 4G coverage areas. Meaning now you can use your iPad™ for everything it was built for, and then some.

You can hook up to 5 devices to the Overdrive, and Sprint’s already suggested your iPhone be one of them. That leaves room for an iPod touch… and we guess your friends’ iPhone and iPad as well!

Any takers?

[Electronista via TUAW]

Sprint makes the case for iPad 4G. Literally. is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Sprint now joins Verizon in taking jabs at AT&T’s network and the iPhone, offering an “iPhone 4G” in their latest TV spot via their Overdrive WiMax hotspot (think 4G MiFi).

Sprint claims the best solution to AT&T’s supposedly slow 3G speed is not the next generation of iPhone (which won’t be called the iPhone 4G due to LTE networks not being deployed for a year or two yet), but rather your current iPhone connected via WiFi to their beefed up 4G WiMax network.

So, with Verizon targeting the iPad via MiFi and now Sprint going after the iPhone via WiMax (when they could be focusing on their own devices like the Droid and the Palm Pre) are they hoping to prop up the modem business by surrendering device mindshare to Apple?

Thing is, last we checked AT&T has the fastest 3G data speeds available on any US carrier and that’s good enough for us. But for those unfortunate souls out there with less than desirable AT&T service is this something that you would ever be interested in? And if you’re already tethering your iPhone to a Sprint Overdrive, what kind of speeds are you getting?

Watch the ad after the break!

[Via BGR]

YouTube link

Sprint Mocks AT&T, Offers “iPhone 4G” via WiMax Overdrive is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Verizon is looking to turn no-iPad 3G lemons in iPad Wi-Fi + MiFi lemonade by craftily counter-programming the official AT&T data plans with their own potent portable internet and router combo, says Engadget.

You’ll save $130 off the price of the iPad 3G, but a 5GB Verizon MiFi plan will run you $60 vs. “unlimited” AT&T data for $30. Then again, you can use the MiFi for more than one device (and more than one at a time).

So, is Verizon’s plan a good one? Would you consider iPad Wi-Fi + Verizon MiFi on April 3rd rather than iPad 3G on AT&T in late April?

Verizon Wants to Sell You Data for Your iPad… via MiFi is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog