3G/EVDO routers versus software solutions?

bhuether1 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

I don't quite understand the point of devices like those made by Cradle Point and others. I mean, I thought that any device such as a laptop that has an internet connection can be configured to be a wireless access point without additional hardware. It seems that this site

http://www.walkinghotspot.com/

offers one such solution for phones.

In any case, I don't want to pay for phone internet and laptop internet. Ideally, I just want to have a phone data plan and then have the phone present itself as a wifi hotspot for me to then use for connecting the laptop to the internet. I guess that is similar to tethering. So how would one of these devices allow a phone to behave any better as a wifo access point/hotspot?

thanks,

brian

verizonrocks · EVDO Junkie Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 155

Software solutions are unreliable, are not secure, does not offer load balancing, ability to connect via ethernet, spi, etc. etc. they also drain your battery quick and heat up your device:

Here are some comments from users:

I have an HTC Touch Diamond and I bought the original WMWIFIrouter package and it even has an option to run it through usb... the problem with the battery going dead even with it plugged in is that with the wifi running on your phone even if its only to recieve data from another router is that it uses enough of the phones utility to overheat the battery and it has a safety in it that makes it stop charging... the only way around it is to keep a fan on it or I also found that using an ice-pack from the freezer wrapped in paper towel to keep the moisture from the phone works good too.. but sadly even when this works if you end the program and then unplug your device it will still drop battery quickly, but to get around that you can leave it plugged in for an additional 20-30 minutes after ending the program and try not to use it during this period of time and it should keep its charge longer. or you can just use it normally if you only plan for about 30 minutes of normal web usage but the more data you use the faster your phone will heat up.. I hope this helps some of you with the battery drain problem

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I expect it to drain the battery quickly, as it coverts your device in to a WiFi access point.. Sad

but having the power run out when its charging via a USB cable is not a normal thing..

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I say that is a big reason not to use software base Smile

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As oppose a cradlepoint runs independent, you can add over 30 devices via wifi, has all the security features, wep, wpa, wpa2, has wireless b,g,n depending on the model, you can plug a cable connection, dsl connection, satellite connection, usb data card, express, card.

Compact you can get a ctr350 with a battery adapter and run the thing for 3-4 hours and connect as many devices as you can .....i.e. playstation 3, xbox live, nintendo wii, pda, psp, direct tv, sling box, dishnetwork, possibilities are endless with a cradlepoint see example here

http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1571

bhuether1 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

If the phone is plugged into a charger while acting as a wifi router, will the battery drain issue be minimized?

thanks,

brian