EV-DO Router & USB Dongle A Sign Of Change?

[Jon Westfall]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/05/sprint-announces-ev-do-router-and-usb-dongle/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/05/...and-usb-dongle/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Instead of sitting back and frowning on bandwidth hogging EV-DO to WiFi routers, Sprint has decided to jump into the game themselves with a new device made by Linksys. Accompanying the new router -- which, like current solutions, merely hosts existing PCMCIA EV-DO cards -- is a new USB dongle that brings EV-DO functionality to owners of laptops that lack PC card slots, or adventurous desktop users."</i><br /><br /><img src=http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/sprint_evdo.jpg><br /><br />It amazes me that I can use my K-JAM to give an EDGE-speed data connection to my laptop, since only 4 years ago, this was a dream I thought was a long ways away. With the upcoming release of an EV-DO router, are carriers finally coming to their senses and realizing that the data connection they stream games &amp; ringtones through could also be used for laptops &amp; desktops? Is this a sign of a shift in how carriers view the data connections they can provide over their network, or is it merely a way to get some more money out while still viewing their data networks strictly as handset (and not beyond) features?

[wshwe]

Wireless carriers fear public Wifi networks.

[ombu]

Wireless carriers fear public Wifi networks.
I wonder why ... :mrgreen:

[packetstorm]

Why would I use a 300k connection at best from Sprint if I have a 10 to 50MB WiFi connection at home and my pda supports WiFi, as well as my desktops and notebook?

[PDANEWBIE]

Why would I use a 300k connection at best from Sprint if I have a 10 to 50MB WiFi connection at home and my pda supports WiFi, as well as my desktops and notebook?

1) because your paying for 2 services some people would like 1 service and JUST need that.
2) because this is EV-DO you can use this anywhere and are not reliant on public WiFi venues...
3) Most people do not have 50MB WiFi Internet connections. once you hit the internet most people have under 8mb (theoretical) or lower.

While 1 and 2 are appealing situations to ditch wifi I have 2 major issues -

Cell coverage in areas are still not 100% so you still have pockets of problem spots where you can't use this.

Speed. They need to work on ramping up speed to be competitive with broadband before I jump on this.

[garrans]

Can somebody help me understand!

Which of the HTC Wizards allows you to use the EDGE network as a modem, either wired or via Bluetooth? Is this available for the Cingular 8125 and the US T-Mobile MDA's? (I think I have my local OEM names right.)

Thanks in advance. Steve.

[tospappy]

With verizon's broadband, bluetooth evdo phone, and bluetooth/wifi pda, I just connect to the fastest available option. It is really great and I seldom find myself without a connection until I am about three miles offshore on my sailboat. And if I am out there, I don't want to be connected anyway.

tospappy.

[Jason Lee]

Can somebody help me understand!

Which of the HTC Wizards allows you to use the EDGE network as a modem, either wired or via Bluetooth? Is this available for the Cingular 8125 and the US T-Mobile MDA's? (I think I have my local OEM names right.)

Thanks in advance. Steve.

All of the GSM HTC wizards allow this.

[jgoodman]

2) because this is EV-DO you can use this anywhere and are not reliant on public WiFi venues...


While 1 and 2 are appealing situations to ditch wifi I have 2 major issues -

Cell coverage in areas are still not 100% so you still have pockets of problem spots where you can't use this.


this is a real issue, even in Metro L.A. where I live the EVDO coverage is not 100%...it really depends where you are, if youre outside or in a building, etc, to get full throughput