New Cradlepoint firmware turns MiFi into -- wait for it -- a 3G WiFi router

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 10th 2009 at 1:34PM

You might imagine that Cradlepoint's feeling a bit of heat since Novatel released its fantastic MiFi series, since the whole idea behind Cradlepoint's gear is to turn 3G modems into WiFi access points. It's cool, though, Cradlepoint managed to find a tricky angle: you can't charge the MiFi, use it as a USB modem, and have WiFi enabled at the same time! We still think we'd stare, point, and laugh if we were walking through an airport and saw some dude with these two cute little boxes tethered to one another, but we've got to admit that this is a pretty big Achilles' heel that Cradlepoint's managed to solve here; all it takes is a firmware update for your Cradlepoint, and voilà, you've now got MiFi compatibility.

Filed under: Peripherals, GSM, EDGE, EV-DO, HSDPA, UMTS, CDMA, HSUPA

Tags: 3g router, 3gRouter, cradlepoint, firmware, mifi, novatel, router, update, upgrade, wifi

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

carcomptoy @ Jul 10th 2009 1:42PM

Is it a hardware issue that it can't broadcast WiFi while being charged, or a firmware issue? Because, if the latter, I would imagine it'd be better and easier waiting for an update...

Neutral

jonshipman @ Jul 10th 2009 1:55PM

It can broadcast wifi while being charged - but you can't use it as a USB modem while being changed and have the wifi on a the same time.

Neutral

James villan @ Jul 10th 2009 2:21PM

actually the cradlepoint wifi router is only sold if a cust wnts a regular aircard and after decides he wnts wifi on the aircard....big differences are the mifi has the capability of blocking users and be pasword protected so if u dnt wnt people using ur 5gig cap of broadband u can block them....cradlepoint it jst makes the regular aircard,usb card or xpress card into a wifi stop, to password security so any 1 can tap to ur internet conection so watch out for ur 5 gigs lol

Neutral

Kiteless @ Jul 10th 2009 5:52PM

If the CTR-500 (Pictured above) is anything like my battery powered PHS-300 you infact can setup mac filtering, password protection and of course WEP/WPA and all the other normal 802.11 stuff.

I have the Mifi 2200 to replace the PHS-300 and V740 wireless card combo, but when I am on Wifi with the MiFi it disconnects constantly. Sometimes it fine and other times it is disconnecting and reconnecting every few minutes. This is not to be confised with going dormant. I am strongly considering returning the unit and just going back to my Cradlepoint. But the MiFi has almost 4 hours of battery life over the about 3 my PHS-300 has.

- K

Highly Ranked

jason @ Jul 11th 2009 12:41AM

I don't get it.

So, if I've got a Mifi, charging or not, why would I want to use it as a USB modem? Why on earth wouldn't I just charge it and use it as a wifi router???

This really sounds like a solution in search of a problem...

Neutral

Marc Garrett @ Jul 21st 2009 5:20PM

The other big advantage of the Cradlepoint (over the Mifi 2200) is that if you have a USB connect card that has a slightly older unlimited data plan you're gold. All of the MIfi and new air card plans have a 5GB monthly cap. If you do have an unlimited data plan, having the a USB connect modem plus the Cradlepoint is awesome. Hello Live TV on IPhone.