The Novatel MiFi 2200

The MiFi 2200 is a compact device, weighing 2 ounces and measuring 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.4 inches. It has a single power on/off button, and its faux metal front goes well with any mobile Apple product. It connects wirelessly with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. You don�t need it with a 3G-enabled iPhone, but MiFi will bring broadband Internet connectivity to your iPod touch, a non-3G iPad, and other non-3G devices. You can even create a mini-LAN and piggyback off the MiFi�s 3G connection.

Setting up MiFi is straightforward: On your iPad or other WiFi device, go to your network/wireless settings and enter the SSID of the unit and the password. My unit had that information on a sticker on the bottom, but the SSID was wrong. Fortunately, my iPad found the correct SSID when it did a search, and within seconds, I was connected and back in business.

There are some downsides to the MiFi approach. Although it�s tiny, it�s still another device you have to carry around with you. It�s powered by a rechargeable battery that will give you about 4 hours of use and 40 hours of standby. If you plan on using it longer than 4 hours, you�ll have to carry its micro-USB charger with you. (You can use it indefinitely when connected to the charger.) You can also plug the MiFi into the USB port of a computer, but then only that computer can go online. Finally, although the device itself is inexpensive, the data connection is not.

Verizon (verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband) offers the MiFi for as little as $50, but to get that price you have to sign up for a two-year contract ($60/month for the 5GB data plan or a $40/month for the 250MB data plan). Sprint (shop.sprint.com/en/shop, select the �Mobile Broadband Cards� link) offers the MiFi with �Instant Savings� and a mail-in rebate that make it free. You still have to sign up for a two-year contract, and the To summarize, the price of the MiFi 2200 really isn�t the issue�the cost of the data plans is! Over the life of a two-year contract you could end up spending $960-$1,440 for the 3G data service.

Source of Information : IPhone Life November-December 2010