4G, or WiMax as it’s better known in Korea, has yet to arrive on the iPhone.  Here’s hoping for the iPhone 5, but a long shot, especially considering that rumors point to a larger screen and slightly improved form factor, one that isn’t hopefully far less fragile.

The Egg is a case for the iPhone 4 that provides the iPhone 4 with 4G connectivity.  It also sports a built-in battery that adds up to 5 hours of ultra high speed web surfing.  However, added bulk will be the biggest caveat of this device, since it adds up to 8mm of thickness and weighs 2.4oz.  Is 4G connectivity really worth that price?

It’s available now for about $120.

Read

The HTC Evo Shift 4G makes a showing on Walmart site’s, and with the occasion we find out for sure that it will be running Android 2.2, while its screen is smaller than the Evo 4G’s, with 3.7 inches instead of 4.3, and a five megapixel camera that stacks poorly against the Evo 4G’s comparatively high end eight.

But the WiMAX enabled slider will get a processor upgrade, to a 800MHz Snapdragon identical to the one found on T-Mobile’s G2. Matching the upgrade is a downgrade in the form of a missing front camera.

Shipping is planned for January 9th, and a Radio Shack flyer pits the price at $150 with a plan.

Read

Wouldn’t it be nice to surf the net on your laptop from home and any where you roam without the exuberant fees and data caps? Well, now you can thanks to Clear.

They’re now selling a 4G modem/router for the home that connects to their WiMax network for $120.  Monthly service plans start at $35 and the modem provides the latest in WiFi connectivity (802.11N) as well as Ethernet ports for any boxes that aren’t wireless.

As with all their data plans you’ll receive unlimited usage.  Opt for the “Base Home” $35/month plan and you’ll be limited to a download speed of 1.5mbps and an upload speed of 500kbps.  Alternatively, you could spend an extra $10 to remove the bandwidth cap, or if you spring for the $60/month plan, “Take Two: Home + On-The-Go”, you’ll receive no download cap, a 1mbps upload limit and service any where you go with your laptop. 

We’re not sure what the actual download speeds of Clear’s network are today, but they claim a 3 to 6mbps average with a burst speed of 10mpbs.  That’s on par with my cable provider’s (Time Warner) speeds, which I pay $35/month for.

Make sure you checkout the coverage map and other data options.

Read

Clearwire today launched the nation’s first pay as-you-go WiMax service, Rover.  It’s the first of it’s type and for either $5/day, $20/week or $50/month you can surf the net at ultra high speeds anywhere you go, that is assuming coverage is available in your area.  The Rover doesn’t support 3G connectivity so your SOL in the event that 4G coverage is lost or doesn’t exist in your area.

There are two hardware options to choose from: the Rover Stick and the Rover Puck.  The Rover Stick is for personal use and is a simple USB type modem.  The Rover Puck however, which costs $50 more ($99.99 vs $149.99) not only provides WiMax service but is a mobile hotspot for up to 8 users.

The Rover Stick and Rover Puck are available starting today.

Clearwire Introduces Rover: Instant Gratification to the Internet Addicted

Nation’s First Pay-As-You-Go 4G Mobile Broadband Service
Unlimited Usage for Just $5/day, $20/week, $50/month
Redefines “Friends with Benefits” with Rover Puck(TM)
Rover Stick(TM) Available for Those With Commitment Issues
KIRKLAND, Wash., Aug 30, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR) today unveiled Rover(TM): the nation’s first pay-as-you-go 4G mobile broadband service for tech-savvy Gen Y customers. The Rover brand is designed for digitally addicted youth who refuse to settle for long-term contracts, overpriced internet service, or speeds slower than what they’ve become accustomed to at home.

Rover is available in all of Clearwire’s 49 4G markets across the U.S. at rover.com. Rover is also available at CLEAR stores, Best Buy stores and select independent wireless dealers in Houston and St. Louis.

“Simple, commitment-free wireless services are wildly popular with the Gen Y crowd, and Rover provides them with the first pay-as-you-go unlimited mobile internet offering at 4G speeds,” said Mike Sievert, chief commercial officer for Clearwire. “We’ve built Rover from the ground up with products, pricing and features designed specifically to serve a younger market who knows how you get connected is just as important as where. Expanding our offers to meet this underserved segment is an important new business opportunity for Clearwire as we continue to extend our leadership in mobile broadband.”

“The opportunity for pay-as-you-go mobile broadband should not be underestimated,” said Carrie MacGillvray, program manager and wireless analyst at IDC. “Prepaid – or pay-as-you-go – data provides an option for consumers to experiment with the power of mobile broadband without being saddled with a two-year commitment. A prepaid mobile broadband service can offer consumers the ability to access and share Internet service, at home or on the go, in an affordable way.”

PUCKS AND STICKS

Friends with Benefits

Rover’s flagship device is the Rover Puck: an ergonomically designed portable Wi-Fi hotspot that lets you share broadband access, or “Puck”, with up to eight devices at home, out on the town or nearly anywhere the feeling strikes you. The Rover Puck can easily slip into a purse or backpack and serve as an on-the-go broadband access point for devices such as laptops, netbooks, the iPad(TM), the iPod touch(R), smartphones, PSP(R) systems, game consoles, and Wi-Fi enabled digital cameras, among others. Users have the option to connect up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously.

The Rover Puck features mobile download speeds of three to six mbps, with bursts over 10 mbps (up to 4x faster than conventional 3G), using Clearwire’s 4G network. The Rover Puck is available today for $149.99 (plus tax).

Going Solo

The Rover Stick(TM) is a personal 4G USB modem that connects any notebook, laptop or desktop to the Rover 4G Service. The Rover Stick is compatible with MacBook(R) and MacBook(R) Pro laptops using Mac OS X, as well as netbooks and notebooks running Windows(R) XP, Windows Vista(R) and Windows(R) 7. Offering the same super-fast internet speed as the Rover Puck, the Rover Stick is available today for $99.99 (plus tax).

No Commitment Issues

New users receive two free days of service to ensure Rover’s metro-focused 4G coverage fits their mobile lifestyle. Rover has a 14-day no-hassle return policy for any device purchases made on rover.com or in CLEAR stores.

Rover is priced at $5/day, $20/week, or $50/month for unlimited 4G internet usage. Depending on the retail channel, customers will be able to purchase a Rover Re-Up PIN code or physical Rover Re-Up card in $20 or $50 denominations. Rover Re-Up is available online at rover.com, at all retail outlets carrying the Rover Puck or Rover Stick, as well as at Rover Re-Up specific retail locations. Rover does not require a credit card to activate service and is designed to bring broadband internet to a new audience.

GENERATION Y

The Rover brand is designed for a demographic that has grown up in a wireless world. They manage their life through the internet, and their devices signify status. Rover provides products and service to meet their need for all things internet.

“Rover’s target audience has never known life without internet. They love their devices and they want as much speed and capacity as possible, without the limits and commitments of most mobile options,” said Seth Cummings, GM, Rover. “Rover offers iconic devices along with straight-forward pricing, and plans where unlimited truly means unlimited. It is not in Rover’s DNA to be constraining, confusing or complex.”

MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Launch campaign

Rover’s initial communications will showcase the dramatic ways in which 4G mobile broadband can change human behavior in previously unimagined ways. More information is available at www.evology.com.

Life @ 4G

Rover.com invites users to experience “Life @ 4G.” Rover-sponsored athletes and music artists will be profiled, showing how Rover influences their careers and lives as they live Life @ 4G. Sporting a Rover wingsuit, base jumper JT Holmes, who travels up to 150 mph during freefall proximity flying, lives life with the Rover Puck and no strings attached.

Rover Activity Badges

Rover believes in loyalty, and will introduce a badging system that rewards users for participating in Rover activities. For example, the “Trendsetter” badge recognizes early adopters of Rover in each market, and the “Friends with Benefits” badge acknowledges users who refer friends to the Rover service. Badges have become wildly popular on location-based apps and are expected to resonate with the youth consumer and motivate usage.

THE BIG PICTURE

4G Network of Networks

Rover is the newest brand connected to the Clearwire 4G network, joining brands which include CLEAR(R), Sprint 4G, Comcast High-Speed 2Go, Time Warner Cable Roadrunner 4G, Best Buy Connect and Cbeyond. Today, the Clearwire 4G “network of networks” is available in select cities throughout the United States, where approximately 56 million people live.

Detailed coverage maps of service availability can be found at www.rover.com/coverage.

For press, broadcast and bloggers: Video footage can be linked from www.youtube.com/rover4g. Product and brand images and company logos can be downloaded from the Clearwire Newsroom at www.clearwire.com/newsroom. To subscribe to Rover RSS news feed, click here.

For more information about Rover, visit www.rover.com. Clearwire company information is available at http://www.clearwire.com.

Sprint might be taking their sweet time rolling out their WiMax service, but that doesn’t mean they’ve got apprehensions about launching gear associated with the high speed wireless service.

Announced today, the Sprint Personal Hotspot PHS300S and the Cradlepoint MBR-1000 Broadband Router both accept 3G and 4G USB dongles and turn the single user broadband service into a WiFi hotspot.  The PHS300S can facilitate up to 4 users while the MBR-1000 allows up to 32 separate devices to jump aboard.

Both devices are available now for $159.99 and $249.99 respectively.

Full release after the ‘leap’

Sprint adds 4G to Mobile Broadband Router Portfolio as it Prepares to Launch 4G in More Markets

Any Wi-Fi-enabled device becomes a 4G device with new Sprint 4G Mobile Broadband Routers

Users can create Wi-Fi hotspots by connecting multiple Wi-Fi devices, such as smartphones, laptops and cameras to Sprint 3G/4G networks

Overland Park, Kan. – August 5, 2009 –The search for the elusive Wi-Fi hotspot is a thing of the past for Sprint mobile broadband customers. Instead of hunting for a coffee shop or other fixed hotspot, Sprint’s new Mobile Broadband Router products connect multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices at 3G or 4G mobile broadband speeds where Sprint 3G and 4G networks are available.

On the heels of launching the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 intelligent mobile hotspot – which allows customers to simultaneously bridge several Wi-Fi devices to America’s most dependable 3G network1 – Sprint now adds two 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Routers to its mobile broadband arsenal: Sprint Personal Hotspot PHS300S and Cradlepoint MBR-1000 Broadband Router for business, each featuring both 3G and 4G connectivity. These devices are available for use with any Sprint 3G or 4G data plan ranging from $39.99 to $79.99 per month (excluding taxes and surcharges).

Used in combination with Sprint mobile broadband devices, like the 3G/4G USB Modem U300, these Mobile Broadband Routers can simultaneously connect Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones, laptops, MP3 players, cameras, gaming devices and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the Sprint 3G and 4G networks. Used with a broadband device, The routers provide access to the turbo-charged Sprint 4G network as it continues to roll out and access to America’s most dependable 3G network virtually everywhere else. Users can enjoy secure, high-speed connections from virtually any location, whether on a family outing at the beach or doing business at a remote job site.

Sprint Personal Hotspot PHS300S supports up to four simultaneous Wi-Fi connections and Cradlepoint MBR-1000 Broadband Router for business supports up to 32 simultaneous Wi-Fi connections. Both routers will support all of Sprint 3G and Sprint 4G mobile broadband USB devices.
“These mobile broadband routers provide an unprecedented bridge to high-speed network performance for multiple Wi-Fi devices or multiple users,” said Todd Rowley, vice president, Sprint 4G. “The addition of these mobile hotspot products offers even faster connectivity speeds to Wi-Fi users without the need to find a Wi-Fi hotspot. These two new products can potentially connect the Sprint 3G and 4G networks to the hundreds of millions of Wi-Fi-enabled devices in the U.S. today.”

The ability of these Mobile Broadband Routers to be used with both 3G and 4G networks will offer added advantages for a growing number of Wi-Fi users across the country. The Sprint Now Network already features 3G speeds that are faster in more places than the AT&T network.2 As the turbo-charged Sprint 4G network continues to roll out in markets across the country, customers will be able to further optimize the performance of their Wi-Fi devices, using them to connect them with the industry’s fastest available network speeds.

Sprint Personal Hot Spot PHS300S is priced at $159.99 and available in select Sprint retail stores within Sprint 4G markets, telesales, business sales and at www.sprint.com. Cradlepoint MBR1000 broadband router is priced at $249.99 and is available via business sales, telesales and online at www.sprint.com (all prices exclude taxes).

The first and only national carrier to offer 4G wireless services, Sprint currently offers 4G in Baltimore and will launch 4G in Portland, Atlanta and Las Vegas in August. Sprint 4G provides average downlink speeds of 3-6 Mbps and peak downlink speeds of over 10 Mbps, three to five times faster than today’s 3G service from any carrier (based on average download speeds).

The following markets are included on the list to experience Sprint 4G in 2009: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Portland and Seattle. Also available for customers nationwide is the Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300, which provides the best of both worlds – the fast 3G speeds and lightning-fast 4G speeds wherever 4G is available.

For additional information on Sprint 4G mobile broadband products and plans, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

WiMax’s fate hasn’t been sealed just yet, but based on its success so far, or lack there of, I’d say that’s it demise is only a matter of time.  But contrary to popular belief Sprint is plugging ahead with their WiMax rollout, that is assuming this leaked roadmap is accurate.  Next on the list is Portland, OR, which is already seeing street team marketing in full affect, so big yellow will have some catching up to do.  As far as the remaining roll out schedule, I’m just surprised to see the list devoid of any major metropolitan coasts cities.

Read

How the Samsung Mondi Wimax enabled MID will be a success is anyone’s guess, but Samsung, via Lets Talk is now selling the device for a cool $450.  To refresh your memory, the Mondi is Samsung’s foray into the Wimax world and offers not only blazing fast connectivity speeds, but a 4.3-inch touchscreen, 4GB of storage, GPS, 3 megapixel camera, HDMI output, Bluetooth, DivX playback, Bluetooth, WiFi and a Windows Mobile 6.1 OS.   Unfortunately, Wimax is currently only available in select markets (Baltimore, Portland, Ore., Atlanta and Las Vegas) throughout the US.  If you prefer a hands on before purchase, the device is also set to go on sale August 1st at Best Buy and Clearwire stores in the aforementioned locals.

[via Sidecutreports]

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Samsung, whom is making it a habit of leaking out imagery of upcoming products but providing little to no detail, finally firmed up some details about their Wimax dedicated device, the Mondi MID.  Packed inside is a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, Windows Mobile 6.1, 4GB of RAM, slide out QWERTY keyboard, 3MP camera, GPS, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR and an HDMI out (this one seems odd).    Anyway, there is still no word on a price or street date, but since CTIA is in full swing I’m sure they’ll drop that info in the days to come.

[TFTS]

Clear Wimax has hit Portland like a kamikaze swarm of locusts in a hijacked crop dusting plane.  I recently heard a horror story testimonial of how a subscriber in Seattle last year was told by a customer service rep that they should sublet the rest of their service contract on Craig’s List if they wanted out.  Plus they said that the service was so slow it was unusable.  That was a year ago so I’m sure things have changed for the better.

Recently confirmed for a sometime in April release is the ClearWire manufactured WiMax Wifi Portable Wireless Router. The router will house up to eight 802.11 b/g-compatible devices at speeds of 4Mbs for the hot price of $139.  Bloop.  That is not taking into account your normal service fees.  As I have posted before, Oregon’s 10% unemployment rate will have a great impact on the success or failure of this service.

[Engadget]

Wooops.  Samsung slipped up today and showed off what is probably the first Wimax dedicated MID, the SWD-M100 Mondi.  Resembling the Nokia N810, the Mondi appears to have both a touchscreen and slide out keyboard – that should satisfy both ends of the spectrum – and a front facing camera for late night nefarious video chats.  Pontification appoints the Mondi to Clear’s Wimax network first, but no one really knows.

[Phonescoop]

A couple weeks back I posted on the huge Clear marketing truck driving around the streets of Portland.  As of last week, Comcast, who has invested a billion dollars in the Seattle based Clearwire, has announced they will start bundling the WiMax service.  Portland will be the first city to get the bundle come mid year.  As one of Clear’s major financial backers, Comcast will buy the WiMax service wholesale and then resell under the Comcast name.  No word on pricing and exact availability.  Doesn’t that make it harder for Clear to succeed on its own?  Hopefully I can get on a promotion when it comes out!

[OregonLive]

Clear WiMax is making a huge push here Portland, Oregon.  As the Oregon unemployment rate rises to 9.9%, Clear is hoping you’ll make the switch to save some coin.  In my opinion, it would be great to have around town and at the airport, but I need faster speeds at home for online gaming and downloading, etc.  If Clear’s speeds were higher for the price or I had the money for both it might be a different story ,but until then…enjoy the pictures of this Clear truck driving down MLK Blvd in North Portland.

Check out the pics below and you’ll ‘clearly’ see what they have going on.  Unfortunately, I was driving and what I couldn’t capture at the time was a women sitting in the front area of the mobile living room on her laptop.  Get it?

WiMax isn’t exactly breaking world records when it comes to adoption rates.   A new product from the minds of Clearwire might change that soon.  The idea, which we’ve seen before (Novatel MiFi and Huawei D100), utilizes a portable WiFi router that can accept a WiMax USB dongle.  In other words, products such as the iPhone or laptops that don’t have a WiMax chip will be able to sit within a certain proximity of the device and achieve super fast download speeds over WiFi, that is assuming WiMax escapes the confines of Baltimore.

The above product image is not final, but expect the device to cost around $125 and launch in Oregon this February.

[Sidecutreports]

WiMax may have officially launched but its far from ubiquitous. Still, though, you don’t wanna miss out on the opportunity to experience blazing fast wireless speeds virtually anywhere you go on your laptop. So what do you go with hardware wise?

Sprint’s latest USB broadband dongle, the U300, is the first of it’s type to feature both 3G and WiMax connectivity. You’ll have to throw down an extra $20/month to access to both networks ($60 for just 3G) but you’ll be ready for the future.

[Laptopmag]

It’s been not more than a week or so, and a flood of Wimax enabled products are hitting the market.  Today, Toshiba added to the mix with the introduction of their Satellite U405-ST550W Wimax laptop.  The 13.3-inch lappy sports an Intel Centrino 2 Processor, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, an eSata and USB combo port, webcam with face recognition, 320GB hard drive and a 13.3-inch LCD with TruBrite technology.

No word or price or availability

Official page here

Staying ahead of the curve, unlike their cell phone operations, Motorola unveiled the World’s first WiMax USB adapter for laptops.  The USBw 100 is available in three versions: 2.3GHz, 2.5GHz and 3.5GHz enabling worldwide compatibility with today’s approved 4G networks.  If you recall, Sprint is set to officially unveil their Wimax network next month.

The USBw 100 will be available Q4 2008.  Price is unknown.

Full release after the ‘leap’

Motorola Introduces First WiMAX USB Adaptor for Laptops

Motorola USBw 100 for 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz or 3.5 GHz bands delivers high-speed mobile broadband to laptop PCs

Fulfilling a promise of delivering high-speed, wireless broadband while on the go, Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today unveiled its first WiMAX USB adaptor, the USBw 100. This thumb-drive-sized device is available in three versions to connect to WiMAX networks in each of the three bands approved for use around the world – 2.3GHz, 2.5GHz and 3.5 GHz. The Motorola USBw 100 plugs directly into laptop computers to provide mobile and nomadic wireless broadband connectivity, both indoors and out. It is expected to be available in Q4 2008.

Motorola’s wi4 WiMAX USB adaptor has been designed with multiple antenna technology to provide reliable, high-speed connectivity in the various and unpredictable environments where users expect service, especially indoor home, business and coffee shop environments, as well as on-the-go in a mobile world. The USBw 100 delivers increased range and higher throughput when compared with single-antenna solutions. When used with Motorola’s dual antenna Diversity Access Point (DAP) / Wireless Access Point (WAP) 400 Series, both uplink and downlink performance are significantly enhanced.
The device, which easily plugs into the USB port, seamlessly connects the laptop computer to a WIMAX broadband network for reliable, easy, high-speed connection for e-mail, web surfing, video and audio streaming, GPS services, Internet phone calls and other uses.

“Our new USBw 100 adaptor will let people enjoy desktop-like performance while on the go with their laptop computers by giving them wireless connectivity to a WiMAX service provider’s broadband wireless network,” said Charles Riggle, senior director of strategy and business development, WiMAX devices, Home & Networks Mobility. “With hundreds of thousands of commercial WiMAX CPEs shipped to date, the USBw 100 is the latest addition to our portfolio of award-winning devices that are providing fixed, nomadic and mobile connectivity to our WiMAX customers around the world.”

The USBw 100 will be on display in Motorola’s booth, #601, at WiMAX World 2008. For more information on Motorola’s WiMAX solutions, please visit: http://www.motorola.com/wimax

About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications. The company develops technologies, products and services that make mobile experiences possible. Our portfolio includes communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility solutions, digital set-tops, cable modems, mobile devices and Bluetooth accessories. Motorola is committed to delivering next generation communication solutions to people, businesses and governments. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $36.6 billion in 2007. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit http://www.motorola.com.

According to a source via Gearlog, the Sprint Wimax network is already up and running.  Commercially, it’s not yet available, but Sprint and their partners have set Ocotober 8th as the official launch date.  Expect pricing and all the details next week.

[Gearlog]

By: Albert S

Sprint announced the availability of XOHM this month, starting with Baltimore then moving onto Chicago, Washington D.C, Boston, Philadelphia, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Did you catch the serious omission here? Los Angeles! Punks.

Anyways, for those of you unfamiliar with the technology, XOHM uses the 4G WiMAX network to deliver wireless hotspots across the entire city at speeds of 2-4Mbps. That’s pretty tremendous if you think about it…home broadband speeds anywhere you go? Oh, thou charmed city of Baltimore, here I come.

Read more about it here.

[engadget]

If I’m not mistaken, broadband penetration currently sits above 50% in the US. Hard to believe, but it does, at least according to the last set of reports I read. Course, this could mean these folks are sporting something over 128Kbps, which is obnoxiously slow in my book. Now, according to PCWorld, broadband penetration will hit 77% by 2012. What’s the upside of this? Perhaps the networks will begin concentrating on our connection quality versus distribution. Daily my Internet connection is problematic. It’s not that I can’t download a file at a reasonable speed, it’s that I can’t request websites quickly (talking over 50ms). The reason for the penetration will be attributable to 4G, such as Wimax.

There isn’t a ton to tell here, but WiMax, from Sprint, will be available for public use starting September 2008.  Unfortunately, it will only be available in the Baltimore area (why there, I don’t know) and hit Washington D.C and Chicago by the end of the year.

[TheRegister]