| The newest device to enter the market looking | | | | iPod Touch, Nintendo Wii, TiVo, and have another |
| for a portion of your broadband-bucks is the MiFi | | | | wireless slot still available for a friend. |
| (pronounced "my-fye") Intelligent Mobile Hotspot | | | | Just slightly larger than five credit cards stacked |
| from Verizon Wireless. Priced at around $99 (with | | | | together, the Verizon Wireless MiFi is small and |
| new 2-year contract), the MiFi is pricey, but within | | | | attractive. You can easily keep it in your pocket |
| reach for those looking to expand their mobile | | | | of purse, which makes this great for grab-n-go |
| broadband network. | | | | with your kids. Imagine a family road trip where |
| The MiFi's main difference from traditional external | | | | your teenage kids are using their Internet, iPod, |
| USB and Broadband devices is that it has dual | | | | and you can keep up travel advisories and |
| abilities, half modem and half wireless router. After | | | | weather along the way. All simultaneously, and all |
| activation the MiFi 2200 will work as a modem | | | | based on the one single device-your MiFi. |
| when it's connected to a computer, or a router | | | | Data plans are different than the standard mobile |
| when disconnected. In modem mode it provides | | | | broadband plans, so make sure you know what |
| an Internet connection to only the computer to | | | | you're getting. The most notable difference is that |
| which it is physically connected. | | | | there is not option for unlimited date transfer. |
| In router mode, however, the MiFi connects to | | | | Currently, Verizon is offering two plans: either $40 |
| the Internet and shares that connection wirelessly | | | | for 250MB a month or $60 for 5GB month, |
| with up to five other Wi-Fi enabled devices. This | | | | (overage charges are 5 cents and 10 cents per |
| mode works just like any other Wi-Fi hotspot | | | | MB for the $60 and $40 plans, respectively). |
| allowing wireless devices to pick up its signal | | | | The bottom line is that if you're looking for |
| automatically. A very cool feature to have, now | | | | cell-based mobile Internet, the MiFi Intelligent Mobile |
| that so many devices around the house are wi-fi | | | | Hotspot from Verizon Wireless is a great option |
| compatible. Connect your laptop, along with your | | | | to consider. |