What is MiFi??

MiFi is a line of compact wireless routers produced by Novatel Wireless that act as mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. MiFi stands for 'My Wi-Fi'. The MiFi can be connected to a mobile phone (cellular) carrier and provide internet access for up to 5 devices. The MiFi works at a distance up to 10 m (30 ft) and will provide internet or network access to any WiFi enabled peripheral device.

The first MiFi device was introduced in the U.S. in May 2009 by Novatel Wireless and Novatel owns a registered trademark on the "MiFi" brand name in the U.S. The Novatel MiFi is also marketed as such in the Netherlands, Egypt, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico.However, in the United Kingdom, mobile operator 3 owns the "MiFi" trademark and markets a similar device from Huawei under the name.

MiFi (and MiFi-like) devices

MiFi 2200 from Novatel Wireless forVerizon Wireless

Novatel MiFi 2200

• Limited to 5 Wi-Fi clients such as laptops, cameras, gaming devices and multimedia players; with the exception of manually editing the devices config file to allow more clients.
• May be connected to a computer via a MicroUSB connection, though doing so disables the Wi-Fi networking, converting the device into a traditional single-client modem. (However, CNET has introduced a tweak to charge the device over USB while maintaining its functionality.)
• Includes GPS unit, which is usable on some networks (Virgin) and not on others (Verizon).
• Uses 3G data network (CDMA 1xEVDO RevA).

Novatel MiFi 23xx series

Same functionality as 2200, plus:

• Accepts SD card for in-device shared media storage.
• Uses 3G data network (MiFi 2352: HSUPA/HSDPA 900/1900/2100 MHz, MiFi 2372: HSUPA/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 MHz; both support GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz).

Novatel MiFi 33xx series

Same functionality as 23xx series, plus:

• Linux-based MiFi OS with widgets:
• Messages: perform SMS-based messaging actions such as reading, writing, sending and receiving SMS messages
• Data Usage: track MiFi data usage in home and roaming networks
• GeoSearch: leverage the GPS functionality of the MiFi to display a map of the local area, search the local area, display the search results on the map
• Weather: fetch weather data for the current and defined locations
• MiFi DLNA Server: start, stop and configure the MiFi DLNA server

4G MiFi devices

The Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show 2011 saw the introduction of two new 4G capable MiFi devices from Novatel:

• Verizon Wireless featured the 4510L model, which will connect to Verizon's new LTE 4G network, expected to support 5–12 Mbps download and 2–5 Mbit/s upload.
• Sprint featured the MiFi 4082, a WiMAX version.

Both devices maintain backward compatibility with existing 3G networks. Other features include:

• MiFiOS with widget support
• MicroSD card slot
• GPS receiver
• 4 hour battery life
• Front panel status display using E Ink technology. The front panel display shows battery, signal strength and number of connected devices. The difficulty of viewing such information was seen as a major shortcoming of earlier MiFi devices.