CradlePoint reveals PHS300 portable hotspot

Merely months after cranking out the CTR-350, CradlePoint has upped the ante with the even more portable PHS300. This bugger enables a selection of handsets and USB cellular modems to create a "personal WiFi hotspot," and unlike its sibling, this one sports a built-in Li-ion to keep the connection alive (for a few hours, anyway) where there's no AC outlet in sight. Furthermore, you'll find WEP / WPA security features, an integrated firewall and the ability to charge up your phone via USB if necessary. Sound like just the thing you need? If so, you can drop your pre-order in now for $179.99 and patiently await the December 20th ship date.

[Via The Boy Genius Report]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 9th 2007 9:37AM]

Does anyone else remember looking for a phone line to plug into?

Man this stuff is cool. :D

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 9th 2007 9:53AM]

I remember!

Years ago, when computerized budgeting was new (at least the data entry part), setting up 10 temporary phone lines in a conference room to allow 10 power pc based macs access to the mainframe. I bet the lines are still up there in the drop sealing.

The next year was so much better dragging in a hub and connecting through the 56K frame relay (at least for me, the bugeteers hated it).

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 9th 2007 11:36AM]

i am SO GETTING THIS!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 9th 2007 11:54AM]

Is there an equivalent for AT&T networks? (Non-EVDO, but EDGE / HSDPA?)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 9th 2007 3:10PM]

I've been in touch with cradlepoint a few times over the last few months (great guys). They said that they might add some GSM family drivers at some point (and they release firmware updates to accommodate that) .. but, no firm commitment.

As much as I'd rather pay $50/mo for T-mobile once they go 3G, I might just get one of these and go with Sprint for $60/mo ($50 if you can get SERO).

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 9th 2007 12:20PM]

if you've got a Windows Mobile device with wifi then you can host a wifi network off your net connection without this device. have a look at http://www.jongma.org/WMWifiRouter/

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 9th 2007 1:17PM]

NICE! Thanks for pointing that out.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 9th 2007 3:07PM]

As much as I hate windows, that's an excellent project. I hope it catches on enough to get other phone operating systems to develop similar features. (kudos to the developers if they happen to read this)

[Wwhat Posted Dec 10th 2007 3:08AM]

Don't phones have that default yet? I'm surprised.