iBox2Go trumpets portable Sprint EV-DO router

It's not like we haven't seen truckloads of portable WiFi routers before, but iBox2Go seems pretty jazzed up about its iteration. The dubiously named HotSpot in a Box arrives in a relatively large case that's sure to make avid travelers scratch their heads, and looks to include Sprint's Novatel U727 EV-DO card along with all the required cabling. Consumers can select from a trio of routers: the iB100 features USB only and a single Ethernet port, the iB300 adds PCMCIA and the iB500 tacks on an ExpressCard slot, 802.11n support and three more RJ-45 ports. Reportedly, each unit can handle up to ten simultaneous connections, and you can grab one now for $249.99, $199.99 and $349.99, respectively. Oh, and click on through for a video chock full of enthusiasm about this thing.

[Erwos @ Jan 22nd 2008 9:37AM]

What frequent traveler would want to bring a case that huge with them? Methinks they need a redesign, fast.

[SirWalksAlot @ Jan 22nd 2008 10:13AM]

Who? Me. I would *love* to own one of these, even if it was the size of Paris Hilton's 16th birthday cake.

[jalapeno @ Jan 22nd 2008 10:27AM]

I think they are using the same modem as the Cradle Point people, and it seems the Cradle Point router also allows the use of an EVDO phone in addition to the modems, might be worth checking out as a point of comparison.

http://www.cradlepoint.com/techsupport/ctr350support.php

[Jamie @ Jan 22nd 2008 10:36AM]

Looks like a NIC in a box to me... ;)

[Uluman @ Jan 22nd 2008 5:58PM]

Did you notice the wifi bars/signals are weak (only 2 small bars) when he goes to the view available WIFI networks, even though, the laptop is next to the router. Imagine when you move away from it 10ft. :-), there you have it. Not all good things come in a shiny metallic box.

[RevAaron @ Jan 22nd 2008 10:59AM]

I've often wondered- is there anyway to use an EV-DO WM6 phone to do this? That is, allow my Qwest Mogul/HTC 6800 to take its EV-DO TCP/IP connection and share it with another device via wifi, acting as an access point. This would let a lot of devices get online through my phone that otherwise can't. Something I often could've used, but sort of hard to Google for.

Similarly, does anyone of something along those lines being worked out for the iPhone by homebrewers? Take the TCP/IP EDGE connection and share it through the iPhone's wifi. For me, the lack of the ability to use the iPhone as a modem, as a device to get online with my computer via BT is a showstopper.

I used to have an app on my Newton 2100 that came in handy during a few emergencies... I had a modem for my Newton, but not for my desktop, and a handy app just routed between the Newton's port to the modem; the G4 tower then had a serial to USB adapter. It was slow as hell, but better than not having any net access whilst I waited for the cable to get connected! :)

[B-Rock @ Jan 22nd 2008 12:11PM]

RevAaron,

This may be what you are looking for:
http://lifehacker.com/342270/turn-your-windows-mobile-phone-into-a-wi+fi-router-with-wmwifirouter

Here is the actual software:
http://www.jongma.org/WMWifiRouter/

Good luck,
-B

[Karim @ Jan 22nd 2008 12:15PM]

"How do I share my smartphone connection" is actually a common question. There was a news item a few weeks ago about a free app for WM6 that shares the cellular data connection over WiFi:

http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/2007/12/use-a-3g-window.html

http://www.jongma.org/WMWifiRouter/

As for the iPhone, I understand one can do the same thing, if you don't mind jailbreaking your iPhone:

http://cre.ations.net/blog/post/tether-your-iphone

The question is WHY. :-) The EDGE connection is already painfully slow, and you want to share it with "friends?" Are these friends you want to KEEP? LOL

[john @ Jan 22nd 2008 12:28PM]

I don't think you guys did your homework on this one. The iB100 is just a re-branded CradlePoint CTR. The iB500 is just a re-branded Kyocera. If you click on the "tech specs", the title for each device says the maker, and the details say which model number.

Given that you've covered things like the Cradepoint before, it seems that this story is really just about "packaging".

[lexirory @ Jan 22nd 2008 1:19PM]

The website was up last week and I found it while searching for a router. I already have one, and I love it! The iB100 is very small (about 7 in x 6 in), and easy to carry around. I don’t have to dig through my laptop bag anymore, and everything I need is in the box.

[john @ Jan 22nd 2008 2:12PM]

Is there a reason you went with the iB100 (re-branded Cradepoint CTR) instead of a Cradlepoint PHS? (same general device, but the PHS has a built in battery, so you're truly mobile)

I've been looking at the CTR for about 3 or 4 months, and the PHS since it was announced 1.5 months ago.

[lexirory @ Jan 22nd 2008 3:36PM]

I was specifically looking for the CTR350, because it is smaller and has an ethernet port. It is actually a wan port, but the new firmware makes it an ethernet port, too. The battery for the PHS300 only lasts 2 hrs max, and I can get a battery pack for the CTR350 that lasts a lot longer.

[ScooterDe @ Jan 22nd 2008 2:45PM]

lol
first, he uses ibox2go to buy ibox2go, then he packs it up without the power brick. Clever.