Verizon Mobile Hotspot on webOS devices now free, Pre Plus and Pixi Plus fall to $49.99 and $29.99

Whoa, we didn't see this one coming: Verizon just slashed the cost of its 3G Mobile Hotspot feature for the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus all the way down to $0, effectively giving you a broadband modem for your laptop, iPod touch, and up to three other devices for $60 less per month than you'd pay with a MiFi that accomplishes exactly the same function (and $50 less than any other tether-capable Verizon handset). For some, this alone could be reason enough to take the plunge and become a webOS user, we'd wager. Here's Verizon's official statement on the matter:

"Customers who purchase or upgrade to a Palm Pre and Palm Pixi will get the Mobile Hotspot for free. Existing customers who already have the service will find charges on their next bill will be $0.00."

Add that in to the fact that the Pre Plus is now $49.99 and the Pixi Plus is now $29.99, both with buy-one-get-one-free deals tacked on, and yeah... what do you want to bet there are some wide smiles over in Sunnyvale this morning?

Note: This isn't an April Fool's joke -- try pricing a Pre Plus on Verizon's site and add the Mobile Hotspot feature at checkout.

[nick1sp Posted Apr 1st 2010 4:40PM]

think this got to do with the verizon pre+ commercials? It's advertised with mobile spot like it's one of the pre's advantage. So instead of changing the commercial, they just change the plan for that one phone.

[wordnow Posted Apr 1st 2010 5:03PM]

Thanks for the tip, I just got rid of my mifi and saved some big bucks!

[NameIsDavid Posted Apr 1st 2010 5:21PM]

If this is promotional and will end, the end date will probably be when the 3G-enabled iPads come out. It's possible that Verizon is trying to entice folks waiting for that iPad to just go ahead and buy the Wi-Fi only one, since they can use their Pre hotspot function to enable connectivity instead. This steals away some potential new AT&T customers. The timing of the announcement certainly suggests this possibility.

[chini Posted Apr 1st 2010 6:39PM]

wouldn't "hotspot" be better classified as "moderately warm" spot?

1.6mb max download, typically 800kb, can't answer the phone is using as modem....pazzzzz

[sandwich2 Posted Apr 1st 2010 7:07PM]

this is prob a plan to make money off the ipad launch. Now all verizon needs is a comercial with a wifi ipad connected to the internet via palm pre mobile hot spot "for free"! When pay for a 3g ipad and another service plan when it just works free with your phone.

[Plothole Posted Apr 1st 2010 7:21PM]

Ugh, if only I didn't still have an existing contract.

[jbreez Posted Apr 1st 2010 7:22PM]

This right here makes me want to get a pre now that their much cheaper than the at&t and sprint ones... I think this will probably give them a big boost in phone sales for palm cause we all know how many people buy the cheap ass phone cause they don't wanna pay and what better phone to get for free on an upgrade than the best multi tasker out there(I've got a Nexus One, but I've always wanted to try this thing I've just never seen anyone with it).

[Jetblac Posted Apr 1st 2010 7:59PM]

'Pre'emptive Strike! What a way to eat into the iPad Market!
That upcoming AT&T only 3G iPad sounds pretty stupid now

[Giantenemycrab Posted Apr 1st 2010 8:26PM]

Wow, I guess I'm picking up a Pre Plus!

[milowerx Posted Apr 1st 2010 9:29PM]

Forgive the noob question but:
Does this allow you to use your phone essentially as a wifi router anywhere you can get cellular service?

OR does it ONLY allow you to connect to a Verizon authorized wifi hotspot connection and let 5 others use your phone to access the wifi too?

[Blkthght06 Posted Apr 1st 2010 11:40PM]

@milowerx pre plus is essentially a dhcp router that assigns ip addresses and lets client devices share your 3G connection

[LekanB Posted Apr 2nd 2010 5:47AM]

This is exactly what we need. Glad they made the first move and did something for the consumer. Yet at the same time Apple and AT&T are still not offering iPhone tethering (even for a fee)!

[pohatu771 Posted Apr 2nd 2010 11:35AM]

@LekanB iPhone tethering is all AT&T's fault - other countries have had it for almost a year now.

[pohatu771 Posted Apr 2nd 2010 11:36AM]

I just connected my computer to my Pre, and it loaded up Verizon's subscribe page, but is listing it as $40 per month.

[rykerabel Posted Apr 2nd 2010 4:13PM]

Still has the 5GB limit, which with 5 devices will take less than a week to use up and then cost you several hundred dollars for the rest of the month.

"3G Mobile Hotspot allows you to share your compatible Smartphone’s 3G connection with up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices, including notebooks, netbooks, MP3 players, cameras, PDAs, portable gaming systems and more.
Includes 5GB of data access for high-speed wireless Internet access!

Any usage above the 5 GB monthly allowance will be billed at a per-MB rate."