Clearwire's 4G iSpot brings wireless broadband to Apple mobile devices (updated)
By Vlad Savov 
posted August 4th 2010 3:44AM
posted August 4th 2010 3:44AM
Update: We followed up with Clearwire regarding authenticating with the iSpot. We're told that "the device is configured to filter based on MAC address which allows it to ID the Apple mobile devices," which explicitly means iPhones, iPads and iPod touches only.
Clearwire Introduces iSpot™
Nation's First Dedicated 4G Support for Apple® Mobile Devices
New CLEAR iSpot Personal Hotspot Brings Unlimited Rich Mobile Broadband Experience to Apple Mobile Product Lines
Monthly Service Plans Offer High-Speed, Cost-Effective, Unlimited 4G Mobile Broadband Options for iPad™, iPod touch®, and iPhone® Data Service
KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR), a leading provider of wireless broadband services and operator of the largest 4G network in the country, today announced the introduction of the CLEAR iSpot™, a personal hotspot with dedicated support for Apple's line of mobile devices*, including the iPad™, iPod touch® and iPhone®. The iSpot brings the speed and mobility of true mobile broadband to a user base primed for the rich online experience of 4G.
"With the iSpot, Apple customers don't have to sort through confusing service plans with overage fees, nor do they have to worry about how much data they're using," said Thomas Enraght-Moony, senior vice president of marketing at Clearwire. "Instead, with CLEAR, customers can run all of their Apple mobile devices at true broadband speeds for a single, simple monthly fee."
The iSpot is CLEAR's first 4G personal mobile hotspot made exclusively for Apple mobile products, including iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices. iSpot users can share 4G speed with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled Apple mobile devices simultaneously. The CLEAR iSpot's ergonomic design and white casing were specifically designed to complement the iconic image of Apple products.
Using CLEAR super fast mobile internet® service, Apple's iPad, iPod touch or iPhone can access a rich mobile broadband experience with average mobile download speeds of 3 to 6 mbps with bursts over 10 mbps**. For example, using the CLEAR iSpot an iPad user can stream unlimited movies or television shows via the Netflix app from home, work or on the go, while an iPod user can stream Pandora® music or live sports play-by-play on the commute home.
The iSpot expands the CLEAR line of personal mobile hotspots, which includes the CLEAR Spot 4G and CLEAR Spot 4G+. With personal mobile hotspots, CLEAR provides thousands of Wi-Fi enabled devices, from laptops to netbooks to personal gaming devices the ability to access super fast mobile internet service anywhere in CLEAR coverage.
iSpot Pricing and Availability
The iSpot is available nationwide from www.clear.com today and available in CLEAR retail stores and authorized dealers beginning August 10. The iSpot has an MSRP of $99.99*** and users can enjoy unlimited 4G data usage for an initial low monthly service offering of $25*** without a required term contract. In conjunction with today's launch, new CLEAR customers can take advantage of a one-day introductory sale offering significant savings on the iSpot (and other CLEAR Spot devices) when activating qualified CLEAR mobile service. Special one-day pricing is available through August 5, online only at www.clear.com.
For more information about CLEAR, visit www.clear.com. You can also follow the CLEAR Blog at www.theclearblog.com or on twitter @Clear. Detailed company information about Clearwire is available at http://www.clearwire.com.
For press and broadcast: Product images, video footage and company logos can be downloaded from the Clearwire website at: http://www.clearwire.com/newsroom. To subscribe to Clearwire's RSS news feed, click here.
About Clearwire
Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR), through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of wireless broadband services. Clearwire's 4G network is currently available in areas of the U.S. where approximately 51 million people live, and the company plans to continue to expand its 4G coverage. Clearwire's open all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings, provides an unprecedented combination of speed and mobility to deliver next generation broadband access. The company markets its 4G service through its own brand called CLEAR as well as through its wholesale relationships with Sprint, Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Strategic investors include Intel Capital, Comcast, Sprint, Google, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks. Clearwire is headquartered in Kirkland, Wash. Additional information is available at www.clearwire.com.
*Apple does not endorse Clearwire products or services and is not affiliated with Clearwire.
** CLEAR performance claim is based on average download user speeds achieved during tests performed by CLEAR on the CLEAR commercial network, vs. other national wireless carriers' recently published, download speed information. Actual CLEAR network performance may vary and is not guaranteed.
Unlimited plans subject to CLEAR's Acceptable Use Policy, posted at www.clear.com/legal/aup.
***Plus taxes.
Clearwire, CLEAR, the CLEAR logo and super fast mobile internet are trademarks or registered trademarks of Clearwire Communications LLC. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners; use of these names does not indicate official support or endorsement of Clearwire products or services. © 2010 Clear Wireless LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Nothing special...
@Vincent180
$25 a month is special.
@Vincent180 Actually it does have a special feature. It vibrates to let you know your connected.
Its the iSpot for your g-spot.
@Darkroom "also, i think companies who actually support everything yet specifically state it's for one thing are lame. especially if that one thing is Apple."
Still better than companies who only advertise and support one thing like Windows-only software and XBox 360 exclusive games, especially if that one thing is Microsoft.
$25 is pretty cheap and the speeds are decent but concerns would be 51 million coverage isn't that much (their coverage map misses out most of central America) and there's no details about usage limits.
At least the ball is rolling for high-speed mobile networks though.
@TinWard
I'd prefer if it was named Clear 4G Spot. It would sound kinda cool when you just said it.
@Lundmark
The G-spot that happens to be shaped like a large suppository.
Hey, whatever gets the Apple fans off I guess.
@Vincent180
They should have named it the 4G-Spot!
@TinWard
Damnit panama! Get you cellphone crap together!
Get it? Central America? Heh. :)
@Darkroom The device does not support everything. The $25 a month plan will only support iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. You can upgrade to $40 a month and it will power ANY Wi-Fi enabled laptop, smartphone, etc.
@Lundmark There are two other spots, the Clear Spot 4G and the Clear Spot 4G+ (www.clear.com/spot/4gplus)
@Vincent180 It's extra special when you get it working on your Macbook:
http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2010-08/the-last-ispot-post-for-now/
So... who has more market share? Microsoft or Apple?
Who gets a direct mention in the article title? Apple.
I rest my case with regards to End'Gadget
@Excalibur Sigh.
@Excalibur and how is your comment relevant?
@Excalibur I'm a Microsoft fanboy and I think you're a tard. Read teh article
@liftedngifted1 It's relevant due to the fact that the article is pointing towards a certain company, while a balance article would state, "Clearwire's 4G iSpot brings wireless broadband to anything with a WiFi pulse"
Instead, we get a direct reference to Apple. Not fair.
@Excalibur
I wonder if other device will connect to the ispot?
@viper24 Ahhh! You win. Epic fail on my behalf. DAMMIT
@Excalibur "Update: We followed up with Clearwire regarding authenticating with the iSpot. We're told that "the device is configured to filter based on MAC address which allows it to ID the Apple mobile devices," which explicitly means iPhones, iPads and iPod touches only. "
@TSSaloic
Yep, and it doesnt do a very good job at it. It will allow some Macbooks ect and disallow some iphones out of the box- go figure. It will also allow devices with Mac address spoof to Apple devices
Arabian stallions, faster than carrier pidgeons?
Prefix Typo.
Oh my god... unlimited wifi for 25 dollars a month? Heartbreaking that this isn't available in the Los Angeles area.
@Giovanni6 CLEAR will be launching in Los Angeles by the end of 2010.
@Giovanni6 I was in LA last month with my EVO, there is a lot of 4G in LA. My evo was getting 4G at LAX, Westwood, Alhambra, Downtown LA, Old Town Pasadena (outside). I averaged 4000 down and actually hit 6000 at one point (using speedtest.net android app), something I could never do in DC.
i just placed an order for this. 29 bucks for the ispot and 25 for the service, which means instead of paying 25 (for 2gb for the ipad) and (25 2gb for the iphone), all i pay now is 25 for clear service and 15 for iphone. i save 10 bucks a month without any limits.
my only question is it possible to use this for my macbook? i would like they will limit this by logging in with mobile safari ala gogo inflight. anybody knows of a browser extension which renders mobile safari on the mac?
I just picked this up as well. I currently have multiple clear devices (a home modem, a usb modem). My thinking is: it's month-to-month, and, it's heavily discounted. Assuming I can activate it in place of my previous devices, I can replace my usb modem (leased at $5 per month). If I can't activate it in place of it, I'll simply continue to use it.
Michael
From the website
Will it work with a regular laptop?
The iSpot device and the iSpot On-the-go plan were both optimized by CLEAR for Apple mobile devices. If you want to use other wi-fi enabled devices, take a look at our Clear Spot 4G personal hotspot.
I wonder if they somehow limit the device for Apple product like IPhone, IPad, or is a marketing thing to prevent normal laptop to connect to it.
@k2001 It looks EXACTLY like the normal Spot but only white. I'm hoping that this is just marketing.
@rasfincher If you buy the Clear iSpot, it will not work on regular laptops at the $25/month plan. The black Clear Spot will work with Apple devices AND laptops/netbooks at $40/month.
How the heck is this going to improve anything ?! Clearwire's service is pretty shitty at least where I am from. My apartment complex managers give a free motorola / clearwire modem with the lease, it is purportedly a $50/month plan. The service is horrible, and every person I talked to in the town agree. Their modems are a joke, and the reception is so poor that it would make an iphone 4 with a dinosaur paw in the antenna 'gap' look good in comparison !
The only shitty thing from my point is view is that I am having to pay for another internet service on top of this ! (I am sure the rental folks include the cost of this crap service in the rent, and they aren't giving any freebies) !
Clearly, Clearwire is a joke ! I agree they have reasonably well informed tech support and customer service agents, but the service sucks !
@xerion
Is this near Chicago by any chance? I keep getting offers for Clearwire around here. I was considering them since AT&T DSL is wearing a little thin on me, but if Clearwire's that bad, I'll stay.
@xerion Thats odd because people say the same thing about Apple and AT&T in Billings MT too.
@slipdisc / Stephanie C
Nope I am in Eastern WA (I work in Pullman). This is the scenario in Central WA too (Wenatchee, Yakima) and the service is bad in some places in the Seattle area too.
I was discussing this with a telecom engineer friend and he said that ClearWire uses 3G networks, given that there are only 4 providers (ATT, Verizon, Sprint, TMobile ? any more there ?) I wonder which ones they are leasing the towers from ? TMobile's service is the poorest here, may be they gave CW a good deal ;-) ...
But at 50$ / month I will have the 7Mbps Time Warner cable ... who need shitty stuff from home. I don't use net on the move any way !
@xerion
For 3g they uses other companies radio tower, but they build their own tower for their 4g connection.
shoulda called it the 4GSpot
Would've ordered it, but there's no service ANYWHERE around me in Jersey. Not even NYC. Meh.
Damn.. I just realized.. Apple MOBILE devices! I was planning to connect my Macbook too.
Does anyone know if I'll be able to tether my iphone to my macbook
@sach68 I'm wondering this myself. I ordered one because I have a WiFi iPad but I'd be extra jazzed if I can use it with my MBP too. Can anyone think of how they would go about limiting this to Apple mobile devices only?
*Yawn*
Yawn! I already have the wifi hotspot capability FOR FREE on my Nexus One with FROYO. It saves me $740 a year in internet costs. I can sync up to 5 devices and talk on the phone at the same time. That means while I'm calling a business partner, WHILE the net on my laptop. my phone is powering the internet for my daughter while she plays multi-player on the PS3 and my wife is watching movies on Netflix download edition on my WII. AND, since my Nexus can take advantage of T-Mobile's HSPA+, the regular 3G speeds are doubled.
Again, for free with no additional hardware.
Well! I am buying one... who ever said I was an impulse buyer?
"pre-tax", internet is not taxed, I've never been taxed for wireless nor DSL/cable.
Service is absolutely awful. The speed is just fine when it works...but whether it actually works or not is a huge variable. And if it goes out any time between 9pm and 9am, you've got no one to call to say "hey, fix this." Over a dozen calls a month in some instances.
Buyer beware.
How do they put the magic inside?
The price is fine, and the monthly cost is fine.
What's NOT fine is the battery life. 4 hours. Even if that pans out, it's way, way less than all of the devices it's intended to pair with. Who wants to get something that only works for the first 1/2 to 1/3 of the time the main device is turned on?
All you need to do is use a small router with DD-WRT to make it look like an apple MAC address and then have it rebroadcast it to unlimited devices. Thats what I did so I didn't have to deal with my dad's mac filtering.
@Jenna34 Yeah, did Sprint never think they'd be circumvented by MAC spoofing?
I wonder if we'd be able to FLASH the firmware of the WHITE ispot with the firmware of the BLACK unit to get rid of the mac filtering?
clear is the best thing for on the go internet, makes 3g depressing. i'm on pc so all you i-ppies out there who have clear in your area are in for a treat, damn that's a steal!