Andrew Diddel Blog 2, 10/7/10
IS 251, Tallon
As the average American is purchasing newer and newer technology, it is about time that someone figured out a way to unify all of the utilities that are always within an arm’s reach. In Kevin Tofel’s recent article, Is the MiFi Model the Future of Mobile Broadband?, readers find that Novatel Wireless has created a device with an internal, wireless 3G signal that can reach the Internet, and then distribute network connections to the various devices used by Novatel’s customers. The MiFi serves as an Internet hotspot, and allows customers to avoid paying for individual wireless access for each and every portable computer, cell phone, and mobile media player, by consolidating all of these fees into one MiFi.
Just like all good ideas and well-made products in the technology world, I think its safe to say that Smartphone have officially taken the tech-savvy world by storm. While adults and young professionals can be sending out emails to their employers or co-workers, middle-schoolers are updating their Facebook statuses using the wireless access on their Blackberry. To go along with this Blackberry, or iPhone, or Android, a typical consumer will get there hands on several other kinds of devices, like an iPad or a laptop, to stay connected at all times. Novatel introduced a method to keep their customers as entertained as possible on their devices, while allowing them to save as much money as possible.
With so many utilities to keep the customers entirely connected to the Internet, it would be nearly impossible to keep the customers’ entirely happy about how much they have to spend maintaining them. In his article, Tofel brings up a very likely scenario. “Want to connect that notebook to the Web? No problem, that will be $60 a month for the next two years. Oh you have an iPad that you’d like to use at the local park? Carriers have you covered for $25 each month”[i]. These fees will most certainly add up, unless the customer decides to utilize the MiFi. This product is able to support each individual piece of technology, by creating more and more mobile hotspots.
While everything may seem to be great with the MiFi and it seems like a perfectly convenient and manageable device, this is not necessarily the case. After further research, Stephen Lawson’s article, Verizon Takes MiFi Concept Global With Fivespot, helped me to realize that it might not be such a great decision to simplify all of these payments, as the MiFi doesn’t make many drastic changes to the average persons daily mobile life. The importance of wireless Internet access on a laptop is unquestionable. Although, where does a person use their laptop if it is not inside their home, workplace, or school facility? The same goes for an iPad or other portable media players. There are sure to be people who need constant wireless Internet access for the few business trips that they make each month. However, aside from that handful of people, paying $59.99-per-month or up to $219.99-per-month depending on GlobalAccess[ii], seems absolutely crazy. While the average person may need Internet access at many times throughout the day, I believe that Kevin Tofel understated the already existing availability that this person would typically have at their home, work place or school, and that he severely overstated the average person’s need to buy a MiFi.
1 comment:
While the new Mifi technology is extremely convenient for CEOs of companies and other important business executives, this sort of internet access may seem a bit superfluous at first glance. A couple of friends and I happened to be discussing the need for technology and what kinds of people it impacts the other day at lunch; we concluded that certain types of devices seem to be more convenient for some people than others. For instance, although the iPad seems to be the biggest hit amongst Apple fans, it doesn’t seem to be the most convenient product for high school or college students who have numerous papers to write each semester. Writing a five-page paper without a keyboard would be a tedious task. However, the iPad may be extremely convenient for a mother who does not need a laptop (usually about double the price of an iPad). To her, a touch pad may be perfect for checking e-mails, taking pictures, and reading online newspaper or magazine articles.
That being said, though not everyone needs all the features of the Fivespot, it really isn’t that expensive compared to other recent mobile technology. Blackberries alone cost anywhere from $99.99 to $299.99, while the Fivespot costs $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a two-year contract. However most people know that “you’re not just paying for the device; you’re paying for the service along with the device” (bbgeeks.com). Although international plans for Fivespots are relatively expensive, domestic fees may only cost $39.99 per month, which is not much more than the $30 Blackberry data fee. Since most people do not need international data 24/7, “Users who need only occasional international data can buy a GlobalAccess Pay Per Use plan” (pcworld.com) which takes effect in more than 200 countries. If users are interested in MiFi, they can get it free after a rebate with a two-year contract.
It is evident that the wireless providers are the ones who are really costing consumers the extra dollars, and it does not seem practical for a consumer to replace his or her cell phone with an expensive Fivespot. However if a customer is likely to use MiFi for most or all of the time he is on the Internet time, I believe this product might be worth a try. If used often, MiFi would be much more convenient than having to pay for multiple wireless connections. I believe that the second article cited, Verizon Takes MiFi Concept Global With Fivespot, wasn’t necessarily putting down MiFi, but merely pointing out that traveling across the world with it would not be “cheap”. From my perspective most smartphones, including Blackberries, are relatively expensive, so if you are going to purchase one, you should be aware of all of the costs associated with them before making any commitments.
All in all, I believe it would be extremely convenient to carry your wireless internet with you for no extra charge. Many coffee shops such as Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts sometimes charge customers for wireless internet, but for those with the Fivespot, this charge would not be an issue. For those who can afford it and would be apt to take advantage of all that it offers, I think Fivespot is a great product that would make everyday life much more convenient.
http://www.bbgeeks.com/blackberry-guides/how-much-will-your-blackberry-cost-in-total-881836/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/206937/verizon_takes_mifi_concept_global_with_fivespot.html
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