Novatel MiFi upate: 5 users, 30ft range, 4hr runtime

We got to spend a few quality minutes with Novatel's MiFi "Intelligent Mobile Hotspot" at their booth at the CTIA 2009 show in Las Vegas.


On display were two models of MiFi: the unit on left is EVDO, the right is GSM/HSPA.

The unit we connected to was operational on Verizon's EVDO network and had working web admin, but but there wasn't any of the linux app capabilities that would justify the "intelligent" part of its name.

Senior product manager Ted gave up some interesting details:

• wifi g range of about 30ft
• allows for 1 to 5 users
• 4hr battery runtime, 40hr standby
• standard mini-usb port for charging battery
• novaspeed capable
• internal dual-band diversity antenna
• no external antenna jack
• allows for manual/usb tether to single computer
• hspa model likely to come out first, overseas
• hspa model has microsd slot that is available to all attached computers
• one model per carrier, embedded module is not user swappable and a mifi for one carrier, cannot become a mifi for another

We meet with them again tomorrow and will report any additional info we find out about... like perhaps which U.S. carrier will see this thing first?

Check out the MiFi discussion on EVDOforums.com