Thursday, 11 March 2010

tip of the week by evdoinfo.com

EVDOinfo.com has long been your source for tips, tricks, hacks and suggestions for getting the most out of your EVDO service, and each week we will be highlighting a particularly interesting or popular topic in the "Tip of the Week" feature. To suggest future Tips of the Week, contact us at suggestions@evdoinfo.com or post your suggestions in the EVDO Forums.

Beware of Automatic Updates - Use WiFi, Not Your 5GB!

For most of mobile broadband users, the 5GB of data most providers now limit usage to is enough data for their internet needs, but for some users, staying under their 5GB allowance is a challenge each month. If you are struggling to stay under your 5GB limit or you've gone over your limit without understanding how in the world you used more data than what you thought you were using, pay attention to this article!

Last year we posted an article with a variety of basic tips for staying under your 5GB limit (see Tip of the week #23), and this week we're going to go into more depth about one of the topics we discussed: OS and software updates. Companies like Microsoft, Apple, Norton, and Adobe continually introduce updates to their OS's or software in order to improve performance, fix problems, or add new features, and these files can be very large. Some computers or programs are set to automatically download updates whenever they become available, which means you may not even know that you're using up your monthly allowance! Even for the updates that don't automatically download, the manufacturers often say that the updates are necessary or crucial, leading mobile broadband users to think that they must install them, whether they have the "space" left in their 5GB allowance or not.

If I were to download and install all of the updates available for my computer right now, I'd use up over 18% of my 5GB allowance!!!

There are two simple ways to make sure OS and software updates don't get the most of your 5GB!

Set your computer's preferences to NOT automatically download and install software updates. Require your computer to notify you when updates are available so that you can make sure you have enough bandwidth to download them.
When you DO want or need to download an update, wait until you can do it over free WiFi!

The first tip above allows you to have control over which updates you download and when they download them - remember, not every update is truly crucial, and many aren't necessary at all. Very rarely (if ever) is an update so urgent that you really must download it and install it immediately...

...which brings us to the second tip! There will be updates that you do want to download and install, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your 5GB! Whenever possible, wait to download your updates until you have access to a WiFi network, instead of downloading them over your 3G connection. Free WiFi networks are available in a number of places - both Verizon and AT&T offer free WiFi access for their customers at hotspots around the country, and many local establishments like Borders or Dunkin Donuts now offer free WiFi (a quick Google search for "free WiFi hotspots" turns up a plethora of helpful results!).

Related Links:

Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 March 2010 )

Monday, 08 March 2010

CradlePoint Firmware 1.6.9 for CTR500/MBR900/MBR1000/CBA250/CBA750 Adds Support for New Devices, Bug Fixes, and New Features

MBR1000 and U301
Firmware 1.6.9 allows you to use your U301 in an MBR1000!

CradlePoint has released Firmware Version 1.6.9 that provides the MBR1000, MBR900, CTR500, CBA250, and CBA750 with official support for the new Sprint 3G/4G U301 modem, as well as support for other modems and a few bug fixes and feature updates.

With its ability to connect to both Sprint's nationwide 3G network and their new super-fast 4G WiMAX network, the U301 has quickly become one of Sprint's hottest devices. U301 users have been eager for Cradlepoint to support it so that they can share their 3G or 4G connection with multiple computers, and now they'll be able to do just that!

In addition to adding support for the U301, firmware 1.6.9 also adds support for the following devices:

Pantech UMW190 for Verizon
Pantech UM185 for Cricket
Sierra Wireless 305 USB (AKA "Lightning") for AT&T
Sierra Wireless 306 USB for AT&T and Telus
Ubee PXU1900 for CLEAR
ZTE MF668 for Rogers
Additional newly-added international devices can be viewed in the release notes (PDF)

This latest firmware version also provides fixes for a few bugs:

Blackberry Bold incompatibility issue
Blackberry Curve incompatibility issue
Blackberry Storm OS 5.0 incompatibility issues
Fixes to make WiMAX (4G) connection more reliable

Finally, firmware 2.5.2 added a couple new features:

"Agressive Modem Reset" causes the router to attempt various reset techniques to attempt to re-establish connection if the modem becomes unresponsive
"4G auto-reconnect feature" allows you to configure whether you want to connect to 3G or 4G based on various conditions
"Make-before-Break" is a nice feature for dual-mode 3G/4G modem users - if you're connected to 3G and 4G becomes available, the router will connect to 4G before breaking the 3G connection

For full details on what this firmware release provides, view the release notes (PDF)

For those ordering the MBR1000, MBR900, CTR500, CBA250, or CBA750 from 3Gstore.com, starting 03/10/10, we will automatically include a CD that has the firmware version 1.6.9 on it.

Guide to Buying Safely Online

After 5+ years of being a successful online reseller, 3Gstore has gained a lot of experience in making the online shopping experience as safe as possible for our customers. Unfortunately, not all online transactions are as safe as others, and we'd like to share our knowledge so that online shoppers understand what makes their transactions secure (or not) and what you can do to make sure your online purchases are safe!

This guide is generic and can be applied to just about any website that accepts payments for any sort of goods or services. We recommend that anyone purchasing online educate themselves and use these steps when purchasing with an online reseller for the first time - whether it's a major well-trusted shopping site or a brand new online store.

There are 7 tools that an educated online consumer should use to verify that your online purchases are safe:

Look for the green bar at the top of your browser (why a SSL EV Certificate is crucial)
Confirm the domain name when checking out - does it change?
Utilize the WhoIs domain name tool to see how long the domain has been registered
Check independent online rating companies like Google, Reseller Ratings, Bizrate, BBB, etc
Is the site using an independent site to make sure they are secure from hackers?
Google the phone number
If anything seems amiss, use Google Check out or Paypal

Click here to more about each of these tools and watch a video showing them in action

Friday, 05 March 2010

CradlePoint Price Increase 4/1/2010

In the market for a new CradlePoint Router, might be a good time to purchase quickly, as there is a price increase on CradlePoint routers that will happen on April 1, 2010. The current affected products are the MBR1200, CBA750 and CBA250. If you are on the fence about getting a state of the art 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Router, 3Gstore.com has a current promotion where you get a FREE PHS300 via mail-in rebate that ends on 3/15/2010. Finally, if you purchased an older 3G Router from 3Gstore.com, you can also take advantage of 3GStore's "CradlePoint For Clunkers" Program and trade in your older router and get a MBR1200 for $199.99 (and if you purchase by 3/15, still get a FREE PHS300 via mail-in offer).

Product	Current Price	New Price	Current 3Gstore
MBR1200	$299.99	$349.99	$229.99 (plus free PHS300)
CBA750	$249.99	$299.99	$219.99
CBA250	$179.99	$199.99	$159.99

Use the Pepwave Surf Mini with Sierra Overdrive to add Range, More Users, and an Ethernet port

The Sierra Overdrive from Sprint has become a big hit, thanks to its ability to connect to both the 3G and 4G networks and the convenience of having your mobile broadband device also be a WiFi hotspot. Like any device, though, it's not perfect, and Overdrive users have mentioned a few things that they wish the Overdrive had: a wider WiFi range, an ethernet port, and a way to get around the 5-user limit (the Overdrive only allows you to connect five users via WiFi).

The WiFi range on the Overdrive is comparable to a standard "wireless G" router - up to 150 feet. This is plenty of range for most cases, but those who try to use the Overdrive in a large home or office may have a problem with it - especially if cellular signal is not great in certain areas they need it to be. Since the Overdrive does not have an rf/antenna jack to allow for a high gain cellular antenna, all too often the Overdrive has to be located near a window where the cellular signal is best, and that window is not always located in the part of the building where everybody congregates or works. The lack of an ethernet port means that you can't use the Overdrive to provide internet access to a device that doesn't have WiFi (like an IP phone, a DVR, a gaming console, etc), which is very important for many users. And the 5-user limit is a big downer for folks who want to share their 3G or 4G connection with a bunch of devices - it might seem insignificant to some, but imagine if you had a laptop, plus your two kids' laptops, an iPhone, a Nintendo DS... having to take turns with those 5 spots would get old fast!

Enter the Pepwave Surf Mini, a WiFi Bridge/Repeater that solves all three of these problems! The Pepwave Surf can be located at the end of a Overdrive's WiFi range and set up so that it acts as a WiFi Repeater, extending the Overdrive's reach to provide up to double the WiFi range (depending on wall/building construction and interference from competing electronics)! The Pepwave Surf also features a single ethernet LAN port allowing users to hardwire any computer (or other internet-capable device) that features an ethernet port but no WiFi, and it will allow internet connectivity via ethernet and WiFi simultaneously. Finally, it also allows you to get around that pesky 5-user limit. The Pepwave Surf Mini connects to the Overdrive (via WiFi) and counts as one of the 5 users; you can then connect as many devices as you want to the Pepwave! In other words, if you wanted to share the connection from the Overdrive with 10 laptops, rather than having the laptops connect directly to the Overdrive's WiFi network, they would connect to the Pepwave (which is rebroadcasting the signal from the Overdrive). Since the laptops aren't connected to the Overdrive, the Overdrive doesn't count them towards the 5-user limit!

Once it is properly associated with the Overdrive - an easy process that takes just moments - the Pepwave Surf will continuously scan to see if the Overdrive is within range and then locks onto the signal and rebroadcasts it. It's as simple as that! It is arguably the easiest (and most affordable - the Pepwave Surf Mini is just $99.99 at 3Gstore) way to extend your Overdrive's WiFi range, add ethernet capability, and allow more than 5 users to share the signal!

Related Links:

Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 March 2010 )

Tuesday, 02 March 2010
CLEAR Internet Launches Simplified 4G WiMAX Plans CLEAR is kicking off the month of March by simplifying their CLEAR Internet plan options! They are making it more affordable and easier to order than ever. They've made a number of changes to their previously convoluted selection of plans, including dropping the usage limits for 4G - all of their 4G plans now offer unlimited usage - and simplifying their CLEAR Professional options. Read more on our sister site, 4Ginfo.com
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 03 March 2010 )

Tuesday, 02 March 2010

Sprint U301 + Cradlepoint PHS300 = The Ultimate in 3G/4G Portability!

The PHS300 and U301 make it easy to share your 3G or 4G Sprint connection!

Life got a little better for mobile broadband lovers last week: Cradlepoint released new firmware that allows their PHS300 3G/4G router to work with the new Sprint U301 3G/4G USB modem! The PHS300 is currently the only router that supports the U301, so if you want to share your 3G or 4G connection with your Sprint U301, the PHS300 is the answer!

Even better than the news of the compatibility is the pricing 3Gstore offers on the pair. You can purchase the Sprint U301 with a new two year contract at 3gstore for just $19.99, plus there is a $50 mail in rebate - it's like us paying you $30 for the device! As for the service itself, the pricing there is great too - Sprint charges $59.99/mo for their 3G/4G service, which is exactly the same price as their 3G-only service, and the 4G usage is unlimited (like the 3G-only plan, 3G usage is limited to 5GB/month with overage charges thereafter). The PHS300 router has an MSRP of $179.99, but when purchased with the U301 with Sprint service, 3Gstore's price on the PHS300 is just $119.99!

It doesn't end there... when you purchase the U301 with Sprint service and the PHS300 router, we upgrade the router for 4G compatibility for free (a $15 value) and activate and test the U301 before shipping - meaning your setup is completely plug-and-play. No need for you to worry about getting a defective unit or having to install software to activate your aircard! And 3Gstore only sells the PHS300 with hardware version 2.0, so you don't have to worry about accidentally getting an older model that doesn't support 4G. Of course, if you do need any help getting set up, our tech support team is always ready to help.