Wow. That was a mouthful….!
Novatel Wireless has announced that its MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot software platform is ready for carrier type approvals on MiFi 2352 and MiFi 2372 products. The MiFi software platform is architected to support major 3G and 4G air interfaces, including EV-DO Rev.A, HSPA and WiMax, with new functions and capabilities beyond connectivity.
The Novatel Wireless exclusive MiFi software platform is based on an open Linux operating system with features and functionality that transforms the MiFi from a connectivity device to a full-scale Intelligent Mobile Hotspot. This platform provides new revenue opportunities for operators and enables markets and usage patterns that have never before existed. The MiFi software platform provides unprecedented on-board Linux-based application processing support, an on-board web server and media storage capabilities. The MiFi software platform enables any WiFi-enabled device to take advantage of its applications, and its onboard web server enables the MiFi to connect to remote data locations, retrieve data and present it to the user either online or offline. The MiFi software platform architecture is designed to ensure that the operator’s network is protected, while maintaining the ability for new applications to be deployed to the growing market base.
Or in other words, are you familiar with those jump pages you get when you connect to the Internet from a Hotel room? These are the pages you usually have to pay for X period of time, and occasionally have other info on. Well, imagine getting the same sort of thing (without the paywall) when using an operator-branded MiFi device, and you’re fairly close I’d say. Great from the carrier perspective, maybe not so much for the end-user.
More interesting for me is the fact that the diminutive little device (and it is small, trust me!) packs a Linux O/S in there, plus web server software on top! Actually there’s also software/hardware to enable both a broadband modem AND a WiFi access point, so it’s quite a busy little platform – and judging by the PR, is about to get busier if carriers get excited about the possibilities!
You can see more on the Novatel Wireless MiFi range here.
[Note to UK readers: in the UK, MiFi is trademarked by the Operator 3, who offer the same type of product – so in the UK the Novatel MiFi unit is called an ‘Intelligent Mobile Hotspot’]