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It would appear that they are MAC locked to only iDevices. I'm sure it would be possible to work around that restriction, but personally I couldn't tell you how to do it. I've never spoofed a MAC address on a laptop before.

Somebody on Gizmodo said something about Jailbreaking your iphone and then just routing it through there to rebroadcast the signal, sound feasible?
 
Just Google how to spoof your MAC Address in OSX. It takes about 60 seconds once you know what to do.

You'll need an "iOS" MAC Address to let your Macbook/laptop/gaming device pretend it's using. But if you have an iPhone, or a friend does, or you want to Google that; it would be easy enough.

I ordered one as well.

1) I will try to spoof the MAC Address on my MBP. I have an iPhone, but there are sometimes when I'm working on projects when having outdoor internet would be nice.

2) If I can't spoof it, Ars linked to a Twitter post from Clear saying a CS Rep can unlock your device and you can pay the $40/month to get non-restricted use. However, I hope that's month-to-month, and not under contract.

3) If I'm unsatisfied, I'll just return it in a week. NBD.

Wish me luck! :D
 
If it were 3G/4G I'd be interested. And if it worked with devices other than iOS devices. I'm still not even sure how they did that...

I'll keep my MiFi for 50 bucks a month.
Clear and Sprint both offer devices for 3G/4G. The same device, in fact: Sprint calls it the Overdrive, and Clear calls it the Clear Spot 4g+. Clear's is also on sale today, for $60.

https://www.clear.com/spot/4gplus

Clear's is currently the better deal, because it's $50/month instead of Sprint's $60/month, with one month free. Its early termination fee is also less than a third of Sprint's ($65 vs. $200).
 
The marketing always comes before the standard. This is how its always worked. The companies use marketing to push terminology and the standards follow.

That isn't how the development of standards works at all.

Standards are decided upon by bodies specifically entrusted to create and maintain them. Not an advertising company who decides to slap "4G!" on the side of something that isn't.
 
It works!

The spoofing does indeed work.
In fact, there are two methods in which you can circumvent the "iOS only" limitations Clearwire implemented.

Here's a screenshot of my Chrome browser doing a speedtest on my MacBook Pro for proof. I'm writing this message via Clearwire 4G in Atlanta right now.

Spoofing your MAC ID is the easier way IMO if you are familiar with Terminal. I'll follow up on how to do it.

If you are a little less savvy, you can do this:

  • 1. connect the iSpot via USB
  • 2. Choose the iSpot from your network list
  • 3. type http://ispot in your browser once connected
  • 4. go to Basic / MAC Address filter
  • 5. Open system preferences and click Network / Advanced
  • 6. Copy your Airport ID (your MAC Address)
  • 7. go back to the browser and add your MAC Address to the whitelist.
  • 8. Restart your iSpot (leave it connected via USB) and browse on my friends!


20100805-mepxr9dtpqf5pm3hfehakpb99u.jpg



Just Google how to spoof your MAC Address in OSX. It takes about 60 seconds once you know what to do.

You'll need an "iOS" MAC Address to let your Macbook/laptop/gaming device pretend it's using. But if you have an iPhone, or a friend does, or you want to Google that; it would be easy enough.

I ordered one as well.

1) I will try to spoof the MAC Address on my MBP. I have an iPhone, but there are sometimes when I'm working on projects when having outdoor internet would be nice.

2) If I can't spoof it, Ars linked to a Twitter post from Clear saying a CS Rep can unlock your device and you can pay the $40/month to get non-restricted use. However, I hope that's month-to-month, and not under contract.

3) If I'm unsatisfied, I'll just return it in a week. NBD.

Wish me luck! :D
 
Using Terminal to Spoof MAC ID for iSpot Use on non-iOS devices

Ok, so I previously posted how to do 4G with Clearwire's iSpot over USB... but what if you want to put the iSpot away and be a little less "connected"?

Here's how to set up your MAC ID is the spoofed fashion:

  • 1. Open Terminal
  • 2. You need to dissassociate from any wireless networks. To do this type:

    Code:
    sudo airport -z
    This will disconnect you from your network for now, be warned
  • 3. Type
    Code:
    ifconfig en1 | grep ether

    This will tell you your current MAC ID (its good to know so you know if your spoofed one worked
  • 4. Type
    Code:
    sudo ifconfig en1 ether **:**:**:**:**:**

    Where the stars are the MAC ID from your iOS device (iPhone, iPad, any iOS device the iSpot will accept)
  • 5. Type
    Code:
    ifconfig en1 | grep ether

    check and make sure you have the new MAC ID changed.
  • 6. Connect to the iSpot Network and rock on.
 
The spoofing does indeed work.
In fact, there are two methods in which you can circumvent the "iOS only" limitations Clearwire implemented.

Here's a screenshot of my Chrome browser doing a speedtest on my MacBook Pro for proof. I'm writing this message via Clearwire 4G in Atlanta right now.

Spoofing your MAC ID is the easier way IMO if you are familiar with Terminal. I'll follow up on how to do it.

If you are a little less savvy, you can do this:

  • 1. connect the iSpot via USB
  • 2. Choose the iSpot from your network list
  • 3. type http://ispot in your browser once connected
  • 4. go to Basic / MAC Address filter
  • 5. Open system preferences and click Network / Advanced
  • 6. Copy your Airport ID (your MAC Address)
  • 7. go back to the browser and add your MAC Address to the whitelist.
  • 8. Restart your iSpot (leave it connected via USB) and browse on my friends!

This method did not work for me...
 
MacBook and iMac works.

Did you try without any spoofing or whitelists - with filtering disabled?

I got my iSpot today. :)

Right out of the box, without any modifications, I connected both my MacBook :D and iMac without a problem. Interestingly enough, although connected to the iSpot, neither my iPhone 3G, nor my Ipod Touch 1G was allowed to connect to the internet. :confused:

There are a few posts on the Clear support forum. Basically, there will be a firmware update released "soon." However, I think I might like my iSpot the way it now if the update breaks the connection to my MacBook.

Persons smarter than me might be interested in this:
Software Version : 2.0.0.0 [R1679 (Jul 6 2010 17:57:37)]
Firmware Version : 1.9.9.4
Hardware Version : R05
WiMAX API Version : 1.2
 
I am enjoying my iSpot on my iPad and ubuntu laptop.
Just a simple step of changing the MAC on the ubuntu machine and I am
set and ready to go online.
 
got it set up last night. Really enjoy it. speed is very impressive so far... :)
 
I think a lot of '4G' has fallen into the hands of the marketeers. I think that Clear uses WiMax which is often considered 'pre-4G' or 'early 4G' - much like the soon-to-be-introduced 'LTE' from Verizon.

Wiki has more details for those who are interested. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4g

For me, the point is that whatever Clear is using or calling it, it is faster than 3G in my area.
 
WiMax performance from clear is great. I tried it and it rivaled my comcast high speed in download speed... uploads were adequate
 
Google maps location thing works with the spot on
Wifi iPad.

IT's 10 seconds delayed until it updatEs but it works.
 
True! I was amazed to see that the map location thing worked for me very precisely. Mine loaded bit faster than 10 secs, though, 3 secs max. I am so glad to pick this thing up yesterday...



Google maps location thing works with the spot on
Wifi iPad.

IT's 10 seconds delayed until it updatEs but it works.
 
I might be over doing the time tested it again and it was like 3 or 4 seconds.
That made me happy as well now I have a gps kind of thing.
 
...

I find it funny thatnthat site crashes icab on my iPad every single time
 
Are you guys sure you are not driving around with wifi access points nearby? Go over a bridge and try it. It won't work. :-(
 
Are you guys sure you are not driving around with wifi access points nearby? Go over a bridge and try it. It won't work. :-(


It was putting the dot right on the street corener .
And this circle was much smaller then the area the wifi location makes.

when it was showing the dot I was no where near any houses or buildings.

I will test it out more when I go out again.

I get faster speeds on my macbook.
I get around 6.5Mb on a moderate connection
I wonder how fast it goes on a good connection.

iPad only get 4.5-6.0 but it was jumpy.
On good connection on iPad i got close to 7Mb.
Now I need to try Macbook in good connectionl

Fastest speeds I can get is 13Mb down
and 1Mb up.
 
Firmware update report

For readers interested in the iSpot, not about coverage, or arguing about the term "4G"...

So, I did the firmware update without problems.

Software Version 2.0.0.0 [R1786 (Aug 4 2010 20:09:06)]
Firmware Version 1.9.9.4

For me, everything has changed, for the better. My MacBook can still connect.
And, my :apple: iPhone 3G and :apple: iPod Touch 1G are both online. :D :D
 
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