Is there any such device like a mini portable wifi gadget that exists? It would be nice to not have to depend on searching for free WiFi spots - which are very rare in my area.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPod touch Portable WiFi Device???
- Thread starter bryanc28
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
What are you trying to say...like a wifi transmitter? Or how to find wifi? Theres a free app from the appstore called wifinder and it picks up all wifi signals in your location and tells you the strength, channel, and if its locked or not. Or you could just buy a wireless router.
i am looking for a device that i could carry with me or take with me to my grandmothers house she only has cable. no wifi and none of her neighbors do as well...
This thread is giving me a headache. 
Okay, so what a Wifi router does is it takes a wired network signal and provides it to a wireless device.
If you want a portable device that you can take with you and plug into peoples' wired networks (e.g. a cable modem) and use for WiFi, yes, of course there are devices like this. Apple's Airport Express is the most well known, but there are several others made by the major router providers.
Unless you live in a place that has a service like Clearwire, there is no way to just magically create the network signal itself. The router has to have a wired network into which it can be plugged.
Okay, so what a Wifi router does is it takes a wired network signal and provides it to a wireless device.
If you want a portable device that you can take with you and plug into peoples' wired networks (e.g. a cable modem) and use for WiFi, yes, of course there are devices like this. Apple's Airport Express is the most well known, but there are several others made by the major router providers.
Unless you live in a place that has a service like Clearwire, there is no way to just magically create the network signal itself. The router has to have a wired network into which it can be plugged.
You can get a USB connect card by any of the major cellular providers, then get a EVDO/ HSPA router form EVDOinfo.com
Or you could get a USB connect card, and internet connection sharing through OS X to transmit the EVDO/ HSPA signal to Wifi, so you can get online with your iPod Touch or other devices.
Whilst I understand what you are looking for I think the only answer would be an iPhone or another cell phone which can access the Internet via the cellular network.
I really don't think you can buy a portable wifi machine because wifi is only an extension of a hard wired network.
I really don't think you can buy a portable wifi machine because wifi is only an extension of a hard wired network.
http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/
thats a link to the airport express and it sounds like what you would need.
thats a link to the airport express and it sounds like what you would need.
But you can buy a portable "Wifi machine" it hooks up to a Laptop connect card as some of the cellular carriers call it, of Broadband connect card as others call it. It is a EVDO or HSPA (Evolution Data Only, or High Speed packet Access) device the best EVDO routers are made by Cradlepoint.
I know on verizon you can get a router that plugs into your phone and uses your phone's EVDO and generates a wifi signal.
This is one version of it: http://global.wmwifirouter.com/consumer/
This is one version of it: http://global.wmwifirouter.com/consumer/
Does your grandparents' house have a computer with internet access already?
Then...
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9904137-1.html
would work nicely
If they don't...
3G/WiMAX USB adoptors will do the job
Then...
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9904137-1.html
would work nicely
If they don't...
3G/WiMAX USB adoptors will do the job
No, they do not have WiFi at all in their house - they don't even know how to turn on a computer. Basically it is a city full of senior citizens. No one in the small subdivision they live in owns a computer. I have to head up there for 2 weeks and was looking for some small device I could buy and use it for a wifi signal in their house.
... to all the people that say bring your laptop with a connect card...
if you had a laptop with you already, why not just use that to browse? it would be tons faster and easier to type, scroll, etc.
there really is no reasonable solution to this other than something that accesses the internet via cellular signals and whatnot.
if you had a laptop with you already, why not just use that to browse? it would be tons faster and easier to type, scroll, etc.
there really is no reasonable solution to this other than something that accesses the internet via cellular signals and whatnot.
LOL, I was just about to say the same thing. I can't see carrying a laptop around with me so I can use an Ipod to browse the web. Not to mention that by the time you bought everything you needed and paid for the monthly cellular fees you could have just bought an iphone to begin with.
I think the OP is after something as small as and which can be directly attached to the touch and use ANYWHERE rather than something attached to a laptop. That's why I suggested an iPhone or other cell phone.
big-blue-wolf has given you the answer.
If you are going to a place where no one knows how to use a computer, then there will likely be no networks to connect to anyway. Even a wireless network needs a wired router to send out the wireless signal. Think of it this way, you can bring a TV anywhere but if there's no cable or, until Feb 2009, a TV station transmitting over the air, the TV won't pick up anything either.
Getting an iPhone or similar device that uses the cellular network may be your only solution assuming you're not going to an area that is totally devoid of 21st century technology.
If you are going to a place where no one knows how to use a computer, then there will likely be no networks to connect to anyway. Even a wireless network needs a wired router to send out the wireless signal. Think of it this way, you can bring a TV anywhere but if there's no cable or, until Feb 2009, a TV station transmitting over the air, the TV won't pick up anything either.
Getting an iPhone or similar device that uses the cellular network may be your only solution assuming you're not going to an area that is totally devoid of 21st century technology.
This is exactly what im saying about getting a USB EVDO connection card, and a EVDO Router. You don't need a computer at all, the router makes the connection to the EVDO card, and transmitts it to Wifi, and fits in the palm of your hand. It is battery operated, so all wireless (unless your battery runs out) and can plug up to charge
http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=610
Broadband Aircard
With the Broadband Aircard (i prefer the Verizon Wireless one), you can take your laptop or whatever you want and go practically anywhere and get your internet connection. It is 59.99 w/ a 2yr Agreement. If you go to Best Buy the cards will be cheaper than if you go to the Verizon Store Directly. The Cards At Best Buy are typically FREE w/ a 2yr Agreement. I sell these at my Current Best Buy for People who are looking for Internet on The Go!
With the Broadband Aircard (i prefer the Verizon Wireless one), you can take your laptop or whatever you want and go practically anywhere and get your internet connection. It is 59.99 w/ a 2yr Agreement. If you go to Best Buy the cards will be cheaper than if you go to the Verizon Store Directly. The Cards At Best Buy are typically FREE w/ a 2yr Agreement. I sell these at my Current Best Buy for People who are looking for Internet on The Go!