Below is a video showing a few tests that I’ve recently done on the Three Mobile MiFi in the UK, with the new WiFi iPad. @ThreeMobileBuzz were kind enough to loan a unit out to me, which allowed my 3G-less iPad to be connected to the ‘cloud’ whilst out and about.

Before you even consider watching the video, a few notes:

• I filmed it before the iPad was out in the UK & before the app stores were fully launched, hence my using the USA store. It’s taken me a while to publish online due to personal goings-on, which I may go into at some point in my blogging’s.
• I’ve cut any element where I type in passwords (obviously).
• Where I leave the device to see how quickly it delivers content over the MiFi, I’ve sped up the video. However I’ve added a crude form of on-screen timer to indicate how long things have taken.
• Covered in the video are connecting to the MiFi’s WiFi, a speed test, browsing YouTube videos, downloading of a typical app and book from the relevant stores, web browsing and streaming of live TV via TVcatchup.com.
• Yep, I know its a boring video.. it’s not supposed to be entertaining or smart. Its just a simple demo that’ll hopefully be useful to anyone thinking of getting a MiFi for their iPad.

If you think a MiFi might be your thing, first thing that I’d do is check the data coverage in your area, which you can do on their website here: http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/Coverage_speed The main niggle I did notice was that the speed with which I was connected varied quite dramatically on the move (FYI I live and travel mainly around East London), though it was always at a speed comfortable enough to do whatever I needed and was easily on a par with data on my O2 iPhone.

I was impressed enough with the device for me to say that I was going to purchase one. I still haven’t. What changed my mind – when I saw the prices that Three were charging for data on their iPad Micro Sim. To be short, offering 10GB for £15 on a monthly rolling contract is pretty darn incredible, so good in fact that it made me feel that I was about to be short changed on the MiFi data plan. I know that makes me seem a little, um, stubborn, but that’s the thought that struck me! So come on Three, reduce the cost of the unit or give me more data for my buck… *cheeky grin*.

Footnote: Aside from the content of the post. This is the first thing I’ve published anywhere for a number of months. As I’ve suggested above, there’s a reason for this that I’m not going into. This is my first baby step back towards what I’m hoping is normality for me, as a result if you’re somewhat inclined to leave any form of negative or derogatory comment (whether or not you think its deserved for this post), then please don’t! Thank you.

So you may have noticed that 3Mobile released the first MiFi product in the UK this week. I was lucky enough to have had a trial unit on loan a couple of weeks back… here’s a brief rundown of what I did and thought of it. If you’re un-inititated in what MiFi is, think of a mobile broadband dongle, but instead of using the USB and software to provide your laptop with an internet connection, this standalone device will connect to multiple devices – laptop, phone, games unit… anything that has wifi built in.

Unboxing

Click here to view the embedded video.

The device charges an inbuilt battery via USB or mains to give you usage on the go. There are many leaflets in the box, each with a clear bit of simple info about the device on.

Connection

Click here to view the embedded video.

First usage

Click here to view the embedded video.

After the initial use
I rarely take my laptop out and about in London, so decided to do most of my playing from that point on with my iPhone. I turned data roaming off and used the MiFi to give me a data connection.  I noticed no difference in times that pages took to load, or videos, or data for apps. The killer for me was being able to use Skype on the go. Those who use iPhones know that its Skype app has quashed the ability to make Skype Calls over 3G, it will only allow it on wifi. Well, now my iPhone had wifi, albeit mobile connection from inside my bag, but crucially, its still wifi. So I was able to walk around making Skype calls. OK. So I’m not going to buy a MiFi just to do this – the extra cost isn’t justifiable… but if I had one for other purposes, I’d sure find it a great added bonus.

Another notable test, I took it round to a friends one evening and hooked three phones and two laptops upto it simultaneously. Obviously, it was useless for media related streaming, but we were all able to do basic browsing. Sadly I neglected to film this experiment!

This is a product I wouldn’t buy for myself unless I was going on a substantial holiday, it’s just too expensive to justify for casual use – HOWEVER – I am considering reccomending the school I work at invests in one to allow groups to use offsite on trips, so that updates can be communicated back to base and students with wifi devices can get a few free minutes to catch up.

What I really really prefer about MiFi over the USB sticks we’re so accustomed too, is the lack of software I have to install in order to manage my connection. Every stick I’ve previously tried has completely screwed up and wanted to dominate my internet settings, causing me countless headaches. MIFI has no software, just a wifi, which makes it a product that’s instantly a thousand times more preferable.

…and thats about all I’ve got to say. If 3Mobile make the device cheaper, I’ll certainly consider getting one.