freedompop free wimax on iphone/ipod???

[OBLAMA2009]

what do you guys think of this:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/31/freedompop-ipod-touch-case/#continued

i personally hate using slow wifi hotspots that you have to look for so i never use wifi. if this worked well id probably go out and get an ipod and use it as a backup. it would be even cooler if they came out for one of these for nexus 7

 

[pm]

Seems almost too good to be true.

They are using Clearwire's WiMax network. I am shocked that I appear to have coverage based on their map:
http://www.clear.com/coverage

If they launch and the terms are exactly as they are listed so far, I am totally sold on it.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

whoah. my ipod touch is wired to my car permanently now but it'd still be cool

 

[OBLAMA2009]

its funny they supposedly have it in my area (san francisco) too but ive never heard of anyone being on that network in this area before. i guess they use it for intel notebooks but i dont even know anyone who has that service

 

[Accord99]

ClearWire's WiMax network is the basis of Sprint's non-LTE 4G network.

 

[ImDonly1]

ClearWire's WiMax network is the basis of Sprint's non-LTE 4G network.

This.

Also that case in the op is the first version, the WiMAX version. They said they will offer a LTE version of it later using sprints network. There is no point in getting the WiMAX version. Also none of these will be released until like September, they keep announcing stuff that wont be out until months later.

 

[dagamer34]

WiMAX coverage doesn't really mean the same as WiMAX signal because of the 2.5Ghz spectrum used.

 

[pm]

So, I pre-ordered the iPhone 4 sleeve for my iPhone and I got an update on it today:

Your Freedom Sleeve for the iPhone will ship in 6 to 8 weeks
We want to thank you for supporting FreedomPop by pre-ordering your Freedom Sleeve for the iPhone 4. With your pre-order, you'll be among the very first to unchain yourself from your expensive wireless carrier and benefit from FreedomPop's 100% free wireless internet service. Download your favorite voip client, including Skype, Talkatone, textPlus or Line2 and get rid of our current carrier calling plan forever.

When it ships or when I get it, I'll give you guys an update.

 

[mxnerd]

So, I pre-ordered the iPhone 4 sleeve for my iPhone and I got an update on it today:

When it ships or when I get it, I'll give you guys an update.

Have you received the 4G sleeve? Will Freedompop continue to support Wimax if they switch to LTE?

 

[soccerballtux]

WiMAX coverage doesn't really mean the same as WiMAX signal because of the 2.5Ghz spectrum used.

supposedly it's not the tower that's the problem because they can just crank the gain up, it's from the cellphone back to the tower that causes these problems.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

yeah somebody tell us about this product.....

 

[pm]

I haven't received it yet. I got this update on August 24th:

Your Freedom Sleeve for the iPhone will ship in 6 to 8 weeks
We want to thank you for supporting FreedomPop by pre-ordering your Freedom Sleeve for the iPhone 4. With your pre-order, you'll be among the very first to unchain yourself from your expensive wireless carrier and benefit from FreedomPop's 100% free wireless internet service. Download your favorite voip client, including Skype, Talkatone, textPlus or Line2 and get rid of our current carrier calling plan forever.
If you have any questions regarding your order or need to make changes to your account, please contact our online customer support .

When I get it, trust me, I'll post up a review worthy of Anand Lal Shimpi.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

I haven't received it yet. I got this update on August 24th:


When I get it, trust me, I'll post up a review worthy of Anand Lal Shimpi.

you might want to ask them to stretch it out for you before shipping out....

 

[Shigezo]

erased

 

[Apex]

I'm using one of their hotspots as well. Their data usage doesn't seem to follow actual consumption, so though you're supposed to get 500MB per month free, it's probably less than 300MB usable.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

hows it working. how is speed, stability and coverage?

 

[Apex]

Stability seems reasonably good, depending on coverage. Coverage sucks where I live, but next city over is ok. Speed feels poor, but haven't measured yet (just got the thing couple days ago).

 

[mxnerd]

Just got Freedom Spot - Photon device.

I have to say the device is horrible. Just 15-20 feet away and the signal strength drop to 2 bars and my mobile phone disconnect constantly. No where near the 100ft range claim.

And I forgot to turn off update apps automatically for my mobile phone, so just half day it burns away 220MB.

The worst part is Freedompop start counting your service days once you place your order, not the day that you receive and activated it! I emailed the customer service and they claim so that they can assure no interrupt for your service.

Probably will return the device next month.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

Just got Freedom Spot - Photon device.

I have to say the device is horrible. Just 15-20 feet away and the signal strength drop to 2 bars and my mobile phone disconnect constantly. No where near the 100ft range claim.

And I forgot to turn off update apps automatically for my mobile phone, so just half day it burns away 220MB.

The worst part is Freedompop start counting your service days once you place your order, not the day that you receive and activated it! I emailed the customer service and they claim so that they can assure no interrupt for your service.

Probably will return the device next month.

what do you mean 100ft range. do they say you have to be within 100 feet of their towers????

maybe they should rename this company "freedomfail"

 

[mxnerd]

what do you mean 100ft range. do they say you have to be within 100 feet of their towers????

maybe they should rename this company "freedomfail"

No, they claim the effective WiFi range for the device is 100ft, means your WiFi devices (up to 8) can connect to Photon up to 100ft. But my experience is my LG Optimus V can't even obtain an IP from the device if it's 50ft away.

The device did get good 4G signal from WiMax tower in my area though.

 

[Apex]

Just got Freedom Spot - Photon device.

I have to say the device is horrible. Just 15-20 feet away and the signal strength drop to 2 bars and my mobile phone disconnect constantly. No where near the 100ft range claim.

No, they claim the effective WiFi range for the device is 100ft, means your WiFi devices (up to 8) can connect to Photon up to 100ft. But my experience is my LG Optimus V can't even obtain an IP from the device if it's 50ft away.

Do you have the Wi-Fi Range on the device set to Short (default), or Long?

 

[dagamer34]

I think this would be far more interesting if the sleeve were using T-Mobile's HSPA+ network...

 

[OBLAMA2009]

where is the link to that hotspot thingie, all i see on their site is the iphone and touch sleeves

 

[mxnerd]

where is the link to that hotspot thingie, all i see on their site is the iphone and touch sleeves

You have to enter your email and zipcode on homepage and check availablity, then you will get the option.

I think because the device sucks so they don't put it on the home page.

 

[mxnerd]

Do you have the Wi-Fi Range on the device set to Short (default), or Long?

It's default to Short. I didn't notice the setting. I did not read carefully earlier, thought it's preamlbe setting. Will try.

Did not know it's only a 802.11b/g device when ordering.