The exploit, which affects the MiFi 2200s sold by Verizon and Sprint, kicks in when users visit a certain website.

"Among the information the MiFi 2200 will readily share is the WiFi security key – sent in clear text – and with some Javascript Baldwin showed it was possible to change the hotspot's settings to the point where a factory reset is required in order to restore functionality to the user. Even if GPS is turned off, a remote command can be used to switch it back on.

A further exploit can extract the entire configuration of the MiFi, again in clear text, including all of the security settings."

If you're a MiFi user, just be careful out there until Novatel issues a fix. [UMPC Portal via SlashGear]

Starting tomorrow, Verizon's wireless global modem can be purchased for $149.99 (after a $50 mail-in rebate) with a two-year contact, with plans starting from $129.99 per month. Although very convenient like their global BlackBerrys models, now there's no excuse for why you weren't able to get any work done while relaxing on the Côte d'Azur. [Verizon via TWICE]

The coolest thing is that you don't need a separate wireless card here. Novatel's MiFi is both a wireless hotspot and broadband modem, just one piece of hardware to lose instead of two. You of course need a plan, $60 for wireless data only. This is similar, but not identical, to Verizon's MiFi 2200 offering.

The catch, if there is one, is that this thing will cost $150 and you will get $50 through a mail-in rebate (my least favorite kind of rebate). And that discount only comes if you re-up your contract with Sprint for another two years. Here's more fine print:

At your home office, on the road or at the beach, Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot connects any WiFi-enabled device to the Sprint Now Network

The Sprint Simply Everything Plan® + Mobile Broadband = $599 savings annually vs. comparable Verizon plan
Access to multiple devices by multiple users, for same pricing plan as other Sprint mobile broadband devices
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – MAY 13, 2009 – Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced plans to bring a WiFi hotspot to customers virtually anywhere and everywhere — and whenever they need it — on any WiFi-enabled device.

Sprint plans to launch the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 intelligent mobile hotspot device for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year service agreement (excluding taxes). The MiFi 2200, available in the first week of June on www.sprint.com, in Sprint retail stores and other select channels, will allow users to connect to the Internet by bridging WiFi-enabled devices like laptops, MP3 players and gaming devices to America's most dependable 3G network* – the EVDO Rev A Sprint Mobile Broadband Network. Sprint will launch the service under the Sprint Mobile Hotspot name, and it will be the first in the U.S. to support MiFi's GPS capabilities, allowing users to take advantage of select location and mapping applications.

"You can hold the MiFi 2200 in the palm of your hand, slip it in your pocket, even place it on a beach towel if you're lying under the sun and wirelessly connect your laptop, MP3 player and gaming device to the Internet all at once," said Steve Elfman, president of network, wholesale and product, Sprint. "Now customers will be able to use one mobile broadband device – the MiFi 2200 – to connect multiple personal devices or multiple users. If I have a WiFi-enabled device, I don't need to find a WiFi hotspot. The MiFi 2200 creates one for me."

Save money and cut the cord
Business and consumer customers may choose from the following service plans for the MiFi 2200:

* $59.99 per month mobile broadband only plan (excluding taxes and surcharges)**

or

* $149.99 per month Simply Everything Plan + Mobile Broadband (phone plus device connectivity — excluding taxes and surcharges)**

Both plans include up to 5 GB per month and 5 cents per megabyte overage for the MiFi 2200.

The Simply Everything Plan + Mobile Broadband, unique in the industry, was introduced this February to give customers the benefits of the Now Network on their phone and laptop for one price. The plan includes unlimited text, picture and video messaging, GPS navigation, email and Web surfing on their phone, plus 5 GB of blazing Internet access on their mobile broadband device – all for just $149.99 per month, a savings of $599 per year vs. comparable Verizon plans. Now, for that same price, customers can use the MiFi 2200 and connect to more devices at once.

Sprint continues to innovate and deliver value
The Sprint Mobile Hotspot service with the MiFi 2200 is part of Sprint's game-changing open approach to rolling out new types of wireless services and delivering the significant value and capabilities of the Now Network to its customers. The MiFi 2200, a portable, secure and truly wireless mobile broadband access device, is the first of its kind to be added to Sprint's portfolio – and one of several innovative mobile broadband devices that Sprint will announce this year. Sprint plans to offer a portfolio of 3G, 4G and dual-mode devices that will take advantage of the Now Network.

How MiFi works
MiFi creates a personal cloud of high-speed Internet connectivity that can be easily shared among up to five users and a variety of WiFi-enabled devices through its connection to America's most dependable 3G network,* the EVDO Rev A Sprint Mobile Broadband Network. For example:

* College student: a college student tucks her MiFi 2200 in her backpack to study with friends at the park and uses it to listen to streaming radio on her MP3 player while she connects to the school's Intranet on her laptop to get details on a class assignment. She takes a break to take pictures of her pals with her Wi-Fi enabled digital camera, and the camera uses the MiFi's signal to upload the photos to Facebook while she emails her completed report to her professor, then uses the device's GPS capability to find a nearby pizza place for lunch.

* Business travelers: Two business travelers share a cab to the airport, then wait for their flight. Sharing the signal of one MiFi 2200 device that is safely tucked away in a briefcase, they download emails and surf the Internet on their notebooks and stream music to their MP3 players.

* Portable retail: Five vendors at a local art fair have kiosks in close proximity. Accessing one MiFi 2200 device's signal, they each run a credit card point-of-sale device over WiFi and have secure backhaul.

Key Features of the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot

* Easily fits in the palm of your hand — dimensions: 3.50"x 2.32" x 0.35" and weight: 2.05 oz.
* Brushed aluminum finish
* Provides mobile broadband Rev A Internet access wirelessly
* Supports up to five WiFi-enabled devices
* Simple to connect with Hands-Free Activation (OMA-DM). No software installation required
* Universal Wi-Fi compatibility
* Advanced security through WPA2-PSK, WEP and SPI Firewall
* MiFi GPS capabilities to take advantage of select location and mapping applications, such as getting driving or walking directions or finding the best restaurant nearby
* Battery provides four hours of user time, 40 hours standby on single charge

The MiFi 2200 is ideal for businesses looking to extend the speed and anywhere convenience of America's most dependable 3G network*. Soon after its retail launch, Sprint Wholesale will also be offering a version of the Novatel MiFi 2200 to wholesale wireless partners.

"Supporting more than one WiFi-enabled device, businesses can enable their employees to cost-effectively share a connection when mobile with other employees, vendors or customers," Elfman noted. "Now business professionals like claims adjusters, mobile professionals, retail employees and field service technicians can easily perform multiple functions using various WiFi devices, all over one connection."

"There are an abundance of consumer devices with integrated WiFi that lose their functionality when WiFi isn't available," said Michael Gartnerberg Gartenberg, vice president of strategy and analysis at Interpret. "The ability to seamlessly add WAN capabilities to this multitude of devices will empower consumers to use their devices the way they want to use them and wherever they want to use them."

The availability of the MiFi 2200 will further deliver on Sprint's promise to offer businesses and consumers a faster and more robust Internet experience in cities across the nation than any other wireless service from a national carrier. Sprint recently made history by launching 4G in 2008 in Baltimore and is the first national carrier to offer wireless access to both 3G and 4G networks on one device – the 3G/4G USB Modem U300. Sprint has new 4G devices planned for 2009 and 2010, including a single-mode 4G data card, embedded laptops and a small-office-home-office broadband modem.

* "Dependable" based on independent, third-party drive tests for 3G data connection success, session reliability and signal strength for the top 50 most populous markets from Jan. '08 to Feb. '09.
** Two year service agreement required. No discounts apply.

MiFi is a trademark of Novatel Wireless, Inc.

ABOUT SPRINT NEXTEL

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving more than 49 million customers at the end of the first quarter of 2009; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
###

The ultraportable MiFi 2200 router is about the size of a credit card and comes built-in rechargeable battery. Being so small, this device gives us internet junkies the freedom to be online anywhere (meaning no more hunting frantically for a hotspot at Starbucks with all the other chumps). It's not the only one: Cradlepoint has been hawking personal cellular-to-Wi-Fi access points for over a year with a few carriers, but they're all still pretty miraculous.

While we still don't know how many devices can be connected to it at once, we do know that with a current max of about 3Mbps, you're probably not going to want to invite all your friends to bogart your 3G. Presumably, details will be revealed this week at CTIA, with pricing expected around $200. [Phone Arena via Engadget]

In addition to being a portable internet hotspot, the MiFi also allows for VPN support, custom landing pages, automatic email-syncing and remote management. The internal battery will supposedly last for four hours of use, or for 40 hours on standby with one charge. Novatel says the MiFi will be available the first quarter of 2009 through retail outlets and carrier services, for roughly $200 as reported by Engadget. [Boing Boing and Engagdet]

Novatel Wireless Launches Ovation MC760 Micro Modem

Micro-sized EVDO Rev. A USB Modem Provides Integrated File Storage
with Enhanced Speed and Performance

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 10, 2008 - Novatel Wireless Inc. (NASDAQ: NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, today announced the continued evolution of its USB product line with the introduction of the Ovation™ MC760 Micro Modem. The MC760 is the world's smallest EVDO Rev. A USB modem, weighing less than an ounce and measuring just over two inches long.

The MC760 supports all computing devices equipped with Type A USB ports, including most desktops, notebooks and PDAs, to provide instant mobile broadband access anywhere a cellular signal is available. With out of the box support for a variety of operating systems including Windows® (Vista, XP, 2000), Mac® and Linux, the MC760 enables users to surf the Internet, check email and access important business documents with speeds faster than most cable or DSL connections.

With numerous standard features including on-board GPS, the MC760's durable design includes an integrated microSD™ slot, capable of storing up to 8GB of files, videos or music with the use of a hot-swappable SD storage card (sold separately). The USB760 features an advanced internal dual band antenna system that includes diversity for enhanced performance on network fringe areas. The MC760 also features a service status LED indicator that displays the device's connection status. Mobilink™ Lite Connection Manager Software is included to simplify set-up and navigation through the MC760's vast feature set.
"The launch of the MC760 reinforces our commitment to deliver the most advanced mobile broadband solutions for our customers," said Peter Leparulo, chairman and CEO, Novatel Wireless. "The MC760 is perfect for those seeking an extremely light, compact, plug-and-play USB modem to accompany their mobile lifestyle."

Pricing and Availability
The Ovation MC760 will be commercially available this quarter through a variety of Novatel Wireless's tier-one operator customers.

[Novatel]

Ryan at Engadget said the discrepancy could be because "he's forcing his in a little further, or his trap door has a little more vertical give," since Ryan tried out a second U727 as well.

According to Om, the bitch w/ the U727 is on the software side, because "some 'genius' at Apple decided to hide the Internet Connect option in the Macbook Air version of Leopard," so it takes some poking to get it going, plus a manual connect each time. Bottom line, though: "Buy this modem to get the most out of your Macbook Air—$279 for a new one, $79 with a 2-year contract from Sprint." Whatever 3G modem you want/have/get, be sure to test it on a real machine first to avoid clenched fists and squeezy eyes. [GigaOM]

If this EV-DO modem works has as well as the Sierra Wireless AirCard 595U USB EV-DO Rev A modem we use here, you're in for a treat. There's something wonderful about using an EV-DO USB modem, letting you connect your laptop to the internet anywhere you can use a cellphone. Just plug the thing into the USB port of any PC running Windows Vista, XP, 2000, Mac OS X or Linux, and you're off and running, and it almost feels like you're on a Wi-Fi network.

The only downside is that steep $60 a month tariff you must pay for unlimited network access—even more if you don't sign up for two years of indentured servitude. If you can crack that nut, this unit will be available this month, branded as the Sprint U727, and also later as the Verizon USB727, and will cost around $79.99 if you sign up for a two-year plan and take advantage of the mail-in rebate.

Among the newly supported cards are the Merlin XU870 for Cingular's HSDPA, the Merlin EX720 and U720 for SPrint (both Rev. A), and the XV620, V740, and U720 for Verizon (first is Rev. 0 and second are Rev. A). Good to know all these cards are available no matter which provider you choose. – Jason Chen

Thanks Tristan!

Other Sprint EV-DO news includes our friends in Portland, OR, Miami, and Puerto Rico all getting to join the fun and new GPS capabilities. Oh Sprint, you had me at increased download speeds. –Adam Frucci

Product Page [Sprint]

Sprint EV-DO [Gizmodo]

Novatel Merlin S720 [Sprint, Thanks Brian, Amy, and David]

And why they didn't just take a screenshot of their desktop instead of using a digital camera is anyone's guess. – Jason Chen

Verizon's EVDO ExpressCard For MacBook Pro: Almost Too Easy [Gearlog]

The card will be available August 24th, starting at $179 with a two year agreement and $229 for a one year agreement. There should probably be OS X along with Windows drivers, seeing as the USB version from Novatel included OS X drivers. That means MacBook Pro users will most likely have no problem with getting their EV-DO action going to browse Gizmodo while driving. – Jason Chen

Verizon Wireless ships ExpressCard style EV-DO card [MobileTracker]

Time for a celebration, MacBook users? Not quite yet. Given that this card is coming from Dell—the anti-Apple—expect it to only include Windows drivers. But surely some super hax0rs out there can get it working on MacBooks or at least we can hope. – Travis Hudson

The EV-DO ExpressCard Is Here! (From Dell) [Gearlog]

It operates at USB 2.0 speeds, includes Windows and Max OS X drivers and can even attach to the USB port directly or with a USB cable. Novatel will be shipping this device with Sprint service later this year.

Novatel USB 870 EVDO Modem [EVDOinfo]