[Preroll]

Being that these units won't be available for some time, this question may seem premature but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway so as details come in, maybe light could be shed upon it. The preliminary details for these newer models indicate that they will include a mobile hotspot built into the phone. I'm wondering if these built in mobile hotspots will be 4G only or backward compatible to 3G as well since it will be at least two years before 4G covers the entire 3G map. I see that Verizon has released the 4G MiFi box today but wondered if I should hold off on that since these phones will have that feature built in. I know they'll charge separate for it but it beats carrying around two devices.

[Dubdub]

Your guess is as good as anyone's right now. We probably won't know until we see a carrier's release annoucement.

[TBone2k]

This is kind of a strange question, but with everyone having smart devices nowadays, what exactly would a mobile hotspot be good for? I mean at home, if you didn't have internet, offering wifi through your device would only be useful provided you were home, right?

[Dubdub]

If you have a WiFi only iPad, Xoom or other device, then it would be good to have.

If you travel alot and want to escape those high nightly Internet charges, or you are on the road and need to get an email or send an email and ther eis no connection around, then your device's WiFi woudl be very useful.

I carry a MiFi for just those reasons.

[Motorcycle Mama]

Another example is I have an iPod touch. At work, I don't have WiFi. But I have my BlackBerry. Being able to have a WiFi hotspot for my iPod would be useful in order to get an internet connection.

[Attila The Hun]

Hey
RIM say its coming sooooooooooooooooon.
can't you wait?


sorry second thought how long is soon?