With the popularity of the Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, it's no surprise that a myriad of companies have created and marketed accessories aimed at iDevice users. CLEAR's iSpot is a particularly unique accessory that's already become a hit with web-loving iDevice users - it costs just $99, and for just $25/month it provides unlimited 4G WiMAX internet access via WiFi to up to 8 iDevices! Forget about shelling out for AT&T's 3G service (which is not unlimited and not nearly as fast as 4G) or relying on public hotspots; the iSpot allows you to be your own hotspot for all of your mobile Apple devices, with blazing fast 4G speeds and no usage limit.
What makes the iSpot different? Mobile broadband hotspots aren't new - the 3G MiFi and 3G/4G Overdrive hotspots have been available for some time now, and CLEAR even has a 4G-only hotspot called the "Clear Spot 4G" that looks remarkably similar to the iSpot. In fact, the Clear Spot 4G is indeed essentially the same piece of equipment as the iSpot... but the iSpot is re-branded and altered (using MAC address filtering) so that it ONLY works with iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch devices. While limiting a device so that it only works with specific equipment may sound like an odd choice, it allows CLEAR to offer the monthly service for a far lower price. The Clear Spot 4G, which can be used with any wireless-capable device, requires a monthly service plan of $40/month (and either a 2-year contract or a $35 activation fee to choose month-to-month service). The iSpot, on the other hand, only requires a $25/month service plan, no activation fee, and no contract! AT&T's 3G data plan for the 3G-capable iPad is $25/month, and that doesn't provide unlimited access - nor does it provide 4G speeds, and obviously doesn't give you internet access for your iPhone or iPod Touch. Obviously the iSpot isn't as flexible as something like the 3G/4G Overdrive, but it's absolutely the most affordable way to provide high-speed WiFi to your iDevices.
What does the iSpot look like? Like Apple's iDevices, the iSpot is compact, sleek, and attractive. It's 4.33" x 2.44" x .71" and a very lightweight 4.58 ounces - very similar in size to the iPhone. It's a bit larger than the Novatel MiFi (see below), but certainly small enough to drop in your pocket, purse, laptop back, etc.
the iSpot (top) is a bit larger and thicker than the MiFi (bottom)
The design of the iSpot is very straightforward. The only button on it is the power button, which also has a tiny LED light in the center of it that indicates the battery status - it lights up in green when the battery is fully charged, and turns red when the battery is close to drained. The top of the iSpot features an LED status indicator that conveniently displays quite a bit of info. The 4G status indicator flashes red while it's searching for signal, then lights up in either red (indicating a weak signal), yellow (good signal), or green (excellent signal) once it has connected to the CLEAR network. The WiFi status indicator lights up blue when the unit is transmitting WiFi.
a "key" explaining what the LED lights indicate is handily located on the bottom of the device
Is the iSpot easy to set up? The iSpot comes with everything you need: the unit itself (of course), a standard-to-mini USB cable for charging via your computer, an AC power supply, and a setup guide that's refreshingly succinct (unlike some 100-page instruction manuals we've run into over the years!). It is also worth noting that the iSpot's battery comes pre-charged, which is a very nice touch - you can start using it as soon as you get it.
the iSpot and its included accessories
Setting up the iSpot for the first time is very easy in theory, but many users (this reviewer included) have encountered problems. Before using the iSpot for the first time, it needs to be activated. It can be activated by connecting your iDevice to the iSpot's WiFi network (the default password for the network is printed on the bottom of the unit; you can change it later if desired) and opening a new browser window - you should see a prompt asking you to create your CLEAR account and accept the terms of service, and then you should be ready to surf the web.
Activation successful!
Unfortunately, because of the way CLEAR restricts use of the iSpot only to iDevices, many users have had trouble with this initial activation. Upon connecting for the first time and opening a new browser window - which is supposed to launch the activation described above - some users instead see a message telling them that their device can't be used with the iSpot... even if it is indeed an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch (all of which are compatible).
some customers are seeing this pesky message even on compatible devices
Simply put, the iSpot determines which devices are allowed to connect by comparing the device's MAC address to a list of pre-approved MAC addresses in CLEAR's system. All iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touches SHOULD be approved - but the firmware that's pre-installed on the iSpot apparently "missed" some of these approved MAC addresses, which is why some users' devices aren't being detected as compatible. Luckily, CLEAR quickly released a firmware update for the iSpot (which can be downloaded from CLEAR's site) that solves this problemand is easy to install. As soon as we performed the firmware update, all of our iDevices were able to connect and we were able to complete the activation. A bit frustrating (obviously having the device work correctly right out of the box is always preferred!), but not a "deal-breaker".
Once it's set up, how's the performance? Activation issues aside (and not all users experience those problems), the iSpot is a joy to use - assuming you're in a 4G coverage area, of course.
CLEAR's service isn't "officially" available in Los Angeles yet, but the network is up and running - and it's fast, as expected!
Connecting your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone to the iSpot is as simple as connecting to any other WiFi network. The iSpot comes password-protected, and the default password is printed on the bottom of the unit (you can change this and other settings if you prefer). The iSpot uses wireless "G" for its WiFi radio, and gives you three options for balancing wireless range and battery life: you can set the wireless range to "short" to conserve battery, or "medium" or "long" for more WiFi range. When set to "long", the battery will drain faster, but the iSpot will provide a wireless range of up to about 150 feet (depending on walls and interference).
The battery life of the iSpot is surprisingly good. The manufacturer likely could have opted to make the iSpot a bit smaller by using a smaller battery, but the large battery really makes a big difference. CLEAR's specs indicate that the battery will last up to 4 hours, but that seems to be a conservative estimate - in our testing it lasted for nearly five hours. Once the battery does die, it charges back up very quickly - from dead to fully charged in under two hours! If 4-5 hours of usage time isn't enough for you, we do carry an external battery for the iSpot that will power it for up to 8 additional hours.
How do you manage the iSpot and its settings? The iSpot has a variety of configurable settings, from changing the name of the WiFi network to setting it so that specific devices are (or aren't) allowed to connect to the hotspot. CLEAR has provided a convenient (and free) app for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch (just search for "iSpot" in the app store on your device) that allows you to view your signal strength, see how many users are connected, change WiFi settings, and more.
four views of the various screens available in the iSpot app
More advanced changes and access to other information about the iSpot can be performed via your web browser. You can access the iSpot's full web admin portal by typing "http://ispot" (no www or .com) into your URL bar while you're connected to the iSpot via WiFi. You can even access the iSpot's web admin via your laptop or desktop computer by connecting it to the iSpot's WiFi network, but you'll only be able to manage settings - you won't be able to surf the web (remember, the iSpot is only for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch).
the browser-based web admin provides more information and options than the app
Is the iSpot right for me? The iSpot is clearly geared towards a very specific audience: iDevice users who live in cities with 4G coverage. Obviously that doesn't apply to everyone, but for folks who do live in a 4G area and want reliable, fast internet access for their iDevice(s), it's really a no-brainer. The device itself is only $99, the monthly service is only $25, there's no activation fee and no contract (so you can cancel anytime), CLEAR's WiMAX service is VERY fast, and the service is unlimited! It's the ultimate accessory for the iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, and you don't even have to pay a premium for it.
Related Links:
- Order the iSpot with $25/month CLEAR Service
- View a list of WiMAX markets
- Discuss the CLEAR iSpot on 4Gforums
