JoikuSpot, a new piece of software for the Symbian S60 smartphones, might be the best thing that’s ever happened to web workers, though it is likely to raise the ire of mobile operators.
This free software turns a Symbian S60 smartphone into a Wi-Fi HotSpot. Now it’s pointless to have the software sharing crappy 2.5G connections in the U.S., but in Europe, where 3G and 3.5G wireless broadband is becoming commonplace, this could be a handy way to share your broadband with friends.
Finland’s JoikuSoft is betting that the carriers are going to promote this software because it helps them upsell premium and monthly data plans (which might work in Europe, but not in the U.S.). Joiku claims that external WLAN devices can discover the open JoikuSpot and establish an Internet connection wirelessly using the mobile phone’s 3G Internet connection. I downloaded and tried it on my older Nokia N95 and it worked as advertised. My advice, if you own one of the Nokia phones that can handle 3G (either in U.S. or Europe), is that there’s no harm in downloading and installing this software.
i regulary use my blackberry to connect to the internet. although it is very helpful, i hate the fact that i have to connect the phone to my viao using a cable. i thought we lived it a wire-free era. JoikuSoft is just the perfect solution. and i think my nokia is a s60 serie
As far as I can see there’s precisely zero security on this. Not even WEP. Install this and anyone within range gets to use your 3G connection. Given that even “unlimited” tariffs here in the UK have usage limits this could get expensive very quickly.
There is a WEP connection settings although it is not automatically set up. Have a look in the settings
This should also work on Aussie 3G networks if Im not mistaken .
@Monty
Yes, you are right it culd get expensive very very quickly. but good one when traveling in a group and you could take turns in sharing your 3G network connection.
@ Matt,
I am sure it will, but how are the tariffs down under for 3G? I am told the 3G Wireless Broadband is frightfully expensive.
Om:
In Russia where I live, the fastest mobile broadband (~1-2Mbps) costs ~$100 per month for unlimited usage without voice; however it is not too reliable and stable. Coverage is also spotty outside urban areas. Enough for one user but hardly for others to share.
Om you would be surprised the 3G market is hotting up recently and becoming very competitive and the prices are lowering .
Mark Pesce who lives in Sydney (hes now a Naturalized Australian ) told me he is using JoikuSpot when I emailed him the link today .
http://markpesce.com/
http://www.aussie3g.com/
Om I checked out the Aussie Mobile Data rates and Vodaphone is offering a plan for $39.95 a month Capped at 5GB ….
This is a better deal than some DSL plans in Australia !!!
In the UK i use 3G broadband the speed is 3.6 Mbps which i am pretty pleased with It costs me approximately $30 a month for a 3GB download limit! However if i go over my limit it gets extremely expensive (20 cents per MB…. looking at it sounds inexpensive till you work out how much that is per GB ($200)) Well I am glad its only my secondary connection and only relly use it for e mails messaging and browsing at work, when working long lonely 12 hour nightshifts on security!
Hey, if anyone’s interested in the Symbian S60 platform, then go check out a review here: http://www.mobilearsenal.com/review/mobile_operating_systems_symbian_s60
All phones should have Hot Spot especially if you live in the UK. T-Mobile are really pushing this at the moment. http://www.hotspotphones.co.uk
how can i turn my blackberry phone into a hotspot and i also have a htc snap and i want to do the same thing i hope yuo can help me out i would appreciated