March 3rd, 2009 by Rick

Every Friday, I try to set aside a little time for a geeky “Friday afternoon project”.  It usually starts with an idea and sometimes it takes many days (or even weeks) to figure out if the idea can work.  Last Friday, I found myself wondering whether I could turn the 3G internet connection on my Windows Mobile 6.1 cell phone (a Palm Treo 800W) into a WiFi hotspot that I could share with a computer (or multiple computers).  I found the answer and had it working within an hour – using WMWiFiRouter.  Amazing.

To be fair, it isn’t particularily tough to share a phone’s internet connection with a computer using Bluetooth (via a PAN (personal area network)).  But, WiFi is so much better…  WMWiFiRouter makes creating a WiFi network childs play.  It is a small downloadable .cab file (so a wired ActiveSync connection to your computer isn’t required).  There is a 21 day trial available so you can test to be sure it works before you commit your $29.99) and it looks like a broad range of Windows Mobile phones are supported.  The web site is helpful and there are completely adequate instructions.  Anyone with a little geek streak (or, just a little courage) should be fine.

So, how dows it work?  Perfectly, from my perspective.  After the install (less than 5 minutes), you’re walked through a short setup routine (about 5 minutes).  You set up WEP encryption (too bad WPA isn’t an option) and end up with an ad-hoc network.  Find the network with your computer, enter the WEP key and go online.  Dead simple.

On the Sprint network, I saw speeds averaging around 600kbps down and 300kbps up, with consistent 1100kbps down / 550kbps up at my house (lucky me – looks like Sprint must have a new tower near me).  The connection remained consistent and paused during phone calls (expected).  I connected two devices at once (my MacBook pro and my iPod Touch) and the router handled both just fine.  Battery life, as one would expect, takes a serious hit, so although you can walk around with a hotspot on your hip, doing so may drain the phone quickly.  Also, the phone heats up noticibly when routing – expected, according to the WMWiFiRouter web site.  The application offers plenty of information about the connection including speeds, data use during the connection, battery life and the temperature of the phone (if the phone reports it).

I wrote some of my blog posts today while on an airplane, so they were saved in my iPod Touch.  When I landed, I fired up my cell phone while walking to the car rental facility and started WMWiFiRouter.  In a matter of moments, while walking, I created a hotspot, turned on my iPod Touch and posted.  Sweet.

For more information about WMWiFiRouter, visit the web site at http://www.wmwifirouter.com/

Rick