Clear has introduced a new 4G WiMAX modem that works with Windows, Mac, Linux, Google Chrome, and Android. All you have to do is plug the USB stick into a computer or portable device and it will use the built-in internet connection capabilities of your operating system to get you online.
There’s no connection manager required, which means you don’t have to install any software on your computer to get online.
The Clear Stick Atlas measures 3.25″ x 1.2″ x 0.65″ and weighs 1.1 ounces. It’s manufactured by Ubee Interactive and sells for $50.
Clear offers mobile broadband plans starting at $35 per month that you can use with the Atlas. The plans are contract-free, which means you can cancel at any time without paying a penalty fee.
While Clear’s WiMAX service isn’t as fast as the 4G LTE services offered by Verizon and AT&T, WiMAX does generally offer better-than-3G speeds with up to 6Mbps download speeds and 1.5Mbps uploads. Unfortunately Clear’s $35 per month plan caps download speeds at 1.5Mbps.
Still, a contract-free $50 USB dongle that you can use with your Android tablet, Macbook, Windows PC, or Google Chromebook is pretty interesting.
via GigaOm
Not all tablets work. Hyundai T7 is the only one to work for me so far.
Just wondering which versions of Android support this. The Clear product specs don’t identify the version, onlly saying that
“Also Linux, Android® and Chrome versions that
support Remote Network Driver Interface Service Specification (RNDIS) or
Communication Device Class (CDC) devices.”
whatever that means.