Xiaomi MI Portable Wi-Fi Router - €2.95 Delivered

Allyall

Handy to have, for < €3. I had to...

Share your Wi-Fi with others by creating a Wi-Fi "HotSpot".
If you do order, and want a specific colour, you must tell them in the order.
It also includes 1TB of Cloud Storage.
More info (ish):
http://www.technodify.com/xiaomi-mi-portable-wi-fi-router-launch-date/
http://www.fonearena.com/blog/91834/xiaomi-introduces-portable-wifi-router-to-ship-in-a-range-of-colors.html

Twitter - https://twitter.com/XiaomiChina

Original Xiaomi MI Portable Wi-Fi Router with 1TB Cloud Storage - €2.95

Specifications
Size: 27mm*17mm*10mm
Weight: 4g
Color: Black, White, Orange, Blue, Green, Pink
Support: Windows XP, Windows Vista 32/64bits, Windows 7 32/64bits, Windows 8 32/64bits
USB 2.0 Port: Yes
Compatible with: IEEE802.11n, IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.11b
11b:1/2/5.5/11Mbps
11g:6/9/12/18/24/36/48/54Mbps
11n:Up to 150Mbps
Support: network detection automatically
Transmission rate transformation
20MHz/40MHz bandwidth: Yes
1T1R Antenna Mode: Yes
2.4G: Yes
QoS-WMM, WMM-PS: Yes
Infrastructure and Ad-hoc: Yes
Low power consumption: Yes
Power Management: Yes
Frequency range: 2.412-2.4835 GHz
Working Channel: 1-13 (China)
Transmitted power: 18 dBm (Maximum)
Insecure Use of Cryptography: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK,64/128bit WEP
Antenna: PIFA Antenna build in
Environment:
Working Temperature: 0℃-40℃
Storage Temperature: -20℃~70℃
Operating Humidity: 10% ~ 90% RH No Condensation
Storage Humidity: 5% ~ 90% RH No Condensation

What's in the box:
1 unit of Wi-Fi Router

Boaty

Sorry but what does it do exactly?

Deep Thought

Doesn't any smartphone already do this?

beauf

Deep Thought wrote: »

Doesn't any smartphone already do this?

Yes but it sucks the battery out of them and some phones have the functionality blocked (by the operator I assume).

Most laptops will have wifi so its a bit pointless. Maybe if you have a PC with no wifi and its connected to the web via ethernet or usb modem etc.

Seems to me its just a usb wifi card? Maybe with some different functionality/software to use your computers wifi sharing.

Allyall

Boaty wrote: »

Sorry but what does it do exactly?

Sorry, I was on the phone to Germany.. for ages...
It is a portable router. You can plug it into your laptop/pc that has internet access and share it with other devices and share files.

beauf wrote: »

Most laptops will have wifi so its a bit pointless. Maybe if you have a PC with no wifi and its connected to the web via ethernet or usb modem etc.

Seems to me its just a usb wifi card? Maybe with some different functionality/software to use your computers wifi sharing.

It also acts as a router. Unfortunately there's not a lot of info about them online. But, this is an introductory price. They are expected to go back up to €20ish.
In China at the moment they are making all sorts of steps with wifi, and myfi hubs are a massive seller (over there) and other router-like hardware, hence stuff like this coming out.
This crowd (Xiaomi) consider themselves as the Chinese version of Apple, and their products are usually quite a high standard. If you check out their twitter page, they launched in Singapore and sold out in minutes.

So at €3 a piece, I thought these would be a good buy . No harm done. I bought 2.

More info - http://en.miui.com/

(French forum mentions these)
http://www.miui-france.org/threads/pr%C3%A9sentation-du-xiaomi-miniwifi.12179/

http://www.xiaomi.com/en

Company background
http://www.china.org.cn/business/china_start_up_entrepreneurs/2013-08/12/content_29692904.htm
http://www.businessinsider.com/xiaomi-2013-8?op=1
http://business.time.com/2013/10/14/xiaomi-chinas-threat-to-apple-and-samsung/
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/10/21/why-this-chinese-smartphone-maker-could-replace-ap.aspx

and on, and on...

beauf

Allyall wrote: »

...It is a portable router. You can plug it into your laptop/pc that has internet access and share it with other devices and share files.


It also acts as a router. ....

Yes but you can do that with the internal wifi on your laptop already

Whats does this do or add that different?

infocal

The down side for this one is it can not be a wifi adapter.

360 is a better product
http://wifi.360.cn/gohome.html

Allyall

beauf wrote: »

Yes but you can do that with the internal wifi on your laptop already

Whats does this do or add that different?

1TB Storage .

No, it's just handy to have for me. I thought others may find them handy too. If you are at a PC that doesn't have a wireless card to share wi-fi, Or some people may just like the simplicity of them. Also, I'd guess this may have slightly performance than most mid-low range laptops internal wireless card.

One for a friend of mine also, who has magnet broadband wired in his house and no wireless router. He only has a PC upstairs with no wireless card.
Different people may find them useful.

keithclancy

I can see it now ...

I have 5 wifis Joe :P

AlanS181824

So basically you connect this to any computer and it takes the internet from it (best way I can describe it :P) and turns it into WiFi? Interesting. Will buy one. Thanks

GarIT

It's basically a WiFi out port. The computer would need to have wired internet or a mobile internet dongle. It wouldn't be near as fast as WiFi from a router though.

keithclancy

For I really don't get it though, for laptops you have ICS builtin to Windows:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-internet-connection-sharing#1TC=windows-7

For Desktops i.e. something permanent I'd pay 20 bucks for a cheap router:
http://www.amazon.de/Belkin-Surf-W-LAN-N-Router/dp/B003EYN2NQ/ref=sr_1_19?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1389474206&sr=1-19&keywords=wifi+router

ffs the money your paying in electricity to keep the computer, it would pay for itself in a year

beauf

Its only useful if the laptop has no wifi (unlikely)

Or a desktop. Why would you need a portable one for a desktop?

beauf

Unless of course if for situations where you want more discrete access to a computer...

keithclancy

beauf wrote: »

Unless of course if for situations where you want more discrete access to a computer...

Or perhaps the thing has more in it than you realise and the Chinese are using it as a way of monitoring the West :P

beauf

That had occurred to me. As they do with all those phones....lol

Dudda

If you are in a public WiFi you can use it to create your own private secure WiFi from the public one.

A perfect example would be if you are in a hotel room with your phone and a chromecast. The chromecast can't connect to the hotel WiFi as they usually have login pages which the chromecast doesn't currently support. This created a WiFi that it can log into. You can now use your own Netflix while traveling without having to pay for expensive hotel pay per view movies. I don't bring a bulky laptop with me while traveling.

Another use. While not common in Ireland when traveling, Asia especially, you usually get hard wired internet only with WiFi costing extra. This creates you're own WiFi that you can connect your phone or tablet too. Other places charge you for each device you connect which is where this comes in useful if you travel with a tablet and phone.

It's not to useful in Ireland but they are very popular with Asian business men due to the way their hotels work. That's why it's a Chinese company making this.

embraer170

Shame it doesn't support Macs.

beauf

Dudda wrote: »

If you are in a public WiFi you can use it to create your own private secure WiFi from the public one.

A perfect example would be if you are in a hotel room with your phone and a chromecast. The chromecast can't connect to the hotel WiFi as they usually have login pages which the chromecast doesn't currently support. This created a WiFi that it can log into. You can now use your own Netflix while traveling without having to pay for expensive hotel pay per view movies. I don't bring a bulky laptop with me while traveling.

Another use. While not common in Ireland when traveling, Asia especially, you usually get hard wired internet only with WiFi costing extra. This creates you're own WiFi that you can connect your phone or tablet too. Other places charge you for each device you connect which is where this comes in useful if you travel with a tablet and phone.

It's not to useful in Ireland but they are very popular with Asian business men due to the way their hotels work. That's why it's a Chinese company making this.

All those situation assume you have a laptop.
Which can do this with its internal wifi without need for any USB Wfi.

Still not getting its purpose

GarIT

Dudda wrote: »

If you are in a public WiFi you can use it to create your own private secure WiFi from the public one.

A perfect example would be if you are in a hotel room with your phone and a chromecast. The chromecast can't connect to the hotel WiFi as they usually have login pages which the chromecast doesn't currently support. This created a WiFi that it can log into. You can now use your own Netflix while traveling without having to pay for expensive hotel pay per view movies. I don't bring a bulky laptop with me while traveling.

Another use. While not common in Ireland when traveling, Asia especially, you usually get hard wired internet only with WiFi costing extra. This creates you're own WiFi that you can connect your phone or tablet too. Other places charge you for each device you connect which is where this comes in useful if you travel with a tablet and phone.

It's not to useful in Ireland but they are very popular with Asian business men due to the way their hotels work. That's why it's a Chinese company making this.

It doesn't work like that. You could use it to make your own network but the traffic would then have to travel over the unsecured network anyway. You could make a private network, in which the data would just be then routed through the public network. You need a VPN for what you are talking about. If any point in a connection is unsecured the whole connection might as well be unsecured.

After the first part it's all good points though.

keithclancy

Dudda wrote: »

If you are in a public WiFi you can use it to create your own private secure WiFi from the public one.

A perfect example would be if you are in a hotel room with your phone and a chromecast. The chromecast can't connect to the hotel WiFi as they usually have login pages which the chromecast doesn't currently support. This created a WiFi that it can log into. You can now use your own Netflix while traveling without having to pay for expensive hotel pay per view movies. I don't bring a bulky laptop with me while traveling.

Another use. While not common in Ireland when traveling, Asia especially, you usually get hard wired internet only with WiFi costing extra. This creates you're own WiFi that you can connect your phone or tablet too. Other places charge you for each device you connect which is where this comes in useful if you travel with a tablet and phone.

It's not to useful in Ireland but they are very popular with Asian business men due to the way their hotels work. That's why it's a Chinese company making this.

I do this already... but I just bring a HDMI cable.

But if its wired Internet with a capture page (common in Germany) and a code I just create an Ad-Hoc Network with my Laptop.

Or create a PAN with Bluetooth.

Dudda

@GarIT
True but you could use it to share files among the devices on the network you create.

beauf wrote: »

All those situation assume you have a laptop.
Which can do this with its internal wifi without need for any USB Wfi.

Still not getting its purpose

I don't know about this one but the ones I was interested in and looking at which were launched this week at CES, eg the Buffalo WMR-433 Wireless Travel Router, didn't require a laptop. I don't travel with a laptop.

keithclancy wrote: »

I do this already... but I just bring a HDMI cable.

But if its wired Internet with a capture page (common in Germany) and a code I just create an Ad-Hoc Network with my Laptop.

Or create a PAN with Bluetooth.

Who uses cables? If its a presentation you are controlling from a phone you don't want cables.



Look its use cases in Ireland are limited but portable routers are popular in Asia due to the way the hotels work.

DubDJ

Just bought one, even if I never intend to use it it's still handy for €2.95 in case I ever need it.

degsie

Allyall wrote: »

More info - http://en.miui.com/

What has this to do with the device. Random link

beauf

Dudda wrote: »

....
Look its use cases in Ireland are limited but portable routers are popular in Asia due to the way the hotels work.

But its not a portable router. Its a USB wifi stick.

degsie

beauf wrote: »

But its not a portable router. Its a USB wifi stick.

Have to agree. This is being misrepresented in the product name. It's a bog standard USB WiFi dongle.

keithclancy

Dudda wrote: »

@GarIT
True but you could use it to share files among the devices on the network you create.



I don't know about this one but the ones I was interested in and looking at which were launched this week at CES, eg the Buffalo WMR-433 Wireless Travel Router, didn't require a laptop. I don't travel with a laptop.



Who uses cables? If its a presentation you are controlling from a phone you don't want cables.



Look its use cases in Ireland are limited but portable routers are popular in Asia due to the way the hotels work.

From your description its the same as Germany with T-Mobile or someone having a landing page on the Hotel Wifi.

During presentations I connect my Laptop to the Projector and use the phone to control the presentation via Bluetooth.

Still don't get it.

I already have a nano Wifi thing .. I don't even use it for this purpose, use it in my Raspberry Pi.

Edit: Ah .. its just a Wifi stick then ... why didn't they just say that

Allyall

beauf wrote: »

Its only useful if the laptop has no wifi (unlikely)

Or a desktop. Why would you need a portable one for a desktop?

For Tablets/Phones/Wireless Speakers etc.. If you don't have a wireless card, put this into the PC that has Ethernet connection.

degsie wrote: »

What has this to do with the device. Random link

Scroll down on that link and it shows the list of Countries.
Below that link i pointed out that I only found information in the French forums, but there may be more info now or soon in the English speaking forums, or one of the others.

beauf wrote: »

But its not a portable router. Its a USB wifi stick.

degsie wrote: »

Have to agree. This is being misrepresented in the product name. It's a bog standard USB WiFi dongle.

It's not a wifi stick. It will create a 'network'. Not the same way as a wi-fi dongle. Handy in many places as Dudda mentioned and many more. - Obviously not to be compared to an expensive router.

More information should be available soon.

degsie

A router joins two or more networks together at a given protocol layer. To do this there would have to be more than one physical/logical network interfaces. In order to route traffic a device needs to support a routing protocol (RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS or BGP), there is no mention of these in the specs. Just sayin'.

beauf

Allyall wrote: »

For Tablets/Phones/Wireless Speakers etc.. If you don't have a wireless card, put this into the PC that has Ethernet connection.

Would this be likely in a hotel room? That you'd have brought a desktop with you?

Allyall wrote: »

It's not a wifi stick. It will create a 'network'. Not the same way as a wi-fi dongle. ..

You can use a wifi stick to create a network. A wifi dongle generally refers to a usb wifi card that takes a 3G sim. We're not taking about that. Any normal wifi card, internal or external usb can be used to create a network.

I'm simply asking how is this Xiaomi different.

Allyall

beauf wrote: »

Would this be likely in a hotel room? That you'd have brought a desktop with you?

I don't think so. Not very likely. Not sure I get you.
It applies to my friends house, who has a PC no wireless card and no wifi. Also many other scenarios.

beauf wrote: »

I'm simply asking how is this Xiaomi different.

I'll be able to answer that better after it arrives and I've used it.

beauf

I was referring to the earlier example given as hotels rooms.

Blinked_Missed It

Anyone else having problems adding this to the cart. Its showing as greyed out for myself and a mate on another pc.

ozmo

expired anyway? No add to cart button.

griffdaddy

Did anyone ever actually get this? I ordered but no sign of it

moodrater

griffdaddy wrote: »

Did anyone ever actually get this? I ordered but no sign of it

6-8 weeks would be normal enough for china but with chinese new year in the middle you can probably add another 2.

Kenny Logins

This is one bargain I'll resist. I really don't see the point of them, beyond looking pretty.

DubDJ

griffdaddy wrote: »

Did anyone ever actually get this? I ordered but no sign of it

Nope, still hasn't arrived for me.

patq16

DubDJ wrote: »

Nope, still hasn't arrived for me.

I got a cancellation email and full refund from them last week .I had'nt contacted them or asked for refund .Dont know if everyone will get the same or not.

dingding

Mine has not arrived either.

Allyall

They sent me an email asking to confirm my order and address on paypal or something..

I didn't see it, so I didn't reply/confirm. So they cancelled my order.
It was in my spam.

Peterdalkey

We have ethernet internet to our PCs in the office (no wifi), would a device like this allow me to use my wifi only iPad at work via my PC comnnection?

degsie

Peterdalkey wrote: »

We have ethernet internet to our PCs in the office (no wifi), would a device like this allow me to use my wifi only iPad at work via my PC comnnection?

From previous comments this might not be suitable, plus it looks like no one has managed to get their hands on one anyway!

This will work in your situation (in AP mode):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-WR702N-Wireless-Extender-Set-top/dp/B006PYGWG6/

ozmo

Peterdalkey wrote: »

We have ethernet internet to our PCs in the office (no wifi), would a device like this allow me to use my wifi only iPad at work via my PC comnnection?

Just a heads up though - Doing that could get you in big trouble though as it potentially opens the whole office to hacking from anyone within earshot of the wifi - best check with whoever does the office IT first.

Peterdalkey

ozmo wrote: »

Just a heads up though - Doing that could get you in big trouble though as it potentially opens the whole office to hacking from anyone within earshot of the wifi - best check with whoever does the office IT first.

Good point!! We work in a dictatorship but luckily I hold that role at the moment!!

Blinked_Missed It

Peterdalkey wrote: »

We have ethernet internet to our PCs in the office (no wifi), would a device like this allow me to use my wifi only iPad at work via my PC comnnection?

Yes: If your employer is ok with you plugging a hotspot into their network and the pcs are up to date enough. Are they Windows 98 etc?

If they are not happy with that its all a bit GSOC as ozmo has just said before me (literally as I was writing this )

Also bear in mind if it later gets hacked by someone else they'll likely look for scapegoats. Just make sure when setting it up to use a randomly generated password such as from Lastpass (google it) and never ever use mobile numbers, names or normal words from the dictionary.

dingding

Mine did not arrive so I opened a dispute with paypal. Note that you have 45 days from payment to open a dispute and it is almost 45 days for me.

If you have not got it yet it might be worth disputing the transaction with paypal.