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Seth Weintraub

Apple versus Google

Sprint's XOHM WiMAX Service not for Macs

4 comments

TAGS:Mobile WiMax, Sprint, WiMax, Xohm, zyxel
IT TOPICS:Emerging Technology, Macintosh & Apple, Mobile & Wireless, Networking, Personal Technology, VoIP

Sprint's new WiMAX service rollout in Baltimore has all of the makings of a great new Internet service. Double or triple T1 speeds anywhere in the metro area for $30/month sounds fantastic. For the time being though, devices from a certain Cupertino-based company are left out of the fold.

xohm usb wimax expresscard Sprint has two major classes of devices that can access their service. Devices such as the Nokia N810 and certain Intel laptops already have WiMAX built in. Easy. No Macs currently have this option.

You also have the option of add on.

The two add on cards however don't currently have drivers for the Mac. The USB card states that you need:

OS: Windows XP® with SP2 or Vista®
Slot: USB
CPU: 466 MHz or higher (1GHz or higher recommended)
RAM: 256 MB minimum (512 MB or higher recommended)
Storage: 100 MB available disk drive space
Drive: CD-ROM
Web Browsers: Compatable with IE 6 & 7, Firefox 1.5 & 2.0, Safari 3.0 (may function with other browsers as well

..the ExpressCard version requires:

Drive: CD-ROM
OS: Windows® XP with SP2 or Windows® Vista
Slot: ExpressCard/34 standard or standard PC Card slot (PMCIA slot) with included adapter
CPU: 466 MHz or higher (1 GHz or higher recommended)
RAM: 256 MB (512 MB or higher recommended)
Web Browsers: Compatible with IE 6 & 7, Firefox 1.5 & 2.0, Safari 3.0 (may work with other web browsers as well)
Storage: 100 MB available disk drive space

All is not lost however. You have a few options. You can run the USB or ExpressCard devices in Parallels, VMWare or Bootcamp to connect your Mac to WiMAX. This is a hassle but can be used in a pinch or until Mac drivers are made available. Also, if you are a stationary user, you can buy the WiMAX Modem from Zyxel to connect your home or office network.

You can also buy a Nokia N810 and use it as a Wifi Router for your Mac. Not a bad solution if you can justify a "$300 modem" Also, my understanding is that WiMAX drains batteries as much as 3G service, so this might still be a stop gap.

The third and probably best option for mobile Mac Road Warriors who are interested in WiMAX is to wait until Apple delivers drivers for the devices. One particular component looks like it is ready to go into a MacBook any moment now.

Sprint's XOHM service has a great deal of potential, it is surpising that Apple hasn't made this service available to its customers.

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Google

Submitted by Anonymousx on August 24, 2009 - 1:21 P.M.

Google

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Looking for a WiMax enabled iPod Touch...

Submitted by M Henderson on October 2, 2008 - 4:47 P.M.

... that can handle Vonage voice service (or another comparable VoIP provider)and serve as a digital modem for my iMac. Such a combo would allow me to potentially drop my cable modem service and cell phone from a functionality perspective while reducing the number of devices.

I have been using a conventional Sanyo SCP7300 as a digital modem for my office laptop for a few years. Gives me about 100 kbps throughput (symmetrical) which is adequate for limited email and web browsing. Interesting part is that Sprint does not charge additional with the rate plan that I am on to use this. Also, I can even receive calls when the modem is active. (can't place calls, although I may be able to use VoIP from my laptop.)

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VoIP works...

Submitted by M Henderson on October 2, 2008 - 5:34 P.M.

... on just a 100 kbps cell phone connection. Makes sense, but this now gives me the option to try to push for other simultaneous activities like email, browsing, and maybe some desktop sharing. Not sure what breaks with bandwidth constraints, but it is information worth knowing. Imagine what is possible with 20x the speed...

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or u can buy the cradlepoint

Submitted by Fini on September 30, 2008 - 6:58 P.M.

or u can buy the cradlepoint phs300/ctr350 wifi routers, they only support evdo USB modems now, but there will most likely IMO be a firmware update that will allow them to support wimax USB modems.

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