The introduction of 3's lates Mobile Wi-Fi represents a possible change in approach by this mobile vendor. The rather unimaginatively titled "Mi-Fi" product is another small footprint gadget from the Huawei stable. This model, the E5830, is a small form factor pandora's box of geek goodness. Let me explain why.

The gadget conbines wi-fi hub, 3g modem and firewall in a device that is pretty much identical in size to my first external 3G connection from a few years ago. The difference here is that the gadget is battery powered and can work in a number of ways:

• tethered: connected to your Windows computer the manager software allows you to change settings, in particular the SSID and WPA keys for the device. Defaults are set but as security conscious individuals I  know you want to changes these as soon as you get the gizmo. Thethered mode also allows you to connect to the 3G via the wire rather than wifi in the mode of the traditional mobile broadband modem.
• wi-fi hub: in this mode you can connect multiple devices using wi-fi. It represents a pretty tiny way of keeping a small network talking and comes complete with its own DHCP server.
• 3g: with wi-fi enabled this becomes the gateway to the 3G network for your devices (yes, multiple!).

I'm in my early days of playing. The 3 network (did they really think having a number as a name was a good idea and if so would they think so now?) postcode checker tells me I have signal strong enough to operate indoors. Alas, and they are not alone, their assessment is speculative at best. There is no signal here (Yorkshire's very own Bermuda Triangle but without the weather) and early impressions suggest the device is not particularly sensitive when there is a signal. To test it I took the device out one rainy evening and parked up at random. The device was turned on and wi-fi enabled once a 3G connection had been made. The somewhat unscientific comparison compared my iPhone on the O2 network at that location with the iPhone connected through wi-fi to this gizmo sat on the 3 3G network (you see what I mean about that name being a number?). O2 showed a download speed aof 350KB. Using the Mobile Wi-Fi I got a much more respectable 500KB. The connection seemed to work well for the duration of my tests which were a) very subjective and b) by no means exhaustive.

If you have read my travails with Vodafone about Mac support for Snow Leopard this gadget represents a terrific alternative to the USB dongle. Yes I know I need a Windows device to configure it (although it will work out of the box as SSID and WPA keys are set) but I like the control. I don't know what battery life is like so far so I will update you about that after some serious playing. The lights, while pretty, turn off after a few seconds. Nowhere did it tell me this and I thought I had a faulty device. I can see why they would need to turn off but it would have been great to have known it was going to happen.

The Mobile Wi-Fi is available from 3 on a 1 month rolling contract at £15 per month and a one off charge for the device of £69.99. It also comes a a 3GB enabled one-off purchase for £99.99.

Pros

• Battery power is such a boon
• Not having something the size of a finger protruding from my beloved laptops can only be a good thing
• Support for multiple devices takes it closer to heaven
• Seems pretty responsive on my Macbook - testing showed about a 540KB download speed.

Cons

• Confusing lights when plugged into power or is active. Something small/permanenent and flashing would be good
• Lack of detailed instructions except through help. There is a mass of configiration that can be done with this device - wouldn't it be great to be told how and what exactly can be done.

Unknowns

• Battery life - still to test exhaustively

Overall

I can't wait to try it out on a demo laptop with a VM installed on it and both having bridged IP addresses. Santa may just have delivered a few months early.