After purchasing my iPad (and before purchasing it), I still had my doubts that not being connected using the WiFi model when I’m out and about could be a problem. I tried to convince myself that the iPad would be a “stay at home” device, or at worst “take to office”. However, there are times when you’re not at both, e.g. in a hotel where you don’t want to pay very high internet wifi costs of £15 a day. This is where the iPad WiFi+3G mdoel really comes in and where the iPad WiFi model simply and unfortunately comes short.
I still had a doubt in my mind that although wanting to be an early adopter of the iPad that I would probably also buy the WiFi+3G model. Not only for the ability to have internet access when out and about but also to have the GPS access through the 3G chip.
Why have I decided I don’t need it? What’s changed my mind?
Well, the first reason is I don’t need a 10″ WiFi+3G to use as a navigation device in car, the 10″ device is really too large for most to place on the windscreen of the car, and there are no mounts available yet either.
The second reason is that I’ve now found a WinMobile app that I have purchased on the HTC HD2 called WMWifiRouter which allows me to setup my HTC HD2 as a WiFi Router and I can then use WEP or WPA2 to connect the iPad directly to this over WiFi just like I would connect the iPad WiFi to any other WiFi router.
WMWifiRouter works extremely well and for anyone that wants the WiFi+3G model but can’t shell out the additional cost and you also have a WinMobile phone then this is a must purchase at €14.99. It’s not cheap compared to some of the apps in the Windows Market Place, but it’s well worth it when you think that WiFi access in a hotel for 24 hours can cost £15! All you need to ensure is that you already have a 3G data plan on your WinMobile phone and that’s it! Note for other users of the iPhone and iPod, you can use these devices to connect to the WMWifiRouter too.
To use WMWifiRouter you need the following on your mobile device:
- Windows Mobile 5: AKU 3.3 or newer
- Windows Mobile 6: 6.0, 6.1, 6.5 or 6.5.3
- Both a wifi and a cellular data connection
- An installed and working version of Internet Sharing
Thanks go to Roman for letting me know there were WiFi Router apps out for WinMobile 
About the WMI wifi router. Does this mean my iPad turns into a router meaning I have unlimited internet. And also does it mean as long as I have the ipad plus 3g it will always work
By: Conlan S'OC on September 26, 2010
at 4:56 pm
The iPad doesn’t turn into a wifi router, it’s the windows mobile phone that is the router that allows the iPad wifi connect to it to use the winmobile phones Internet connection. It’s unlimited wifi access depending your mobile/cellular contract as it’s using your 3G bandwidth.
By: Dave Burrows on September 27, 2010
at 11:36 am