Normally writing this first paragraph is easy, it just explains very briefly what the item being reviewed is, be it software, hardware, something for the home, something for the office or even something for the children. This box connects to the Internet using your modem but it is not exactly a router, it’s really for the Internet of Things, any wiser?
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click image to enlargeFirst the easy bit what you get in the box, the main part is the 15x15x3.5cm hotspot, and there is a detachable 14cm long rod aerial and a power adapter. Finally you get a small booklet with some instructions in twelve languages.
The hotspot has three connections on the back first for the power adapter, second for the screw in rod aerial and third for an Ethernet cable; the last may not be required as it can connect to your Wi-Fi. You do need to have Bluetooth turned on.
This is not a hotspot as per an Internet café.
It is a decentralised wireless network that is basically a longfi network linking to other Helium Hotspots.
The setup is done on your mobile phone, as part of your setup you are given twelve random words these you write down in the booklet and should you ever change your phone you need these to get ownership of your hotspot transferred to your new phone. Every time you log in to your hotspot you have to enter a six numeral pin that you also setup.
In the long term your hotspot will connect to others and as you and others link together you can earn money in the form of a cryptocurrency called Helium.
So next a few more words that mean something to a few like Block chain, Peoples Network and Longfi.
This becomes a distance wireless network and has a use for Internet of Things.
So while you do give it access to your Network for bandwidth you are not giving anyone anywhere any access to your data or files stored on any of your computers or phones. Your phone is the link between the hotspot and the rest of the network but not anything stored on your phone.
Can you make money by having a Hotspot maybe but how long will that be, I have no idea.
So when devices connect to your Hotspot you get a payment and when several hotspots connect together you get part of the total over the number of hotspots.
One of the backers of Helium Hotspots is Google Ventures, another is Nestle’s Ready Refresh.
You can purchase a Helium Hotspot from the link below for 450 Euros.
https://europe.helium.com/
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