NetZero Personal Mobile HotSpot MiFi Review

Technology

NetZero Review, Giveaway

Loyal Mommy Blog Expert readers know how intense my family of six, including four teenagers (triplets plus big brother born just a year apart), my hubbie and I are about embracing the latest wireless mobile technology. Having acquired a new Motorola XYBoard Tablet, another iPad, and a Nokia Lumia smart phone within the past month alone, our wireless device collection continues to expand, now numbering over 18 laptops, tablets, readers, cell phones, smart phones and other devices -- and is showing no signs of slowing growth any time soon.

NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot

MBE partnered with NetZero for this story and giveaway

So when I was asked to do a review and giveaway of the NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot MiFi wireless router product which was just released in March 2012, I realized I couldn't have been selected for a more practical blogging assignment. This is such a cool family-friendly tech tool because it has the capability to provide portable Internet service on the go, connecting up to eight devices simultaneously. For sure with our tech focused lifestyle, this is a product and service that my very wired family needed badly.

Apparently we are not unlike other wired family households, part of a much larger consumer trend that reveals an ever-increasing appetite for more and better mobile connected devices. The statistics back this reality up. According to CEA research, smartphone revenue is expected to crest $37 billion next year (16% increase over 2012) and tablet sales are expected to surpass 105 million units, the equivalent of $35.6 billion in sales (a whopping 54% more than this year).

So, without further adieu, here is my hands-on experience report. 

NetZero Personal HotSpot Review

Setting up the NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot, which comes with its own micro USB cable, rechargeable battery, wall charger, Getting Started Guide and connection software CD, was a breeze. The device comes partially charged so you can start using it instantly right out of the box. All that's needed to get it working is the required Activated NetZero 4G Mobile Broadband Service and a Wi-Fi enabled device and you are in business. There are no activation fees, contract commitments or overage charges. 

The device sells for $99.95 as of press time. The service coverage area map shows coverage across the U.S. in and near 80 cities including all major metropolitan areas and most larger cities. However there will be times when there is no signal if you are outside these areas, especially in remote parts of the country. With that said, it's highly recommended that you check the NetZero coverage map  -- like you would when signing up for any cell phone service -- to ensure this is the right solution for you.

Four NetZero 4G Mobile Broadband Service Plans are available

• $9.95/month, 500MB
• $19.95/month, 1GB
• $34.95/month, 2GB
• $49.95/month, 4GB

With this mobile hot spot's 6-hour battery life, I've already discovered that it is particularly handy on the go while traveling around my hometown of Los Angeles by car with family because it is portable and compact, measuring just 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" square and weighing only 4.4 ounces.

 

In fact this gadget is so tiny it fits in my over-crowded handbag! Already my high school kids are loving this, benefiting from using it because they have access to the Internet enroute to and from home and school and can now work on their homework on their laptops and tablets while I drive. We do a lot of family vacation trips, too, so I plan to bring this along whenever we travel.

This is also going to be great for me to use when I travel for business and I expect it to be invaluable when I cover International CES in Las Vegas in January because I'll have Wi-Fi access on both my iPhone 5 and my iPad 2 as well as any new laptops, tablets or smartphones I may receive for review during the conference.

This is too good of a technology product to keep to myself. So I am thrilled to let you know that NetZero has provided a NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot MiFi device plus 3 months of Platinum service (a $300 value) for Mommy Blog Expert to give away on this blog. Read on to find out how you can win this awesome and useful prize that busy moms, dads, kids and whole families will definitely appreciate.

NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot 
Plus 3 Months Free Service
Prize ARV$300

GIVEAWAY

Ends 12/26/12

NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot out of the box

How to Enter Giveaway

Just leave a comment(s) below this post. Contest ends December 26, 2012 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive the NetZero 4G Personal Hotspot device plus three months of free Platinum Service. The prize package has a total value of $300. Winner will be selected at random from all entries received and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize. 

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment saying why you'd like to win this prize. Don't forget to include your social handle in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries 

Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win.

1. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Twitter 

2. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Facebook
3. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Pinterest
4. Follow @netzero on Twitter
5. Follow @netzero on Facebook

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Disclaimer: I am a member of the MomItForward.com blogger network. MBE partnered with NetZero through Mom It Forward to provide me with this compensated review opportunity. Thoughts are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.