Settings Screen

Are you on unlimited data plan for your 5800? If yes, then this is probably the best application to exploit the most from your data plan. Finland based company, JoikuSoft recently update their most popular application, JoikuSpot to v2.5 and as usual we decided to test drive it on our 5800.

What does JoikuSpot do? This is one of the most innovative solutions, the kind of which I haven't seen on other mobile platforms yet. JoikuSpot uses your 3G/HSPA to convert your 5800 to a full fledged wireless router. This means you can now connect n umber of Wi-Fi enabled devices on your very own Wi-Fi hotspot which is as mobile as you! This is the perfect application to tease the iPhone/iTouch users with, making them rely on our symbian devices for their Wi-Fi needs.

This application is such a relief for it saves me from relying on a separate data plan for my laptop and the prerequisite for mobile data plans, 3G dongle. True, that I could have always relied on  the supplied data cable to use my 5800 as a modem but this is a major problem when I am working on Linux/Mac for there are no modem drivers for these OS  yet (atleast not easy to find them). Further, I can now connect more than one devices to my very own Wi-Fi hot spot wherever I go. JoikuSpot does seem like a perfect solution for my mobile data needs.

Installation

JoikuSpot comes in two versions: JoikuSpot Light and JoikuSpot Premium.While JoikuSpot Light is a freeware, it only supports standard web-browsing and the official website of JoikuSpot is set as the homepage by default. JoikuSpot Premium is a paid application costing € 15 brings some value added features like VPN, SSH or HTTPS for heavy data users. The Light version should be ideal from light users, who dont mind some minor inconveniences for casual browsing. Both versions of the application can be downloaded from the MobiHand Website and users can even try the premium edition for the limited period of 2 days.

Features

The first time you run the application, it prompts to select the 3G access point, which will be used for setting up the adhoc network. Once the access point is selected, the application creates a new access point on the handset called "JoikuSpot_xxxxxx" and you can start using this access point on your laptop or other Wi-Fi enabled devices. By default this is is an uncrypted hotspot, meaning anyone can join but there is also an option to encrypt the hotspot to prevent others from stealing your bandwidth.

While the Wi-Fi experience was a bit bumpy when I was mobile (travelling to work on train), it was ideal when I was stationary (at the local coffeshop for my breakfast). This is the case with most 3G data packages but more so with JoikuSpot, which may be a hardware limitation more than a bug in the application.

The application does provide some network managing tools like the "status" tab, displays all the relevant information regarding the hotspot, including the number of bytes and data packets exchanged, the duration of connection and  among other things. There is a "clients" tab, that displays number of active devices connected to the network along with incoming connection requests.

As with any application that uses Wi-Fi, JoikuSpot is a major battery sucker! This is a hardware limitation as the Wi-Fi chip is a heavy power user and has got nothing to do with the application. If you plan to rely on this applicaiton for browsing on your laptop, its advisable to carry a USB charger for 5800, for unprecedented browsing experience.

Pros

1. Easy-to-use and setup personal adhoc wi-fi network on the go
2. Multiple devices can be connected, using your phone as a router

Cons

1. Heavy battery consumption by the w-fi hardware, limits usability of this application

Verdict

If you frequently use 3G internet for browsing on your laptop and are on an unlimited data plan, JoikuSpot is just the ideal solution. While the free Light version is suitable for most consumers, Premium version brings in advanced features like VPN, HTTPS and SSH for advanced users. For $14.90, the feature is set is very attractive and a must buy for heavy internet users.

Related posts:

1. Contest: Win 10 JoikuSpot Premium Licenses We are here again with more contests, and this...
2. Winners of the JoikuSpot Premium Contest And we came to the end of this contest...
3. Nokia 5800 App Review: BT Guard v2.2 Bluetooth is the most prefferred wireless technology to connect devices...
4. Nokia 5800 App Review: Tweets60 v1.22 "Tweet"ing has really caught up with the internet crowd...
5. Nokia 5800 App Review: PhoneLocator Everfelt the need for trailing someone remotely? PhoneLocator lets you...