Sprint’s latest WiMAX device, the Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot from Sierra Wireless has recently been announced and you’ll be seeing it available March 20, 2011. Pricing is marked at only $49.99 after a $50.00 mail-in rebate. This device will allow Sprint users to connect up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices to share a 3G/4G connection.

Sprint expresses to consumers that this is one great device. It’s not only smaller than their original but it also has major improvements in power up and down time as well as a larger LCD display. Sources suggest this device may be shown at the CTIA convention next week so we will hear about just how well it works then.

Take a look at the press release below:

Available March 20, Sprint’s 19th announced 4G-capable device is the next generation of the popular Overdrive mobile hotspot, with an increased number of shared users from five to eight, and a 45 percent larger LCD screen.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. and VANCOUVER, Canada–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sprint (NYSE:S) and Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ:SWIR) (TSX:SW) today announced upcoming availability of Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless. As the second generation of the popular Overdrive device, Overdrive Pro allows users to connect up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously – including laptops, tablets, eReaders, gaming devices, cameras and even smartphones from other carriers – through a single connection (via Wi-Fi) to a 4G network offering download speeds up to 10 times faster than today’s 3G service.

Overdrive Pro creates a connection between the Sprint 4G network and virtually all of the hundreds of millions of Wi-Fi-enabled electronics devices owned by or available to customers today. Beginning on March 20, customers will be able to purchase Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot exclusively from Sprint for $49.99 (excluding taxes) after a $50 mail-in-rebate with a two-year service agreement. Customers can purchase the device and sign up for 3G/4G plans at select Sprint retail stores, through business sales, Web (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1).

“There are endless possibilities for how our customers can take advantage of the easy wireless connection to Sprint 4G through this small device,” said Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development, Sprint. “Teams can travel and share access on-the-go, families can be connected in one household with tablets, game consoles and televisions, and shuttle buses can provide Internet access to their customers while en route to a destination. With Overdrive Pro, customers no longer have to look for mobile hotspots because they always have one with them.”

With Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, the benefits to consumers and businesses are endless:

• Stream a favorite TV show or movie from Hulu or Netflix® to your Netbook or tablet while simultaneously surfing the Web in another room
• Wirelessly connect an Xbox 360 and game real-time with someone located across the country
• Move pictures wirelessly from a camera to a digital picture frame and surf the Web on a laptop while streaming Pandora®
• Work remotely anywhere in a 4G coverage area (or virtually anywhere with 3G) and easily connect a laptop, smartphone, tablet or wireless phone through a single connection
• Teams that are travelling can share Internet access with each other at hotels, airports and conference centers
• Taxis, limos and shuttle buses can provide Internet access for customer use while en route to their destination
• Healthcare teams can rely on an easy, reliable, power-up-and-go solution to use in Emergency Response Team (ERT) Go Kits, or while treating patients bedside
• Engineering, construction and insurance teams can instantly upload data, pictures of sites, accidents and images remotely
• Reporters first on the scene of a breaking story can share access to upload stories and photos while at the scene, without missing a beat.

Overdrive Pro offers several enhancements over its predecessor, Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, focused on performance and usability, including a 35 percent improvement in power-up and power-down times. Overdrive Pro’s integrated LCD screen, which provides valuable information like signal strength, battery life, and number of devices connected, is 45 percent larger than the previous version for a wider viewing angle, while the device itself is smaller for easier portability. The LCD display has also been made even more informative, with detailed connection and device information available through additional screens that can be accessed by double-pressing the power button.

Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless requires activation on a Sprint 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Plan starting as low as $49.99 per month.2 Device can be used on both the Sprint 3G and 4G networks. This flexibility allows customers to enjoy 4G performance in any of the 71 Sprint 4G markets or to use Sprint’s reliable, nationwide 3G network.

“Overdrive Pro, combined with the power of Sprint’s 4G network, is a valuable tool for both consumers and business users looking for the best way to stay connected on the go,” said Dan Schieler, senior vice president and general manager, Mobile Computing for Sierra Wireless. “It’s remarkably easy to get up and running, and with support for eight Wi-Fi connections and a range of up to 150 feet, it’s equally useful to a remote work team sending reports and presentations back to the office as it is to a varsity team posting highlights from their winning game.”

Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless offers an easy way to keep all of your Wi-Fi-enabled devices connected, even when you’re on the move:

• Connects up to up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices
• Provides all the information you need to connect and monitor your connection through a simple user interface with integrated LCD screen
• Offers up to 150 foot range for Wi-Fi connections, providing flexibility in device placement and freedom of movement for users
• Supports 802.11n for wider compatibility with new Wi-Fi devices
• Shared microSD storage, GPS support and location-based services available to all connected devices
• Integrated security out-of-the-box requires no additional setup and provides peace of mind when working in public areas.
• External antenna ports, to be used with the separately sold docking station, coming soon

As the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology, Sprint made history by launching 4G in Baltimore in September 2008. Sprint currently offers 4G service in 71 markets in 28 states. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

Let us know what you think. Have you used Sprint’s WiMAX device before? Do you see room for improvement and consider getting this one? Let us know what you think.

Source: BGR via Sprint

Thanks to our friends at Sprint, over the course of the past week I have had the privilege to test and evaluate Sprint’s Overdrive 3G/4G mobile hotspot, and I must say this product is a must have for any road warrior. The device itself is similar to the MiFi and is capable of providing WiFi at both 3G and 4G (4G Network available in select cities) speeds to multiple devices with a single mobile broadband account.

“Accelerate at high speed with the first dual-mode shareable device of its kind-available only from Sprint. Now you can extend your 3G and 4G (4G Network available in select cities) experience beyond your laptop to any Wi-Fi-enabled device such as cameras, music players and portable game consoles. And because it supports up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices, you can share your high-speed connection with friends, family, co-workers and customers. 16 GB of shared storage and no software or activation to fuss with, the Overdrive is a must have for work or play, home or away.”

Highlights

• 3G Sprint Mobile Broadband Network and Sprint 4G Network-capable hotspot
• Unique LCD screen displays signal strength, battery level and network connection type

Key Features

• 4G speeds that are up to 10x faster than 3G*
• Dual-mode 3G/4G device
• Mobile hotspot
• GPS Navigation enabled
• Web browsing capable
• Memory card slot
• Improves in-building wireless signal
• Supports multiple simultaneous users

The Overdrive, which is made by Sierra Wireless, measures in at 3″x3″ and is about half an inch wide and weighs in at a hefty 4.5 ounces. The device itself has a single button used for turning it on and off. All the controlling of the device is done via http://overdrive/, which I thought was a very nice feature not having to install any additional software. Other external features are a mute switch, a micro USB port, and a microSD slot. Inside the device, there is a removable battery and a hard reset button as well. The Overdrive also has an LCD screen that is only visible when the display is active. The 1.4-inch LCD shows how well your coverage is, if you are on 3G or 4G, the name of your signal, your password, the amount of data you have transferred, and other vital information.

Using the device was quite simple, as I mentioned above, you do not have to install any third party software to get the device up and running. To activate the device you simply connect it to your computer, turn it on, and find the WiFi signal the way you normally would. The overdrive will display a security password on its LCD for you to enter once you have established the connection. Once you have the device set up to your liking you can connect to the internet or go back to the setup page (located at 192.168.0.1). This will also act as a handy status page that tells you about signal strength, alerts, and so forth.

Once I had the device set up to my laptop it was time to put it to the test. I strapped it into my truck and off we went for some true speed testing. I am fortunate that San Antonio is a 4G coverage area so I was able to test both 3G and 4G speeds and compare them to what Sprint advertises in my area. On my best day testing 4G speeds, I was able to get 4.2 mb/s down and .96 mb/s up, as for the 3G speeds I averaged around 445KBps down and 93KBps up.

Overall, I was satisfied with the device. My only complaint is the battery life. With only three hours of continuous use available (which is what’s advertised) you will need to remember to take a charger with you if you plan on using this device out-and-about.

Bottom Line: With an impressive design and good performance this device is a must have for any road warrior out there.

The Sprint Overdrive is available for $49.99 after instant savings and web special, also requires a new line or eligible upgrade with a 2-yr contract.