Typically if you need to get some Wi-Fi devices online while you’re in the car, you’ll use your phone or tablet as a mobile hotspot or buy a dedicated hotspot device. Now you’ve got a third option thanks to a new device from AT&T.
The ZTE Mobley is a new Wi-Fi hotspot device that’s launching at AT&T this week. What’s interesting about the Mobley is that it plugs into a car’s on-board diagnostics (OBD II) port, which are in most vehicles made since 1996. Since it plugs into the car, the device doesn’t have a battery and doesn’t need to be charged, and it’ll turn on and off with your car.
When it launches this Friday, the Mobley will cost $0 down with a two-year contract or $100 without a commitment. You can add it to an existing Mobile Share Value plan for an additional $10 per month, or you can get a dedicated DataConnect plan for the Mobley that includes 1GB per month for $20 or 3GB for $30.
If you frequently find yourself needing to get several devices online while in your car, the ZTE Mobley could come in handy. It may not be portable like a dedicated mobile hotspot, but the Mobley does discreetly plug into your car and doesn’t require you to keep it charged, meaning that you won’t find risk finding yourself with a dead hotspot after you forgot to charge its battery up.