14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone carrier Sprint has just announced the availability of a new software update for the Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot from Sierra Wireless.
The new firmware update, available as version 2.23, was released into the wild starting with Wednesday, November 10, 2010, and should offer increased performance levels to all device owners on the carrier's airwaves.
Some of the main enhancements the new software update bring to the Overdrive include:
- Improved Wi-Fi stability: Significantly resolves Wi-Fi disconnect issues on the device when idle (including improvements specific to iPad). - Improved Connection Stability: Greatly reduces random 3G/4G disconnects. - Improved Device Stability: All known freeze-ups and lock-ups eliminated. - Improved 4G Rescan timer - Allows end-user to modify how frequently the device scans for 4G when currently in 3G (from 1-15 minutes). Allows users to trade off battery life for improved 4G scanning performance. Previously, the Overdrive was pre-set to 10 minute scanning periods. - New Over Temp UI Indications: Provides more comprehensive indication of charging and temperature. - 4G Automatic Update Feature: Allows Sprint to push new software updates going forward to the device.
According to the wireless carrier, following the update, the Overdrive should boot up faster, with a boot speed enhancement of around 20 percent (10-12 seconds faster) when compared to before.
The wireless carrier also announced that the new software update can be downloaded either over the air, or as a manual update.
If performed over the air, users would have to connect their computers to the Overdrive via Wi-Fi, and go to http://overdrive/ on the browser.
There, they would need to hit Advanced Settings, select Device>Basic tab and select “Check updates now.” The Overdrive would have to be plugged into the AC power.
The manual update includes downloading the update from Sprint's website here, connect the device to the computer via Wi-Fi, go to http://overdrive/ on the browser, then Advanced Settings and select Device>Basic tab.
There, users would have to select the Choose File option under the Update Firmware from file. The device would have to be plugged into the AC power.
“Overdrive 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,” the wireless carrier stated.
“Overdrive connects up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously – including laptops, gaming devices, cameras and even smartphones from other carriers – through a single connection (via Wi-Fi), to a network that is up to 10 times faster than 3G service1 – all on the first wireless 4G network from a national carrier.”