MacMost: Connectivity

If your carrier supports it, you can set up a personal hotspot with your iPhone so other devices like a MacBook or iPad can access the Internet. You can also connect with a dock cable or via Bluetooth.

The Airport Location utility allows you to take snapshots of your Mac's preferences and then manually or automatically switch between these preferences. This could save time if you use your Mac in different environments or in different modes. For instance, you could create snapshots for work, home, library or travel and then easily change dozens of settings with just one action.

Mobile wireless Internet connections have evolved into mobile hotspots: devices that allow you create your own Internet-connected wifi network while on the go. You can get mobile hotspot devices from Verizon and Sprint. This sort of connection has many advantages over USB devices and public Internet access.

The iPad has many apps that can be used to create and view documents. Getting those documents to and from the iPad can be done using several different methods. You can do it using iTunes and special features built into some apps.

If you have a wireless network at home you should set up wireless security. It is as simple as setting a password through the Airport Utility application or the Web interface of your wireless router. This will not only prevent others from accessing your network and using your Internet connection, but it will also encrypt your data.

You can use Airport Utility to configure your Airport Extreme so you can access your Macs for file sharing and screen sharing. It involves both DHCP reservations and Port Forwarding. It also helps if you have a static IP address for your home Internet access.

Gary Rosenzweig talks about the mobile broadband service from Sprint that he has been using. With a wireless USB modem, he is able to get broadband speeds just about anywhere. Good as a travel solution, or as a backup to a connection at home or at work.

Gary Rosenzweig looks at the options for hooking your MacBook up to the net through Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile. You can use Express34 cards or USB devices to get access almost anywhere in the U.S.