Mobile hotspots are battery-powered standalone devices that use your phone’s cellular network to create a wireless internet connection for a laptop or other device, very much like a modem and router. The hotspot is charged with a USB connection. Hotspots are available from your cellular provider and typically require a mobile data plan with your provider to pay for the additional data usage. While you can use your smartphone as a WiFi access point to connect another smartphone, or device (referred to as tethering) you should check with your wireless provider as these services could be limited by plan or be subject to additional charges and may require newer device operating systems. While both the smartphone and hotspot will allow users to connect to the wireless device’s service, the hotspot will provide greater range and allow the operation of more devices from the same access point. Plus, the hotspot provides a WPA-2 encrypted service, known data charges and good b...