Tablets with built in 4G LTE cellular cards are preferred among technicians.
This allows for the technicians to simply grab a microPod and the tablet then go on to perform the needed wiTECH 2.0 functions outside of the dealer’s Wi-Fi range. Tablets that have been tested successfully include the Apple iPad Air 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2. It is strongly recommended that a rugged case by purchased with these tablets to handle the day to day wear from the dealership’s shop environment.
There were no differences found in the performance of wiTECH 2.0 between the different brands of tablets.
It is always ideal to check which cellular providers offer the best coverage around your dealership prior
to purchasing a hotspot.
The utilizing of a standalone hotspot was found to be ideal when sharing between numerous technicians. This allows for technicians to utilize their preferred viewing device (such as a smart phone, tablet, or laptop) and then grab a microPod with the standalone hotspot to perform wiTECH 2.0 functions outside of the dealership’s Wi-Fi range. The standalone hotspot that was tested in this case was the Verizon Mi-Fi Jetpack.
It is always ideal to check which cellular providers offer the best coverage around your dealership prior to purchasing a hotspot. This can be done by utilizing services such as www.opensignal.com.
The use of a hotspot on a cell phone is also available for use with wiTECH 2.0. A cell phone can be used as a standalone hotspot, in which a tablet and microPod can be connected to the cell phone’s hotspot. Or it can also be used as the viewing interface, in which the technician only requires a microPod and cell phone. It has been tested using several phones such as the iPhone 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S6, without any concerns.
Using a smart phone as a mobile hotspot is not recommended as a viewing device due to the smaller screens, but is efficient for minor diagnostic work. Remember, a smart phone’s primary function is not a hotspot. This means that if the smartphone is being used as a standalone hotspot, it is recommended to purchase a standalone hotspot instead such as a Verizon Mi-Fi Jetpack.
It is always ideal to check which cellular providers offer the best coverage around your dealership prior to purchasing a hotspot. This can be done by utilizing services such as www.opensignal.com.
