Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

This project describes converting an inexpensive commercial 4G wireless hotspot into a texting device. The creator took a sub-$20 battery-powered 4G modem with WiFi, Bluetooth, and a display, and repurposed it for text… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes.

1. 1
   Reolink Go▲77

   A wire-free 4G LTE security camera, ☀️powered

   2018 · reolink.com · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Jelly▲126

   The smallest 4G smartphone

   2017 · kickstarter.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   getWiFi▲324

   A global map of 500,000+ open, public WiFi hotspots

   2016 · cellularnews.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Skyroam Solis Lite▲79

   Small yet powerful global pocket WiFi

   2020 · on.simo.co · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Visible▲325

   It's phone service. In an app.

   2018 · visible.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   I hacked my microwave with a Raspberry Pi▲423

   A few months ago, I was inspired by this post on Reddit, titled: Food items should have QR codes that instruct the microwave exactly what to do. Like high for 2 minutes, let stand 1 minute, medium 1 minutes.. I thought this was a pretty cool idea, and that it

   2013 · madebynathan.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   HotSpotio▲76

   Share your WiFi for favors

   2015 · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Endaga▲106

   Build your own cellular network. Just add power & internet.

   2014 · endaga.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Airfoil▲120

   Turn your old phone into a wireless music system like Sonos

   2014 · rogueamoeba.com · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Neverstop by Karma▲238

    All you can surf WiFi. $50/month up to 5Mbps. No data caps.

    2015 · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Torch▲130

    Smart wifi router made for parents of young children

    2015 · mytorch.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Misfit Bolt▲114

    A wirelessly connected smart bulb

    2015 · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Cellular▲170

    Connect to your phone's hotspot from your Mac seamlessly

    2023 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Helium Hotspot▲112

    Powering the world's first peer-to-peer wireless network

    2019 · helium.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Flow▲97

    Precise low cost wireless control dial (pre-launch)

    2014 · indiegogo.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Google Fi▲193

    Wireless phone plan designed w/ the latest Google tech

    2018 · fi.google.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    Dweet▲64

    Ridiculously simple messaging for the Internet of Things.

    2014 · dweet.io · its alternatives →

18. 18
    500,000 free WiFi hotspots plotted around the world▲153

    Authenticate Wi‑Fi users with SMS or vouchers at hotels, restaurants and cafes

    2016 · getwi.fi · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Powermat▲63

    Wirelessly charge your phone

    2014 · bongdainfox.tv · its alternatives →

20. 20
    PandwaRF – RF Hacking Tool with Sub 1GHz RF Transceiver, BLE and USB▲60

    PandwaRF: RF analysis tool with a sub-1 GHz wireless transceiver controlled by a smartphone or - Home · ComThings/PandwaRF Wiki

    2016 · github.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Kiwi▲73

    wifi-enabled wearable sensor (or, IFTTT IRL)

    2014 · kiwiwearables.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Karma▲95

    social wifi

    2013 · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Relay G10▲68

    Wireless guitar system

    2016 · line6.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    shortwave▲106

    Short-range anonymous messaging (Secret meets Firechat)

    2014 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →