Tata Photon Max Wi-Fi Internet dongle with built-in hotspot launched

Tata Photon Max Wi-Fi Internet dongle

Last week, Tata Docomo launched the Photon Max WiFi, an internet dongle which doubles up as a WiFi hotspot. If you are wondering how the device works or are looking for an upgrade, read on for our exclusive review.

The Tata Docomo Photon Max WiFi dongle is a USB 2.0 device powered by a Qualcomm Gobi dual-core processor. It offers speeds up to 6.2 Mbps with no-roaming charges, which makes it a great buy for users who travel frequently.

Tata Photon Max Wi-Fi Internet dongle

The device works as a WiFi hotspot, and can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously. The dongle doesn't have a built in battery, so it needs to be connected to a power source to work. It can either be plugged into a laptop/PC, or directly into a power adapter with a USB port. Unfortunately, a power adapter is not supplied with the dongle. We plugged it into an iPhone's USB charger and it worked perfectly.

The Photon Max WiFi can be used as storage device with up to 16GB of memory. It is fitted with a Micro SD card slot, which can be accessed by sliding off the top cover. Tata Docomo doesn't include a memory card in the package though, so users will have to purchase that separately.

Setting up

Once you get your Photon Max WiFi dongle, Tata Docomo will send you a a 10-digit Photon number. You will need to dial 
1800-266-121 and follow the instructions to talk to a customer service agent, who will verify your details for the setup.

Tata Docomo has provided this 10-digit number as an added layer of security, but unfortunately if you don't have the number, there seems to be no way to speak to customer service. There should a provision for users to identify themselves using personal security questions, in case they have misplaced or forgotten the number.

After the phone verification is complete, you need to plug the dongle into a laptop or PC to set up the device. The software will download automatically, and a web management interface will pop up where users need to follow a series of simple steps to set up the device. These are detailed in the Quick User Guide which is included in the box.

You can choose to either continue browsing on a PC/laptop with the device plugged in, or connect it to a power source to use it as a WiFi hotspot. The default password is provided by Tata Docomo, after which you can change it via the web interface.