Originally Posted by
moondog
No. My device looks kind of like a cell phone. I can leave it in my laptop bag or my coat pocket, and still use it, as can up to 5 other people.
I think the marketing/industry term is mobile hotspot (or mobile wifi hotspot).
On #6, that is something one can buy stateside before leaving. I bring along an Airport Express, which is preconfigured to provide access through the ethernet port in the room. The advantage is it's password locked, so it's as secure as the ethernet in the room (as opposed to hotel/public wifi).