Hands on: Wilson's Sleek 4G cellphone amplifier cradle
updated 04:10 pm EST, Mon January 7, 2013
Sleek adds 4G support for US, Canadian carriers
Wilson Electronics has updated its Sleek cellphone signal amplifier, adding support for 4G standards used by a wide range of carriers. Electronista took an early look at the Sleek 4G at a media event in Las Vegas ahead of CES, while we wait for the US and Canadian variants to arrive on the market.
The Utah-based electronics company has made several variations of its Sleek booster, which doubles as a cradle and can be attached to a vehicle via several mounting options. As cellular carriers update their towers and devices to support modern standards such as LTE and HSPA+, Wilson has continued to update its Sleek to support the new standards and spectrum blocks.
The Sleek 4G is only slightly larger than its predecessors, but the cradle is still much more compact than many other amplifier systems. It now offers an additional USB port, enabling a device to be charged while it is held on a vent, dash or window mount.
The cradle is not flashy, but we've continued to be impressed by the effectiveness of Wilson's products. The 4G variant supports all signals used by major carriers in the US, while a separate version provides the same functionality for the different spectrum allocations of Canadian carriers. Both models are expected to be priced at $199 and available in the near future.
