Relay

Relay is a $199 USB-C card that brings 5G cellular connectivity to any MacBook without hotspots, extra devices, or software setup. It connects directly to a 5G tower and leverages macOS's native USB-to-ethernet support (available since 2014), so the Mac recognizes it instantly as a wired internet interface. The company is targeting the 100 million Mac users who have never had built-in cellular, offering a plug-and-play alternative to phone hotspots, public Wi-Fi, and hotspot pucks — all of which have significant usability and reliability drawbacks.

MacBooks have never shipped with built-in cellular connectivity. Current workarounds — phone hotspots, public Wi-Fi, and hotspot pucks — all drain batteries, introduce security risks, or add extra devices to manage.

Relay is a $199 USB-C card that connects a MacBook directly to a 5G tower with no app, no drivers, and no battery required. macOS natively recognizes it as an ethernet interface, making setup instant and seamless.

Core technical risk resolved: macOS natively recognizes Relay hardware as an internet interface. Hardware team is currently building the first physical prototype. A waitlist is live and customer interviews have begun. Competitor review scraping (121 reviews across 6 competitors) validated demand and identified Mac incompatibility and battery issues as top pain points.