Mobile road warriors can attest to the usefulness of 3G modems. It’s empowering to know that you can hop online at anytime, no matter where you are. It gets even better if you can use your 3G modem with a prepaid data plan, like the Broadband2Go plan from Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM). And, it looks like Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless understands the need for prepaid data plans. The No. 1 US wireless carrier (by subscriber count) has just announced a trio of new prepaid data plans for use with the Novatel USB760 3G modem. The plans range from $15 to $50 per month, but don’t expect to get what you pay for.
For $15, customers will get 75MB of data for a single day of service. For $30, Verizon will offer 250MB of data, which can be used over the course of a week. The highest prepaid plan offers 500MB of data for a month, but costs a whopping $50. Compare those prices to the $60 post-paid (contract required) data plan from Verizon, and it’s clear that the prepaid plans are disproportionately expensive. If you compare those prices to Virgin Mobile’s Broadband2Go plans, which offer 100MB for $10, 250MB for $20, 600MB for $40, or 1GB for $60, and Verizon’s new plans look like downright rip-offs.
What justifies the extra cost of Verizon’s prepaid data plans? As far as we can tell, you’re paying more just for the brand-name. Verizon apparently thinks people shop for 3G modems like they shop for designer jeans.
Verizon Wireless will launch the prepaid plans and the Novatel USB760 modem on November 15th via Verizon retail stores. The Novatel USB760 will cost $129.99, and it’s up to you to fill it up with prepaid data.
I was pretty sure the undead season had come and gone, but the tormented spirit of the far-fetched mobile companion idea has reared its ugly head once more in the form of fresh BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) drivers for the Celio redfly. Now, should you somehow become inclined, it’s now possible to plug your BlackBerry into this laptop-esque accessory (via USB or Bluetooth) and experience your smartphone on a bigger screen with a full keyboard and trackpad. If that sounds disturbingly familiar, it’s because you’re remembering the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Foleo, a project that was canned for fairly obvious reasons. Dusan still has a lot of hope for the idea, but I still don’t understand why I just wouldn’t invest a comparable amount of cash in a netbook or UMPC. In any case, if you’re thinking of picking up a redfly, they have one model going for $199 and another more buxom one for $249 over here. If you already have one, drivers for the BlackBerry 8900 Curve, Bold 9000, and Storm 9630 can be picked up from m.celiocorp.com/install on your mobile.
Here’s a novel idea. How’d you like to print out your own iPhone skin? The folks at iapeel.com are giving you that opportunity, with the all-in iaPeel kit. The kit, which is available for the 1st gen iPhone along with the 3G and 3GS will run you $20.95. Each starter kit comes with 5 printable ’skins’, featuring easy-align tabs for a good fit. Here’s the official description:
How do you take the world’s coolest phone and make it even cooler? Easy – you add an iaPeel skin! Just like all those great apps you’ve added on your iPhone to make it a one-of-a-kind device, an iaPeel skin gives it a custom touch that’s 100% you. And if you don’t want to get hung up on one look for your iPhone, it’s no problem – you can change skins as often as you like, with no residue left behind.
With five skins and easy-to-use software in each kit, you can make skins for yourself and four friends – hey, why not do matching skins for the whole gang! Makes a great gift for someone who’s just made the jump into the incredibly cool world of the iPhone.
The only bummer about this thing? Well, besides my ‘unknown’ factors (at this point) of product quality, fit-and-finish, and ease of installation and removal…the software that comes with this one is for Windows only. Good grief. Shouldn’t a Mac version be available too? I mean, this IS the iPhone we’re talking about, right?
Newton Peripherals is known for its ultra-portable products. You’ve probably seen their MoGo Mouse and even the Bluetooth headset we covered in the past. And now they prepared a special version of their headset for iPhone users, only.
It’s called MoGo Talk for iPhone and it’s touted as the “world’s first ultra-thin (5mm) integrated Bluetooth headset” that both stores and charges on the back of an iPhone, as you can see from the image above. The trick is in the foldable minimalist design that enables this and make the whole product cool.
As for the rest of the specs, MoGo Talk for iPhone comes with a battery that provides enough power for up to 4 hours of talk and one week of standby time. In terms of size, it measures 24×50x5 mm and has a weight of 9 grams.
Finally, availability wise, it should be available in Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) Stores as we speak for $129.99.
New from the folks at CAZE is the Zero 5 UltraThin case for iPhone 3GS and 3G. The new case claims to be the world’s thinnest transparent case for the 3GS and 3G. It measures up to a measly 0.5mm thick (or should I say, ‘UltraThin’?). Official description from the folks at CAZE:
This ultra-thin case is especially suitable for users who wish to show the original iPhone outlook and shape while receiving the best protection. Zero 5 (0.5mm) improved the very favorable 0.7mm air jacket case and can fully protect the chrome edges of an iPhone.
The Zero 5 case will run you $19.90, and if you purchase you’ll get a mirror screen protector, anti-fingerprint screen protector, and a microfiber cleaning cloth as well. Always nice to receive those little ‘extras’ at ‘no charge’. Ha, yeah right
Shure has a new headset product for iPhone users. It’s the SE115m+ Sound Isolating Headset which also comes with a remote and microphone. Their trick is using three rather than a single button for controlling music and calls. In that sense, the SE115m+ comes with dedicated volume control buttons, as well as the standard play/pause/answer button.
I like that, however I don’t like the price. It’s $119.99 which is super steep for a headset. Still, if you want them soooo much, you should find them at your local Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) store. You also get a two-year limited warranty with the SE115m+ purchase, if that counts for something.
The Novatel MiFi 2200 is, without a doubt, one of the most important weapons in a mobile road warrior’s fight against dis-connectivity. By combining a WiFi router with a 3G EVDO Rev. A data connection from Sprint (NYSE: S) or Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless, the MiFi 2200 creates a portable WiFi hotspot that serves data to up to five WiFi devices at the same time. And, thanks to its on-board user-upgradeable operating system, the MiFi 2200 has just been blessed with its first firmware update. The update allows the MiFi 2200 to enter “always on” mode when its plugged into a power source.
One of the gripes we had with the MiFi was its battery-saving strategy to go into hibernation after a period of inactivity. Sure, it saves battery life, but there’s no need for it when the MiFi is drawing on external power. This new update makes sure your MiFi will always be ready to answer your need for wireless data when it’s plugged into the wall.
Here’s a list of new features included in the update:
Nintendo DS and BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Curve supported
Always-on mode when plugged into a power source
International roaming has been perfected
New Admin page enhancements
Roaming indicator fixed
Sprint Only mode added
DHCP IP class A, B and C now supported
WiFi channel now defaults to “Auto”
If you have a MiFi 2200 (the CDMA variant used by Sprint and Verizon), you’ll do well to upgrade. The upgrade is available through the Sprint MiFi’s web-based admin page. The Verizon MiFi requires that you download the latest version of the Windows Verizon Access Manager from vzam.net (Mac version not yet available) and run the update utility. More detailed upgrade instructions can be found here.
Just last week I got my hands on the Power pack for iPhone 3G and 3GS – which is both a case (of sorts) and external battery (1900 mAh) for your iPhone 3G/3GS. Anyway, check it all out on the video:
A little while back, I got my hands on the Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth Headset – packing some innovative features like dual-mics, 20-band equaliser, and also a case that doubles as a charger! Schweet! Check out my video here:
The iClooly Alumistand is something that mixes both practical and cute/kitsch in one fell swoop – it’s an iPhone stand that is styled somewhat like a certain range of Monitors! I’d imagine the stand and monitor would look really good together, but in this video, it’s just the stand on show:
If you want to get your hands on one of these, check out Maximobileshop.com, found here.
Mobile road warriors can attest to the usefulness of 3G modems. It’s empowering to know that you can hop online at anytime, no matter where you are. It gets even better if you can use your 3G modem with a prepaid data plan, like the Broadband2Go plan from Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM). And, it looks like Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless understands the need for prepaid data plans. The No. 1 US wireless carrier (by subscriber count) has just announced a trio of new prepaid data plans for use with the Novatel USB760 3G modem. The plans range from $15 to $50 per month, but don’t expect to get what you pay for.
I was pretty sure the undead season had come and gone, but the tormented spirit of the far-fetched mobile companion idea has reared its ugly head once more in the form of fresh BlackBerry (
