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.

Related News from IntoMobile:

• Sprint drops Phone-As-Modem plan to $15 – Wireless modem on the cheap
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• Verizon Wireless’ ‘enhanced multimedia phones’ to require new data plans?
• Verizon announces new cheap unlimited data plans for BlackBerry 8130 Pearl 2.0
• Rogers to add Novatel’s Ovation MC950D USB and Merlin X950D ExpressCard modems

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.

[via Celio]

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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?

To check it out for yourself, hit up iapeel.com >

Note: 5 skin (I’m glad it’s 5 and not 4) refill packs are available for $17.95.

[Via: TechRadar]

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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.

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• Deal: Bluetooth headset for $0.99!

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

For all the details head on over to iPhoneCaze.com.

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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.

[Via: slashphone]

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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.

[Via: EVDOinfo]

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• Sprint grabs Novatel MiFi 2200 for 3G hotspot fun!
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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:

You can get the Power pack from maximobileshop.com.

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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:

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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.

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The lady above has clearly had XP1 Power, but you might still be wondering what exactly it is! Well it’s fortunate that I can tell you:

As more technology and applications, such as Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth are installed into new generations of “Smart Phones”, like Blackberry (NSDQ: RIMM)’s, iPhone’s and other personal consumer products. There is a considerable amount power that is required to run them, putting a large amount of drain on the battery. Leaving the consumer with the possibility of finding him or her self with no juice and finding the time and/or place to re-charge is not an option. What we have done is
give the consumer the comfort of knowing that they will always have a back-up power source within reach, their XP1 charge/sync cable with an integrated rechargeable 2500mAh Lithium-ion battery. This is twice the capacity of most smart phones, which in turn will give the consumer a 300% gain over the just relying on the mobile phone’s battery alone.

So there you go: USB cable + big battery = XP1 Power! Actually it’s a good idea, I like it – makes a change from the jacket/case-based solutions too.

You can check out more about the XP1 here.

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Last week we caught wind of Allerta’s inPulse Bluetooth watch, that would receive notifications of text, e-mail, and phone messages, as well as alarm and calendar alerts from your smartphone. While I was hopeful that it would work with Android and Symbian as hinted at in early demos, they’ve announced the accessory, and for now it’s BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM)-exclusive.

Sure, the watch only works with BlackBerry, but since there’s a handheld-side application, it might simply a matter of creating new apps in order to get the watch to work with different smartphones. I would think such a port would have been much more seamless if they used native, universal Bluetooth profiles like OPP rather than requiring something proprietary running in the background to gobble up memory and even more battery life, but to be fair, I really don’t know the extent of functions that existing profiles provide; maybe a dedicated app will open up the watch to fresh functions more quickly than waiting on the Bluetooth SIG to provide new profiles. Judging from the graphics, it looks like Allerta is hoping to include twitter, weather, RSS and IM into the mix in the future.

As promising as inPulse is, I really hope RIM can man up and make their own – the Prada Link shows that there’s a lot of branding synergy with accessories like this, and that making something with universal connectivity is entirely possible. RIM already has the watch-side software down pat with the external display on the Pearl Flip, it’s just a matter of cramming it into a new form factor and dropping the finished product into their continually-growing accessory lineup.

In any case, if you’re already sold on the inPulse, you can get your preorder on with $149 in hand, and sit by your mailbox for it this February. You can also check out their blog for regular updates.

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In case you didn’t see this first time round, here’s a hands-on with the Beewi Bluetooth Pocket Hands-free Car Kit, as distributed by Avenir Telecom in the UK:

And here is the link to the Avenir Telecom, should you want to go about getting one: http://www.avenir-telecom.co.uk/

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It’s possible you might have missed these the first time round, but here are two hands-on videos for the Altec Lansing InMotion Classic and Altec Lansing Orbit-M – both portable speakers, and both very cool:

Altec Lansing InMotion Classic

Altec Lansing Orbit-M

For more information on the complete autumn 2009 audio collection from Altec Lansing, visit www.alteclansing.com

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• Altec Lansing InMotion Classic brings quality portable audio to the table

T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) has a neat new accessory showcased on its website. It’s called the 24/7 Xtreme Portable Power Solution, and it’s touted to bring the “instant, eco-friendly power for your phone.” The trick is in the fuel cells, using which the charger works similar to a chemical ice pack, requiring user to squeeze it and shake it. The Medis-made Xtreme then uses electrochemical processes to create electricity and do its recharge magic.

The device provides 20 watt-hours of electricity, which is enough to charge any smartphone several times over. And while we’re at “any smartphone,” this baby is compatible with standard USB, miniUSB, microUSB, Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Treo, and Nokia (NYSE: NOK) ports.

Finally, Medis says that their fuel cell product is not hazardous and gives off no emissions or measurable heat. The price is unknown at the moment, so we’re wondering whether they actually sell these. Go figure.

[Via: PhoneScoop]

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Avenir Telecom has announced it will exclusively be rolling out distribution of innovative mobile accessories from French company Beewi.

The accessories consist of high-end audio and connectivity accessories, such as what is possibly the slimmest and lightest hands- free car-kit in the world (’credit card’-sized, it sticks on to your windscreen or dashboard), a BluetoothTM streamer for iPods and iPhones (which wirelessly streams music to one or more pairs of headphones), stylish headphones for enjoying you phone’s MP3 collection on the move, possibly the smallest USB WiFi adapter in the world, and a USB adapter which adds BluetoothTM connectivity to laptops and computers without the need for a breakable, protruding dongle.

Avenir Telecom’s Managing Director Andy Tow comments “Avenir’s new accessories division is exemplified by this exclusive Beewi range. It offers the buyer – whether they’re at customer, retailer or dealer level – confidence, clear features and benefits and technical excellence. The accessories market has been populated with an array of incompatible and inconsistent products and ranges for far too long. Avenir will bring the best products to the UK, market them in a clear and compelling way, and help drive this exciting area of mobile communications forward into the future. We aim to do for mobile hardware what the Apple iPhone apps store has done for mobile software!”

I certainly think the range of accessories is pretty reasonable, and I’m particularly liking the A2DP streaming module – now I just need a set of Bluetooth earphones to tune in! You should hopefully be able to find these accessories in UK shops soon enough!

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I wrote a post the other day about two lots of marketing collateral that I saw, within days of each other, for competing solutions on wireless charging of mobile devices. One solution was called the Powermat, and the other, the PowerPad.

Well both companies responded to my article (!), and here’s what Powermat had to say (Powerpad in another post here):

• Don’t miss out on getting your hands on Powermat – the first truly wireless charger
• Powermat will change the way you charge as it enables up to four mobile phones, MP3 players and other devices to charge at the same time
• Using wireless energy transfer, Powermat pairs an ultra-thin mat with a receiver which connects to your device
• A sleek black design, Powermat will help de-clutter your home, creating one common charging area for all your devices
• Powermat also helps you travel light with a special portable version that folds up to less than 10cm by 10cm by 3.5cm
• Powermat receivers are currently available for the iPhone, iPods and BlackBerry devices. Consumers who purchase the Powermat Powercube can also connect via mini USB to many other devices to meet their charging needs.
• Powermat products will be available nationwide in October 2009 from all major retailers

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The Jabra STONE has been officially announced as the Bluetooth headset maker’s latest bit of noise-canceling kit. Those of you following the STONE will be happy to hear that Jabra’s latest Bluetooth headset isn’t actually the stone/rock that Jabra sent out to the media as a publicity grab. It’s actually a new Bluetooth headset that literally hides from plain view by tucking itself behind your ear – a design Jabra calls “revolutionary” (we call it “cool”). And, in keeping with its namesake, the Jabra STONE comes with a compact portable charger that looks like a river stone.

At $130, the Jabra STONE Bluetooth headset isn’t cheap. But, with its hideaway design, wireless portable charger, Noise Blackout Extreme technology, A2DP support and touch-sensitive controls, the Jabra STONE might just be worth it. It’s the first headset to do away with the traditional microphone stub by hiding the dual-microphones in the headset’s body, so you can actually wear the Bluetooth headset in public without drawing too much attention to yourself.

Jabra says they’ll be launching the STONE exclusively through AT&T (NYSE: T) retail stores starting November 8th.

[Via: press release]

Related News from IntoMobile:

• Hands-On Preview Of The Jabra STONE
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• Motorola debuts the Motorola MOTOPURE H12 Universal Bluetooth headset

A couple of University of Waterloo students have put together a company called Allerta which will be making a cool little smartphone accessory that will keep you apprised of e-mail, SMS, and call alerts via Bluetooth while masquerading as a normal watch. I was a little dubious about these concept renderings of the product (they look like something even I could cook up in Pov-Ray), but after seeing this picture from a year ago posted in the comments, outlining some of the features and use cases, inPulse started to look a lot more real. Considering the university is right next door to RIM, it’s no surprise that the inPulse will work with BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM), but hopefully it will work other smartphones as advertised back in 2008; Android and Nokia (NYSE: NOK) (Symbian) phones were explicitly mentioned. After a quick call, I was told more information would be made available this week, so stay tuned.

P.S.: Shoutout to Ronen for spotting the Flickr link.

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Following on from my last post (here), I got a mail from the Syndiant CTO (a nice chap called Karl, who really wanted the IntoMobile readers to get the full effect of their pico projector demo image, by seeing it at higher resolution) – so, for the benefit of those that would like to see my previous post image at hi res, check it out by clicking on the thumbnail image to the left.

Again, for more on Syndiant, click here.

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