May 23

North Korea to allow limited access to “the internet” on cellphones

Posted in: mobile, mobile internet, MobileInternet, Today's Chili

Looks like North Korea — a place not known for its liberal attitudes toward communication of information — may slowly be taking another baby step toward the 21st century. The country, which only began allowing limited access to cell phones last December, has announced that now, limited access to the internet will be available on mobiles as well. Apparently about 20,000 of North Korea’s estimated 23 million citizens now have cell phones, and though there is scant detail about what the internet access will constitute, an estimated 400 million dollars was spent to construct the 3G network in the country. So while there’s no real bright side to the story, at least those lucky few who can look at Kim Jong Il’s official website will have a decent connection.

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North Korea to allow limited access to “the internet” on cellphones originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 May 2009 02:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 20

Virgin America lights up entire fleet with in-flight WiFi

Posted in: mobile broadband, mobile internet, MobileBroadband, MobileInternet, skype, Today's Chili, VoIP, wifi

Hold up AirTran — not so fast with those wild claims of in-flight WiFi superiority. If you’ll recall, the aforesaid airline proclaimed that it would soon be the first to have its entire fleet doused with Gogo, but it looks like Virgin America has swept in to claim that title. We should point out just how unfair the challenge is, though: VA has 28 planes as of today, whereas AirTran has 136. At any rate, we’re still thrilled to see airlines duking it out in order to get more WiFi to more fliers, and we fully anticipate that every new aircraft added to Virgin America’s fleet will be lit from day one. Now, if only they’d allow Skype functionality for more than just an Oprah demonstration, we’d really be playing with fire.

[Via Gadling]

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Virgin America lights up entire fleet with in-flight WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 14

Cisco signs on to provide infrastructure, build Linksys WiMAX routers for Clearwire

Posted in: 4G, cisco, mobile broadband, mobile internet, MobileBroadband, MobileInternet, networking, router, Today's Chili, WiMAX

Clearwire may not be as ubiquitous as you’d like it to be, but it’s taking a huge step forward in hopes of wildly expanding by linking up with Cisco. In essence, the two have joined hands in order to “enhance and expand CLEAR 4G mobile WiMAX services throughout the United States,” with Cisco providing the core infrastructure and Clearwire providing the guidance. Potentially more interesting is the notion that Cisco’s Linksys brand will soon be delivering “new mobile WiMAX devices,” such as routers that will presumably tune to WiFi and WiMAX waves. Specific product details are sorely absent, though Clearwire does reiterate that it’s hoping to have WiMAX service to more than 80 markets across the US by the end of next year.

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Cisco signs on to provide infrastructure, build Linksys WiMAX routers for Clearwire originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 May 2009 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 13

Novatel’s MiFi 2200 portable EV-DO router comes to Sprint

Posted in: hotspot, mobile broadband, mobile hotspot, mobile internet, MobileBroadband, MobileHotspot, MobileInternet, Sprint, Today's Chili, wifi, Wireless, wwan

What one CDMA carrier can do, another can do better, right? Eh, not quite, but they can stare each other down holding the exact same weapon, just daring each other to make the next move. Just a week after Verizon Wireless launched the MiFi 2200 portable EV-DO router, Sprint has decided to offer up the exact same product for use on its network. The battery-powered box, engineered by Novatel Wireless, enables users to connect up to five WiFi-enabled devices to Sprint’s EV-DO Rev. A network, and it’ll be marketed in stores as the Sprint Mobile Hotspot. According to the carrier, its unit will be the first in the US to support MiFi’s GPS capabilities, allowing users to take advantage of select location and mapping applications. It should be noted, however, that Sprint’s service plans differ quite significantly from those offered up by VZW. The up front cost is the same at $99 after a $50 mail-in rebate (on a two-year agreement), though the only two options for getting it connected are as follows:

  • $59.99 per month mobile broadband only plan (excluding taxes and surcharges)
  • $149.99 per month Simply Everything Plan + Mobile Broadband (phone plus device connectivity — excluding taxes and surcharges)
  • Both plans include up to 5 GB per month and 5 cents per megabyte overage for the MiFi 2200. [Ugh, disgusting.]
  • Available in early June.

[Via phoneArena]

Continue reading Novatel’s MiFi 2200 portable EV-DO router comes to Sprint

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Novatel’s MiFi 2200 portable EV-DO router comes to Sprint originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 May 2009 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 14

Mobile data card growth slows dramatically in Q4 2008

Posted in: business, industry, mobile broadband, mobile internet, MobileBroadband, MobileInternet, sales, Today's Chili, wwan

Who woulda thunk it? A global recession leads to belt tightening, and belt tightening leads to fewer mobile data card sales. According to a new report from ComScore, that’s exactly what happened at the tail end of last year, where WWAN card growth slowed to just 5 percent compared to 28 percent in Q4 2007. Still, carriers can’t grumble too loudly — after all, at least it grew. In fact, PC data card adoption rose 63 percent overall in 2008, and if any of these 4G services can see rollouts of significance, we suspect 2009 will show equally positive numbers. The reality is that mobile data is still priced far too high for the average Joe or Jane to stomach; most mobile broadband plans run upwards of $50 per month and require a two-year contract to get a free or cheap card, and unless one is planning to be on the road an awful lot, buying in just doesn’t make sense when times are tough. In other words, cut us a break on these mobile data rates, operators — it’s what Uncle Sam would want.

[Via mocoNews]

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Mobile data card growth slows dramatically in Q4 2008 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 01

CradlePoint bringing WiMAX to existing fleet of portable routers

Posted in: 4G, mobile broadband, mobile internet, MobileBroadband, MobileInternet, router, Today's Chili, WiMAX, wwan

While Clearwire’s Clear Spot (which is really just a refashioned PHS-300) will handle WiMAX right out of the box, those who own one of CradlePoint’s existing portable routers are flat out of luck… or are they? Said company has just announced that starting today, shipments of its business-class routers — including the MBR800, MBR1000, and MBR1100 line of mobile broadband routers, CTR500 mobile broadband travel router, and CBA250 cellular broadband adapter — will have WiMAX compatibility built in. Furthermore, a forthcoming (April 6th) firmware update will enable existing CradlePoint products to accept select WiMAX devices, and yes, it’ll be made available for no charge at all. Talk about throwing a bone to your loyal customers.

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CradlePoint bringing WiMAX to existing fleet of portable routers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mar 30

Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 plays PC Card and ExpressCard roles

Posted in: mobile broadband, mobile internet, MobileBroadband, MobileInternet, Today's Chili, wwan

We can’t say there are an awful lot of folks out there looking for a single mobile broadband card that’ll play nice in both PC Card and ExpressCard slots, but for that niche that’s intently paying attention, have a look at this. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 is the company’s first to offer such 2-in-1 functionality, and it’s designed to operate on EV-DO Rev. A networks handling speeds of up to 3.1Mbps (downlink) / 1.8Mbps (uplink). Users can also bank on the company’s TRU-Locate GPS service to “quickly and accurately establish location for local searches and navigation.” There’s no mention of a price or release date, but it should be on hand for us to peer at during CTIA this week.

[Via ExpressCard-Info]

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Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 plays PC Card and ExpressCard roles originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mar 26

Samsung’s WiMAX-equipped SWD-M100 MID outed as Mondi

Posted in: 4G, MID, mobile internet, MobileInternet, samsung, Today's Chili, WiMAX

Although apparently not on its site just yet, it looks like Samsung‘s RSS feed has unleashed the first official pic of that WiMAX-enabled SWD-M100 MID we spotted at MWC as well as revealed a catchier name: Mondi. The device will utilize Clearwire’s Mobile WiMAX network simply dubbed “Clear.” Last we heard it was running Windows Mobile 6.1, but seeing as its sporting that dedicated Windows button required for WinMo 6.5, that all could change before it’s release. Speaking of which, mum’s the word on pricing or availability, we’re afraid.

[Via Phonescoop]

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Samsung’s WiMAX-equipped SWD-M100 MID outed as Mondi originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mar 11

UMID M1 mbook now less close to US release

Posted in: korea, MID, mobile broadband, mobile internet, MobileBroadband, MobileInternet, release, Release Date, South Korea, SouthKorea, Today's Chili, UMPC, us, usa, wwan

Less close, further away — take your pick. The bottom line is that the UMID M1 mbook that we’ve been secretly swooning over for weeks now may be further away from a US release than any of us Yanks would like. According to new intel gathered by Pocketables, a Stateside release of the MID is still planned, but it’s apt to ship later than previously expected. Furthermore, the units already prancing about in other corners of the globe aren’t likely at all to support US 3G bands, so importing one won’t fill that hole in your soul the way a WWAN-enabled MID should. Better hurry up and deliver the goods UMID, else we’ll be forced to buy a rivaling unit and hack it up to suit our needs. Don’t say we won’t.

[Image courtesy of UMPCPortal]

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UMID M1 mbook now less close to US release originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mar 07

Sony’s VAIO P going for €599.95 with T-Mobile Germany data contract

Posted in: germany, mobile internet, MobileInternet, netbook, sony, t-mobile, Today's Chili, ultraportable, vaio

Thinking of picking up a VAIO P for your left rear pocket? Do you call Deutschland home? In need a mobile data plan? If you’ve somehow managed to answer yes (or “ja,” as it were) to all three of those inquiries, T-Mobile Germany has a deal for you. Sony’s WWAN-packin’ VAIO P — which has seen itself subsidized in America on Verizon Wireless — is currently being offered for just €599.95 (VAT included) with a web’n’walk Connect L data plan. For those too uninspired to search, that’s a €400 discount from what it costs to buy outright over there. Tempting, nein?

[Via Pocketables]

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Sony’s VAIO P going for €599.95 with T-Mobile Germany data contract originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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