Those of you looking for faster AT&T Mobile Broadband speeds will be happy to hear the company has announced the new HSPA-supporting USBConnect Lightning LaptopConnect device from Sierra Wireless. What makes this device particularly important is the fact that it represents AT&T’s continued rollout of HSPA 7.2 technology which promises to offer a “considerable speed boost to the 3G mobile broadband network.”

AT&T will make HSPA initially available in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles (oh yeah!), and Miami by the end of the year.  The company then plans on rolling out HSPA 7.2 coverage in 25 of the nation’s 30 largest markets by the end of next year and hopes to achieve 90 percent of its existing 3G network footprint by the end of 2011.

The USBConnect Lightning will come pre-loaded with AT&T Communication Manager (ACM) version 7.0 which is compatible with Windows 7. Customers will be able to pick up the new USBConnect Lightning starting on November 22nd at zero cost after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate along with a two-year DataConnect Plan of at least $35 dollars a month (it’s $99 dollars and then you’ll get a $100 dollar AT&T Promotion Card).

[Check it out] 

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Sierra Wireless, USBConnect Lightning, HSPA

If you’re looking for a convenient way to share your printer on a wireless network as well as backup/share data from all connected computers on the network, then you’ll want to check out the newly announced Belkin Home Base.

Home Base works within an existing wireless network and allows networked users access to a single shared printer. In addition, users can connect external hard drives to one of the four USB ports to save/share music, pictures and videos. Home Base will automatically back up connected computers periodically to a connected external hard drive.

The device also comes with a small social feature – allowing users to automatically share pictures directly to a Flickr or Picasa account.

Folks with gaming consoles will also be able to wirelessly access media stored on an attached hard drive.

Home Base comes with 4 USB 2.0 ports, supports 802.11 b/g/n, and supports WPS security for convenient wireless setup.

You’ll be able to pick one up now for $129.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Belkin Home Base

Above is the “world’s smallest 300 Mbps Wireless N Travel Router Kit” (model TEW-654TR) from the folks at TRENDnet. Bring this unit with you and share a single Internet connection with multiple users at the same time. The unit measures a mere 2.5 x 3.25 x 0.75 inches and features:

• Reset button
• Power port
• One 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port
• LED display for power and link status
• Access Point and Access Point Client modes
• MIMO antenna technology
• One-touch Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
• 802.11 b/g/n (draft 2.0)
• NAT and SPI support
• Wireless encryption includes 64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2-RADIUS and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
• Supports full duplex 802.3x flow control
• Multiple VPN pass-through sessions for IPSec and PPTP

The 300 Mbps Wireless N Travel Router Kit will be available in North America for $75 dollars.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: TRENDnet 300Mbps Wireless N Travel Router Kit TEW-654TR

Netgear announced earlier this week that their new Home Theater Internet Connection Kit, model XAVB1004, is now available worldwide for a suggested retail price of $179.99. The kit comes with one Powerline AV Adapter with Ethernet switch (XAV1004), one Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter (XAV101), two Ethernet cables, one AC power cord, an installation guide, and a setup CD.  The XAVB1004 allows you to connect multiple Ethernet-enabled entertainment devices (game consoles, Blu-ray players, HDTVs, etc) to the Internet and to your home network using existing electrical wiring at home with support for speeds up to 200Mbps.

Other features found with the kit include:

• Advanced energy management capabilities for automatic port and device-level sleep modes and wake-on-activity functionality to reduce energy usage
• Port-based Quality of Service (QoS) to ensure highest priority applications are allocated more bandwidth
• Push-N-Secure to secure Powerline AV network with the push of a button
• Pick-a-Plug – multi-color LED to determine the strength of the powerline connection without looking at the computer
• 128 bit AES data encryption
• HomePlug AV compatible
• Connects up to 4 devices

You can also purchase additional accessories for your home networking including the Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter (XAV101) for $69.99, Powerline AV Adapter with Ethernet Switch (XAV1004) for $99.99, and Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter Kit (XAVB101) for $149.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Netgear Home Theater Internet Connection Kit (XAVB1004)

Eye-Fi announces the introduction of their latest wireless SDHC media card – the Eye-Fi Pro. The Eye-Fi Pro adds support for RAW image support and ad-hoc network support for peer to peer network connectivity without the need of a router. The company also announced today that all Eye-Fi card users can now select which photos or videos they want to transfer from their camera to the computer or the web using the new Selective Transfer feature.

Here’s what you need to know about the new Eye-Fi Pro card:

• 4GB SDHC Ccard
• Upload through Wi-Fi hotspots or set up an Ad Hoc network
• Upload RAW photos
• Automatic geotagging
• Send photos to any of over 25 popular sharing, blogging, and networking websites including Flickr, Facebook, Picasa, etc
• MSRP of $149.99

As for “Selective Transfer”, this is a new feature announced today which gives users more control over which photos and videos should be uploaded. All you need to do is “protect” or “lock” a file on your camera and then the Eye-Fi cards will automatically upload the file. Selective Transfer is free and available now for all Eye-Fi card users through the Eye-Fi Manager.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Eye-Fi, Eye-Fi Pro, Wireless SDHC card

Want a little mobile broadband in your life but not willing to commit to long contracts? Virgin Mobile USA has a solution for you then. It’s called Broadband2Go and it’s basically a prepaid mobile broadband service. Running on top of Sprint’s EVDO Rev A network, Broadband2Go allows you to purchase slices of megabytes at set prices. You’ll first need to purchase a USB modem of course – and that would be the Novatel Ovation MC760 priced at $149.99.

Once you have the modem, you can pick from several options including:

• $10 dollars for 100MB of data which expires in 10 days
• $20 dollars for 250MB of data which expires in 30 days
• $40 dollars for 600MB of data which expires in 30days
• $60 dollars for 1GB of data which expires in 30 days

Virgin Mobile also includes a Novatel connection management software application which provides a usage meter allowing you to keep track of where you’re at with your service allotment. If you’re someone who would like to use mobile broadband here and there then you should definitely take a look at the service. If you’re a potential heavy mobile broadband user then you’re better of with a standard mobile broadband plan from one of the other mobile carriers.

[Check it out via PC Magazine]

Technorati Tags: Virgin Mobile USA, Broadband2Go, mobile broadband

Some good news to users of AT&T’s 3G network. The company announced today plans to upgrade the 3G network to “considerably faster mobile broadband speeds” with upgrades slated for later this year and finishing sometime in 2011. The company plans on upgrading to High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology and will also nearly double the wireless spectrum dedicated to 3G in most metropolitan areas for stronger in-building reception and more network capacity. AT&T plans on LTE trials in 2010 with deployment beginning in 2011.

AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband network is currently available in 350 U.S. major metropolitan areas with another 20 areas planned for this year. HSPA 7.2 deployment will be announced on a local basis with new laptop cards and smartphones to be rolled out later this year.

You can read more about the network upgrade as well as other planned projects for 2009 here at AT&T’s website.

Technorati Tags: AT&T Wireless, 3G Mobile Broadband

Sprint announces that they too are planning to roll out the new Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot device. Following in the footsteps of Verizon Wireless, Sprint will begin offering the small portable Wi-Fi 3G-enabled access point in the first week of June for $99 dollars after a $50 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two year agreement for Sprint Mobile Broadband services. Sprint will also be the first vendor to support the MiFi’s built-in GPS capabilities – allowing users to “take advantage of select location and mapping applications.”

Businesses and consumer customers will be able to elect from one of the following plans for the MiFi 2200:

• $59.99 a month for mobile broadband only
• $149.99 per month for the Simply Everything Plan + Mobile Broadband Plan (phone plus the MiFi device)

Both of the plans include up to 5GB of data per month and 5 cents per MB overage for the MiFi 2200.

Key features of the MiFi 2200 include:

• Measures 3.50”x 2.32” x 0.35” and weight: 2.05 oz.
• Brushed aluminum finish
• Provides mobile broadband Rev A Internet access wirelessly
• Supports up to five WiFi-enabled devices
• Simple to connect with Hands-Free Activation (OMA-DM). No software installation required
• Universal Wi-Fi compatibility
• Advanced security through WPA2-PSK, WEP and SPI Firewall
• MiFi GPS capabilities to take advantage of select location and mapping applications, such as getting driving or walking directions or finding the best restaurant nearby
• Battery provides four hours of user time, 40 hours standby on single charge

If you’re thinking about getting mobile broadband – this might very well be the best way to go.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sprint, MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot

MobileBurn is out with a quick review of the new Verizon Wireless MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot (which is set to go on sale starting on the 17th of this month). In case you’ve already forgotten, the MiFi is a portable Wi-Fi access point allowing you to share a single Verizon Wireless 3G mobile broadband connection with multiple Wi-Fi enabled devices. Here’s what MobileBurn thought of the device:

“If you are looking for 3G access for your computer or smartphone while out on the road, it doesn’t get much better than the MiFi 2200. We give it a “Highly Recommended” rating.”

The MiFi will cost $99.99 after a $50 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two year agreement. Price plans for the 3G service are as follows:

• $39.99 a month for 250MB monthly allowance and 10 cents per MB overage
• $59.99 a month for 5GB monthly allowances and 5 cents per MB overage

You can also purchase a Mobile Broadband DayPass for $15 dollars a day if the MiFi is purchased at the full price.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Verizon Wireless, MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, MobileBurn Review

Axis Communications announces their new P13 Network Cameras – a series of fixed day and night cameras with features such as HDTV video, H.264 streams, simplified installation, remote back access, and pixel counter features. The P13 series consists of the P1343 Network Camera with SVGA resolution, the P1344 which delivers 1MP/HDTV 720p resolution, and the P1346 which delivers 3MP/HDTV 1080p resolution.

Other notable features of the P13 series include:

• Two way audio support with enhanced audio quality
• Video intelligence (e.g. Video Motion Detection)
• Audio Detection
• Camera tempering detection
• Support for optional SD/SDHC memory card for local video recordings
• Multiple individually configurable video streams in H.264 compression
• Motion JPEG support
• Support for power over Ethernet

The new P13 network cameras will be available to order in the third quarter of this year/

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Axis Communications, P13 Network Camera, P1343 Network Camera, P1344 Network Camera, P1346 Network Camera