First generation 3G USB modems were monstrous, unsightly bricks, but like everything else in modern electronics, the wonders of miniaturization are starting to take effect. Option's joining the party with its iCON 225, a 63 x 26 x 13mm stick that Option says responds "to the growing market demand for very small yet high-performance wireless solutions" -- in other words, yeah, we like 'em tiny. HSUPA sadly doesn't make the cut here, but the iCON 225 does include support for a mighty 7.2Mbps of downstream data when hooked up to an HSDPA network that supports such blazingly fast speeds. The modem's already shipping to carriers, so look for it to start showing up in retail channels very shortly.

[Via Electronista]

If you've ever wondered just how much functionality could be crammed into a single PC Card, it seems that Onda and Siano are out to give you an answer. Deemed the "world's first combined DVB-H / HSDPA card" for Italy's TIM, the DT501HS enables users to suck down mobile TV and internet content in one fell swoop, but we've no idea if / when this thing will be made available on any other carrier(s). Notably, this device relies on Siano's wee PCB-mounted SMS8021 antenna, which means that you won't find any external protrusions here. As for pricing, we weren't able to locate any hard figures, but those parked in Italy should be able to snap one up anytime now in TIM stores.

[Image courtesy of Cellular]

The cold war separating Sony Ericsson from North American 3G has been slowly melting as of late -- first with handsets, and now with modems. The MD300 isn't just Sony Ericsson's first 3G USB modem, it's also Sony Ericsson's first laptop modem of any sort to support UMTS and HSDPA on the 850 and 1900MHz bands. As USB modems go, it seems to be a pretty typical offering -- though it'll conveniently auto-install drivers on Windows machines, and it's not every day that you see a device like this offered in both "luxury black" and "metallic silver" shades. Who knew a modem could be a fashion accessory? Look for it in the first quarter of next year.

Unfortunately, we've no idea exactly what mobiles are compatible with ConnectLand's USB Ferris Wheel Phone Stand (aside from the HTC Touch, obviously), but we're all probably better off that way. This undoubtedly bizarre device can be powered via USB or a pair of AA cells, and it sports an incoming phone call alarm in the form of... wait for it... a spinning Ferris Wheel. That's right kids, whenever your handset receives a call, the wheel starts to spin and LEDs begin to flash, giving you plenty of motivation to hand out your number to anyone who will call it. Those with money to burn can snap one up for $27, but if you're that curious to see how this thing works, why not save your dough and peek the (intensely boring) video after the jump?

Users of previous-generation USB modems from Sprint and Verizon -- the gargantuan USB720 comes immediately to mind -- know that they're a little on the portly side (and that's being kind). If you're going to have this huge mass hanging off the side of your lappie, it'd be nice if you could at least pack some additional functionality into it, right? Novatel appears to have heard both complaints, offering up the new USB727 in a significantly more attractive package that's nearly an inch shorter and half an inch narrower than its predecessor. Oh, and the "additional functionality" comes in the form of an integrated microSD slot supporting cards up to 4GB, making you feel a little less bad about having an unsightly black object protrude from your PC's otherwise clean lines. Naturally, the USB727 -- known simply as the U727 on Sprint -- supports both networks' EV-DO Rev. A airwaves, promising downlink speeds in the range of 600kbps to 1.4Mbps and uplink at a brisk 350 to 500kbps (that's Sprint's claim, anyway; Verizon says 500 to 800kbps). Verizon customers can pick it up online immediately for $100 after rebate on a two-year contract while Sprint gets it next month for "as low as" $80 on contract.

Read - Verizon USB727
Read - Sprint U727 (press release)

Just over eight months after the USB Implementers Forum completed the micro-USB specification, the Open Mobile Terminal Platform (OMTP) has recommended that the protocol be accepted as a universal standard for charging and syncing mobile devices. Reportedly, the "OMTP's paper recommends that the micro-USB standard" be adopted across the mobile industry in order to "streamline the whole value chain and provide end users with a larger choice of the most popular peripherals." Still, we're not told when handset manufacturers will start offering up the new port en masse, but at least we're makin' progress, eh?

We've noticed that 3G USB dongles tend to be behemoths, hanging like unfortunate growths off the sides of otherwise-attractive laptops -- so, needless to say, we're happy to hear that a manufacturer is making a conscientious effort to tighten up the dimensions a bit. Novatel Wireless is triumphantly claiming that its new Ovation MC950D is the world's smallest HSUPA modem -- though HSUPA's still pretty rare, so that doesn't necessarily mean much -- with downstream speeds topping out at 7.2Mbps and a healthy 2.1Mbps upstream. No word on partners or an exact release date, but Novatel says the device is in its "final testing stages" (across the pond, seemingly) with commercial availability coming later in the quarter.

The crafty engineers at Samsung haven't given up on their lil' stubs -- the company has just received a patent for integrating a USB or FireWire plug into a stick-out antenna, allowing you to charge or sync your phone with ease. We don't know what Sammy is planning to do with this, but that illustration is giving us hope that it's about to release a new take on one of our all-time faves, the Ericsson T39m.

[Via The Raw Feed]

C'mon, you knew all those other telecommunications outfits in Korea wouldn't just sit around and let SK Telecom have all the WiBro fun, and while KT's WiBro-equipped NT-Q35 is fine and dandy for those needing a new machine, the company's latest offering is aimed at the ever-lucrative upgrader. The completely-not-DAP-related iPlug Premium will unsurprisingly offer up the same WiBro / HSDPA connectivity that existing alternatives already do, but the firm still insists on calling it the "world's first dual-mode USB modem." Of course, users lucky enough to be hovering in WiBro hotspots will enjoy even faster speeds than those poor souls that are forced to live with "just" HSDPA, and if all goes to plan, it'll be available for South Koreans on March 5th. Currently, the pricing structure looks to offer at least one flat-fee option and a based-on-usage plan as well, but potentially even more interesting than how much these luxuries will add to your monthly bill is the note that the company is already looking to kick out "various handsets" that simultaneously support NesPot and DMB after this. We dig the forward the forward thinking, KT. [Warning: Read link requires subscription]

We're all quite aware of just how proud Option is of its HSUPA offerings, and while it has raised the bar before in terms of sheer speed, the company is once again kicking out a new way to get your lappie connected to blazing fast internet without a WiFi hotspot in sight. The diminutive GlobeSurfer iCON HSUPA boasts a compact, USB stick design, and even includes a swivel connector as to play nice with just about every USB nook and cranny out there. Aside from touting 7.2Mbps of downstream capacity and 2Mbps on the upbeat, the GlobeSurfer looks to provide web access for those not already sold on the firm's ExpressCard options. Users can purportedly expect "plug 'n play" abilities, backwards compatibility with EDGE/GPRS/GSM data connections, tri-band / quad-band support, and a wide range of OS support that includes Windows Vista and OS X. No word just yet on price or availability, but we sincerely hope Option doesn't keep the USB brethren in the house waiting too awfully long for these high-speed luxuries.

With all this HSDPA and EV-DO Rev A love going around, we knew it wouldn't be too long before AnyDATA took the leap and joined the ever-growing party. The firm's ADU-610 works worldwide on 3G networks that utilize HSDPA / UMTS technology, and will even play nice on 2.5G networks, albeit at 384kbps. Additionally, we've got a "world's smallest" tag slapped on, as the USB modem comes in at just 35- x 93- x 10-millimeters, and just in case you new upgraders are worried, it will indeed work with Windows Vista (and XP, of course). Based on the Qualcomm MSM6280 chipset, users can expect a maximum throughput of 7.2Mbps, and the two multi-colored LED indicators should keep you informed on just how your connection is humming along. No word just yet on price, but we do know that at least one mysterious Korean carrier has already certified the unit for use and made it commercially available to those interested.

[Via Slashphone]

Calling its E270 HSUPA modem "fantastic enjoyment" is strictly Huawei's own terminology here, but at two glorious megabits per second of upload speed (albeit theoretical) and up to 7.2Mbps on the downstream, well... "fantastic enjoyment," indeed. Granted, it'll be at least another year before we really start to to see widespread deployments of HSDPA's heir apparent -- which leaves the download speeds untouched from HSDPA while boosting the uploads significantly -- but we're glad to see manufacturers already have their eyes squarely on the prize for getting equipment prepped in the pipeline. Huawei says its E270 is also the world's first USB modem for HSUPA, surely bringing smiles to the faces of the expansion slot-challenged among us, and the tri-band 3G / quadband 2G radios should be enough to spread the love worldwide. No word on launch plans, but with the requisite networks necessary to take advantage of that juicy hardware far from in place, let's not put the proverbial cart before the proverbial horse.

We're not exactly sure what's up with Asia's infatuation with toy cars and shoving completely irrelevant (but entirely useful) features inside of them, but now Marsilli is offering up its own admittedly peculiar flash drive in the shape of a vehicle. Presumably in direct competition with Gold Kiwi's Bluetooth GPS receiver ride, this Mobile Remote Control Car is a diminutive four-wheeled ride with impressive aerodynamics, a 512MB flash drive built-in, USB connector in place of a central-mounted exhaust, and it even allows users to drive it around a cardboard course with "any cellphone." Of course, we're not entirely sure if all that controlling action is done over Bluetooth or some other propriety channel, but we have strong suspicions "every mobile" might not be equipped to handle this road burner. Nevertheless, you can probably pick one of these up in the near future at your favorite street corner vendor in Asia, but for now, click on through for a more closeups.

We kid, we kid; with devices like the N95 kicking around, Nokia came into the 21st century long ago. But only now offering USB charging cables? Really? Better late than never, we suppose. Look for the CA-100 to recharge models with 2 millimeter jacks, while the CA-70 will replenish older 3.5 millimeter handsets. No official word on availability, but these can't possibly be too hard to produce.

[Via Tech Digest]

It looks like The Network has more tricks up their sleeves; too bad one of those wouldn't be launching their hi-speed data network, however beggars can't be choosers. Enter in the latest addition to Verizon's expanding lineup of Rev. A Aircards, the Novatel MCD3000. It supports speeds up to 3.1 mbps through its small flip up antenna, USB 2.0, and is backwards compatible with Rev. 0. The manufacture states that it supports Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X, so the bases are covered from the operating system standpoint. One of our favorite tipsters, HTC Kid, says it's going to be available in the very near future -- so stay tuned for pricing details and launch date!