Laptop -- Engadget Mobile

laptop posts

Alltel announces $40 laptop data add-on

by Chris Ziegler posted Mar 10th 2009 @ 11:21AM

Have a voice line with Alltel? Listen up: you're now lined up to get some of the cheapest laptop EV-DO in the business. The Verizon division (still feels weird to say that, doesn't it?) has announced today that wireless data can be yours for a mere $40 a month -- $20 less than usual -- when added as a second line as part of a Smart Choice Pack with a voice line. That gives you EV-DO Rev. A and your choice of three cards; sadly, none of those cards are ExpressCards, but hey, for $40 3.1Mbps internet, we're more than willing to cut some corners and let a USB dongle hang off the sides of our laptops. For the record, Cricket is still a smidge cheaper at $35, but this is the first time a national (well, pseudo-national) carrier has dipped this low. Makes you wonder whether the parent company is going to partake, doesn't it?

Helio Hybrid, RIP: 2006 - 2007

by Chris Ziegler posted Apr 18th 2007 @ 5:15PM

Helio has officially cut down its Hybrid EV-DO / WiFi data card down in its prime. Actually, we're not sure if the Hybrid was cut down before its prime, in its prime, or past its prime -- but any way you slice it, it's toast. The move is going down pretty quickly, too; no new Hybrids are being sold, and existing customers will be switched off as of May 8 (though they're "welcome" to keep the deactivated card, according to the announcement). Folks who also have a voice line activated with Helio will be given a month of free service for their troubles, but we imagine that's little consolation to the poor laptops mercilessly stripped of hotspot and EV-DO access in the discontinuation's aftermath. Was it Helio's stingy 160MB limit that ultimately lead to the Hybrid's demise? We may never know -- but given Helio's cozy relationship with Earthlink and Boingo, we'd be pretty surprised if the MVNO were out of the dedicated data business for good.

[Thanks, Brent S.]

Sprint's Sanyo M1 gets reviewed

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 13th 2006 @ 10:55PM

The Sanyo M1's unusually husky appearance might lead one to believe that it's the be-all, end-all solution to meet the world's high-function musicphone needs, but LAPTOP Magazine recently had an opportunity to put the clamshell through its paces -- and unfortunately, it turns out that carrying 1GB of internal storage in your phone isn't all fun and games. Though a solid gigabyte of space for music is all well and good, many folks consider that just a good start on their way to, say, 3 or 4GB in total. Problem is, the M1 lacks any sort of expansion slot, and we've got to agree with LAPTOP's conclusion that it's a nearly unforgivable oversight. Though the large external display, music controls, and A2DP are nice, they found that the phone's 2 megapixel shooter fell short with mediocre picture quality and an autofocus mechanism that took far too long to operate (and also far too long to disable). Add to that a cramped keyboard and internal display, a beefy 0.9 inches of girth, and the fact that the also-new Samsung m610 looks a good deal hotter for less dough, and... well, the M1's prognosis ain't great. So, owners (and secret admirers): what are your thoughts on Sanyo's latest effort?

[Thanks, Jennifer]

Sierra Wireless shows voice-capable mini cards

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 2nd 2006 @ 2:19PM

If talking into your laptop is your thing, Sierra Wireless' new line of 3G PCI Express mini cards are poised to make your day. Available in HSDPA 2100 with 1.8Mbps downstream, 3.6Mbps HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100, and 3.1Mbps EV-DO rev. A flavors, the cards go beyond the typical WWAN data devices for your PC by offering voice capability as well. Though we're sure the intended use here is via a wired or Bluetooth headset, we can't help but chuckle at the thought of holding a telephone conversation by holding your laptop to your head all flip-phone style.

[Via Slashphone]

FCC Fridays

by Ryan Block posted Apr 14th 2006 @ 5:41PM

We here at Engadget Mobile tend to spend ~~a lot of~~ way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we've gathered up all the raw info you may want (but probably don't need). Enjoy!

Phones
Samsung A640 - Read
LG AX490 - Read
Samsung T709 - Read
Samsung T719 - Read
Motorola ROKR E2 - Read
Samsung X461 - Read
Samsung X481 - Read
Samsung S109 - Read

Computers
Sony PCG-6J1L - Read
Motorola Mobile Laptop 900 - Read