Novatel U720 Rev A USB modem now on sale

Remember that Novatel U720 Rev A USB modem for Sprint that we told you about in late October? Well Ross, an eagle-eyed reader, pointed out that the U720 is now in stock for $50 after the usual assortment of instant savings and rebates and what not. Still, as sexy as this is for the Windows folks, where's the love for the Mac users among us? Sprint, we fully expect to see some drivers comin' down the pike, hopefully sooner rather than later.

[alex @ Dec 7th 2006 7:34AM]

Mac drivers from Sprint? Their track record says that isn't going to happen... Watch http://www.EVDOinfo.com and http://www.EVDOforums.com for news about Mac compatibility soon. We had it working on Macs already, but it was using VERIZON's software! (go figure)

The U720 does NOT work with the Sprint/Linksys Router, but it does work with the Kyocera KR1.

We've got KR1's and Booster Antenna's for the U720, ready and waiting at http://Booster-Antenna.com

[ShaneOMac @ Mar 12th 2007 12:17PM]

There are drivers and firmware upgrades available at www.sprint.com/downloads. I recall seeing something about a linksys router.

[M. Rod Von Hugenstein @ Dec 7th 2006 10:31AM]

Sprint better make this work with a Mac. I just ordered one so I can use it on my Mac and windows laptops, but after I ordered it, they changed the website to say that it is no longer Mac compatible.

The whole point of a USB modem is to allow it to be used on a wider variety of machines, but not supporting Macs, even though they said they would is really upsetting. Sprint has a chance to overtake Verizon with their more friendly data plans, but not supporting a group of users most likely to use this modem is not going to help.

[IWantTouchScreen @ Dec 7th 2006 11:44AM]

Not for nothing, but Mac & Linux users must love to suffer because this will continue to happen & happen & happen..

sorry :( Just having flashbacks to when I tried Linux & it recognized my tv tuner card, but I had to proceed with compiling QT ?? compiling drivers, command line this, makefile that..

[SOCOMRAIDER @ Dec 7th 2006 1:12PM]

That thing looks funny. You can tell it is a fat piece of equipment. Look at how small the USB connection is. It looks like a disproportionate USB thumbdrive.

[fgdfgdfdfgdfg @ Dec 7th 2006 1:13PM]

Noone loves you, mac users, boohoohoohoohoo.

[Tugrik @ Dec 7th 2006 7:32PM]

Just ordered one. I should have it up and running on a Stompbox in no time. It's already Mac compatible (for Intel Macs only, though) out of the box, fyi. Y'gotta read deeper before you post, Engadget dudes. :)

Compatibility details from the Sprint website: https://sprintbizstore.com/popup_product.php?phone_id=NVU720DORA&bundleID=834

[James Kelley @ Dec 8th 2006 9:00AM]

I can send these at discount, waiving fees. I'm with Sprint. Email me at james.r.kelley @ sprint.com and I'll hook you up!

[elie @ Feb 18th 2007 12:15AM]

i live in las vegasx , i'm 2 min from the famous strip , i get 8.51 k avegrage d/l .. is this normal ? should i switch to the pci card ? plzz help i love to keep it but not with 56-k like enviroment

[Lee @ Feb 21st 2007 9:29AM]

Driver updates for Macs available as of today or so:

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/wwansupportupdate10.html

[CaptainoftheCoast @ Feb 27th 2007 3:33AM]

Do your homework on this product before you buy it!

The modem works ok until the card checks for updated firmware and tries to pull it off the network. The first time it tried, some files were missing in the download and rendered the modem inoperable. Then next month, it tries to do the same thing and guess what....Sprint still has missing files in their firmware update!

The first time took 4 calls, 4 hours and two technicians to fix.

The second time has so far been 7 calls, 8 hours, 4 technicians and it still is screwed up. Now when the modem fires up, it still looks for a firmware update.I press Alt-F4 to get around this, but it won't stay connected because it gives me a "blue screen of death" with the words bugcode usb error" and the system reboots immediately!

The technicians swear up and down it is my system and have had me do everything including buy additional software to try and locate the problem, however it still exist! However, I just re-installed Windows fresh and still the modem causes a fatal error.

The service behind the sale on this product sucks!

Save your money!

Go buy Verizon's product!



Signed,

A very unhappy Sprint customer who left 8 years at T-Mobile for this Sprint Broadband POS!

[alex @ May 5th 2007 8:17AM]

Kyocera will soon be announcing firmware RK1010 that provides full support for the U720/USB720 as well as the PX500/PC5750.

As with prior firmware releases, EVDOinfo.com and 3GStore.com are first to sell KR1 routers with this new firmware! ...for more info, read:

http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/1973/64/