Verizon readying subsidized HP laptops, Hub 2

We just got a pair of small-but-juicy Verizon rumors from a very reliable tipster: first, we hear that HP and Big Red are working together on subsidized WWAN-enabled laptops for launch in Q2. Exactly what machines will be involved can't be confirmed, but if we had our guess we'd say Big Red's got a cheap Mini 1000 on a two-year contract in the works, since these so-called "netbooks" are all the rage these days. Second, a updated version of the charming-but-questionably-useful Hub "landline killer" home phone is due out in the second half of the year, and VZW's apparently retargeting it a little: we're told it'll be more upscale and boast even more features. And here we thought that internet radio widget was gettin' all crazy. No word on pricing for any of this stuff, but we'd bet we'll find out more soon.

[spasewalkr Posted Mar 17th 2009 6:36PM]

so out of curiosity, do you guys say "wuh-wan" or "W-wan"?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 6:42PM]

awesome, is this the website where we get our questions answered..??? sweet! what's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow..???

[CheesusCrust Posted Mar 17th 2009 6:42PM]

Wee Wan

[spasewalkr Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:01PM]

@hayst

ok, if u wanna be an idiot thats cool with me. i thought i was asking a legitimate question.

anyway, here. although i know u know how to use google too. http://www.style.org/unladenswallow/

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 6:40PM]

its just wan no matter how its spelled...last I read the netbooks were 99 on 2 yr contract

[Spiderman00 Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:13PM]

I work for GoWireless...and we recently started selling Acer netbooks with a USB760 bundled together...So it looks like our company (We are a Premium Retailer for VZW) actually beat Verizon Wireless to the punch.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:20PM]

really? where do you work becasue i havent heard or seen any o f this bundle and i work in a staples

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 8:17PM]

@plasalai

uuuuuuuhhhh........... "I work for GoWireless" is what he said. :)

[plexusXXX Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:22PM]

I would really like something like verizon's Hub, shame that it is'nt available on our side of the pond.
Wasn't iRiver or maybe Asus that some months ago presented a sort of much nicer , much better, much cooler version of the Hub?
Whatever happened to that thing?

[Spiderman00 Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:23PM]

I work in Washington State...There are only a few stores that got them. We are basically doing testing to see how well they sell. Alot of people still dont have access outside of the home for internet. So I have a feeling we are going to do good.

[johnkzin Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:32PM]

Hopefully it'll be the "Mobile Internet" version of the Mini 1000... since, you know, that would only make sense. However, it probably wont happen, since all of the other 3G enabled netbooks have been Windows based instead of Linux based.

[malexandria1 Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:56PM]

Wouldn't buy it unless Verizon finally got rid of their stupid 5 Gig monthly caps. My weekly podcast downloads are 3 gigs. So I can't use any of these wireless broadband services until they go back to truly "unlimited" service and not these bait and switch read the fine print "Unlimited" plans.

[Eh Posted Mar 17th 2009 9:41PM]

Malexandria, in case you haven't noticed, none of the large carriers market their laptop data plans as unlimited anymore. There is no bait and switch except for what people perceive in their heads.

Verizon:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=planFirst&action=viewPlanList&sortOption=priceSort&typeId=5&subTypeId=13&catId=409

and on AT&T:

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/data-connect-plans.jsp

Sprint also upfront states a 5GB limit.

I understand why you wouldn't like it, but radio bandwidth is not like wireline where you can just lay an additional fiber optic cable and add bandwidth. Radio bandwidth is a lot more finite and is much more susceptible to interference, and other factors. All these wonderfully fast speeds you keep hearing about? Those are theoretical speeds in ideal conditions in a lab.

But yeah, if you don't care for it, don't buy it, just like you're doing.