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Sprint adds two cards to Rev. A stable
Before we get you too excited, fair warning: there's not an ExpressCard to be found in the bunch. Instead, Sprint's decided to add another two PC Cards to the previously launched Novatel S720, giving them a grand total of three EV-DO Revision A-compliant data cards ahead of their network rollout -- it's just a shame all three devices fit in the same kind of slot. At any rate, we were always told not to look a gift horse in the mouth, so we're going to put a sock in it and thank Sprint for giving us options: first up is the value of the bunch, Pantech's PX-500, which'll clock in for a nice, round $0 on two-year contract. Next, the AirCard 595 from Sierra Wireless will match the S720's pricing, going out the door for $100 after signing on the dotted line. Expect both cards to drop before the end of the year, but until someone can show that the Pantech is demonstrably worse than its stablemates, we're really liking the sound of "free."
Cingular's AirCard 875 takes shape
We got our first glimpse this afternoon at Cingular's branded cut of Sierra Wireless' ridiculously fast (sounding) AirCard 875, capable of 3.6Mbps downtream via HSDPA. We're actually kind of digging the appearance of the antenna, which shouts "Cingular" with its black / orange scheme. We'd caught wind earlier of an October launch, though the mood at the Cingular camp was a little more cautious when we spoke to them today; we'll continue to cross our fingers.
AirCard 875 gets October launch on Cingular
Sure, the AirCard 860's purely theoretical 1.8Mbps of HSDPA throughput is all well and good, but 3.6Mbps (again, purely theoretical) is even better. Sierra Wireless' re-upped model, the 875, has now been announced for release on Cingular next month at $99.99 on contract after rebates. With quad-band EDGE and tri-band HSDPA on board, if you manage to find a place in the world where you're not covered by some form of data, you've got bigger problems than your lack of 'Net access.
Sierra Wireless to offer HSDPA, EV-DO Rev A via USB
Not a day's passed after we caught word of Sprint's launch of Novatel's S720 PC Card do we hear that Sierra Wireless has a proverbial one-two punch of WWAN modems up its sleeve, this time of the USB variety. First up in Q4 of this year will be the 595U, an EV-DO Revision A device topping out at a purely-theoretical 3.1Mbps downstream, followed by the quad-band GSM, tri-band HSDPA 875U humming along at 3.6Mbps in Q1 2007. Both USB modems look to be coming in sleek little packages with internal antennas and matching cradles, support location-based services, and have upgradeable firmware. If these things really look as slick as the press shots make them out to be, we may not be whining for a Rev A ExpressCard after all -- if the ship dates hold up, that is.[Via Macworld]
Sierra Wireless shows voice-capable mini cards
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]
