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Globesurfer ICON USB HSDPA modem adds support for US networks
Following up on its previous Globesurfer ICON, which was Europe- and Asia-only, Nova Media's new Globesurfer ICON 7.2 Ready kit updates the included Option modem to the now-standard USB key form factor and, more importantly, adds a dash of that sweet 850 and 1900MHz UMTS action -- making it usable on AT&T's HSDPA network and T-Mobile EDGE in the States. Other than the hardware change, though, the package is basically the same: OS X and Windows software (OS X users get Nova's launch2net utility with 300 preloaded network configurations), HSDPA / UMTS 3G / EDGE / GPRS support with download speeds up to 7.2Mbps on HSDPA (384Kbps up) and 220Kbps on EDGE (80Kbps up). Sadly, Nova says that speeds will be slower when connected to 850 and 1900MHz networks. Of course. Look to drop about €299 ($406) for the ICON Ready at the end of May.
Nova Media's GlobaSurfer ICON: HSDPA, 3G UMTS, EDGE, GPRS for Macs
Prepare to get your mobile data on Macin-types. With Option's guts apparently, Nova Media from Germany just unveiled their GlobeSurfer ICON which promises support for HSDPA, 3G UMTS, EDGE and GPRS data connections from "virtually anywhere in the world." The quad-band data modem works with a standard "easy-loading" SIM, features a connector for external antenna, and plugs into the USB port of your Intel or PPC-based Mac for up to 1.8Mbps HSDPA downloads (384kbps up) or 220Kbps EDGE downloads (80Kbps up). It ships with launch2net software already configured for access to more than 300 networks. Oh, one small caveat, the card only works on 2100MHz UMTS nets in Europe and most Asian countries so you can forget about pulling high-speed data rates when used in the US. For now, anyway. Available pronto for €339 plus VAT and shipping.
