GlobeSurfer
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Option GlobeSurfer III wireless 3G router asks, 'am I pretty?'
We've seen a few 3G routers in our day, and now Option's back with its newest, aimed at homes and small businesses. The GlobeSurfer III was designed to look like something you'd actually want in your house (whether or not they actually hit the mark is your call -- the company used the word "stylish" so much in its PR that we felt we had to mention it) and the management software is meant to be easy enough that even networking novices could get their collective heads 'round it. Based on the Qualcomm 7225 chipset, this guy boasts HSUPA uploads up to 5.76 Mbps and downloads up to 7.2 Mbps. Also part of the deal is a USB port for sharing hardware over the network -- perfect for serving up media, sharing printers and the like. Pricing and availability to be announced.
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.
Option's USB GlobeSurfer iCON HSUPA touts 7.2Mbps downloads
We're all quite aware of just how proud Option is of its HSUPA offerings, and while it has raised the bar before in terms of sheer speed, the company is once again kicking out a new way to get your lappie connected to blazing fast internet without a WiFi hotspot in sight. The diminutive GlobeSurfer iCON HSUPA boasts a compact, USB stick design, and even includes a swivel connector as to play nice with just about every USB nook and cranny out there. Aside from touting 7.2Mbps of downstream capacity and 2Mbps on the upbeat, the GlobeSurfer looks to provide web access for those not already sold on the firm's ExpressCard options. Users can purportedly expect "plug 'n play" abilities, backwards compatibility with EDGE/GPRS/GSM data connections, tri-band / quad-band support, and a wide range of OS support that includes Windows Vista and OS X. No word just yet on price or availability, but we sincerely hope Option doesn't keep the USB brethren in the house waiting too awfully long for these high-speed luxuries.
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.
