Nova Media
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Nova Media's iCON 461 USB modem is unlocked for globe-trotting commitmentphobes
Unlocked 3G modems aren't something you see everyday. Sure, Zoom has been hawking the dongles for some time, but they're primarily of the tri-band variety -- Nova Media's iCON 461 does those one better by going quad-band and throwing in GPS for good measure. The globe-trotting "3G surfstick" supports 7.2Mbps HSPA on the 850, 900,1900, and 2100 bands (that would include AT&T here in the ol' US of A) and can handle EDGE at 850, 900, 1800, and 1900MHz (hello, T-Mo). In addition to a slot for your GSM SIM there's also a place to stick a microSD card, in case you need someplace to store that leaked copy of David Comes to Life. The iCON 461 comes in two versions: Mac-compatible with launch2net Premium for €179 (about $248), and Windows-friendly with uCan Connect for €149 (roughly $215).
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 intros Mac-ready GlobeTrotter Express 7.2 card
It's refreshing to see high tech wizardry with Apple flavor hitting the shelves; if you have a hankering for travel and need fast connectivity no matter where you go, the GlobeTrotter Express 7.2 Ready has you covered. This Mac-compatible ExpressCard will bring triple band HSDPA / UMTS -- up to 7.2 Mbps -- and quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE to your Book, and thanks to the "Zero-CD" feature, drivers and software are auto-magically installed from the card's memory on first use (no worries, Windows users, you are covered here as well). The simple "launch2net" software provides instant detection and configuration of 300 network providers around the globe, meaning less time spent fiddling with APNs and passwords and more time online -- we know your provider's support team and accounting depts. will love this feature. The Nova Media site shows this as pre-order right now for roughly $400 US, but it should start shipping in early May.[Via Macworld]
Nova Media Address Book plugin for Nokia, Sony Ericsson phones
German-based Nova Media landed on our radar last year with their iSync plugin that supports more phones than Mac OS X's default set. Not content with mere syncing, however, the company also makes an Address Book plugin, recently updated with more supported models, that allows phones from Nokia and Sony Ericsson to shake hands with Apple's contact manager for all sorts of phone call integration. Sending calls to voicemail, replying via an SMS, logging the call and even starting one are all possible from within Address Book. And while AB supports these operations with the default batch of iSync-supported phones, Nova Media's Address Book plugin enables these operations with a large set of Nokia and Sony Ericsson phones that Apple likely never will support. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a demo available for download, but at roughly $8.50 USD (Euro 6,50), I bet it would be hard to go wrong. After all, I can say from personal experience that $8.50 would be a small price to pay for the satisfying ability of clicking a button in a Mac OS X dialog to send someone directly to voicemail.
Launch2net Mobile Connection Manager
At Macworld, Nova Media (which we previously mentioned for expanding phone support in iSync) demonstrated their launch2net, a new piece of software that might be very handy for the globe-trotting MacBook (Pro) user. It's a connection manager that allows you to get online with a variety of GSM ExpressCard and USB devices. It automatically handles "all necessary network settings" to get online with, according to them at least, a single click. This could be very useful for using ExpressCard devices that don't have built-in OS X drivers.It's a bit pricey at €75 (~$97), but a demo is available.[Via Macsimum News]
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.
