The Dodge Retort

My full review of the HP Mini Model 1151NR bundled with Verizon mobile broadband is now up at eWeek.com. In any case, I give it a B- given the inconsistent bars I got, but it pretty much works as advertised.

A better option for Internet ubiquity is the MiFI 2200  mobile hotspot which I also reviewed for eWeek. The full review was filed yesterday and I will link to it when it is posted.  In a nutshell, the device – smaller than an iPod Touch – is mobile broadband in one end and up to five WiFi connections out the other. And you don’t have to deal with Verizon Access Manager on the host after the first mobile broadband connection is made. After that, you simply switch on the unit and it automatically connects to Verizon’s 3G network.

The WiFI worked well once I understood you have to unplug the MiFi from host where the mobile broadband was the connection was initially made (For a host, I used a netbook running Windows 7 release candidate which worked fine). The device costs $100 and $60 or $40 a month for the ususal Verizon two-year service commitment. If I spring for mobile broadband  given its relatively high cost, it will be for this.

Verizon MiFi charging

Meanwhile, I am blogging away about at SmartPlanet.com which covers its namesake “smart” technologies. Check it out. Today’s topic was cameras implanted in a prosthetic or bionic eye.

I’ve been playing with HP Mini Model 1151NR that come bundled with Verizon Mobile Broadband for a couple of weeks now and the convenience is growing on me.

It’s much slower than Wifi and cable Internet and the Verizon Access Manager that you use to find the network and connect is a minor imposition. One problem is in my office I only get one bar ( four is tops) so connecting can take a little longer. You can track you speeds from a Statistics tab. Verizon says average speeds are around 500 Kbps with bursts up 1.4 Mbps and it generally delivers as promised.

Video downloads take several minutes, but it’s fine for browsing, Twitter, Facebook, WordPress, email, visiting The Dodge Retort and other standard apps.

I’m going to return the loaner to Verizon soon and am going to miss it. Next decision is whether to spring for the unit at $200 and a two year commitment at $60 a month. I have a full review of the HP Verizon bundle  coming up at eweek.com.

Also, Verizon just gave me a Mi Fi mobile router with Mobile broadband in the back end and Wifi out the front so I don’t have to decide right away. It’s about two thirds the size of an iPod Touch and connects via USB to its host. I will report back in a week or so on that. Meanwhile, stay connected.

I have not posted for several days because I was busy with my new CBS Interactive blog ThinkingTech at SmartPlanet.com. Check it out.

We’ll cover all manner of smart technologies from the rehabilitation of the grid to smart gadgets that report on traffic in realtime. The focus is on smart technologies that are kinder to the planet and that help humans. It’s a great site with lots of video (hey, it’s CBS!)

But don’t worry, The Dodge Retort is still a top priority for me. In fact, I’ll be introducing video shortly and should be getting a Dell Mini 10v to review.

I also finished my review for eWeek.com on the HP Mini 1000 Model 1151NR that comes with Verizon wireless mobile broadband. I will summarize that review here next week. My conclusion is that it works as advertised, but could use some refinements. It’s all in the bars!

I’m posting this from the passenger seat of a moving car, by the way. I do like that!

I am cruising in the passenger seat along I-95 in Maine ready to post thanks for my Verizon VZAccess mobile broadband. It’s the version that comes bundled with and built into an HP Mini 1000 Model 1151r. No card or gadget to plug in.

Quite honestly, I’ve had some problems with it so stay tuned for the full review next week.

Damn, that tractor trailer is close!

Verizon pitched me recently on doing a post on its Friends & Family calling program launched in February. That’s where qualifying customers can exclude five or ten numbers from counting against their plan minutes.

So I asked Verizon how many have taken advantage of the “free” program and what does Verizon get out of it. Verizon New England spokesman Mike Murphy didn’t answer either question, but did extol the benefits of F&F. So I am left to speculate.

My guess F&F sweetens the pot for customers to upgrade their basic plans to the $60 a month Nationwide Single Line plan which is required for the five F&F package or the $90 Nationwide Family SharePlan for the ten. Or to switch to Verizon from another carrier (a quick check of AT&T plans shows it still only has unlimited inter-network mobile to mobile by comparison). While Verizon says F&F is “free,” the company isn’t giving away anything because you have to sign up for the qualifying plans.

Still, F&F for minute gobblers is a good deal and should not be overlooked especially if you already qualify (Shame on me – I qualify for the ten, but have yet to take advantage of it).

Murphy did have a few interesting things to say about what Verizon has invested in its 3G network in New England -$240 million last year and $2.4 billion since 2000. The motive here is spread the word about the huge capital investment it takes to build these networks to assuage the sting of $40 or $60 a month for 3G wireless broadband, for example. Hey, these networks don’t grow on trees so we all have to pay.

Indeed, Verizon is on a roll with its 86.6 million wireless customers which makes one other of Murphy’s comment all the more intriguing. Besides things like its network and F&F, Verizon, he says, has curried customer favor with the company’s aggressive lawsuits against spammers.

“Maybe some of that loyalty is due in part to these lawsuits against spammers!?!” Murphy says. In early May, the company filed suit against a mortgage company for allegedly sending 800,000 spam text messages to Verizon customers.

Verizon has made it official – the HP NR115 packaged with mobile broadband will hit Verizon’s online store and its retail stores Sunday. The unit will cost $199 as reported after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Two years activation of Verizon’s mobile broadband is required for the discounted netbook which would cost north of $400 if bought alone. Below is the info a Verizon spokeswoman sent me.

HP Mini 115NR

>>Globetrotters and staycationers alike will want the HP Mini 1151NR that hits Verizon Wireless stores Sunday, May 17, 2009, for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and new two-year activation on a Mobile Broadband plan.  Customers using the lightweight HP Mini 1151NR can access the Internet, e-mail and browse the Web quickly and reliably with service plans that begin at $39.99 monthly access.  Add Verizon Wireless’ Global Service and the HP Mini 1151NR becomes a workhorse in more than 175 destinations; more than 45 of those destinations offer 3G speedl-in rebate will be in the form of a debit card; customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.  More information online at: www.verizonwireless.com.<<

I’m sitting in the Amsterdam Airport (Schipol) waiting for a flight to Prague
after an overnight flight from Boston. The Northwest plane promised wifi, but later
I learned that’s only available over land in the U.S. Or at least that’s what
the flight attendant told me.

While I have nothing pressing to do on the web, I would have paid to try airplane wifi
to see how it works. It wouldn’t have been the first time I connected from the skies. When
I was on expense account and had a story to file at PC Week, I would use the sky phone
(remembers those in the seat backs?) for a 9600 baud connection for a bloody fortune.

At Schipol, I could connect for 15 minutes for a mere three Euros (about $4), but I can
wait until our arrival in Prague.

Now in Prague. Marriott wants $22 (450 korunas)a day for Internet which I am paying. Tomorrow, I’ll sponge off my son in his dorm room at Charles University.

I wish I had Verizon or AT&T mobile wireless, but not sure it would work here. As much I praise  that service, sage Tom Henderson calls it monthly “enslavement” at $60 per. Good point.

Walked around city looking at Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Voltava River, State
Opera and other points of interest. Beer is PHENOMENAL! Pilsner Urequell and Kozel dark
are excellent and I don’t normally drink dark. We go to Pilsner Friday.

I have yet to see a netbook here except my own although I’m not looking very hard. Sales in Europe are supposed to be brisk.

Dell today introduced the Mini 10v netbook line this morning on its Direct2Dell blog as an entry level netbook to its Mini 10.

I watched the eight minute video on the 10v and jotted down some notes. The star of the video was Brian Pitstick, who leads Dell’s Mini product development (stay tuned for a Q&A with him when I get back from Europe around May 21). Nothing jumped out at me as extraordinary, but the machine emphasizes the notion of a companion computer that you use in bed or in front of the TV (which is exactly how I use my netbooks, one at bedside, one in the family room). The only difference is I see my netbook as my primary laptop. Sorry notebook makers, but you keep adding features, models and improving performance, keyboards and battery life.

The 10v also comes with some unique entertainment features. Dell positions this as entry level netbook with the standard Mini 10 and $430-$480 Mini 12 holding up the higher end. The 10v, which is highly customizeable, starts at $299.

The most disappointing omission in my opinion is the lack of a built-in mobile broadband option, which is about to be the ground zero  hotspot of the netbook market. The always-connected netbook will be as transforming as the always-on wired cable broadband options that appeared in the mid-nineties and largely did away with dial-up modems. All netbooks should come with the built-in mobile broadband option, IMO…at least in the parts of the world where broadband is dominant. Lordy, Wifi is about to invade airplane cabins.

“Expect more mobile broadband news soon,” says Dell spokesman John Pope.

Here’s the features:

– 92% full keyboard with more traditional layout than other Minis. As he flashed it on the screen, it looked similar to the 92% keyboard HP has had in its Mini line all along. Same keyboard is in the Mini 10 already and is slightly larger than the Mini 12′s, says spokesman Pope.

– Novel touchpad design with buttons below the pad to create more touch real estate.

– 10″ WSVGA display with 1024 x 576 maximum display (the standard Mini 10 goes up to 1366 x 768) hence the 10v’s lower price point.

– Ubuntu 8.04 and Windows XP operating system (sorry, no Android…yet!)

– three or six -cell batteries

– N270 or N280 Intel Atom processors

– 120 or 160GB hard drive and 8 and 16 Flash memory storage options.

– More entertainment features found than in most netbooks including an HD mode, TV tuner, HDMI port

– Last but certainly not least in this fashion conscious world,  Seven colors and five designer lids options (sorry no photo of the latter, but you can see it on the video.

The color purple is included

The 10v's 92% keyboard