The cake took 18 hours to make and was a gift to Bobby Casey from his new bride.  Sure, it says Cingular on it, but that doesn’t take away from its awesomeness one bit.  It’s almost too beautiful to eat, but unfortunately, the cake was eaten.  At least they took pictures.

Bottom line: whoever made this thing has serious talent.  In fact, I wonder if she’d make us a Palm Pre cake for launch…  If you’re out there, get in touch!

Is being replaced by Ralph de la Vega, but he is staying around till the end of the year to make sure the transition is smooth. And to make sure this de la Vega guy doesn’t get any crazy ideas like renegotiation with Apple or letting the iPhone hackers play their games, no, can’t have any of that nonsense.

The guy has apparently been in the number one spot for 42 years, I didn’t even know AT&T wireless existed that long ago, but whatever, that’s a pretty amazing run. Overall, I’ve got to say he did a pretty good job. Sure, there are things he could have done better, like a more widespread 3G network, actually putting more bars in more places, and maybe actually lowering the number of dropped calls, but overall, I think he did alright.

AT&T Wireless CEO Stan Stigman steps down [via intomobile]

How crappy of a product do you have to have in order for the amount of storage space to not be listed? You even have to order a minimum of a thousand of them to buy them. They do have a 1.8” LCD, support for MP3, WMA, AVI, JPEG, LRC, and TXT formats.

It also comes with software to convert other video formats to AVI there is also a digital voice recorder. It has a built in speaker as well as a USB 2.0 interface that will allow you to use the device as standard flash storage. No word on price, other than that you have to order at least a thousand of them, but I would assume the availability to be now, why you would want one of these I don’t know though.

China PMP Bases Design on Company Logo [via pmptoday]

Most of the information is not new, but it does answer a lot of questions that potential customers are going to have. If you didn’t know already, AT&T can ask for as much as $800 for a deposit when activating new service. If you are worried about that, you won’t have to wait until you get home and activate it, they can do a credit check right there in the store before they send you on your way. Otherwise, everything will be done from your home PC.

We have posted the FAQ below in its entirety. Hopefully it will answer most of your burning questions, if not, you can try asking the sales reps at AT&T, or you can try looking over at MYiTablet for the latest iPhone news.

General
Q. Where can I buy iPhone?
A. iPhone is available at AT&T stores, Apple stores and online at apple.com. Find an AT&T store that sells iPhone now.

Q. How much does iPhone cost?
A. There are currently two versions of iPhone available. $499 for the 4GB model and $599 for the 8 GB model. Both prices require a 2-year service agreement.

Q. Is iPhone eligible for Wireless Phone Insurance?
A. No. iPhone is ineligible for the Wireless Phone Insurance program offered to AT&T customers. iPhone is covered by the Apple Warranty. If you have Wireless Phone Insurance from AT&T, it will be removed from your line of service.

Q. Are business customers eligible for discounts?
A. No. iPhone service is available only to consumer accounts. iPhone and associated wireless service are not eligible for corporate discounts.

Activation

Q. How do I activate iPhone?
A. You activate iPhone in a whole new way—using iTunes right on your computer. All you need is a PC or Mac, a credit card or debit card, access to the Internet and an email address.
The credit approval for your AT&T service also happens on your computer. It’s part of activating through iTunes, but if you’d rather have your credit pre-approved before you leave the store, an AT&T store representative can help you with that.
You will also select an available plan during activation.

Q. Does iPhone work out of the box?
A. No. iPhone must be activated before it can be used. iPhone includes a pre-installed SIM card for your convenience.

Q. How long does it take to activate iPhone?
A. Most activations should happen within a few minutes of selecting your plan. If there are any questions around your account status or credit, there may be delays in activation.

Existing Customer Questions

Q. How do I upgrade to iPhone?
A. Just go to an AT&T retail store, and mention you’re replacing your existing phone. Our salespeople will help you through the process and answer any questions you have.
Soon you’ll be able to upgrade through myWireless online.

Q. Do I need to switch to a different rate plan if I upgrade to iPhone?
A. If you’re an existing AT&T (formerly Cingular) wireless customer, you just need to add an iPhone Data Plan. (This may replace your current data plan. Your voice plan will stay the same) The iPhone Data Plan gives you Visual Voicemail, as well as Unlimited Data—includes both email and web—and texting, all for as little as $20. You’ll add an iPhone Data Plan during the activation process.

Q. Can I add iPhone to a FamilyTalk plan?
A. Yes. Just go to an AT&T retail store, and mention you’d like to add a line to an existing account.

Q. Do I need to switch to a different FamilyTalk rate plan if I want to add iPhone?
A. No. You might want to upgrade your minutes since you are adding an additional line.

Q. I just upgraded my phone recently. Are there any penalties or restrictions for upgrading to iPhone right away?
A. No. Everyone can upgrade to iPhone right away.

Q. What if I currently have a GoPhone?
A. You will need to activate iPhone on a new account with a new phone number.

Q. I’m an existing customer. Can I swap out my current SIM card and start right away?
A. No. iPhone must be activated befroe it can be used. iPhone includes a pre-installed SIM card for your convenience.

Billing

Q. Will I be billed from both companies?
A. Wireless service will be billed from AT&T. Additional content purchases from iTunes such as music, videos, and movies will be billed from iTunes, similar to today.

Q. Are there any differences from your normal billing procedures?
A. No. There are no differences on your monthly bill.

Return Policy

Q. Do you have a special return policy for iPhones?
A. Yes. Apple branded equipment is covered by a 14-day return policy and must be returned to the original point of purchase. If the Apple branded equipment is returned unopened and in the original shrink wrapping, it will be refunded back to the original payment method. Opened Apple branded equipment that is returned within 14 days will be subject to a 10% open box restocking fee. All products must be packed in their original, unmarked packaging including any accessories and manuals that shipped with the product.

AT&T publishes Apple iPhone FAQ [via MYiTablet]

Usually with AT&T you have 30 days to check out a phone and see what you think. If you return it within that time, no harm no foul. However, you will be limited to 14 days with the phone and you will be charged a 10% restocking fee. If you thought buying the iPhone was expensive, just wait until you try to return it!

Maybe instead of returning the phone and taking a hit, you’ll just sell the phone on eBay? People will be paying top dollar for the coveted phone, right? Wrong. The extra features such as Visual Voicemail, internet access and even your iTunes account will all be tied directly to the SIM card of the individual who purchased the phone new. So if someone else sticks in their SIM card, they will not have access to those features.

While it sounds like a bad idea at first, I’m really thinking that this was a good move on Apple/AT&T’s part. The reason is twofold; first it will cut down on theft of the iPhone. If it has no resale value, why steal it? Second, the phone will have little to no value on eBay, so this will deter people from buying the phone to simply resell it. That will mean that more iPhones will be available for customers that want to purchase it for their own use.

Testing out the iPhone will cost you 10% restocking fee, more SIM details [via MYiTablet]

Frankly it’s not a lot to get excited about – there looks to be the normal bevy of manuals, handsfree kit, USB cable and charger – and I’m more looking forward to reading the first reviews. 

BlackBerry 8300 Curve unboxing day pics [Pinstack.com]

According to Apple, they will have iPhones stocked at 2,000 retail stores at launch. Since there are only around 160 Apple stores and roughly 2,000 AT&T stores, almost every store will be stocked.

No word yet on just how many units they will be shipping at launch.

iPhone will be available at 2,000 retail stores in June [via MYiPhone]

T-Mobile’s Dash received their update last week though no information on an update for AT&T users has been released yet.

What can AT&T users do in the meantime to get their ROM updating fix on? There’s a minor update available directly from Samsung that will improve roaming capabilities.

Samung BlackJack Getting Windows Mobile 6 Update After June? [via gizmodo]

Looking to be a total finger-print magnet, the sleek smartphone seems to be living up to all RIM’s promises about usability, speed and general superbness.  Guess we’ll have to wait for the first full review to know for sure, but I’m salivating at the thought of it.

Unboxing: Cingular BlackBerry 8800 [The Boy Genius Report]

So far it’s not so much a review as a cavalcade of photos – all-round shots of the casing, then screenshots and a run-through of the new mobile browser and RSS reader.  The news is, though, that it runs a whole lot faster than any previous BlackBerry, with better sounding audio and a keyboard easily the equal of that on the 8700.

Sadly the Cingular version won’t have the WiFi TBG’s does, though he says to look out for such a model shortly after Cingular have their moment in the spotlight.

Obviously what a lot of people are wondering is how much this slab of QWERTY-sexiness will cost them.  Well, according to his sources at the network you’re looking at $299 with a two-year contract, $499 to buy it outright, and come March there’s a $50 mail-in rebate scheme planned.  Forgive my easily-offended English sensibilities, but man you guys get screwed on contracts – two years?!

Hands-on, Browser Walk-Through and Cingular Pricing [The Boy Genius Report]

This latest rumor comes from CNBC’s Jim Cramer. He belives that Cingular/ATT is trying to sway users of Verizon Wireless to make the switch by offering them free long-term contracts when they purchase one of the year’s hottest phones. Let’s just keep hoping that this type of competition pays off for the average consumer.

Buy the Apple iPhone and get 18-months service free [via: MYiPhone]

Justin Ried, Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications at Helio, told me: 

“In a short 7-months since launch, Helio has consistently been a step ahead of other carriers, launching custom services first like MySpace Mobile, GPS-enabled Google Maps for mobile and gifting & begging. And we’re continuing to build on our position of innovative leader in the wireless space – all so our members can stay in touch with their friends better, easier and in unique ways”

He goes on to explain how Helio’s new MySpace application, available to download within the next sixty days, will boast features like enhanced camera integration for real-time sharing of photos on your profile, click-free access to alerts, friend requests, event invites and messages from the cellphone’s idle screen, improved functionality for editing your profile from your Helio including changing headlines, relationship status and images, all using a completely rebuilt cellphone UI with custom styles, improved graphics and animations.

Will this be enough to maintain Helio’s growing popularity?  It’s a cliché and a cop-out to say something like “only time will tell”, so I won’t.  Instead, how about some facts and a couple of presumptions: the Helio Drift, especially in its limited-edition Frost White form, is a sexy, competent handset that succeeds for the greater part due to Helio’s integration of services and hardware.  The route Cingular is taking – adding MySpace into its broad range of cellphones – means that the experience is only as good as the least capable handset; if I were Helio I’d be concentrating hard on picking the very best-of-breed to really showcase the services on offer. 

For $2.99 on top of a regular monthly package, Cingular subscribers will be able to upload photos taken on cellphones, read and respond to MySpace e-mails, update blog entries and view and search for friends direct from their handset.  Running as a Java app, with 30 popular handsets compatible on launch and a further 20 supported in the following few weeks, Cingular will also be adding online video support sometime in 2007.  MySpace has already put the boot in, claiming that Cingular’s version will be “more expansive” than Helio’s offering.

Call me a crusty old cynic, but how many people actually interact with MySpace via their cellphones, and how many would want to do that?

Cingular to offer MySpace on cellphones [Reuters]

Vista capable, the nc6400 has a 14.1-inch widescreen display, Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and comes with an integrated Intel graphics chip as standard, although an ATI Mobility Radeon card is a paid option.  It starts at $1,599, with Cingular’s unlimited BroadbandConnect service coming in at $59.99 a month.  Further international add-on plans are also available, with $109/mo getting you 100 megabytes worth of use each month in Canada and Mexico, or $139 for 100MB in more than twenty-four countries worldwide, with both plans including unlimited domestic use. 

HP [via Laptoping]

The phone also supports the ultra fast UMTS data transmission for downloads, music clips, and email. With Cingular video service, you can watch video, TV, news, and more. The phone comes with 4x zoom & video VGA camera, Bluetooth, MPEG4 and RealVideo support, MobiTV & MobiRadio, Quad-band world phone with domestic UMTS, and more. It weights only 3.27onces with 3.36 x 1.89 x .90 inches. The talk time is up to 5 hours with up to 12 days standby time. The CU400 is now available from Cingular for $230 at retail or $30 with a two-year agreement plan.

LG CU400 marks first 3G push-to-talk Cingular phone [via electronista]

Cingular BlackBerry Pearl 8100c unboxing photos [Pinstack.com; thanks to Gina-Lisa for the tip]

Live Shot: Cingular Blackberry Pearl 8100c! [RIM Blackberry Forums; thanks to Gina-Lisa for the tip!]

SlashPhone reviews the Treo 680 [SlashPhone]

TeleNav features:

•  Voice and onscreen turn-by-turn directions – Users may enter or call in a destination and TeleNav GPS Navigator computes the route. During the drive, users get up-to-the minute guidance and will automatically be re-routed if you miss a turn. Users can also preview their routes before they begin driving and specify preferences including highways and streets.
• Biz Finder – Allows users to find businesses and services, including Wi-Fi hotspots, ATMs, restaurants, hotels, gas stations and easily navigate to them with the click of a button. Biz Finder also allows users to quickly look up and call the phone number for a business.
• Fuel Finder – Allows users to save money by finding the lowest gas prices within a five-mile or wider radius.
• Spot Marker – Helps users easily find their car wherever it is parked it, such as in a large parking lot or on an unfamiliar downtown street.
• Pedestrian Mode – Allows users to use TeleNav GPS Navigator while they are walking to help guide them on long walks or through crowded downtown streets.
• My Favorites – Allows users to save addresses for easy access later.

TeleNav is subscription-based and costs $5.99/month for 10 journeys or $9.99 a month for unlimited journeys.  The E62 is available for $99.99 with a two year contract.

Press Release [via Mobileburn]

SlashPhone hands-on with the Samsung BlackJack [SlashPhone]

Currently the Cingular TeleNav service costs $9.99 a month for unlimited routes or $5.99 for 10 routes.

Press Release [Cingular]

As you can see, not only will the Treo 680 be on-sale before 2006 is out, so will the Treo 750 which runs Windows Mobile 5.0 instead of the Palm OS.  The Samsung i320, here named Blackjack, will also be a potential addition to your Christmas stocking.

Full-sized image on Flickr [via CrunchGear]

The mobile-mavins over at LAPTOP Magazine have already coaxed the 8525 into performing for them, praising its range of data connectivity options, 2 megapixel camera and software package, scolding its unevenly lit keyboard and whispering of the push-to-talk upgrade coming in 2007.

Cingular Press Release & LAPTOP Magazine 8525 review [via Engadget]

In a worrying twist, however, a commenter on the original post revealed what looks to be an internal Cingular memo:

Product Advisory: Samsung a707 STOP SELL/STOP SHIP – DO NOT MERCHANDIZE
PRIORITY: RED – Heavy Impact to Existing Inventory. Samsung has discovered an issue with the production a707/Cingular SYNC devices.
(Fri, November 03, 2006)
Issue/Volume number:
The device presents error messages and does not allow the sync and load of Windows Media rights-protected music. Cingular believes this is related to an issue or failure in the manufacturing process.

Due to the seriousness of this issue devices should not be sold until a root cause and root solution is identified At this time, devices should not be returned to the Distribution Center. Additional information regarding the disposition of these units will be provided in an update to this advisory.

If this is true, then it looks like users will have to wait a bit longer before they can have some hands-on time of their own.

Hands-on with the Samsung SYNC [Engadget Mobile]

The launch of Cingular Music sure would make it look that way; for the first time, you’re not limited to whatever “storefront” your carrier prescribes. Cingular has partnered up with Napster, Yahoo! Music and eMusic, offering a varying range of services with each. Napster and Yahoo! Music, for instance, are subscription based – $14.95 a month for the former and from $11.99 for the latter – and both now allow you to sync all the music downloads on your computer with your Cingular cellphone. Both let you preview music and browse the catalogue from your handset, and you can buy a Napster track for $0.99 or queue up a Yahoo! Music track to download on your PC.

eMusic differs from the other two in that the files they sell are nice, standard mp3s that don’t “expire” if you stop paying your monthly subscription. There’s no way to download them on your handset, but if you buy a Sony Ericsson W810i or W300i from Cingular then you’ll get 50 free downloads.

Finally, from November 6th those on the Cingular network will be able to listen to any of 25 selected channels from XM Satellite Radio, streamed via the carrier’s data network. The monthly subscription of $8.99 gets you unlimited access. To help manage all of the options, selected Cingular phones will have a special “Cingular Music” menu option; features such as the mobile shop, the stored music folder and the track-identifying MusicID will all be accessible there. Supported handsets so far include the exclusive Cingular SYNC by Samsung, LG CU500, Sony Ericsson W810i, Sony Ericsson W300i and Cingular 3125.

Is this the Holy Grail of mobile music? Personally, I’d say “not quite”. As cellphone data speeds get faster and faster, I don’t see why downloading music direct to the handset isn’t an option on all of the services, and having to pay almost a dollar for the privilege with Napster seems a tad unfair when you’re already subscribing. It’ll remain to be seen how easy it is to navigate a catalogue in excess of 4 million songs on a screen smaller than a reasonably small squirrel, too. But kudos to Cingular for at least trying something different.

Cingular Music [Cingular]

Price breakdown for the Palm Treo 680 is as follows:

• $349.99 one year contract
• $249.99 one year with unlimited data (and $100 rebate)
• $274.99 two year contract
• $174.99 two year with unlimited data (and $100 rebate)

For those of you who prefer your OS to be Microsoft-flavoured, you’re looking at an October 29th release date for the Cingular 8525 (aka HTC Hermes), with prices as follows:

• $559.99 unsubsidised
• $484.99 one year contract (with a $50 rebate if you stump up for unlimited data)
• $409.99 two year contract (same rebate offer applies)

Linquist [via Engadget Mobile]

Speaking of GPS enabled devices; Cingular also launched the brand new iPAQ hw6920 smartphone, featuring EDGE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.  Its got a nice 3-inch screen while the 1-megapixel camera should have been left out all together – shame on you HP.  The hw6920 is on the more expensive end priced at $599.  Ouch.

Features of TeleNav GPS Navigator on Cingular Wireless devices include:

• Voice and onscreen turn-by-turn directions – Enter or call in your destination and TeleNav GPS Navigator computes your route.  As you drive, you get up-to-the minute guidance and will automatically be re-routed if you miss a turn.  Users can also preview their routes before they begin driving and specify preferences including highways and streets.

• Full-Color Moving Maps (available on select phones) – See colorful maps of your current GPS location or any other address and pan and zoom the map to view the surrounding streets.

• Biz Finder – Find businesses such as ATMs, restaurants, hotels, gas stations and easily navigate to them with the click of a button.  Biz Finder also allows users to quickly look up and call the phone number for a business.

• Fuel Finder – Save money by finding the lowest gas prices near you.

• Spot Marker – Easily find your car wherever you park it such as in a large parking lot or on an unfamiliar downtown street.

• Pedestrian Mode – Use TeleNav GPS Navigator while you are walking to help guide you through on long walks or through crowded downtown streets.

TeleNav / Cingular [thanks Mary Beth!]

Treo 680 Headed to Cingular [Engadget]

Sporting a 200 MHz TI OMAP P850 processor with 64 MB of RAM, 128 MB of ROM and a QVGA (320×240 pixel) resolution screen (not a touchscreen), the Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone looks set to leverage T-Mobile’s EDGE network, offering 135kbps connections, as well as their growing number of WiFi hotspots. T-Mobile has the biggest investment in WiFi hotspots out of any carrier in the US.

Even thinner and lighter than Samsung’s i320 and Motorola’s Q, Dash also borrows from notebook touchpad technology with a handy jog strip running down the side of the display. Sliding a finger up and down it can scroll through documents and menus, while the very top and bottom are shortcuts to the Windows Start Menu and the “go back” feature.

SlashGear can also confirm that Excalibur will launch on the Cingular network in Q1 2007, although over-protective PR people prevented us from snapping photos of it. Without 3G, however, it will be unable to take advantage of that network’s broadband-speed HSDPA option, leaving it at a speed disadvantage compared to competing models.

Docs Confirm T-Mobile Dash (Excalibur) Release [SmartPhoneToday]

Cingular Exclusive on Apple iPhone? [via gizmodo]

CTIA Wireless IT & Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA, US – Cingular Wireless and Nokia today introduced the Nokia E62 device, a robust, sleek device built specifically for wireless email whose attractive price promises to take superior mobile email access beyond the executive suite and into the hands of the everyday wireless user.

The Nokia E62 device will be available exclusively from Cingular in the U.S. for as low as $149.99.  Measuring barely half an inch thick, it features a full QWERTY keyboard with large backlit keys for easy typing, and a sizeable, high-resolution 16 million color screen measuring 320 x 240 pixels.  Whether they’re business people or consumers, Nokia E62 device users will have a variety of popular secure email platforms from which to choose.  These include Good Mobile Messaging, Cingular Xpress Mail, BlackBerry Connect, Mail for Exchange (direct push corporate email from Microsoft Exchange), the Nokia push solution via Intellisync Mobile Suite from Nokia, and standard clients such as POP3, IMAP and SMTP. In addition, the device includes a pre-loaded instant messaging application.

Beyond email, customers can view, edit and create documents, spreadsheets and presentations.  They also can surf the Internet with ease using the device’s robust S60 browser, developed by Nokia.  This gives them access to a treasure trove of Web content via Cingular’s MEdia Net(SM).

“The Nokia E62 device is a game changer that will bring the power of wireless email to just about everyone who wants to experience it,” said Kent Mathy, president of the Business Markets Group, Cingular’s business-to-business organization.  “Nokia has built a rock-solid device with an ultra-thin, modern form factor, support for several popular business and personal wireless email platforms, a great Web browsing experience and unsurpassed Nokia voice quality – all at a great price.”

“Nokia and Cingular understand that the user is king in the mobile device world, whether choosing a device for business or personal use,” said Mary McDowell, executive vice president and general manager, Nokia Enterprise Solutions. “That’s why Nokia E62 offers the most comprehensive features and solutions to manage the complexities of our customers’ work and personal lives — giving new meaning to ‘smart and stylish’. Offering the industry’s broadest choice of email options, and being IT-ready for any business environment globally, Nokia E62 delivers on the promises of the entire range of Nokia Eseries devices. We are very excited about the opportunity to provide this offering to the US market with Cingular and truly take mobile email to the masses.”

The Nokia E62 device boasts exceptional Nokia voice quality with approximately five hours talk time.  In addition to a crystal-clear connection, users get such features as speakerphone, six-way conference calling, voice dialing, voice commands for menu shortcuts, and a dedicated voice key for easy use of voice recording.

Cingular customers can use the Nokia E62 device whether they are taking it to the other side of town, across the country or halfway around the world.  In the United States, Nokia E62 is powered by Cingular’s ALLOVER(TM) network, the nation’s largest digital wireless voice and data network that has the fewest dropped calls of any national carrier.   The nationwide* ALLOVER wireless data network, powered by EDGE, is the largest national high-speed wireless data network in the United States with availability in 13,000 cities and towns and along some 40,000 miles of major highways.  When abroad, customers can use the Nokia E62 device in more than 180 countries for voice and over 100 countries for data.

“With Nokia E62, Cingular and Nokia have brought everything together – applications, sleek design, and price all on the nation’s largest national high speed wireless data network – to make it even easier for consumers and business customers to experience what is today the key application in wireless data, namely, email,” Mathy said.  “Once customers experience the power and convenience of wireless email, they are naturally inclined to try and use the broad array of other wireless data capabilities we make available.”

Nokia E62 will be available beginning September 29, 2006 in Cingular Wireless retail stores nationwide, select national retailers, on www.cingular.com and through Cingular’s B2B direct sales organization.

For more information on Nokia E62, please go to www.cingular.com.

* Not available in all areas.

The Toughbook 29 provides seamless, high-speed EDGE network coverage outside of those areas. In addition to public safety, the Toughbook 29 is ideal for military and commercial field environments.

Now, users of rugged Toughbook computers — including the only fully rugged convertible tablet, the CF-18 — will have the option for mobile broadband access in more than 60 BroadbandConnect cities, and seamless, high- speed EDGE network coverage in 13,000 additional cities and towns in the United States outside those areas. HSDPA/UMTS-certified Toughbooks will also have global wireless data capabilities with access to EDGE or GPRS data service in more than 100 countries.

In addition to offering embedded access to 3G networks, Toughbook computers incorporate the Intel Centrino chipset for seamless connectivity to local networks and offer optional integrated GPS and Bluetooth technology. It features the Novatel Wireless Expedite EU730 HSDPA PCI Express Mini Card Embedded Module to give Toughbook users a wireless broadband computing solution that enables them to access the Internet or e- mail, download large files and attachments, and run corporate business applications at broadband speeds in areas covered by HSDPA-based BroadbandConnect.

BroadbandConnect provides average download speeds between 400-700 kilobits per second (kbps), with bursts to more than one megabit per second (mbps). Cingular’s EDGE network, the largest national high-speed wireless data network in the U.S., provides average download speeds of up to 135 kbps.

The Novatel Wireless Expedite EU730 module operates on 850 and 1900 MHz HSDPA/UMTS networks in North America. The PCI Express Mini Card, a form factor specification of the Expedite EU730 module, is standard in most notebooks, providing quick and easy integration and minimizing space on the laptop motherboard. This enables platform manufacturers to reduce integration costs and maintain external slots for other functions. The module is backward compatible to 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz Enhanced Data Rate for Global Evolution (EDGE), and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) for wireless data access worldwide.

Sierra Wireless will also release the AirCard 875U which utilizes HSDPA, offered by Cingular. The AirCard 875U has a peak rate of up to 3.6 megabits per second and is upgradeable. The AirCard 875U should be released in the first quarter of 2007.

Price and exact date of release is yet to be announced.

New EV-DO, HSDPA wireless broadband interfaces use USB [Macworld, via Engadget]