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Better known for its 3G modems, Option is jumping into hotspots after an FCC listing gave away its plans. Nicknamed the XYfi, it would share three bands of HSPA 3G over 802.11n Wi-Fi. Not much else is known besides its having a quad-band EDGE 2G fallback and a very small profile.
AT&T modernized its 3G modem lineup on Thursday with two new USB sticks, including its first from LG. The LG USBConnect Turbo focuses mostly on design and has a unique swiveling USB connector that can work horizontally or vertically, fitting into even relatively unconventional ports. A second modem, Option's USBConnect Velocity, is the first GPS-aware modem for AT&T and provides positioning for apps that are aware of it.
AT&T's planned move to HSPA+ service for its next-generation 3G should be accompanied by at least two computer networking devices when the network goes live, as a slide leak late Monday has revealed the carrier's plans. A Sierra Wireless notebook card nicknamed the "Triple Lindy" should lead the charge, Engadget says, and will have a dual-stage enclosure that can either work as a regular ExpressCard/34 adapter or else plug into a PC Card adapter for use on older notebooks. It could reach the theoretical peaks of the service at 21.1Mbps downstream and 11.5Mbps for uploads.
For its time at MWC, Option on Monday released the GlobeSurfer X.1. Intended as a bridge router for those who already have their own 3G modems, the small network device centers on a top-mounted USB port that lets users attach most 3G USB sticks and rely on their signals for an Internet connection, even if the adapter comes from a rival to Option. The X.1's local wireless runs on 802.11n Wi-Fi and theoretically transfers data as quickly as 160Mbps while preserving speeds as high as 70Mbps 300 feet away, letting users get the full 3G speed in most cases.
Option on Thursday announced the release of its new 3G wireless router that is capable of creating a Wi-Fi hotspot with a fast HSPA broadband connection in a networked home or small office. The device has a USB interface that allows users to connect external hard drives to back up data or share their content over the Wi-Fi link. A connected printer can also be hooked up and shared by all who have access to the network.
Intel today at the start of its fall Developer Forum showed off a working example of a Moorestown-based device, putting the chipset on track for its 2009-2010 launch window. The chipmaker has yet to describe the device but reiterates that the technology should be much more effective for mobile Internet devices (MIDs) and ultra-mobile PCs. Through a 45 nanometer process as well as a redesign of the processor itself, the idle power alone will represent just a tenth that of an Atom system today, Intel claims.
AT&T on Tuesday morning quietly picked up the USBConnect Quicksilver as its latest external modem. The adapter made by Option uses a new Icera 3G chipset that supports all three major HSPA frequencies while creating one of the smallest devices available; the new adapter is small enough to come with a swivel cover that protects the USB port when the modem isn't in use. AT&T estimates real-world download speeds as high as 1.7Mbps and uploads as quick as 1.2Mbps.
AT&T today said it has upped speeds with its LaptopConnect users in mind through a set of upgrades to the company's HSPA-based 3G wireless network. The service sees a major boost to upload speeds that increases the peak from 800Kbps to 1.2Mbps, a 50 percent gain which is nearly in line with download speeds. Those download speeds have also increased in overall performance, increasing from a minimum average of 600Kbps to 700Kbps and from a maximum real-world peak of about 1.4Mbps to 1.7Mbps.
Apple's executive team – with the exception of CEO Steve Jobs and General Counsel Daniel Cooperman – were forced to deal with restricted stock units that were due to expire. Phil Shiller, Bertrand Serlet, and Ron Johnson have each converted 250,000 restricted stock options to shares, and each gave up over 113,000 shares to pay for expenses regarding the matter. This was due to a decision of performing a net-share settle, at a cost of $139.53 per share.
AT&T on Thursday expanded its data card options for its newborn HSPA 3G network with two adapters from Option. Both the ExpressCard/34-based GT Ultra Express and the standard GT Ultra (pictured) for older PC Card-equipped notebooks provide access to the HSUPA component of the carrier's network, permitting faster speeds in areas with the faster coverage: practical download speeds range between 600Kbps and 1.4Mbps while uploads run between 500Kbps and 800Kbps, AT&T estimates.
