GadgetReview

Samsung, whom is making it a habit of leaking out imagery of upcoming products but providing little to no detail, finally firmed up some details about their Wimax dedicated device, the Mondi MID.  Packed inside is a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, Windows Mobile 6.1, 4GB of RAM, slide out QWERTY keyboard, 3MP camera, GPS, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR and an HDMI out (this one seems odd).    Anyway, there is still no word on a price or street date, but since CTIA is in full swing I’m sure they’ll drop that info in the days to come.

[TFTS]

T-Mobile has plans to increase their 3G coverage from 130 cities in the US to 230 by the end of the year.  If you recall, until very recently T-Mobile only offered a 2G or EDGE network to their customers.  And in a further attempt to keep pace with other telecoms – which by the way are already moving on to 4G – T-Mobile is also rolling out a USB Data Stick from Huawei Technologies (they’re calling it the WebConnect Laptop Stick) that will enable laptop users to connect to their data network and surf from any where in the US, unless of course you live in Los Angeles, where T-Mobile’s coverage is spotty at best.

Oh and it doubles as a microSD card reader.

Specs of WebConnect Laptop Stick after the ‘leap’ …Continue reading: T-Mobile WebConnect Laptop Stick Gets Real, To Compliment Increased 3G Service

Launching later this month Eye-Fi is releasing two new models: The Eye-Fi 4GB SDHC Share Video and the Eye-Fi 4GB SDHC Explore video.  These new models will effectively bring down the price of the original models to $49 for 2 GB Home and $59 for 2 GB Share.  The entry level Explore is being discontinued.  Also to be released soon will be an iPhone app that owners of Eye-Fi cards will be able to download for free.  The app will provide users the chance to send photos from their iPhones to the 25 Eye-Fi affiliated sharing sites.  Sounds pointless actually.  Here’s a quick rundown and pre order links:

Eye-Fi Share Video

• 4GB SDHC memory card with built-in Wi-Fi
• Effortlessly uploads JPG photos and videos to your computer
• Includes unlimited WebShare service to automatically upload to your favorite sharing website
• Compatible with SDHC-labeled cameras
• Pre Order for $79

Eye-Fi Explore Video

• 4GB SDHC memory card with built-in Wi-Fi
• Unlimited Geotagging
• WebShare to upload photos to online sharing site
• Hotspot Access for 1 year
• Wireless JPG photo and video uploads to computer and web
• Upload photos and videos wirelessly from over 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the nation
• Compatible with SDHC-labeled cameras
• Pre Order for $99

[Electronista]

If you happen to commute from Seattle to San Jose during the day via Alaska Airlines, you are going to be treated to their 60 day Wi-Fi trial. In development for over two years the service by Row 44 will use specialized Boeing 737-700 passenger jets.  Hoping to determine a pricing structure through customer feedback over the 60 day trial, those customers better say free!  The basic features include:  Email, web browsing, online music, games, IM, and Virtual Private Networks.  Upon logging onto the service you will be greeted by AA’s in flight splash page that has live news, music, shopping and links to practical services on Alaska’s website. AA isn’t the only airline to have this brewing so we should expect more to pop up very soon.

[Electronista]

Buffalo introduced a tiny ass WiFi N USB dongle today, called the WLI-UC-GN. What makes it so remarkable are it’s measurements, 33mm X 16mm. The micro dongle is set to be released in Japan this February for about $24. No word on a US release.

[Akihabaranews]

What is it: The Posimotion G-FI VS WiFi Gaming Hub Connects any WiFi enabled devices for localized gaming.  Simply put, the G-FI VS is a battery operated wireless router that assigns IP address to local devices and can be used virtually any where (the CEO even said the desert).

Features: Powered through a lithium ion battery and runs for up to 6 hours, recharges via AC unit through a USB connection, WPA security, works with the iPhone, etc.

Availability: Now

Price: $149

D-link has sought the holy route of convergence this year.  Today they unveiled the DIR-685, an all-in-one router that incorporates 802.11n WiFi, printer server, NAS storage options (you’ll need to add your own 2.5-inch hard drive) and a 3.2-inch, 1.6 million color LCD screen for photo viewing, diagnostics, video streams and weather updates.  For added expandability, there’s also 2x USB ports for plugging in an external hard drive and if you’re of the pirating type then you’ll be indulged with the built-in BitTorrent client.

No word on price or availability.

Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail will be the first U.S commuter rail to receive full blown high speed WiFi via a 3G cellular connection.  The MBTA, which runs the rail system, choose WAAV’s AirBox X2 dual connection cellular router, which will service up to 18,000 people per day.  Expect the free service to launch sometime in 2009.

[Gadgetell]

Novatel unveiled the MiFi today, a router that allows you to share your 3G hotspot. The details, well, seem to be lacking, but much like the Huawei D100 Router it connects to your 3G hot spot connection and distributes the bandwidth over WiFi. Its svelte like design will be a warm welcome from any traveler, but with that comes sacrifices, such as a 4 hour battery life (40 hour standby) and the missing USB port that makes the Huawei D100 Router so convenient.

The Novatel MiFi will hit sometime the first half of 2009 with no price disclosed.

[Crunchgear]

The Broadcom BCM4329 chip adds 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, and FM tuner/receiver functionality to your cell phone and does it using less power than the previous 802.11g implementation. How it accomplishes that I do not know but expect some power efficient, very well connected smartphones in the future.

[Slashgear]