modem

Instant hot spot: Cradlepoint PHS300 morphs EVDO into Wi-Fi

An odd little device made me a hero tonight. We were in the middle of a what turned out to be a 13-hour blackout in my San Francisco neighborhood, and my wife was getting antsy since she couldn't get her laptop online to work. She had some battery power left, but no connection. (My computer has cellular, but I'd rather let my wife drive my car than use my laptop.)

But I had brought home a demo unit of the Cradlepoint PHS300, a battery-powered cellular-to-WiiFi router. With a Verizon USB EVDO modem plugged into it, it turned my … Read more

ANTOnline.com has the D-Link DCM-202 USB Ethernet Cable Modem for $39.52, after a $20 mail-in rebate.

AntOnline has the D-Link DCM-202 USB Ethernet Cable Modem for $39.52, after a $20 mail-in rebate. >> Regular price $59.52 >> Deal price $39.52 >> Save $20 >> Deal ends April 30,2007 Click here for deal.

Linksys EtherFast Externl Cable Modem for $42.99 after a $20 mail-in rebate

Newegg.com has the Linksys EtherFast Externl Cable Modem for $42.99, after a $20 mail-in rebate >> Regular price is $62.99 >> Offer ends 1/31/2007 >> Click here for deal

D-Link DCM-202 USB/ENet Cable Modem for $41.03 after a $20 mail-in rebate

Buy.com has the D-Link DCM-202 USB/ENet Cable Modem for $41.03, after a $20 mail-in rebate, plus free shipping >> Regular price is $61.03 >> Offer ends 2/28/2007 >> Click here for deal

D-Link DCM202 USB Ethernet Cable Modem for $37.97 after a $20 mail-in rebate

TigerDirect.com has the D-Link DCM202 USB Ethernet Cable Modem for $37.97, after a $20 mail-in rebate >> Regular price is $57.97 >> Offer ends 12/31/2006 >> Click here for deal

The world through a USB port

Eons ago, before free Wi-Fi networks existed (yes, there was once such a time), we experimented with a wireless laptop modem that theoretically worked with our Motorola cell phone. It was a bizarre-looking setup that would have had us clip the handset to our notebook screen if necessary to get a better signal.

Naturally, it was an unmitigated disaster that ended up costing more than the phone itself. And, of course, we never were able to browse the Web even once. So imagine our delight at learning of Novatel's "Ovation" USB modem, which Engadget notes is available … Read more