Working Anywhere

Services like "Google Voice. Online apps. Netbooks. Apple's tablet. Videoconferencing. E-book readers. Social networking for business. These are digital nomad-enabling trends" writes Australian an Australian blogger.

I agree. These are what keeps people on the go connected and in touch.

Southwest Airlines To Have WiFi Fleetwide in 2010

In a bold move, Southwest Airlines has promised to go fleet wide with the installation of Row44's In-Flight WiFi service which competes with AirCell's GoGo service that is installed on the likes of Delta, American Airlines and fleet wide on Virgin America.

The difference between the two competing services is based on how the planes IP transponders talk to the Internet. Aircell uses a technology that connects to ground stations. Row 44 uses KU band satellites.

As an "A" List flyer on Southwest, lately I've switched over to Virgin America for short hops and cross country flights because of the GoGo service being on board. The deployment of Row 44's technology will sure get me back on board Southwest more often.

MaxRoam in a Hostel Takeover

Pat Phelan just let me know his company MaxRoam has taken over the hostel industry when it comes to travel SIMs.

As many of you know Pat is one of the most visible and hard working people in the next generation communications world and he's been busy putting a bunch of distribution deals together for his travel SIM company.

This one, is with HostelWorld, the largest aggregator of low-cost lodging for the independent traveler.

Great Weekend Deal on MiFi by Verizon Wireless

Hat tip to Michael Robertson who found this one.

As a MiFi user who has tried all three networks (Verizon, Sprint and AT&T) I'm happiest with Verizon in the areas I regularly travel to. Some, like Jason Harris, tell me the Sprint smokes the speed tests, and I've found that to be true until recently in my home area (I know, when am I ever home) but either way, if you want a MiFi head over to Amazon and grab one now.

The Verizon edition can be had a for one cent ($.01) while the Sprint edition can be as well.

The primary difference I've found is the Sprint version does active GPS.

Either way, this is a very good deal for those who want to stay connected.

The Skype's Not Falling-Skype Journal

Phil Wolff has a great post over at Skype Journal about why the Skype/JoltID suit is not a big deal. The post supports my position of a few days back that Skype is already up to other solutions to avoid this becoming such an albatross around their neck that they have to shutdown or capitulate.

Now-relax. Inhale. Relax. Inhale.

Next Generation of Eye-Fi Adds GeoTagging

if you're a shutterbug who wants to upload without any need to take the SD card out of your camera, then Eye-Fi is for you. And the newest version, according to Coolest Gadgets, now has Geotaging.

This is a great plus as you can now sort by the tags as they will identify where you shot the photos more precisely than ever before. As CG wrote: "The Eye-Fi Geo card was specially built to seamlessly integrate with Mac products and applications, including iPhoto ‘09 and ‘08, the iPhone and MobileMe."

Now that's radical integration.

Take Your VoIP Apps And Go-A Guide For The USB Drive Set

As someone who wishes he can lighten his load, carry a USB drive loaded with apps that allows me to "stay connected" would be too cool.

I found this cool guide like website devoted to what are best labeled as PenDrive Applications that for the most part are designed for Windows PC's, but the site claims more Mac and Linux apps are coming. One of the categories was VoIP, and a bevy of softphones were listed, as well as utilities to take your Skype application on a USB drive.

Now that's cool.

The way I figure it, all you need is a USB/PenDrive, the Plantronics Internet Phone Booth in your kit bag (a zip-loc is great for this) and you're off and dialing anytime you can find a PC.