news | articles | reviews | software | modules | accessories | discussion | faq | mobile | store
 visorcentral >> reviews >> springboard modules >> yadayada
YadaYada
Thursday January 25, 2001 - 8:05 PM EST - By Scott Hanselman

The Hardware

The Minstrel "S" is a CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) Modem. Novatel's data sheets spec it to run at 19.2kbps full duplex. When you add in the latency for the open-up and tear-down for each connection, the sustained speed of the modem doesn't mean as much as you'd think. The modem adds about 1/3" to the thickness of any Visor. 

Since the YadaYada-branded included modem is the identical modem that OmniSky uses, the battery life on the modem is STILL amazing. I was very pleased with the length of time I could surf the net. Unless you use it constantly for 8 hours straight, I don't think that the average business traveler who charges nightly will have to worry about battery life. One complaint though, and this is a Modem one, not a YadaYada issue - it would be nice if the modem charged while it's in the Prism and the Prism is charging in the cradle. The VisorPhone has this capability, it'd be a nice addition to the Minstrel.

There are three LEDs on the modem. Starting on the left, is a green led that indicates signal strength. When it's blinking the modem is looking for a connection, when it's solid the modem has a connection. In the middle is a red led that indicates if you have waiting alert. YadaYada says that this feature will be used for "YadaYada Alerts." YadaYada Alerts will be real-time notices of changes of information that is most important to you. For example, is one of your stocks up 10%? Did your favorite baseball team just score a run? This looks to be an interesting feature, and one that will distinguish YadaYada's service from OmniSky. It was unavailable at press time, but the software is in beta. The third green light indicates when the Modem is charging or fully charged.



Included Applications >>  

Story Sections
YadaYada
>The Hardware
Included Applications
Connectivity/Coverage
Value for the Dollar
Conclusion


User Opinions

Thumbs Up  83% Thumbs Down 17%
24 votes registered

Rate this product or read other users comments!


Product Details
Name: YadaYada
Company: YadaYada
Length (external to Visor): .73"
Length: 5.0"
Width: 2.6"
Thickness: .32"
Weight: 4 oz

Price: $299.00





Update: Auction Update / VisorAdventure 2
Thu Oct 11 - 12:05 AM EST


InnoGear PowerCradle (updated)
Tue Oct 9 - 10:51 PM EST


iambic Office suite
Thu Oct 4 - 1:12 AM EST


Prism dropped to $299
Tue Oct 2 - 6:19 PM EST


New Portable Keyboard
Tue Oct 2 - 4:46 PM EST


MORE NEWS >>

About VisorCentral : Copyright ©1999 Smartphone Experts All rights reserved : Terms of Use : Privacy policy