Universal serial (and very useful) bus
Issue: Volume 30 Number 3
Imagine in your pocket a stash of documents, an internet connection, cheap phone calls, even a digital television receiver.
A technology called universal serial bus (USB) makes this and more possible for today’s mobile coach.
USB comes standard with most laptop and desktop computers. The devices below are plugged into a spare USB socket (or ‘port’) to dramatically expand what you can do on the move.
USB flash drives
Flash drives — also known as thumb, pen, jump or just USB drives — have pushed aside old-fashioned floppy disks as the easiest way to carry around documents, photos and other electronic data.
A standard drive from a recognised brand, such as Lexar, Imation and Sandisk, starts at around $15 for one gigabyte of storage to over $70 for eight gigabytes. Generic versions are even cheaper.
Drives with bells and whistles cost more. These range from the useful (for example, external capacity meter, password protection, applications) to the purely aesthetic (for example, coloured, etchings, leather casing).
Broadband USB modem
Broadband USB modems get you online almost anywhere. They offer internet connections as speedy as most home broadband services but slower than many coaches will have in their office.
USB modems piggyback on mobile phone networks. These blanket most Australian cities. However, coaches in rural areas should be sure to choose a network that covers their region.
Among the network providers, Optus charges $39.99 a month for a two-gigabyte data allowance (enough for two-and-a-half hours’ web surfing and three email attachments daily) on a 24-month contract. The modem costs $199.00. Telstra charges $59.99 a month for a one-gigabyte data allowance on a 12-month contract. The modem costs $299.00. Vodafone charges $39.95 a month for a five-gigabyte data allowance on a 24-month contract, which includes a free modem. 3 charges $39.00 a month for a six-gigabyte data allowance on a 24-month contract, which also includes a free modem. (Please note that prices were correct at the time of publication.)
Busting your monthly allowance can attract high excess usage charges — so watch the fine print.
USB VoIP
Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) allows you to make inexpensive calls over the internet. At home, it works by slotting a standard phone into a VoIP box that is, in turn, connected to a broadband modem. But what if you are travelling?
One option is a USB VoIP phone. These devices have software that use any computer’s broadband connection to make and receive calls. They even work in internet cafes.
Freshtel’s 4030 Stick Phone includes a headset, 128-megabyte memory and Firefly software for calls. It costs $30.00.
USB digital television tuners
You do not have to stay home to watch a sporting event on television. With a USB digital high-definition television tuner you can watch and record the action on your laptop computer. You can even pause and rewind (or timeshift) live play.
The devices are activated by simply connecting them to a computer’s USB port and attaching the included telescopic antenna.
Many also link to a free internet-based electronic programming guide so you can schedule recordings.
Prices range between $80.00 and $150.00.
