Novatel Ships Minstrel S Wireless Springboard Modem (Updated)

Novatel Wireless today announced that it will begin shipping the Minstrel S Wireless Springboard Modem this week. It is the first CDPD modem for the Visor and features a rechargeable lithium ion battery which lasts for about 8 hours of continuous use and 20-24 hours in sleep mode; 3 LEDs to denote cellular service, wireless data transmission and battery life; bundled email and web browsing software; and 2 MB of Flash ROM memory for storing 3rd party applications. It carries a hefty suggested retail price of $369 but weighs only 4 oz.

Brad Weinert, vice president of product management for Novatel Wireless, said "By pre-loading the Minstrel S with POP3 email and HTML web browsing software, we offer Visor users instant wireless functionality and connectivity. And, because the Minstrel S fits into the Springboard expansion slot, Visor customers can use an external keyboard or perform a hotsync without removing the Minstrel S modem."

Novatel Minstrel modems are used by wireless ISP like Go.America, YadaYada, and OmniSky.

Equipped with a TCP/IP stack for custom applications, the Minstrel S employs the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) network. CDPD is a method of transmitting data over the cellular voice network at speeds up to 19.2 kbps and is deployed in most U.S. metropolitan areas and some international markets. Most CDPD service providers offer a fixed, monthly rate for unlimited data access ranging from $25-65 per month. CDPD is currently the fastest wide-area wireless network available nationally.

Update: PDAGeek is reporting that the Minstrel S works only with Visors running OS 3.5, which eliminates all of them but the new Platinum and Prism. This has not yet been confirmed by Novatel. The press release only refers to the modem being "optimized" for these devices.

Update 2: OmniSky has posted a page describing use of the Minstrel S with its service. They make it clear that only Platinums and Prisms will work, and only on black in white; "Although Visor Prism offers a color interface, we currently support only monochrome service for Visor."

Update 3: Al Hernandez, a spokesperson for Novatel, said:

The Minstrel S Wireless Springboard Modem works with all existing Visors. It is optimized for the Platinum and Prism models because they are RF optimized. Please feel free to call me or email me if you have any further questions.