Wireless modem packaged with Handspring Visor

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YadaYada's package includes a Visor, a wireless modem from Notavel, and an Internet service contract

by George A. Chidi Jr.

(IDG) -- Wireless ISP YadaYada has struck a deal with PDA maker Handspring to sell a package that includes a Visor Platinum PDA, a wireless modem and a Internet service contract.

The package costs $599, or $449 after a $150 rebate. It includes a Visor Platinum, a Novatel Wireless Minstrel S modem and YadaYada's browser software, optimized for the Palm operating system, Version 3.5.2H. YadaYada's wireless Web browser - in beta-test release - allows users to access any HTML-created Web site, as well as send and receive e-mail from as many as 6 Post Office Protocol 3 e-mail accounts.

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Customers also can purchase the Minstrel modem by itself for $299, or $149! after the $150 rebate. Buyers a re eligible for the rebate only if they sign up for six months of YadaYada wireless Web access service at $39.95 a month, said Sarah Grossman, the company's director of communications.

YadaYada competes with rival wireless service provider OmniSky. Both companies sell identical Novatel hardware. An OmniSky modem costs $299, but OmniSky offers a $200 rebate with a six-month service contract at $39.95 a month.

Essentially, a buyer of the YadaYada package would be spending $50 extra for YadaYada's browser. It supports frames; OmniSky's does not. OmniSky's browser largely depends on Web pages optimized for wireless Web surfing, whereas YadaYada's does not.

Software, however, improves rapidly these days. The extra $50 is a bet for consumers to make on whether or not OmniSky's browser will improve before the service contract is up.

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