Dangling Dongles

UPDATED 17 AUGUST 2009: George Hook takes to the air with this idea and expands on traveling light with dongles, Boingo and Maxroam.

WHILE PACKING FOR an overseas trip, I’m ticking off a few pieces of technology that will ensure I can dangle my dongle to best effect. I’m starting with my O2 dongle (shown working while dangling at left) because I know that works wherever there’s a mobile phone signal. I’m taking an extra three metres of USB cable because that will ensure I can dangle my dongle outside, in the direction of a cell phone tower. I also have a Maxroam SIM because I’m keen to test that option inside my O2 dongle. I’ve also checked my Nokia E90’s Boingo application–it works and that’s great news for walking the streets of Philadelphia, New York and Washington, DC. The best news about all this gear is it’s a small footprint, raises no eyebrows at airport security checkpoints, and it’s lightweight.