In 4G Race, Verizon Pulls Ahead With Pricey Speed

Verizon Wireless’s new 4G network is “wicked fast” but potentially costly, writes Walt.

Verizon’s 4G Network Is Windows-Only, for Now

Those who want to be among the first to rule the air on Verizon Wireless’s new 4G network better have a Windows PC handy. Verizon had already made clear that, for the rest of this year at least, the company will have only laptop cards and that 4G smartphones wouldn’t come until next year. However, it looks like Mac users will also have to wait–at least a little while.

A Fall Guide: How to Pick Your Next Computer

The biggest question for some buyers this fall will be whether to get a tablet or a laptop, now that Apple’s iPad is a proven hit and a flood of competitors is on the way.

Feeling at Home With a Router

Like a hornets’ nest, the home router sits undisturbed by those who know better than to touch it. Valet is a new wireless router designed for people who are tired of being intimidated by a blinking box.

Voices

Almost Famous: Ethan Beard of Facebook

In this installment of “Almost Famous” that we call “Need to Know,” focusing on less prominent but very important tech execs you need to know better, we friended Ethan Beard, director of the Facebook Developer Network. He’s a mover inside the Web’s biggest social networking shaker. We talked Facebook platform, music, 1200-baud modems and his addiction to social gaming. Also: Don’t miss the picture of Ethan dressed as a banana.
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Ford to Enable Wi-Fi Hotspots in Some Cars: BoomTown Rejoices

Last week, when BoomTown was taking a taxi from JFK Airport, I was more of a geek loser than usual, using my USB broadband modem to connect and write a post. But the jostling cut off the connection several times, which was frustrating. Now comes news that Ford will make the next generation of its Sync-enabled vehicles into Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing you to connect to the Internet everywhere much more seamlessly in a moving car. Oh, joy! Now, I can obsessively Gowalla myself while moving at 80 miles per hour, which should freak some people out.

YouTube Offers a Diet Option for Pudgy PCs: “Feather”

Stuck with a slow computer or lousy broadband access, but still want your fill of dogs on skateboards? Check out YouTube Feather, a lightweight version of Google’s video site. Same clips, but with fewer options.

The Jesus Tablet Will Walk on Water and Turn Fishes Into Money

BoomTown is certainly going to be one of the many-so-many who will immediately fork over whatever it takes to get my mitts on the upcoming tablet device from Apple. And that’s why, according to a new report from Piper Jaffray Senior Research Analyst Gene Munster–who is monk-like in his devotion to writing down every scrap he can about whatever Apple HQ in Cupertino, Calif., deigns to release–it’s going to be raining money down on the company, just like manna from heaven.

Walt Mossberg Interview on C-SPAN

Walt Mossberg discusses his Personal Technology column for The Wall Street Journal with C-SPAN’s Brian Lamb on Sunday, July 19, 2009.

Want to Turn Your New iPhone 3G S Into a Modem? Be Ready to Pay Up.

Did you wait in line this morning to buy a new iPhone 3G S? If you want to take advantage of its “tethering” feature and use it as a modem, you’re going to have to wait a while longer. And you’ll have to pay–though it’s unclear how much that’s going to cost.

Disabling Wi-Fi on a Laptop

Defragmenting a Hard Disk