Brief Hands-On Report--Apple released WWAN Support Update 1.0

Apple's WWAN Support Update 1.0 for Intel-based Mac portables (MacBook and MacBook Pro) running Mac OS X 10.4.8 is available for download via Software Update or as a stand-alone updater from this Apple Web page. WWAN stands for Wireless Wide-Area Network, the networking provided by cell phone companies.

According to Apple,

The WWAN Support Update v1.0 provides SW support for the following WWAN products:

Available on the Cingular network:
•Novatel Merlin XU870 ExpressCard (HSDPA)

Available on the Sprint network:
•Novatel Wireless Merlin EX720 Express Card (EVDO Rev. A)
•Novatel Wireless Ovation U720 USB Modem (USB Adapter, EVDO Rev. A)

Available on the Verizon network:
•Novatel XV620 ExpressCard (EVDO Rev. 0)
•Novatel V740 ExpressCard (EVDO Rev. A)
•Novatel Wireless Ovation U720 (USB Adapter, EVDO Rev. A)

WWAN Support Update 1.0 appeared in Software Update on our 15" MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo but not on our 24" iMac Core 2 Duo nor our 12" PowerBook G4, confirming that the update is just for Intel-based portables. We downloaded the update via Software Update and installed it on our MacBook Pro C2D with no problems and none have cropped up since. Unfortunately, we do not yet have a Verizon EVDO ExpressCard for our MacBook Pro C2D. We are going to wait to see if Apple's iPhone will satisfy our need for cell phone wireless networking capability. [Bill Fox]