News19,135 Articles

October 1, 2008

Datawind PocketSurfer2R cuts mobile roaming costs

New model includes touchpad & £60 unlimited web access

Oliver Garnham

Mobile Internet Device (MID) maker Datawind announced an upgrade to the PocketSurfer2 at a product launch last night, but stopped short of introducing a radically new design.

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

% of PC Advisor readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What tasks can your smartphone do that would have traditionally been done on a laptop?

119 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @SmartphoneFocus

web browsing, search facilities, voip, email, word processing everything RT @Graham_D_C

Mainly email but getting better at spreadsheets etc, RT @IDGdan

The new version of the device, called the PocketSurfer2R, includes a touchpad in place of the older model's four-way mouse pointer, and is offered with reduced data charges for those who use their PocketSurfer overseas. Those who use the PocketSurfer2R outside of the UK will now be charged 5p per minute; the previous roaming rate was 25p per minute.

Further details have also emerged about Datawind's promise to provide internet access "for free". The original PocketSurfer2 cost £179, and for that price users were promised free internet access for a year, provided they didn't exceed 20 hours per month.

When the company launched the PocketSurfer2 last year, Datawind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli said he hoped third-party revenues from online advertising would help subsidise the cost of internet access in the second year of ownership and beyond. However, last night Datawind revealed the second-year subscription would cost £39.

The company is offering a new deal which promises "unlimited usage for the lifetime of the device", however. Those who pay an additional £60 will be able to access the web indefinitely for no extra charge, Singh Tuli said.

The new PocketSurfer2R, which costs £199, will be available through Amazon, Ideal World, John Lewis, Maplin and PC World.

Datawind has discontinued the original PocketSurfer2, but is selling a new entry-level version called the PocketSurfer2L. The 2L costs £149.99 and includes the four-way mouse pointer that featured on the first model, in place of the 2R's touchpad. The cheaper model doesn't include a built-in GPS receiver, and isn't available with Datawind's £60 "Unlimited for life" offer.

PocketSurfer2 review

Visit Business Advisor for the latest business IT news, reviews, tips and tricks - plus sign up for our unique and FREE business IT newsletter

Visit Mobile Advisor for the latest mobile phone news, reviews, tips & tricks, as well as PC Advisor's unique Apple iPhone 3G Spotlight

<<newer story | back to index | older story>>

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor News to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader


Google


Recent reviews

Reviews index


Latest reader comments

Latest reader comments


Top news

News index


Latest blog entries

Blogs index


 Our RSS feeds

Sponsored Content

  • Take the internet to new places with the Nokia N800
    Communicate how you want to, where you want to with instant messaging, email and internet calling. View movies, browse the internet wirelessly and watch TV on the high-resolution screen and listen through high-quality stereo speakers with headphone jack.
    Buy now