14 DAY TRIAL // Clearwire has once again shown that a modem doesn't need to be all that big in order to give PCs complete access to the Internet via wireless broadband.
The company has created and announced the Clear Stick Atlas, a 4G USB dongle that does not need any sort of software to run.
In other words, as long as a device has an USB connector, it can communicate with the web.
Clearwire chose to color its creation in charcoal gray, and even gave it a matter finish and an LED activity indicator. The stick weighs an insignificant amount too.
"Clearwire continues its strong momentum in 2012 of offering breakthrough products in the 4G mobile broadband category and raises the bar for today's mobile consumers," said Dow Draper, senior vice president and general manager at Clearwire.
"With the CLEAR Stick Atlas, getting connected to unlimited 4G couldn't be easier - no programs to open or software to download - just plug it in and surf on any capable Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome or Android-based device."
The Clear Stick Atlas connects to the WiMAX network and will act as a convenient companion for desktops but especially laptops.
After all, portable USB modems aren't really much use for machines that always stay in one place and probably have wired Ethernet available anyway.
Even the list of supported operating systems is considerable: in addition to Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, Android, Linux and Chrome are supported as well.
In other words, tablets and other consumer electronics can make use of the Clear Stick Atlas, not just PCs.
Prospective buyers should just remember that everything comes at a cost, and the 4G definitely isn't the cheapest offer out there, although the bank won't break from buying it either. While the stick itself is priced at $49.99 (37.81 Euro), the data plans start at $34.99 (26.47 Euro).