Launch2net for the Eee PC simplifies mobile wireless connections

While it’s certainly possible to connect a Linux-based laptop to a 3G wireless connection if you have the right hardware, most mobile operators don’t make it easy. Few offer Linux based connection software, focusing instead on Windows and/or OS X. But Nova Media’s new launch2net aims to make it easier for Eee PC customers to connect their mobile computers to their mobile internet connection.

The software is designed for Eee PCs running Xandros Linux. It simplifies the process of connecting to a mobile network using a cellphone, USB modem, or ExpressCard. Launch2net supports HSUPA, EDGE, and GPRS connections and supports network settings for carriers in most countries.

On the other hand, at 25,17 Euros or about $37.50 US, I have to wonder if the software is really worth it. The press release announcing launch2net says it eliminates “the need to enter cryptic settings like user name, password or APN address.” Because we all know what a burden it is to enter a username and password.

If you’ve had success (or problems) connecting a Linux-based Eee PC to your mobile network, let us know about your experiences in the comments!

Posted on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008, 4:26 pm by Brad Linder

Sarah

I've never tried it with an Eee (still saving), but I have connected to the Internet using Linux, my laptop and a cellphone. I seem to recall the EeePC Xandros distro using KDE, so presumably it ships with a copy of KPPP, KDE's dialer. If not, adding the package shouldn't prove that difficult.

A quick web search on your cellphone model should yield the required “cryptic settings” – dial strings, etc. Once these have been entered, connecting is as simple as hitting KPPP's connect button any time you want to go online.

I admit some knowledge is required to set everything up, but it definitely isn't rocket science.
fourstar

Well it's a doddle with a USB not tried with mobile phone).

In the UK, with a Vodafone 3G USB broadband modem:

Plug it into the Eee.
Go to Network Connections.
Add New Connection.
Type = 3G/HSPDA
Select device (in my case Huwai)
Select the Country & Carrier from a list.
The default username/password are already stored for you.
Save the connection, which will now be listed whenever you wish to connect to it.

OK, it's not Plug n Play but it's not rocket science either!!
http://www.novamedia.de/index_e.html Jan Fuellemann

Hi,

thanks for the info.

Some corrections: the price in US-$ is 25 so no high exchange rate here For the US and Canada we use the same price tag in US-$ as elsewhere in Euro.

If you travel abroad and you buy a prepaid card there, it is quite difficult to get the login-data like the APN, especially if the support/sales persons are non-Linux savy or do not even speak english. So you might be happy to use a software which includes this data already. It really saves you hours of your time, a lot of frustration and makes life happier!

Some users will not or can not use a flat-rate. That is why launch2net offers a statistic to see how much time you spent online and the amount of data transferred.

Kind Regards

Jan Fuellemann
gongo

using winmobile 6.1 ics on my bj2. works great over usb using usb-rndis-lite and it also functions perfectly over bluetooth pan, just use pand to connect to my bj2's nap service, and the bnep0 interface comes right up. 3g speeds on my laptop without anything more than a data plan for my phone.
http://www.novamedia.de/index_e.html Jan Fuellemann

Hi,

this software is for LINUX.
http://www.novamedia.de/index_e.html Jan Fuellemann

Hi,

this software is for LINUX.
http://www.novamedia.de/index_e.html Jan Fuellemann

Hi,

this software is for LINUX.

Launch2net for the Eee PC simplifies mobile wireless connections

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