I'd really like to be able to pay about $50 for a modem that supports
1xRTT, EVDO, EDGE, HSDPA, and Wi-Fi. When you fire up the modem it
would show you which signals are available and then allow you to
select a network and a "pay-per-use" plan for that day (or other time-
frame).

I know I'm too ignorant to realize all the complications that would be
involved in such a device. But I'm kind of frustrated with the fact
that we basically have two data networks (three now with Wi-Max and
four if you count Wi-Fi) and neither of these two data networks really
offer satisfactory high-speed coverage. For those who live in
metropolitan areas and seldom venture from them, they do not see this
as an issue. But for the rest of us, it's a big issue. Providers have
been slow to cover some heavily populated areas that are not inside a
popular metropolis, thinking more specifically of EVDO and HSDPA. It
simply doesn't pay for me to pay for a data plan when the high-speed
service isn't available anyway.

$10 per day would make me squirm a little. I do like the idea of
having this available for occasional use, but if you use it more than
five times a month, you might as well have a data plan. $5 per day
sounds a lot more agreeable, considering it would raise the "need-for-
a-data-plan" threshold to a more acceptable level.

I think some hardware standardization for cell. phones is a critical
part of providing data services. The Motorola Sprint/Nextel ic502 now
uses a more standardized USB cable (without a proprietary end at the
phone). This is a move that all mfg's should follow in order to
simplify hooking your phone up to your computer, but i don't really
expect it any time soon, if ever. It appears that proprietary
solutions have been proven to fill the coffers so why would
manufacturers and providers consider otherwise?