What price freedom? In terms of 3G wireless Internet access, it's about $40 to $60 per month, with a two-year contract. But unlike most other mobile broadband services from U.S. wireless carriers, Virgin Mobile USA's new Broadband2Go service doesn't shackle you while setting you free. You can use the wireless mobile broadband service as needed--no contract required.

Despite some set-up difficulty, I found the Broadband2Go service easy to use, mostly reliable, and reasonably fast (depending on location). I recommend it for anyone who needs a mobile broadband connection a few times a month or so but doesn't want to be tied to a data service contract.

In San Francisco, where I live, the miserable month of Fogust is nigh. Every August, the fog and wind perpetually blow through town, raising goosebumps on the exposed limbs of unsuspecting (if not astonished) tourists. Elsewhere, most of the U.S.--particularly the East Coast--is trapped in the bell jar of stagnant, humid dog days. In short: Wherever you live, August is the ideal month to get out of Dodge. And if you've got your Internet access strategy figured out, you and your virtual office can stay out of town for an extended absence, while still keeping up with business.

This week I've got three strategies for keeping phone costs as low as possible when you're away, while still making it easy for others to reach you. By the way, these tips are for U.S. residents while within the country. In a future blog, I'll offer tips and strategies for keeping communications costs low while traveling internationally.

The recession isn't likely to take a vacation this summer, but there's no reason you can't. In fact, if business is slow, this may be the perfect time for a month-long home swap, or to hit the road with your camper and French poodle, Steinbeck style. Either way, with a little planning, you can still get work done by taking your virtual office with you. And if you're careful, you can set up your virtual office without spending a lot of money.

The first item on your to-do list is to figure out how you'll get broadband Internet access while you're away. This week let's take a look at your options, including two new contract-free, pay-as-you-go 3G mobile broadband services. Next week, how to keep your communications costs down when you're away from home.

I've owned an Amazon Kindle 2 since the e-book reader became available in February. I've traveled with it on several occasions. And though the jury's still out for me regarding reading fiction on a Kindle, I strongly recommend it for business travelers who need to keep up with newspapers, magazines, and business documents on the go. Here are three reasons why.

1. You Don't Have to Sprint to the Airport Newsstand

Before a recent flight from Hawaii to San Francisco, my partner and I faced an abysmally long security queue. I was worried we were going to miss our flight. And making a quick dash to the newsstand to pick up reading material was out of the question.

It's been nearly two years since the first netbook, the Asus Eee PC 4G, became available to U.S. consumers. Even so, I just bought my first netbook, the Samsung N120. Why did I wait so long? (Several reasons.) And was it worth the wait? (Absolutely.)

Why I Waited

I don't buy first-generation hardware, as a rule. Why pay money to be a beta tester? So I waited while Asus, along with other computer makers such as Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, pushed out their first-generation netbooks.

In the past few months, I've reconnected with friends from kindergarten through college and beyond. I've discovered thought-provoking online articles and videos I probably wouldn't have found on my own. I've also read meaningless updates from friends, such as "I'm getting in the hot tub," or "just received a special gift from a special friend." And I've done it all through Facebook--the social networking phenomenon where Top Five lists reign, long-lost friends are reunited, and, inevitably, countless hours are consumed.

Don't misunderstand. I love Facebook, Twitter (you can follow my tweets), LinkedIn, and other social networking tools. And it's cool that you can post updates, pictures, and even videos to your social media networks from your mobile phone or smart phone.

By now, you probably know that Oprah Winfrey loves Skype (not to mention Twitter). A few weeks ago, in fact, Oprah did a Skype video chat on her TV show with Virgin America's Mandalay Roberts, while Roberts was airborne on a Virgin America plane.

Out of curiosity, I watched the Skype-on-a-plane segment--and I shivered. Air travel is noisy and stressful enough. The thought of sitting next to someone screaming into their laptop's Webcam, "Can you see me now?," is enough to have me reaching for the Xanax.

Retailers' return policies for electronics can be all over the map. Some give you 14 weeks to return a GPS, laptop, netbook, or other piece of hardware if you don't like it or if it's defective. A few give you up to 90 days. Many charge you a restocking fee, usually 15 percent, if you return something that's not defective. All told, in this age of instant buyer's remorse, it's important to pay attention to a retailer's return policy.

This week, I'll guide you toward some online retailers' return policies, plus offer tips for how to avoid, or minimize, buyer's remorse.

Have you bought a netbook, an Amazon Kindle 2, a portable GPS device, or another mobile electronic gadget lately? If so, let me ask you another question: How long was it before you wish you'd waited for something cheaper-faster-better?

My guess is: not too long. Given the fast pace of tech product introductions these days, a post-purchase twinge of regret is practically unavoidable. In fact, I believe we've entered the era of instant buyer's remorse.

Today I read about a free iPhone app called Email 'n Walk. There are tons of iPhone apps out there, of course, many of them for free or super cheap. But this one caught my eye, in an oh-no-they-didn't kind of way. The app's goal is to make it possible for you to see the ground you're walking on (via the iPhone's camera) as you type an e-mail on your iPhone and walk at the same time.

No word yet when this app will automatically cause the iPhone to ring as you approach an open manhole cover. While we wait for that functionality to be added, let's move on to three iPhone apps I actually find useful, especially for mobile professionals and other frequent travelers.

Just a few months ago, you were lucky to squeeze much more than a couple hours out of netbooks such as the Acer Aspire One and the Lenovo IdeaPad S10.

But tiny little netbooks are growing more robust, at least as far as their batteries are concerned. Here's a look at some recent models that can keep you plugging along for nearly a full workday.

It seems unlikely that Apple will enter the netbook market, though Mac OS netbook rumors continue to circulate. Apple COO Tim Cook dissed the hot product category and suggested those wanting a Mac netbook should just buy an iPhone or iPod Touch instead.

But guess what? Some people aren't waiting for Apple to make a move. They're defying Apple and installing Mac OS X on netbooks from Dell and other manufacturers. (Though Apple computer owners can legitimately install Windows on their Macs, the Mac OS X is only licensed to run on Apple computers.)