It wasn’t so long ago that a wireless broadband modem was a large and clunky device that often needed two of your available USB ports to operate. The things drew lots of power and were just plain big. Modems today have shrunk in size and need less power from your notebook. Verizon has announced a new and small wireless broadband modem that will be available soon.

The modem is called the USB760 Micro Modem and it offers a microSD card slot that supports up to 8GB of storage. The software needed to use the modem on Windows and Mac systems is installed on the modem so no disc is needed. The modem is sized more like a USB drive that the typical broadband modem.

The USB760 measures slightly more than 2-inches long and weighs under an ounce. The device is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux computers and does not ship with a microSD card. An optional external antenna is available for better signal strength. The modem is available for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new 2-year agreement. Supported download speeds are up to 1.4Mbps and uploads can be at up to 800Kbps.

Verizon Wireless