Cellphone Data Cards and the iPod Touch

Q. I have a USB cell phone data card that I use with my laptop. This card offers me world-wide connectivity wherever there is GSM cellphone service available. Is there an adapter that will allow me to use this card with the iPod Touch?

A. I know of no such adapter, nor of the software that would be needed to make one work. However, although the iPod Touch has no cellphone capability, it does include Wi-Fi, which can give you high-speed Internet access world-wide whenever you are in range of a Wi-Fi wireless network.

Q. What U.S. cellphone service provider should I consider when purchasing a new contract and phone that can be easily used in most western European countries and also get good coverage in the U.S.?

A. In the United States, the only two major carriers that use the technology compatible with European networks are AT&T and T-Mobile. As to which has better coverage in the U.S., my own anecdotal experience is that this varies greatly depending on where you are, and that neither has coverage that's as good as Verizon's in as many major cities. However, Verizon (like Sprint) uses a technology that isn't compatible with European networks, though it has one or two phone models that include both technologies.

Q. I have just switched to the Mac from Windows. Is there a tutorial somewhere on how to use the Mac user interface and operating system?

A. There are a couple of books on switching to the Mac, which you can find at online bookstores. Also, Apple maintains two free, illustrated online tutorials called 'Mac 101' and 'Switch 101,' the latter being specifically for former Windows users. They are available at and

问:我有一个可连接我笔记本电脑USB接口的移动电话数据卡。有了这张卡,在世界上任何一个能提供GSM移动电话服务的地方我都能上网。能找到一种适配器好让我通过这张卡用我的iPod Touch上网吗?

答:据我所知没有这样一种适配器,也不存在可支持你用iPod Touch通过GSM手机卡上网的软件。不过,虽然iPod Touch没有手机功能,但它却有无线保真(Wi-Fi)功能,只要能接入Wi-Fi无线通讯网,你在世界任何地方都可通过iPod Touch高速上网。

问:如果我想确保我的手机能在大部分西欧国家和美国顺畅使用,我该选择美国哪家移动运营商的服务和手机?

答:美国主要的电信运营商中只有美国电话电报公司(AT&T)和T-Mobile使用能与欧洲无线通讯网兼容的技术。至于这两家公司哪一家在美国的网络质量更好,从我个人的经验看这很大程度上取决于你住在哪里,而两家公司在美国许多大城市的网络质量都赶不上Verizon公司。但就像斯普林特公司(Sprint)一样,Verizon使用的技术也不与欧洲的无线通讯网络兼容,不过它也有一两款双模手机,可以接入欧洲的无线通讯网。

问:我刚弃Windows电脑而改用Mac电脑。市面上有教人如何使用Mac电脑的用户界面和操作系统的用户指南吗?

答:你可以在网上书店找到几本教人如何转用Mac电脑的书。苹果公司(Apple)也在网上免费提供两本这类书籍,分别叫做Mac 101和Switch 101,后者专门针对以前使用Windows电脑的用户。登录和就能看到这两本书。