Fashion’s favorite astrologer Susan Miller churns out 12 exhaustive online horoscopes monthly. We asked her about the laptop accessory she relies on most.
I’m always working — I have to write horoscopes for the website and the apps and about a million different publications — and I really hate working on my iPad. I have to use my Macbook Air because when I’m writing in restaurants or in the taxi driving down the FDR or at Dunkin’ Donuts (which, incidentally, has the best table height because those at other cafés are too tall), there’s just no way for me to read and edit my manuscripts on a tiny little screen.
Now, I don’t like using public networks like the Starbucks Wi-Fi or Link NYC because I just don’t think you can trust them. I’ve had bad experiences when I do that; these little pop-up dialogues that no one else seems to get would come up saying that someone from so-and-so IP address was trying to access my computer! I couldn’t stand it! I would use my iPhone to create a hotspot, but that drained my battery, and the service was spotty and slow. Once while I was working at a café, I noticed someone who was using this little device to get online, and I went straight to AT&T and the gentleman introduced me to the AT&T Velocity — I call it the AT&T mama bear (for an AT&T subscriber, it’s just $20 a month. If you’re not on AT&T, the data will cost you $50, and note that Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile offer similar devices). There’s a bigger version that I call the papa bear, but that was just too big. The mama bear is just a little white device the size of your palm. It’s like a cigarette pack. I don’t smoke, and so I hate to say that, but that’s the best description.
It creates the ideal little personal Wi-Fi network for me to answer emails and respond to social media no matter where I am. Now, when I go to Dunkin’ Donuts I bring the Velocity in my purse (it weighs maybe five ounces) and just turn it on when I need it. It’s white and nice-looking, though it’s no Apple product. Steve Jobs didn’t design it. It’s perfect, though, when I really need to access the internet. The other day I was holding a meeting with some of my partners in China, and there wasn’t Wi-Fi anywhere, so I just turned on my little mama bear.
The only thing: Don’t make the mistake I did and create signal settings big enough for five people — you don’t need all that! It just drains the battery. After I changed it so the signal only extended far enough for me and my computer, it was just fine.
The Strategist is a new site designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best umbrellas, steak knives, rolling luggage, and yoga mats. Note that all prices are subject to change.
If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
