Patent ID: 8260348

Claim:
A communication system comprising: a wireless communicator comprising: a speaker for providing audio output; a baseband modem for connecting to the Internet via a cellular network; and a connector for physically connecting the wireless communicator to a laptop computer port; an audio bridge, (i) for switching audio received using said baseband modem to said speaker, when the wireless communicator is physically disconnected from said port, and (ii) for switching audio received using said baseband modem to the laptop computer, when the wireless communicator is physically connected to said port; and a laptop computer comprising: at least one speaker for providing audio output; a wireless modem for communicating in a wireless mode with said wireless communicator; a laptop computer port for physically connecting said wireless communicator to the laptop computer and for communicating in a wired mode with said wireless communicator; and a connection wedge, wherein said laptop computer connects to the Internet via a link between said laptop computer and said wireless communicator, wherein said connection wedge selectively uses the wired mode or the wireless mode for the link according to whether or not said wireless communicator is physically connected to said laptop computer port, respectively, and wherein the connection between the laptop computer and the Internet is persisted when said connection wedge switches between the wired mode for the link and the wireless mode for the link.