Aaron,
the N800 and N810 Internet Tablet are what I would call pre-4g mobile
devices.
Nokia has asserted that is is going to launch a WIMAX version of the
Internet Tablet for use on Sprint's Xohm (WIMAX) Network. If Nokia
follows through on its announced intent (I think they will), then that
version of the Internet Tablet can probably lay claim to being the first
4g mobile device in the world, since it will be "all IP all the time"
and will be running on a network (XOHM) that Sprint is claiming to be a
4g network.
I have not seen a release date for this product from Nokia but I would
expect it to be out in the first half of this year. Sprint is already
testing the WIMAX service with employees (so-called "friends and family"
if you will) before a full rollout in the Washington DC area and one
other market.
Here is the url to the www page at the Xohm www site for the
partnerships that Sprint has for the XOHM service:
http://www.xohm.com/xohm_about_partnership.html
Best Regards,
John Holmblad
Acadia Secure Networks, LLC
Aaron Newcomb wrote:
> OK enthusiasts, when is this going to happen? I talked about this a
> lot with attendees of the last Ohio LInuxfest and it is clear that the
> next generation of this device needs a phone. I know that there will
> be squabbles with the carriers about not being able to lock down the
> features (in the US at least), but I am convinced that this device
> would sell millions of units if it was a phone along with all the
> other great things that it does already.
>
> I think the relative success of the iPhone is proof that people are
> willing to pay for it. If the cost can stay on par with the iPhone or
> even slightly more people would flock to an all-in-one device that you
> can develop and run your own apps on.
>
> I fall into the group of people who need to be on my cell phone a lot
> for work and I carry my laptop around for access to the web (email,
> calendar, short browsing sessions). I also carry a media player for
> video and audio playback. I can't stand Blackberry or Treo phones.
> Most of the people I work with have them and hate them. So, as I see
> it the N810 meets 2 out of 3 of my needs, but that third one (cell
> phone) is where I spend most of my work time and I just can't justify
> the cost unless I can get that last component.
>
> For no extra charge ... I am happy to use a wired or bluetooth headset
> or speakerphone. I don't need to hold the device up to my head. I have
> gotten past the Ma Bell days of yesteryear.
>
> Does anyone have an inside scoop on this? Is this even in the labs at
> this point? Am I out of my mind or is this next step the most
> important one in the evolution of the product?
>
>
