For example: Nokia has long-since had the technology to make a GSM/HSDPA Nokia Internet Tablet. They have chosen to go against this despite popular demand and skip right ahead to WiMAX. Non-WiMAX markets are effectively cut out of this product progression. Besides the fear of Linux, what is stopping another phone maker to release an Internet Tablet running maemo?
Specifically regarding that example (and now with the ability to post polls) the options are as follows:
- A 3G/HSDPA Nokia Internet Tablet should be available.
- 3G/HSDPA is over. WiMAX is the right choice.
- Internet Tablets should have 3G/HSDPA AND a regular phone radio.
- Internet Tablets don't need carrier services. WiFi/Bluetooth is enough.
- Other view (in comments)
The results of the last poll are in. Do you carry your Internet Tablet around with you?
Yes - the Internet Tablet is always in my pocket. | 117 (43%) |
Usually - It's handy to have, but I can leave it behind. | 81 (30%) |
Sometimes - When I think I'll need it. | 51 (18%) |
Rarely - Only in specific situations. | 13 (4%) |
Never - It's used at home or at the office exclusively. | 7 (2%) |
7 comments:
I think the larger screen of the N810 would yield it ineffective as a convergence device for both internet tablet/phone functions. Thus, having two separate devices should be optimal for the majority of users. UMTS/HSxPA offers simultaneous usage of phone and data so it should be perfect as-is currently if the user owns a 3G GSM phone with BT 2.0 EDR (Samsung BJ). No need to pay a separate subscription when most users will always carry their phone with them.
Sometimes I wish my N800 had the GSM/HSDPA radio built in but then again I think the WiFi/Bluetooth thing actually suffices. The bluetooth part is a bottleneck though (or better said is going to be when faster 7.2 Mbit/s HSDPA becomes widely deployed).
Anyhow, what I am missing right now is a working version of maemo-pan. I have upgraded to Diablo and am not able to use PAN with my windows mobile phone anymore :(.
Having a 3G/HSDPA and especially phone functions in the Internet Tablet might slow down releasing new versions as telco-style testing and type approval process takes more time.
An additional negative effect might be that regulatory and telco requirements for 3G/HSDPA devices would require closing at least parts of the platform -- for example no custom kernels, no root access, no direct access to network interfaces etc.
The only feasible way to a device that combines the Maemo platform and telco side is to draw those bright lines Bruce Perens suggested. This means that the device would have a separate closed side doing the telco stuff and that side could be accessed safely via defined interfaces. All the rest of stuff like web browsing, WiFi and PDA stuff which does not need to be closed would still be available in the same way they are available on Maemo platform.
This is not even a new approach for Nokia. The earlier communicators had a separate OS (even a separate CPU) for phone functions and a separate OS for PDA user. You could not develop on the phone side, but could develop for the Symbian OS, which was on the PDA side and access the phone functions from that OS.
And this is how I think the Internet Tablet should gain 3G/HSDPA access, not slowing down development trying to integrate it completely openly, but instead draw those lines, close the telco side and keep the existing platform as open as it has been from the start.
// kh
I don't think integrated cell data is the right choice for this kind of device.... but IF they had to add one 3g/hsdpa would be the way to go since better access almost always trumps a faster network.
I won't vote on this but I want to post what I would like to have as companion to the n810 when wifi is not available.
I am an internet person, and therefore my contacts are mostly reachable by IM or voip. This led to not having a cell phone. The need is not there.
I had a cell from the company I worked for. Usage was about 4-10 times a month. Since 2 years I don't have a cell anymore and I really don't miss it much.
What I miss much more with the N810 is the ability to go online everywhere.
The N810 is good as it is and integrated 3G would suck power from the battery, make it heavier, more expensive, etc.
However if there were a small cell that would be just a modem to connect me to the 3g network with an own battery that would make sense for me. A data only device - no fancy display or something, controllable by software on the N810.
If it could support BT, USB (to also charge it) and Wifi to connect that would be nice. One could use it with the Tablet, and Notebook at the same time (over wifi). When used with the Notebook the having the possibility to connect via usb and also charge it that way would make it a want to have device - at least for me.
What do you think?
Because I am curious about openmoko I might get myself a Freerunner cell although only 2.5G and no real use for a cell.
I believe the main reason for everyone wanting 3G/HSDPA on the n8x0 series is so that it has internet connectivity where there is no Wifi, but there is a wireless network.
I have basically the same needs as Michael above, and so far I have managed to use my Nokia 6555 clamshell as an HSDPA modem across bluetooth.
This is a good enough to achieve connectivity, except for one major problem:
The 6555 battery life is dismal with HSDPA. I can get at most about 30 minutes from a full charge.
I have researched other HSDPA modems and all are expensive and all are USB only - mainly because of the power requirements of HSDPA.
My only remaining research now is to boost up the battery pack in the 6555 so that it works for maybe 8-10 hours instead of 30 mins.
Anyone have an alternative solution?
I think perhaps the best option might to be for Nokia to offer a N8*0 with and without the option for a 3G/HSxPA chip. But I'd hate to see that done at the expense of other options (a la the iPod Touch, which doesn't have bluetooth).
That said, I am certainly *not* wanting my N8*0 tablet to become a convergence device / mobile phone. I've had a N95 for more than a year, and am getting my iPhone this week (as a security researcher for a mobile telco, I get to play with even many more frequently).
For me, the need to have a 3G chip just for data isn't really convincing. There's so many politely left-open WiFi access points throughout my city, that even on rare occasions my N95's battery crap out under heavy use, I can still manage free (and legal) Net Access.
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