Qualcomm Challenges WiMAX with Gobi
I certainly don't know how this is all going to come out, but isn't it sort of crazy to build these chips into laptops? That's what PC Card slots (or Express Card slots) are for. That way I can just put in whatever kind of radio I need. And for a bonus, the antenna will be on the outside of the case!
Just seems like it's rushing things to start soldering specific broadband radios onto the motherboard. I may not be the best example, but I'm fairly happily typing on a laptop from November 2002. Is there any chance I would want this Gobi chip inside a laptop I buy today in November 2012? I guess I'm supposed to upgrade more often though.
I've got one of the Verizon PC cards (formerly known as PCMCIA). It works fine, but its awkward when I want to slip the computer in and out of a carrying case. The new laptop I got for home has an internal option card that's tied into a built in antenna. It works fine, and is less clunky.
Whether the Gobi is in a PC card, internal option card, a USB/bluetooth tethered phone or soldered down, I like that it has the potential (if the service providers put together the right package) of working across most of the developed world. That "if" is huge, though. And if you've got a US service provider on the GSM bandwagon, then the whole thing is a big yawn.
Where this chip might also find a home (competing with WiMax) is in little mobile gizmos.
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- mark 10-31-2007 12:48 am
I certainly don't know how this is all going to come out, but isn't it sort of crazy to build these chips into laptops? That's what PC Card slots (or Express Card slots) are for. That way I can just put in whatever kind of radio I need. And for a bonus, the antenna will be on the outside of the case!
Just seems like it's rushing things to start soldering specific broadband radios onto the motherboard. I may not be the best example, but I'm fairly happily typing on a laptop from November 2002. Is there any chance I would want this Gobi chip inside a laptop I buy today in November 2012? I guess I'm supposed to upgrade more often though.
- jim 10-31-2007 1:03 am
I've got one of the Verizon PC cards (formerly known as PCMCIA). It works fine, but its awkward when I want to slip the computer in and out of a carrying case. The new laptop I got for home has an internal option card that's tied into a built in antenna. It works fine, and is less clunky.
Whether the Gobi is in a PC card, internal option card, a USB/bluetooth tethered phone or soldered down, I like that it has the potential (if the service providers put together the right package) of working across most of the developed world. That "if" is huge, though. And if you've got a US service provider on the GSM bandwagon, then the whole thing is a big yawn.
Where this chip might also find a home (competing with WiMax) is in little mobile gizmos.
- mark 10-31-2007 1:28 am