There’s a lot of discussion about the role of convergence of devices. Everywhere you go, it seems that someone’s pushing the notion that every function needs to be converged into one device. Now convergence is a great idea: the idea of carrying one device instead of multiple devices is compelling, but is it really realistic? Sure, I’d rather carry one device than two, but our research shows consumers will carry two or, in some age demographics, they’ll even carry as many as three.
While integrated 3G connectivity was tipped for inclusion in the PSP Go back in its rumor days, in the end Sony went for the simple route and just gave their handheld WiFi and Bluetooth. Thanks to PSP update v6.10, that Bluetooth can be used to tether the Go to a cellphone, meaning connectivity isn’t just limited to wherever you can find a WiFi hotspot.
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Archos have confirmed that their Archos 9 Internet Tablet will go on sale come October 22nd, with pricing starting from $499. Speaking at the IDF 2009 conference this week, the company surprised many who had expected the 9-inch touchscreen slate to retail for several hundred dollars more than that.
Femtocells aren’t exactly embedded into the public vocabulary yet, but the carriers are ramping up to make a pretty decent push for it. So far we’ve seen a handful of models from some of the bigger operator names, but now a Scottish firm, HSL, are promising a single femtocell that can support users on different networks.
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Verizon are reportedly looking into ways in which subscribers without data plans can be prevented from loading up their handsets' web-browser, after recognising that it was too easy to do so accidentally and be charged $1.99 each time. According to carrier spokesperson Tom Pica, "it is obvious to [Verizon] that we need to fix this aspect of our service."
I am a connected sort of guy. Everywhere I go I have internet access on my iPhone. I can check email, browse the net and do whatever I want, assuming the AT&T network is cooperating. The thought of being without connectivity is enough to make me break out in a cold sweat.
The longest time I typically go each year without connectivity is the three-hour flight to CES in Las Vegas in January. That is a long three hours for me. Thankfully, Aircell has been rolling its Gogo in-flight Internet service out to many airlines over the last year. The company has announced that Gogo has now turned one year old.
After their hands-on earlier this month with the Zune HD, CNET are back with a second round of photos showing the OLED PMP’s on-screen keyboard and browser. As you might expect, given the fact that the Zune HD’s browser was developed by the Internet Explorer Mobile team, functionality is similar to what you’d find on a Windows Mobile device.
Could this be Nokia’s upcoming Internet Tablet? Having heard little about the likely Maemo powered refresh from the company for a couple of months now, both the image you see here (more after the cut) and an FCC filing have appeared in short succession. Both the device, and the FCC diagram, seem to match the leaked image of what was called the N900 “Rover” Internet Tablet from May.
More live images after the cut
Details of iriver’s upcoming range have leaked, courtesy of an Australian distributor, including such fancies as an Android-based iPod touch rival, an ebook reader and an internet tablet. The iriver K2 is expected to launch in 2010, with a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, integrated WiFi and Bluetooth and a digital TV tuner; it will also, according to C.R. Kennedy iriver product manager Danny Bejanoff, use Google’s open-source Android OS.
Time Warner Cable announced today that they are still on track for bringing mobile WiMAX to the masses very soon.
The CEO of the company, Glenn Britt, noted that more details would be released in the near future, but the fall was shaping up to be the time for release for this mobile network.
The first cities lined up to receive mobile WiMAX will be Dallas and Charlotte. This new move is intended to appeal to current customers that are moving away from VoIP services and toward wireless-only lifestyles.
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