I spend the other afternoon sitting in a conference room with good 802.11 (a,b, and g) but no cell reception looking at my Nokia E62 getting no updates, I again wondered at the way the cellular carriers are missing the connectivity point.
Stowe Boyd points out this article in the International Business Times predicting that Apple will release two phone models in the first part of 2007:
“Based upon our recent checks, we expect Apple to unveil two models of its widely anticipated cell phones in early [Calendar Year] ’07,” said Jesse Tortora, research analyst at Prudential Equities.
“We have learned that one model will be a smart phone, including integrated keyboard, video and music capability, while the other model will be a slimmer phone with music capability. At least one of the models will include WiFi.”
It would be just like Apple to move the state of this art ahead while the phone companies waste a good opportunity yet again.
Technorati Tags: apple, broadband, e62, Nokia, smartphones
Oren Sreebny 
The cellular carriers aren’t just missing it, Oren – they’re actively denying it. Several times we’ve seen manufacturers release phones with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities, only to see those capabilities crippled by the carriers. Most times it’s when the carrier already has something they feel might be undercut. Can’t use the phone’s bluetooth to get your laptop on the data network – because the carrier sells a special card and plan for your laptop. Can’t use the wi-fi in your phone, because the carrier wants to charge you by the kilobyte on their EDGE or GSM network.
It happens, in part, because the US model of wireless phones includes massive price subsidies by the carriers (in exhange for consumers contracts). If you’re willing to pay the $$ for an unlocked phone… that’s a different matter.
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The cellular carriers aren’t just missing it, Oren – they’re actively denying it. Several times we’ve seen manufacturers release phones with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities, only to see those capabilities crippled by the carriers. Most times it’s when the carrier already has something they feel might be undercut. Can’t use the phone’s bluetooth to get your laptop on the data network – because the carrier sells a special card and plan for your laptop. Can’t use the wi-fi in your phone, because the carrier wants to charge you by the kilobyte on their EDGE or GSM network.
It happens, in part, because the US model of wireless phones includes massive price subsidies by the carriers (in exhange for consumers contracts). If you’re willing to pay the $$ for an unlocked phone… that’s a different matter.
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