I saw that too. I wonder if that's a reference to the WiMAX version. Maybe the poster got it wrong (and it wont be a SIM card based device?).

But, if they're generally right, does this mean that the next gen will be usable as a full fledged phone? Or is this just a reference to WiMAX+skype (which, could sort of fulfill the statement).


Part of me likes the specialized tool approach.... it is, after all, the Unix way (do one thing, do it well, integrate with other things that do their job well). In that regard, wifi and bluetooth are good enough for being built into the NIT. We don't really need WiMAX, GSM, nor CDMA WWAN versions of the NIT. And staying with wifi&bt, the WWAN functionality is modular.

On the otherhand, there is something to be said about integration. Why carry 3 devices (NIT, Phone, bluetooth HD)? That's a little inconvenient.


That said, I don't really mind one way or the other if the NIT gets a WWAN radio. As long as it keeps bluetooth DUN, some reasonably current Wifi support, adds bluetooth PAN, doesn't _require_ me to pay for a WWAN service, and they don't undermine the battery life. In fact, my only "stomp my foot" with regard to adding WWAN to the NIT is: add bluetooth PAN first. The lack of bluetooth PAN is, IMO, a huge hole in this device.

After they add bluetooth PAN, they can add whatever WWAN capability they want to.