I believe you are very wrong on both counts.

Cellular data links are *very* power-hungry, especially 3G/3G+. My (Nokia) 3G phone chews down its battery more than twice as fast when connected to the Internet than the 770 tethered to it through BT ; I'd say it consumes at least as much as Wifi, if not more, and certainly much more than BT. If it were all done on the tablet it would kill the single battery's life.

Also the cost would go up way more than you think - and it's not only because of the hardware cost of the electronics plus margin. There is a huge overhead involved in going through the regulatory bodies (like the FCC) which have different rules and costs in each and every country. Not to mention that Nokia would have to make different models for different parts of the world, carrier networks being somewhat incompatible across continents.

Another thing is that cell data technology moves fast, and you would be stuck with what's built-in : when I first got my 770 I had an edge phone ; now I have moved on to a 3G-capable one. Later if I can find a cheap second-hand 3G+ phone I can upgrade again (but if I want BT 2.0 I must upgrade the tablet itself to N8x0).

I for one am perfectly happy with Nokia's policy in this matter : if I don't use cellular data to get online with it, I don't have to pay for components I don't need ; and if I do, I can choose exactly how I'll do it.

Perhaps Nokia can offer a dumb-GSM: a low cost GSM-box that connects via bluetooth *or* microUSB with a very high capacity battery (similar to external GPS units). The GSM-box would have no interface (other than a power switch and perhaps an LED) and would be designed to be used in conjunction with an Internet Tablet, PC, Laptop, or other USB-OTG technology with the correct software. This idea would provide cellular capability and could work equally well with WiMAX or EV-DO (shudder) as separate boxes. Best of all, it wouldn't be tethered to the Internet Tablet, but could be used to provide WAN support for the computer, laptop, or other devices (camera, car, printer, etc).

I would actually prefer AA batteries in such a device. It would lower the price considerably, and there are some rechargeable AA's with tremendous life. Additionally, it would provide a simple way of changing the batteries (or carrying spares) if the device runs out of power. Win-win, as far as I can tell.

If Nokia doesn't do it, I hope another company reads this forum and takes this idea!!!! I can't see such a box costing more than $50, but filling a great need in the market.

The key is that it provides *options*.


}:^)~
YARR!!

The Notorious C.C.

i think his comment about "another smartphone" was the point where i dismissed the whole tirade.

still, i guess thats the divorce between the european market (nokia's home turf) and the american. in the former, if you have a phone that can do bluetooth, it can act as a bluetooth modem. in the latter, it seems that anything below a smartphone is so locked down you may be lucky if you get AD2P support, or even bluetooth handsfree at times by the sound of it.

thats why they praise the iphone so much, to them its the smartphone for the common man. to any european, its a glossy feature phone. and one thats at the lower end of the feature list even. sure it got music player and wifi. but where is the java, or any kind of app install support for that matter?

sure, there is now announced a SDK. but i wonder what kind of draconian things apple will require around it.

imo, i can do close to everything the iphone can do on my SE. and its not even running symbian or similar smartphone os.

i say, ignore any article coming out of usa about wireless tech. its so far out of the loop its insane...

I guess it already exists!

Here's an external USB GSM modem good for voice/sms/data.
http://www.alphamicro.net/components...~49~id~509.asp

Now if someone can find a USB OTG *or* [better yet] a bluetooth version, then tablet owners can make/receive cellular calls, with the correct software, from their tablets.

I think an external GSM 'modem' is the best way to go for the IT series, simply because WiMAX's reach and comprehensive VoIP will eliminate the *need* for cellular and largely obsolete it. However, it provides the option to those that want the functionality with their devices. Win-win.


}:^)~
YARR!!

A load of Crapt'n

I'm intrigued by the BT SAP (SIM Access Profile) support present in N810/OS 2008 - from the Bluetooth Wiki:

Anyone got any idea how this profile is going to be used with the N810 (possibly N800), as to my knowledge the N810 (and certainly the N800) doesn't have a GSM transceiver.

As for the perfect Bluetooth GSM/3G "phone" to partner the NITs, I guess one about the size of the LD-4W GPS module would do the trick (it can fit on a keyring), with a small OLED display and about four buttons (on/off, up, down and select). What more would you need?!

Wow! A device like that would be PERFECT. On a key ring, or clipped to the inside of a jacket/pocket/bag/belt/etc, you'd have GSM access without needing to worry about carrying the additional device. Handy and elegant.

I wonder how long the batteries would last?


}:^)~
YARR!!

Chief Corrupt

Thinking about it, possibly not long enough - particularly if 3G is involved!

The LD-4W is good for up to 11 hours operating time and 4 days standby as a GPS unit, but I suspect the battery would have to be enlarged in order to provide between one and two days GSM/3G standby usage and 4-5 hours call time. While this might make the device too large for a keyring it would still be plenty small enough to slip into a pocket where you can forget about it.

By the way, the dimensions of the LD-4W are 82.9 X 37 X 7.8 mm and it weighs 31g - an extra 20-30grams and a few more mm's of depth would still ensure it's a pretty diminutive device! By comparison my current phone - SE W950i - weighs in at 112g and 106 x 54 x 15 mm, and I certainly know when I'm carrying it (I'm lucky to get a full days use from it too on 3G!)

Certainly. The lower half of my old LG6070(flip phone) is a similar dimension as the LD-4W, though slightly wider (0.5cm) and twice as thick. My cell also has to house a a keypad, backlight, mic, headphone jack, etc so I wouldn't be surprised if a interface-less GSM could could fit the LD-4W proportions, considering todays technology.

What a terrific alternative to dedicated GSM!


}:^)~
YARR!!

Wanted: Capt'n Corrupt

Check out the size of the SAMBA 75 - Integrated Quad Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE Engine. The dimensions are: 88.7 x 37.6 x 12.6 mm

Additionally, here's a Motorola chipset: G24 GSM. The dimensions are: 24.4 x 45.2 x 6.0 mm. Not too shabby!


}:^)~
YARR!!

The Gracious Capt'n

Nice, but where's the 3G(+) model ? :-)
(and the BT variant, of course, for the tablets...)
(which would then need a *battery*... duh :-)