02/20/06
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marketwizard
Cingular's hsdpa 3g wireless data service, currently limited to pcmcia cards only, will be adding hsdpa-capable celll phones on or around March 9th.
Could it be mere coincidence that the DualCor is supposed to be shipping around this time; or has DualCor and Cingular got something cooking? I wonder...
02/20/06
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fil
I don't think so because we (or someone like engadget or Gizmodo) would have posted an FCC filing for the card.
A company must file an FCC statement for any type of wireless connectivity--Bluetooth, cellular, 802.11, etc.
I haven't see that, so it's highly doubtful.
edited: Feb 22 2006
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educationk12
While I like the HSDPA network for the feature that you can talk on the phone and be connected to data at the same time. The problem I will have with getting a device with HSDPA is that EVDO has a two year lead; therefore cingular is playing catch-up in the markets for availability. If you look at the footprint for 1xRTT and EDGE, you'll see verizon is nearly everywhere and sprint/cingular is not. Sad but true and despite what enthusiasts say about cingular and sprint getting their network up quickly, I won't switch until it is in the here and now.
The second problem I have is that it has taken years for alternative products to get released. My favorite gadget is the Kyocera KR1. I can't say enough good things for this device. EVDO via pccard is very buggy, and this thing makes EVDO fluid like you would get out of a cable connected to a wireless access point. It is not available for HSDPA. Granted it won't take 2 years for them to come out with this for HSDPA, but it isn't here TODAY.
The third problem is that I know people who have gotten the HSDPA cards and they are buggy, just like evdo cards were when they were only out for a year. I was an early adopter of all wireless technologies except those used exclusively for the military and the KVH (which was used by the military and by people who clearly had to be multi-millionaires with endless cash flow to use it at $2 a minute and $10k to start). Anyway, the third problem I could deal with...I'm use to dealing with networks that don't work perfect.
The fourth problem is that other products such as USB (which will likely happen for evdo first since evdo's technology has been available longer thus a bigger customer base) and other products are likely to target evdo due to the customer base and the age of the technology. Such as the PC card to usb adaptor I am getting at the end of this month.
I really like HSDPA...so I want to make it clear that I would prefer HSDPA over EVDO, however by the time it catches up...EVDO will most likely have their new Rev out and it'll make HSDPA look pre-historic. I would be extremely happy if I am totally incorrect and the speed wars happen quickly. I must say that the other problem with phones is that they are slow. I have yet to find ANYONE who gets half the speed that I get with the pc card.
Personally, what I'd really love to see is more satellite based systems for cars projecting WIFI. I get WIFI everywhere I go, I went to the tire store to get tires today and I used my laptop inside the store while waiting. My vehicle was projecting WIFI into the store. When I got to starbucks, I don't use their hotspot, my signal goes into the coffee shop, when I go to my friend's house, etc.
This is why I find SpeedRay 3000 to be promising (I wish it were smaller but this technology just a few years ago would cost me five to ten thousand dollars a month)...so I'm glad it is here and it works in places where EVDO is not. Fortunately for me, I live in CT and evdo is pretty much everywhere. But if I were to go up to Vermont to ski or whatever, then I'd have issue.
As I tell everyone. If someone gave me a choice between my OQO and the KR1, I would do without my OQO and have my KR1.
I cancelled my cable service within 24 hours of getting EVDO back in 2004, but EVDO's software is BUGGY and I have had it on 20 or more machines using several different types of pc cards. The VZ Access manager stinks. The KR1 takes that away and I don't see any real difference between my 10MB cable and my 1.6MB EVDO. (that's what I get at my house for EVDO). Upload is slow, but I don't upload very much and uploading pictures isn't bad.
I would give up my gadgets for evdo...if HSDPA was better, I would get HSDPA. The specs and reviews look good, but unless you are in an area where HSDPA is at and you don't plan to go outside of their small network, then I can't see any other reason to get excited over HSDPA. It's limiting at this point.
EVDO has way too many advantages to consider switching EVEN if the footprint were identical. In months if things change (and they will), then I'll switch. However, I'm going to get the SpeedRay 3000 when it comes out (pay the premium for it, it'll probably go down by half retail price in six to 9 months after being released just like the tv only thing did), and if Speedray 3000 is equal to EVDO....then what I plan to do is just get a cell phone with data connect on it, therefore when I am far away from my vehicle I can use that instead...but by then I imagine someone is going to come out with an EVDO oqo/nokia 770 like device with 800x480...none of this QVGA scroll down for hours to read a page stuff.
Sorry if I seem a little bit arrogant in this post. I admit I am, and mainly because it hurts to see people make decisions based on the information that is out there. And I'm not talking about people using cell phones to connect to laptops, because I understand their rational. However, I do find it odd how people will pay ungodly amounts for their phone service and data connection needs to be under $30 a month. Just because you are use to $30 a month for data doesn't mean it is still logical to pay that...people pay more for national cell phone coverage and they'd pay the same for unlimited cell phone coverage if there were such a thing, but paying more than their DSL router at home or a pda plan seems outragious..maybe it is if you are looking at the dollar amount but for what it offers in my opinion it is a bargain. When you pay for cable you are only getting it at your house! It's about as insane as paying $19.99, $29.99 or $39.99 (depending on which plan u get) for tmobile hotspot...now I use to do that because I used it but now I usually have my vehicle to use so I just recently cancelled, however if I were an airport person then I would turn that back on.
One day WIFI will be free...it'll come, maybe not this decade but it'll come. Meanwhile, I'll pay for the latest and greatest. And hopefully by then latency and upload speeds and technology will be such that paying for a cell phone bill will be something of the past. I hate paying for talking on the phone, it's the most profitable part of cell phone companies. They make tons of money off cell phones, and the only reason why they go into data is because they know cell phones will become like landlines in the years to come, they will become less and less needed. Skype type services will actually work through data first and cell towers will be secondary, sorta like roaming in the past. This is why if you go into any cell phone store and ask questions about wireless data they usually don't know very much if anything at all, they know a lot about cell phones though. The largest Verizon store in the northeast was so clueless last month about evdo (and I was asking a simple question, whether I could connect the RAZR up to a laptop to get EVDO through the laptop)....after politely talking to every tech person in the store and getting five different answers they gave me the phone number to tech support that gave me different versions as well. I still don't know how and if it works like some claim. As them questions about cell phone services and they are much more knowledgable. However, the other thing they are fighting is WiMAX which has the potential to kill MOST (not all) data plans and cell plans, if WiMAX were nearly everywhere then you could connect to it.
Therefore, I think that is why there is a push to super fast EVDO and HSDPA...hundreds time faster than what it currently is at so that WiMAX legislation can be crippled as it often is crippled. I think there will be a downfall for these giants somewhere down the line even with their billions of dollars in profits. I'm not sure when, I am not sure WiMAX will do it because the powers of corporations generally control that kind of legislation. Technology like XG where you can transmit your OWN wifi signal for MILES legally approved by the FCC might just make WiMAX a reality without the low bandwidth limitations that legislation tries to pass, like they did in Philly with 300k service talks. I think the creativity that cell phone companies will have to use is SERVICES beyond data and voice, they will have to employ advance services such as buying tickets to movies, etc.
One last thing to repeat myself. When I ordered the KR1, I had no idea how awesome it would be...you really have to use it to realize that this thing is just awesome. It totally FIXED my decade long frustration with wireless...whatever it is, being dormant, latency, etc...it fixed the problem of pausing to open pages...especially with email and such. It made my EVDO signal feel like my cable...fluid and smooth,no signing in!
However, I would recommend an external booster antenna for the pc cards (which are flat and thin and don't add much to the size of the KR1) and an amplifier isn't necessary but helps quite a bit in low signal areas.
Evdo forums has some neat posts on KR1 modifications, too.
Clearly, I take wireless data and high resolution too seriously. I bought a T221 this weekend, dreams come true. :-)
I think my next endeavor for technology will be extending your wifi signal. If I could extend my signal for miles in a discreet manner, then that would be great!
BUY A KR1 if you have an EVDO pc card...you will LOVE IT. Can you hear me now? GOOD!
edited: Feb 22 2006
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educationk12
I use it just like you'd use wifi on your laptop, except its in my vehicle...of course you can make it like an ultraportable if you get into mods like evdoforums is cooking up. It projects out of my vehicle into buildings so for example, while at the dentist I can entertain myself with the internet, starbucks, went to the eye doctor today...had tires put on some rims, etc. Means the OQO can get PC CARD speeds!!!
I would use the pc card to usb adaptor when carrying the KR1 with battery pack was too bulky. It's like carrying a large cell phone with you...I could use a cell phone instead but that sucks in my opinion due to charging the phone issues and speed issues. Again, OQO gets PC Card speeds...some people this isn't important...some are happy with GPRS. Which is cool. I would enter deep depression.
Speedray 3000 is a 6" thick disc that sits on the top of a SUV/VAN/ETC that gives you cable tv and high speed internet anywhere in the U.S. so long as you have a view to the sky. (Pros and cons, the pro is you can use it in places where evdo isn't available, the con is that you can't use it in a parking garage like you can with EVDO, my kr1 is in my vehicle in my garage which my garage is underground and I get great speeds even underground, etc etc.)
T221 is a high resolution monitor that is 22" that has a resolution of FOUR 24" 1920x1200 lcd monitors in just one 22 inch monitor.
