Qualcomm doesn’t seem to be hurting all that much from all their in-court shenanigans. The US-based chip-making giant has just launched another high-speed wireless broadband (you know, that 3G stuff we’re always talking about) solution for notebooks. The new chip, dubbed “Gobi,” brings a new level of portability and flexibility to the mobile warrior’s toolbox – it’ll work with 3G and legacy 2G (think GPRS) networks on either a CDMA or GSM network.
Gone are the days of having to choose between a high-speed wireless broadband solution that uses the CDMA-based EVDO standard or the GSM-based HSPA protocol. Qualcomm’s Gobi chip gives the mobile warrior the freedom to use whichever network fits them best, or even use both networks if they so choose. But, it doesn’t stop there. Gobi brings GPS functionality to the mobile-table and offers location-based services independant of the wireless data connection. Unfortunately, Gobi isn’t packing any WiMAX support, so the newly minted 3G standard won’t be seeing any plating time on future Gobi-enabled laptops.
Notebook manufacturers and wireless carriers alike are getting on board and plan to offer Gobi-based wireless broadband solution in the near future. We’re looking for the first Qualcomm Gobi-enabled laptops to hit the market sometime in mid-2008 – that’s Q2 2008 for our more fiscally-minded readers.
[Via: Yahoo]