Source: Apple may build 3G wireless into future notebook model
Apple Inc.'s next big step into wireless may well be an integrated cellular broadband module, says one source -- but would have a unique spin on an established formula.
An unproven but seemingly credible source has told AppleInsider that a new wireless module is allegedly in the works for Apple that will deliver third-generation cellular Internet access in a future Mac notebook model.
Declining to provide company names due to the sensitive nature of the work, the industry source claims that Apple has asked for a PCI Express mini-card adapter that would be integrated within its portables and provide WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) connections without resorting to an external ExpressCard or USB modem.
This sort of integration is far from new to the industry. Dell, HP, and many other top-tier notebook PC makers regularly offer these internal adapters as a factory-installed part for some of their models, especially business systems. Unlike Wi-Fi, however, the cost -- which typically sits at $180 or higher -- discourages most builders from including the adapter by default. The Apple module would most likely fit that pattern and come only as an option, according to the source.
As is often the case with Apple, however, the implementation is said to be anything but standard.
Most internal 3G cards are installed near the logicboard for reasons of convenience and space. Not so with Apple, which is reportedly looking to install the 3G card inside the display lid. The unique position would be used to improve the card's overall performance by distancing it from the electromagnetic interference near the mainboard as well as lifting the receiver to a less obstructed position.
By doing this, Apple would improve the signal reception of the 3G card and (by extension) improve the transfer speeds, according to the source.
What's unclear from the report, however, is which networks Apple is looking to support. The source was unable to identifying whether or not Apple would produce a card for EVDO Internet access, which is supported by Sprint and Verizon in the US, or HSDPA, supported by AT&T and European carriers.
Apple already has a connection to AT&T's network through the agreements made for the iPhone, though neither company has revealed plans for Internet access beyond the handset's support for the slower 2.5G EDGE network. At the same time, the computer designer may have established the preliminary software groundwork for either AT&T or its rivals through the February WWAN update that added drivers for select EVDO and HSDPA external cards.
Also unclear was which systems would be the first to receive the 3G module. The contact shortlisted the MacBook Pro as a possible candidate, but declined to say whether the adapter would be ready in time for the near-future update. Then, of course, there's also that sub-notebook due out from the Cupertino-based Mac maker around year's-end.
If the source proves to be accurate, the add-on described to AppleInsider would give the company's notebooks greater equality with other pro-minded competitors, and potentially a slight advantage.
An unproven but seemingly credible source has told AppleInsider that a new wireless module is allegedly in the works for Apple that will deliver third-generation cellular Internet access in a future Mac notebook model.
Declining to provide company names due to the sensitive nature of the work, the industry source claims that Apple has asked for a PCI Express mini-card adapter that would be integrated within its portables and provide WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) connections without resorting to an external ExpressCard or USB modem.
This sort of integration is far from new to the industry. Dell, HP, and many other top-tier notebook PC makers regularly offer these internal adapters as a factory-installed part for some of their models, especially business systems. Unlike Wi-Fi, however, the cost -- which typically sits at $180 or higher -- discourages most builders from including the adapter by default. The Apple module would most likely fit that pattern and come only as an option, according to the source.
As is often the case with Apple, however, the implementation is said to be anything but standard.
Most internal 3G cards are installed near the logicboard for reasons of convenience and space. Not so with Apple, which is reportedly looking to install the 3G card inside the display lid. The unique position would be used to improve the card's overall performance by distancing it from the electromagnetic interference near the mainboard as well as lifting the receiver to a less obstructed position.
By doing this, Apple would improve the signal reception of the 3G card and (by extension) improve the transfer speeds, according to the source.
What's unclear from the report, however, is which networks Apple is looking to support. The source was unable to identifying whether or not Apple would produce a card for EVDO Internet access, which is supported by Sprint and Verizon in the US, or HSDPA, supported by AT&T and European carriers.
Apple already has a connection to AT&T's network through the agreements made for the iPhone, though neither company has revealed plans for Internet access beyond the handset's support for the slower 2.5G EDGE network. At the same time, the computer designer may have established the preliminary software groundwork for either AT&T or its rivals through the February WWAN update that added drivers for select EVDO and HSDPA external cards.
Also unclear was which systems would be the first to receive the 3G module. The contact shortlisted the MacBook Pro as a possible candidate, but declined to say whether the adapter would be ready in time for the near-future update. Then, of course, there's also that sub-notebook due out from the Cupertino-based Mac maker around year's-end.
If the source proves to be accurate, the add-on described to AppleInsider would give the company's notebooks greater equality with other pro-minded competitors, and potentially a slight advantage.
Comments
Cell phones will soon be moving away from 3G and towards Wi-Max.
"I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been."
Anyone who believes this report is foolish.
-Clive
No... Wrong.
Cell phones will soon be moving away from 3G and towards Wi-Max.
"I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been."
Anyone who believes this report is foolish.
-Clive
Except with Apple and mobile phone technology, they skate to where the puck was 2 years ago.
How come we'd rather believe an unproven source than an official spokesman?
Are you serious? Did you say that when "official spokesman" Steve Jobs said there would never be a Video iPod. Or when "official spokesman" Ari Fleischer said they have WMDs???
How come we'd rather believe an unproven source than an official spokesman?
The same reason people favor popular, unitelligent american consensus over authority in government: while the supreme know the whole story, the lesser wish to speculate on bits and pieces of information thrown from the media.
-=|Mgkwho
No... Wrong.
Cell phones will soon be moving away from 3G and towards Wi-Max.
"I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been."
Anyone who believes this report is foolish.
-Clive
Just like it's ridiculous to make a car that runs on gas/petrol now while everyone knows all cars will drive electrical in a couple of months and gas/petrol stations will all close soon.
It makes sense to tap into a big and growing existing market instead of betting on a market that may or may not start to evolve within 1 to 10 years.
WiMax sounds nice, but it has to exist first.
apple better not force you into a 2 year $40 or more a month data plan.
And why would they do that?
And just what makes you even think that they would do that?
And when have they evey made you do something like that?
..or HSDPA, supported by AT&T and European carriers.
That's the one, just do it.
Also unclear was which systems would be the first to receive the 3G module. The contact shortlisted the MacBook Pro as a possible candidate
Wow, that must have taken them years.. I mean, what a huge list they weeded that down from, not.
This whole wireless-anywhere out-of-the-box for notebooks is a long long long long.. time coming.
Just like it's ridiculous to make a car that runs on gas/petrol now while everyone knows all cars will drive electrical in a couple of months and gas/petrol stations will all close soon.
That doesn't make sense. Petrol cars will still be used for the next 10 years at least; probably 20-30. 3G technology has 5 at best. Things change a little quicker in the computer industry than in the automotive industry.
3G, globally, is more on the way out than it is on the way in (even though the same might not be true in America). Besides, enabling it in a laptop would be pointless. Who on earth is going to want to pay phone companies an arm and a leg on a data-plan when they can go to the nearest coffee shop and surf for free? Enough places in the US have free Wi-Fi to render 3G-enabled laptops utterly useless.
-Clive
When you say 3G, are we meant to assume GSM 3G?
If Apple is smart, they should make available cards for both 3G GSM (HSPDA/UMTS) and 3G CDMA (EVDO).
While '3G GSM' is a lot more popular overseas, in the US it's a different story. Both Sprint and Verizon have significant EVDO (3G CDMA) networks, while ATT is the only real '3G GSM' network here (as T-Mobile does not have 3G in the US yet). So, that's something like double the US customer base with access to EVDO over access to HSPDA.
Wi-Max is coming to Sprint as well, but it probably won't be widespread 'til 2009 or so.
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No... Wrong.
Cell phones will soon be moving away from 3G and towards Wi-Max.
Not that soon. Sprint's the only major US wireless carrier who seems to be seriously building a Wi-Max network, and that network prolly won't be widespread 'til 2009 or so.
Wi-Max has been a bit bogged down here, despite initial rosy projections, for a number of reasons.
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