Slashdot Mirror
Macs With 3G — More Connectivity, More Problems
narramissic writes "In a recent blog post, Josh Fruhlinger muses on the possibility of 3G radio receivers turning up in future Mac notebooks (as foretold by Apple job postings and the mention of WWAN hardware in Snow Leopard beta releases). 'At first glance,' says Fruhlinger, 'this seems like a reasonably awesome idea.' But will the target market be willing to take on the additional telecom charge? 'And, more to the point,' he says, 'most of us have gotten accustomed to the idea of one Internet connection per household, shared with a wireless router. The latter idea could be covered by a router that connects to the Internet over a 3G connection — something like the MiFi hotspot. It wouldn't surprise me if Apple had such a thing in the pipeline, an Airport station (Airport Mobility?) that didn't need to be plugged into the wall. That would explain the search for 3G experts, anyway.'"
Why, that's a nice gift horse, mind if I take a look at it's teeth?
Laptops with 3G aren't new, but now that Apple is (maybe) planning on adding a 3G capable radio chipset (to add to the bluetooth and wifi 2.4/5GHz radio chipset), it's just bringing "more problems"?
Well, if you don't want to use it, that's fine, but I would be happy with a laptop which is able to talk to the world outwith the confines of my home or work wifi networks.
Can someone tell me what the hell's wrong with Slashdot's front page? I want my low-bandwidth, dialup-friendly version back but despite changing my preference multiple times, I'm getting some frakked-up yellow-and-white monstrosity.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
Y'know, it's helpful to know that accessing the RSS feed takes away most of the reason to subscribe. Except if you really want "first post." Probably not helpful the way VA^WSourceForge would like, though.
"most of us have gotten accustomed to the idea of one Internet connection per household" - why does this sound familliar?
The submission makes it sound as if there's some big mystery about adding 3G to a laptop that Apple has to solve. But there are other laptop makers out there besides Apple, and almost all of them have been putting 3G in their notebooks for years now. This is a feature that Apple is just behind on, and especially if they want to keep *any* semblance of a business market (and designers and photographers run businesses too - and a lot of them are freelance, working outside), then it's something they really need to catch up on.
It's a big and obvious mistake to suggest that 3G connectivity is meant to replace wi-fi. 3G connectivity is meant to replace, well, not having any connectivity. Laptops are meant to be portable, and they can go lots of places where wi-fi doesn't exist.
I can't believe I actually even have to explain this.
I think many people are not aware that some ASUS EeePC netbooks already have an HSPA modem (a.k.a. 3.75G) builtin.
E.g. the model 901 GO sold in Italy or in Germany. They're pretty awesome, you can find them on Ebay and at least the Italian ones were sold by the operator TIM, but they are not locked in any way.
There's a hidden treasure in Python 3.x: __prepare__()
"It wouldn't surprise me if Apple had such a thing in the pipeline, an Airport station (Airport Mobility?) that didn't need to be plugged into the wall."
Surely there is no point (yet) in using 3G in a household? Especially due to the (much) higher connectivity cost - the only real reason to use it at the moment is on-the-go, which renders an additional device redundant if it's built into the machine. I'll be surprised if such a peripheral is introduced (this year/soon)
I have a Dell XPS notebook with built-in 3G card. I also run it on wireless and even connect the ethernet port from time to time. I use the 3G modem when I'm in a train to/from work, waiting at the station, attending meetings, conferences or when I'm on vacation. Of course the data plan costs extra, but being able to connect at all times is really, really convenient. I can even share out the internet connection effectively letting my notebook act as an access point.
Summary makes it sound like this is exclusive or that there isn't a market for it. Of course there is. Having broadband/fiber connectivity in your home does not mean that don't need on-the-road connectivity as well.
Reading slashdot one-liner: (irm http://rss.slashdot.org/Slashdot/slashdot).rdf.item | fl title,desc*
is no longer the trend here in Asia, at least in HK, Japan and S. Korea where we have cheap, unlimited internet connection over 3G from the PC or Notebook, mostly via HSDPA (7.2/14.4 Downlink, see Smartone-Vodafone), HSPA+ (21Mbps downlink, see HK CSL)
Naturally, it would be much more convenient if this is built-in.
In fact, many netbooks are already has HSPA modem built-in, and some are already working at 21Mbps speed, such as this one.
--
if they brought back the McRib. can anyone tell me why it was discontinued? it was a popular item. Seriously, since they've cancelled it my life feels like I'm just going through motions, nothing makes me really happy and nothing makes me really sad.
But will the target market be willing to take on the additional telecom charge?
Well, plenty of laptop computers have built in 3G modems, but inserting a SIM card and using the 3G connection is optional. And it's not like they found it hard to get people to buy the iPhone, even though there was a telecom charge involved.
'most of us have gotten accustomed to the idea of one Internet connection per household, shared with a wireless router. [...] It wouldn't surprise me if Apple had such a thing in the pipeline, an Airport station (Airport Mobility?) that didn't need to be plugged into the wall.
I think most people accustomed to one internet connection shared with a router already have a wired internet connection. Given that a 3G connection costs more per megabyte, and may be less reliable, I don't think many people accustomed to wired internet would switch to a 3G connection for their home internet connection.
Now, people who travel around with a laptop, I can understand. But why would such a person choose a 'personal hotspot' with its size, and its own battery in need of charging, when they could have the 3G modem built into their laptop?
Granted, there might be a market where groups of people were travelling for business, or for individuals who preferred WiFi to USB or Bluetooth as a means of connecting to a modem, but if I was Apple a laptop with a 3G modem in it would be a much more logical thing to release than what's being proposed here.
"Goodness me, how unlike the FBI to abuse the trust of the American public." -- The Onion
Apple has done it allready with the iPhone nearly 3 years ago!
My iPhone 3G prefers the available and configured WiFi connections at home and at work and falls back to 3G everywhere else.
I'm wondering why it took them so long to add this to their laptop range... it would be very useful to have connectivity everywhere.
In europe most 3G network operators have been oferring subsidised laptops (mostly 3G enabled netbooks from dell, hp etc) with 3G data contracts for over a year now.
Unfortunately said contracts usually come with low data caps (like 5 or 10GB) but the point of 3G is to complement WiFi access and not replace it -- meaning that they provide the reassurance that you will be connected anywhere, anytime, but you should plan to download gigs of stuff while on a WiFi network instead.
When would they "cell phone companies" be willing to allow unlimited data usage? Many of us, (I'm quite certain in this Slashdot community are included) use mounds and mounds of data... Torrents, browsing, downloading, serving, etc. And every current 3g 'modem' that exists has a 5 gig or so cap. Are they now willing to break that barrier? Christ, we can't even get Slingbox to clear as an iPhone app because AT&T is afraid of the fragility of their network....
Just a thought, a playful thought....
-BMP
most of us have gotten accustomed to the idea of one Internet connection per household, shared with a wireless router.
Yes, and so what?
You may not have noticed if you've been living under the rock these past few years, but Apple's biggest success is in the notebook market. The MacBook Pro was even lauded as "the best windows notebook on the market today" when it came out.
If you have a notebook, it makes a lot of sense to have a 3G connection built-in. Those USB dongles are a pain, and as with most additional stuff, you just want less of it to lug around all the time. That's for when you are away from home, you know?
As for the "3G router" - in some areas that would indeed be a market (some of Scandinavia has better wireless than wired connections, as does much of Africa) but it would very likely not be a new product, but more of an additional option for the Airport Extreme.
As for "additional telco costs" - bullshit with cream. Just because you have the hardware built-in doesn't mean you have to have a contract. When you buy an UMTS package today, they'll gladly sell you additional hardware (those USB dongles, etc.) but you can already buy both hardware and contract alone.
Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
Well, 3G netbooks are pretty common and you can indeed buy some tele plans with a netbook for free. Oddly enough, often ones without a 3G modem. I on the other hand bought my acer one with 3G just from a shop for 259 euro.
So what exactly is the problem? Only an idiotic laptop company is going to make their new laptop exclusive to a telecom. Phones, yes, they need a telecom. PC's don't.
MMO Quests are like orgasms:
You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.
I already can create a "MiFi" hotspot wherever I go with the G1 adhoc wifi tethering application.
12" netbook with multi-touch display, Full OS X, MBP Power. wifi + 3G would be great. I always have my laptop with me anyway and with blue tooth hands free my phone would just 'work'
Now I hope and pray that I will But today I am still, just a bill
So long as the contracts are not compulsory I have no problem with apple providing the "option".
However, if they tack this on like the iphone, any malfunction could end up saddling me with massive bills from nowhere.
A lot of college students buy macs, including the professional lines. Exposing them to the potential of nasty, unexpected bills could alienate that sector, and in so doing create a whole new generation of "i only use windows" robots.
VLC FOR MAC IS DYING! IF YOU DEVELOP, PLEASE SAVE IT!!
Pay attention - If you really do end up putting 3G chips in the Mac, please let people choose which cell phone company they want to sell their soul to. I have a nagging feeling Apple will again do the tie-up thing and force people to use the carrier they can make money from. And god forbid if that is AT&T the whole thing is just useless for many people like me who when on ATT 3G get speeds equal to T-Mo Edge and then a move a few miles out of town means not even getting a reliable Edge connection on ATT network. It would be most useful if they went with something like the Gobi.
I use the "old-school" UI, and didn't know there was a WYSIWYG editor. Fortunately, the "ol" tag works, so marking up your own text is still the better option imo (less strain, too, not having to keep reaching for a mouse or touch pad).
Further off topic to whomever moderated my parent and gp OT. I know those comments were off the subject of this story. The gp made that clear by putting "OT" in the subject line. The author also gave a concise summary of the content of his comment, so people who could actually address his question - like my parent - could take the time to read it and respond.
If the gp had simply replied to the same "Why, that's a nice gift horse" thread as everyone else, modding him OT would have been appropriate. But he didn't. He started his own thread, labelled clearly and asked his question. There is nowhere else to post a question that many slashdotters are likely to see, unless you're in the habit of reading journals (I'm not). From the looks of things he got some advice that may also be helpful to others who are having trouble with the UI.
Modding him and my parent OT
These types of moderations used to be addressed with meta-moderation, but unfortunately, that's another off topic rant about a UI that has devolved into an unuseable state.
I don't care why you're posting AC
Srsly, Front page of slashdot for wild speculation about recent Apple job postings? You'd think after decades of this game of predicting what Apple is going to do, largely by wide eyed fanatics would have become dull and old :(
How about we just wait and see so no one gets there hopes up about this pure speculation.
I KUT J00 M4NG!!!
(less strain, too, not having to keep reaching for a mouse or touch pad).
Where the hell do you keep your mouse or touchpad that you need to strain to reach it? If you keep it next to your keyboard it's a lot easier to use.
Your point was horrible until the insults. That's when I realized you've thought through these issues rationally and became convinced you are correct.
Given that Kindle's Whispernet is already doing this, and that it would distinguish Apple notebooks from the better priced PC variety, and that an Apple tablet is rumored to be in the works which would give Kindle a run for its money, and iPhones already talk to 3G networks, it makes sense to do it in the notebooks and the tablet.
"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
Surely there is no point (yet) in using 3G in a household? Especially due to the (much) higher connectivity cost - the only real reason to use it at the moment is on-the-go, which renders an additional device redundant if it's built into the machine. I'll be surprised if such a peripheral is introduced (this year/soon)
Well, at the price cell phone companies charge for data in some countries, I am not sure I would want 3G data. On the other hand if they reduced the cost, then I might be interested in this. Something else that would be interesting is if we saw the development of wi-fi mesh networks. Sure there are some issues to be worked out, but if the service providers helped out in the solution, then it could be interesting.
Jumpstart the tartan drive.
er... maybe he is....
Pity it's too late for a 3G G3....
Media that can be recorded and distributed can be recorded and distributed.
-kfg
AT&T does not advertise a "UNLIMITED" data connect plan for their aircard services. Sorry, but your just spreading old tales that do not currently exist. It's 5GB of data use, plain & simple, for $60 dollars a month.
Your probably one of those dumb customers who was sweet talked by some kid who said "Unlimited" but did not read the contract that he told you to simply sign away.
I got a 3 year old Fujitsu Laptop with an integrated 3g chip. No problems here whatsoever. Most laptops have it for years as an optional feature, so what's the news here? Apple came on late. I don't get how we keep talking about apple over and over about features implemented in other brands way before.
Having 3G hardware does not mean you actually have to get a data plan and use it.
3G has become cheap enough to consider it as a standard feature that could be built into every mobile computer.
Computers, especially mobile ones, have always had built-in hardware features not everyone would use: analogue modems, Bluetooth, WLAN, (wired) Ethernet, parallel printer ports, Firewire, webcams, PCMCIA/PC Card/ExpressCard, VGA/DVI ports...
It still makes economically sense to include these features: It would be more expensive to have them as an option and many people prefer to have them "just in case".
he's the comics curmudgeon