Who Wants A 3G Tablet? Not Me.
Apparently I’m an odd duck, as Thoughtfix’s reader survey reveals that quite a few N810 users would love to see a model with 3G built-in, rather than the upcoming WiMax edition. As is pointed out, 3G coverage is far more extensive than WiMax, and a tri-band chip would allow global usage, as well. However, I have to say that I think adding a SIM card slot (which is what I’d assume Nokia would use, given its current status on CDMA) would be a horrid idea in real life usage, for a couple of reasons:
1. Now I need 2 active SIM cards - with a built-in SIM card slot, I’m going to want a 2nd active SIM, likely with unlimited data. I can pick one up from AT&T on prepaid for $20 a month, which is cheap, but it’s yet another monthly bill that I really don’t need.
2. It reverts the Internet Tablets to the cellphone-esque carrier barrier. If Nokia puts a SIM card slot in the N810, they lock me out of using EV-DO for high-speed data. It also opens the door for the Internet Tablets to be sold with a carrier subsidy, which historically means carrier branding, which is always a bad thing.
The current method of 3G data on the Internet Tablets – via Bluetooth – works tremendously well, can be used over HSDPA or EV-DO, and only requires one unlimited data plan (that of your mobile phone). It’s pretty simple thanks to the setup wizard on the Internet Tablets, as well.
Now, I realize that Nokia adding a SIM card slot wouldn’t involve the removal of the ability to tether over Bluetooth (or rather, wouldn’t require the removal), but it would surely require quite a bit of R&D resources to design a SIM slot for the Tablet, fit it into the casing, and work with the OS to support that feature. Personally, I’d *MUCH* rather see those resources be utilized for other features that need to be added to the Nokia Internet Tablets.
Stay tuned for a followup on the features that I believe those resources should be allocated towards.
Popularity: 68% [?]
Hear hear!
*Perhaps* there’s an option of this when step 5 of 5 is released and the Internet Tablets take over the world. But currently, they’re focussing on one device at a time; avoiding carrier subsidies and have *exactly* the right analysis for my usage of having a two device solution.
My next phone’s likely to be a Sony Ericsson W890i – as it’s even smaller and thinner than my current 3G phone.
BTW, outside of the US getting a second SIM card for such use with unlimited data is much more than $20 a month, AFAIK. I don’t want two mobile phone contracts: I want one. And, hopefully, if I can do a deal with Vodafone I’ll get their “unlimited” (i.e. 500MB) “mobile Internet” add-on for less than the $10 a month extra.
…or I could switch network again :-)
[BTW, your blog doesn't seem to be aggregated at planet.maemo.org...]
@Andrew – I’m glad you agree with me, I was expecting to get some flames. :)
Currently, Tablet-Guru isn’t aggregated at Planet Maemo for a few reasons:
1. I was actually going to shut the thing down until a few weeks ago
2. I can’t get an avatar to upload
3. The rule of ‘Writers specializing on end user topics are only accepted exceptionally: maemo.org is for developers and power users.’ gets me. I believe Tablet-Guru to be more of a mid-user target, certainly not developers or power users.
I’ll look into it a bit more, though, as obviously I’ve decided to continue on here.
You won’t get flames from me either. Devices that allow people to seek the network that is best that isn’t a cellular one get my vote.
If anything on the wireless side, the IT needs to make sure that connecting, switching connections, and using those connections for relevant applications are made easiest. Sure the apps are there (in some respects) but its not quite easy enough. That UX side of things will drive this opinion that cellular 3G isn’t needed.
I disagree with the analysis. There are many laptops on the market with built-in SIM slots for 3G access. I bought one and there was no subsidy and no carrier branding. (Well, there was a Windows app for “Easy connection” by Cingular and modem was netlocked to Cingular, but calling techsupport had the Netlock removed in no time.).
In Europe, you can usually get a “Twin” card or “Multi” card which is a second card with the same number/minutes/dataplan as your first card. Some providers provide them for free, some charge 5USD/month. But basically, there are easy ways around the “additional plan” problem. Often these Multicards are not advertised, but they are available. I now really wish my Tablet had a SIM slot 8-(. It just takes too much time to connect to the cell phone – on the phone, I am on the net in ~5 seconds. Via bluetooth on the Nokia it takes 10+ seconds before data flows. If you just want to look something up quickly, that’s kinda annoying.
Martin
Also in agreement here. The whole point of the IT, as I see it, is to be a companion device. Tethering works just fine and doesn’t cost me another 20+ bucks a month on my existing contract. I’d much rather see improvements and effort spent in other areas.
Also- would Nokia have to make a Euro 3G and an NAM variant- and on the latter would you be locked out of Tmobile if it’s an AT&T frequency only (or, rather unlikely, vice versa)?
This is all effort better spent elsewhere, IMO.
I’ll pass.
@Martin – The Twincard or Multicard would definitely solve the problem, though I can tell you for a fact they’re not available in the U.S., unfortunately. Otherwise, I’d *easily* have gotten one a while back.
I’m not saying it’d be horrid to have a SIM slot in the Tablets, I just believe that the resources required to put one in would be better used elsewhere. Thanks for chiming in, though. :)