“Apple should pull out the stops and release a 3G-enabled laptop for network operators panting to get their mitts on a MacBook with built in mobile broadband connectivity,” Tony Smith reports for Register Hardware.
“That’s what Strategy Analytics analyst Neil Mawston advised the Mac maker today. Why? Because ‘many operators in the US and Western Europe would jump at the chance to cross-sell a cellular MacBook to their installed base of iPhone users, in order to stimulate ARPU’ – average revenue per user,” Smith reports.
“‘Bigger-screen or smaller-screen laptops with integrated cellular radios are a logical next step for Apple – and others,’ he said. ‘Such form-factors are within Apple’s core competence and they could be quickly developed,'” Smith reports. “Such is the carriers’ fervour for 3G laptops that Mawston said he believes this will be Apple’s ‘next move.'”
“When it revamped its MacBook and MacBook Pro lines just a couple of weeks ago – not to mention simultaneously announcing a revised MacBook Air that’ll ship any day now – Apple didn’t say anything about cellular connectivity,” Smith reports. “But Macworld Expo is coming up in early January, and any Apple ‘next move’ is likely to be made then.”
Full article here.
[Attribution: MacWorld UK. Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Carl H.” for the heads up.]
I think this is a good idea. Build it into certain machines, most likely the Air, to further differentiate them. MacBook pros might use their card slots for the same thing. The market response could point the way to a tablet-like device.
“So, what irks me is when people believe or talk like Apple DOESN’T know what they’re doing.”
Of course they know what they are doing. But big companies DO make mistakes, and they DO miss out on opportunities. If Apple knew everything, they would not need a developer community.
An ultra-portable 8.9″ or 10.4″ Mac tablet with full OS X, bluetooth, wifi and 3G is the device I’m watching for. With a bluetooth headset there’s really no difference in how I would use its cell phone capabilities compared to an iPhone. Also, I could prop the device on a stand and use a bluetooth keyboard + mouse when necessary.
This would stupidly tie the laptop to a particular segment of the cell phone industry, and mainly line the pockets of the carriers, with no significant benefit for Apple.
From a customers POV, it would be far better to use BlueTooth or Wifi tethering (to the iPhone or some other cell phone), and make use of that “unlimited” data plan they have ALREADY PURCHASED, rather than signing up for a whole new plan solely for the laptop. It’s not like the bits going to the laptop are any different from the bits going to the cell phone.
“From a customers POV, it would be far better to use BlueTooth or Wifi tethering (to the iPhone or some other cell phone)”
I agree Dave. An add-on 3G module via cardbus would also work I think.
HSDPA leading to LTE.
Hmm, isn’t this Intel’s dream with Mobile WiMax in every laptop?
Seems natural to me. Apple/AT&T;beats Intel over the head with HSDPA.
Apple puts Intel in their place with regards to wireless, just like they did with graphics and Nvidia.
While tethering could be useful, I don’t believe you can talk and be tethered at the same time. That disability for me rules the option out.