Sony is launching 3G-enabled Playstation Vita. In U.S, the gaming console will work on AT&T Mobile Broadband Network. 3G connectivity will enable real-time scores, news feeds, multiplayer game sessions, cross-game text messaging etc.
There are 2 service plans available – 250 MB/month for $14.00 3 GB/month for $30. Nikkei Electronics has a teardown report of PS Vita. It uses a PCIe 3G module for WWAN connectivity.
Telit’s H24 3G module and H24 2G module will be used in AIA’s Pioneer and GoFer product lines. AIA enables real-time monitoring of a wide range of mobile and fixed industrial assets, such as gas lines, irrigation systems, chemical tanks and automotive fleets.
Telit’s G24 modules are ultra-compact, providing 2G quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity. The H24 module line offers high-speed HSUPA/HSDPA connections, taking advantage of global 3.5G deployment while still leveraging backwards compatibility by supporting quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE.
ABI research has published a teardown report for Samsung Nexus. It uses Samsung’s 4G LTE baseband chipset and Via Telecom’s EVDO Rev A baseband chipset. ABI observes that the new Samsung chipset costs nearly half as much the prior chip. a chip-on-bard solution instead of 4G LTE module optimizes the size of the device.
RACOM is launching 3G router targeted for SCADA applications.M!DGE router can operate on GRPS, EDGE and HSDPA networks and works on harsh industrial enviornments. This router can also be used as 3G failover for fixed line. It supports a max data rate of 7.2 Mbps downlink and 5.76 Mpbs uplink. Here is link for theM!DGE specs.
iTWire is reporting that Telstra will launch Cisco’s Cius tablet with 4G LTE capability in few months. Cius’s spec shows HSPA+ capability right now,
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/voicesw/ps6789/ps7290/ps11156/data_sheet_c78-609507.html
Cius could use off-the-shelf 4G LTE modules to add LTE capability.
Sprint is launching a ZTE Optik, a 3G tablet for less than $100. Optik uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chip MSM8660 that will operate on Sprint’s EV-Do Rev.A network. Many tablet OEMs are using Snapdragon chipset instead of a separate 3G module.
Rogers Communications, a Canadian carrier will soon be launching Sierra Wireless’s Aircard 330U, an LTE USB device and Aircard 763S, an LTE mobile hotspt. These devices will be operating on both 1700/2100 MHz and teh 2600 MHz frequecy bands on Roger’s LTE network.
Qualcomm and Ericsson has demonstrated the voice call handover from LTE to 3G network. This functionality is the 3GPP standard called Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC). When the users move out of a LTE coverage, the call will be automatically handed over to WCDMA or GSM network during the call.
MetroPCS is offering unlimited plan for 4G LTE devices.The new plan costs $40 and does not require any contract. The 3 phones that are available are Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G, the Samsung Galaxy Indulge and the LG Esteem. Based on speed tests by PCMag, MetroPCS average LTE download speed in 1.62 Mbps and average LTE upload spped is 1.07 Mpbps.
Bloomberg has reported that iPad 3 will have 4G LTE support which would enable faster network speeds on the next generation devices. Verizon and AT&T has been expanding 4G LTE network coverage and Sprint is rumoured to launch 4G LTE services as well. iPad2 had in-built 3G module based on Qualcomm chipset, so it is very likely that iPad3 will also have a 4G LTE module based on Qualcomm’s MDM 9×00 chipset.