Samsung does WiMax PC-cum-phone-cum-media player

Three-way device unleashed

Samsung has jumped on the WiMax and convergence bandwagons with the announcement of a phone-cum-media-player-cum-mini-PC that's compatible with the long-range wireless broadband technology.

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The device, known as the SPH-P9000, will work with mobile WiMax standards, as well as CDMA 1x EVDO, the 3G standard for mobile communications used in the US and parts of Asia. According to Samsung, the device will use EVDO for mobile voice communications and WiMax for internet applications.

Along with traditional mobile functionality and a 1.3 megapixel camera, the SPH-P9000 sports a few PC-style features, including a fold out Qwerty keyboard and a 30GB hard drive, and runs Windows XP as its operating system.

Samsung has previously been experimenting with hardware convergence with ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs), the lightweight devices championed by Bill Gates. The company showcased its first UMPC at trade show Cebit earlier this year.

The Samsung WiMax device will be available in its home territory of South Korea in the first half of 2007.