(Associated Press via NewsEdge) Samsung Electronics showed off a three-way gadget that's a phone, PC, and music player tailored for an emerging wireless broadband technology.
The Mobile Intelligent Terminal was unveiled at a Samsung-sponsored industry conference on Mobile WiMAX, which is just coming into use and promises fast broadband connections over long distances.
The device weighs about a pound and contains a fold-out keyboard, 5-inch screen and 30 gigabyte hard drive. It runs the full version of Microsoft's Windows XP operating system and also supports the CDMA mobile phone communications standard, which is used in South Korea and other countries including the US.
Kim Hun-bae, Samsung VP for mobile research and development, told reporters that the gadget is the world's first WiMAX device that also works as a mobile phone. It also can access the Internet, make video phone calls and display television as well as other video.
The Suwon, South Korea-based company said it plans to launch the device in South Korea during the first half of 2007. Samsung didn't mention any plans for marketing the device in the U.S. and other markets. It also didn't provide a price.
WiMAX has been strongly backed by Samsung, which is cooperating with US companies Intel, Sprint Nextel, and Motorola to commercialize it in the US.
South Korea is the first country to commercialize WiMAX, which promises fast wireless broadband connections and mobile roaming. Limited trials of Mobile WiMAX are under way in South Korea, with plans to cover the capital, Seoul, by early next year.
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