I’m writing this, my first post in my new little corner of the Internet, from a location without reliable wireless. Particularly, I’m writing from Jefferson College in Hillsboro, MO, a junior college that is a far cry from the giant lectures and endless hikes across campus I’m used to. All things considered, you would think wireless would be a bare necessity in this day-and-age, especially for a college, regardless of size. This simply isn’t the case and I’m stuck waiting to get home before I can post this.
Naturally, I can still go online and stay connected via my iPhone. Why? It has 3G of course, a service that is quickly becoming the norm for more and more people, even if it is limited to cell phones and those who can afford the mobile wireless hot spots.
Naturally, I can still go online and stay connected via my iPhone. Why? It has 3G of course, a service that is quickly becoming the norm for more and more people, even if it is limited to cell phones and those who can afford the mobile wireless hot spots.
However, everyday there’s new tech that enables us to move further from our desks while still remaining productive. Obviously one of the most exciting prospects that has exploded in popularity and rumors is the infamous Apple tablet. Whether it will be called the “iSlate” or something else, this new device is poised to change the rules.
With the prospect of the tablet having 3G, it makes it all the more exciting to consider the possibilities. Granted, 3G has been around for some time; it generally is limited to our cell phones (unless you use the Google Nexus 1, bummer), mobile hotspots, or 3G plug-in cards.
The problem with these isn’t found in the speed or reliability of the service, but in the price. With 3G cell phone service being much higher than the regular service and mobile hotspot service having a similar, high monthly fee in addition to purchasing the router itself.
(Credit: James Martin/CNET)
I feel like this is an area that the Apple tablet will be very helpful in, driving down the cost of 3G coverage and use. Before you call me crazy and say that Apple makes some of the most overpriced shiny toys available, think about the consequences of the new device.
It has already been reported that the tablet will be a 3G device similar to the iPhone only larger and with a fuller featured version of Mac OS X. What we will see once this device is introduced is an initial bevo of copy cats and “me too” devices similar to what happened with the iPhone when everyone wanted a touchscreen, no matter how crappy.
Once the initial excitement dies down, people will realize how great it is to be able to use 3G coverage to do more than just look up sports scores on a cell phone, and companies will respond. All of the new technology and innovation when it comes to how 3G will be used will work to bring down the currently high prices of 3G coverage to levels comparable with the Wi-Fi prices we saw a few years ago.
This is not to say that 3G will be the successor to Wi-Fi, as it still can not stand up to a solid broadband connection in terms of speed; but it will push the bar as to what we expect our devices to be capable of in terms of accessing our online lives.
So, wait and see what happens on January 27, when the Apple Tablet is set to meet the public. There will be cheers, there will be jeers, but above all there will be progress.
It has already been reported that the tablet will be a 3G device similar to the iPhone only larger and with a fuller featured version of Mac OS X. What we will see once this device is introduced is an initial bevo of copy cats and “me too” devices similar to what happened with the iPhone when everyone wanted a touchscreen, no matter how crappy.
Once the initial excitement dies down, people will realize how great it is to be able to use 3G coverage to do more than just look up sports scores on a cell phone, and companies will respond. All of the new technology and innovation when it comes to how 3G will be used will work to bring down the currently high prices of 3G coverage to levels comparable with the Wi-Fi prices we saw a few years ago.
This is not to say that 3G will be the successor to Wi-Fi, as it still can not stand up to a solid broadband connection in terms of speed; but it will push the bar as to what we expect our devices to be capable of in terms of accessing our online lives.
So, wait and see what happens on January 27, when the Apple Tablet is set to meet the public. There will be cheers, there will be jeers, but above all there will be progress.
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