Gobi Enabled WWAN and GPS

I was reading over the Panasonic website and I noticed that in third quarter of this year they will be changing how they do WWAN. No more deciding on Sprint, Verizon, Alltel or AT&T. It will all be done with Qualcomm's Gobi chip and you can decide which you want afterwards. It appears that Gobi includes GPS so I am wondering if the separate GPS option will change. Also, it indicated that it will be available on a 19, 30 and 52 so maybe retrofits will be available. Any info from the toughbook techs out there on this new change?

 

I don't know about this. That would mean that the money sucking thieves like Siearra won't get their money + that would mean that you could theoretically activate one CDMA card on ANY CDMA provider, which at this point isn't going to happen. Is this Gobi chip simply a chip that you add something else to depending on what provider you want? if so, how would that be different that what is in place now?

 

I heard that soon you will be able to activate branded cell phones on other networks as long as it supports the technology. Like Sprint (CDMA) can goto verizon (CDMA) and visa versa. Maybe the same thing will be happening with the mobile broadband cards.

That would be nice that way we can control the market a little better. That way they cannot exclusively have something and make way more than it is worth.

Since the cf-30 wwan cards fit in a cf-29 I would imagine that it would work out of the box but who knows.

-James

 

Here is the link for some info... Wireless 101 including Gobi

 

WOW, nice stuff!!.. shoulda provided that link in the origional post lol... i was more interested in this!!!!!:

Yes, Panasonic plans to enable the following new models in the coming year:

Toughbook F8
Toughbook T8
Toughbook W8

 

whats the F8????!!!

 

Even if the technology can do that, will the carriers support it?

That's the big circle that I'm running around trying to get EVDO Rev. A via Telus on my CF-29. Regardless of CDMA and compatibility, they will refuse to activate any device that did not originate from Telus. Doesn't matter if Bell uses the same model hardware, if the ESN is not in the Telus system then all you have is eWaste.

 

Canuckcam I hear that soon (no eta) that cell company's (verizon is the one i heard about) will start to activate other branded cells and modems on there network. I am not sure if Telus will be included but I know that here where I am Metro PCS is already doing it. You can bring in any CDMA phone and they will activate it on there network. From what I hear all the cell company's will follow soon. So hopefully it is true it will make it much better.

For now I know that you have to have that company's branded item to have it activated and they will not activate ESN's that are not there product.


-James

 

Here is a list of wireless partners with panasonic in Canada Canadian Telcoms Partners so maybe Telus will be allowed. There is a definite benefit to being able to have WWAN access be flexible and allowing easy change. The Telcoms don't have to subsidize it so they shouldn't care about it. They are already tested for compliance and certified with their networks.

 

LOL. They're still in back to the future mode... Bell and Telus with 1xRTT and EVDO Rev 0 (115kbps) .. and Rogers with GPRS? Both Bell and Telus are Rev.A in almost 90% of the network, and Rogers is HSDPA in most major cities.

Sounds right though, I got through to a data guy at Telus who knows about the Toughbooks, and says the only cards that they support with the Toughbooks is the Sierra Wireless MC 5625, which is a Rev 0 card.

 

I thought thats how it was, but I didn't wanna say anthing since i don't know much about it lol

 

Found this today from HP, check it out: http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/18/hps-rugged-elitebook-2730p-tablet-and-2530p-laptop-for-suits-an/, its got the gobi in it...

 

Gobi appears to be the latest, greatest thing in 3G. Lenovo, HP, Dell, Fujitsu as well as Panasonic will be using it. So it appears to be taking on wi-max and all those laptops will be getting internal GPS thrown in the mix. But Panasonic has some announcements coming up this week as well.

 

They never mention GPS in regards to the "tough" HP that was on Engadget though... I think the GPS is optional/add-in, which for Panasonic, that would be just the same as before because Panasonic is one of the VERY FEW company's that offer internal GPS.

 

The GPS is a feature of GOBI and they mention it in the Lenovo and the Dell laptops with that minicard. Maybe HP doesn't give that but if you notice, stand alone GPS is not offered on the configurator for the CF-30 or the CF-19 anymore.

 

Press releases indicate that Gobi has been certified for Verizon and AT&T 3G networks and soon Sprint. It will be available in October. The mention of new Toughbook models has been removed from the FAQ. I wonder what the F8 will be...

 

See here... http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/11/atandt-gives-thumbs-up-to-gobi-panasonic-packs-it-in-toughbooks/

I was also going through the CF-52 configurator and I saw that the CF-52's are now packin goby inside it

 

alright guys after a pnumonia hiatis im back...and am also a Gobi 1 Kanobi 'ist thing type person..anyways for now Gobi is major wirelss friendly, SPRINT, ALLTEL, VERIZON, AT&T. Sub carriers ie Metro PCS are involved in the Sprint Network and will support Gobi. My friends Gobi is the new way to total wirelss living and soon will be as common in laptops and our beloved TOUGHBOOKS as WiFi. For now i have a CF-29 and recntly contacted Pana about Gobi...GOOD NEWS...Pana WILL, WILL, (one more time) WILL, retro fit CF-29's with the new Gobi chip/card!!! But be prepared to fork up the $$$...expensive enough to say ouch but still cheaper than a CF-30!

 

Is Gobi = WiMAX? if not then WiMAX is better -- 4G network . May be the same price too. But you'll need the PCMCIA card or internal pc card, I think intel has them. I think its IEEE 802.16.

 

manik, did you get a quote on the Gobi for the 29? Does it include gps?

 

I thought that the sled from a cf-30 was the exact same as a cf-29?

If so then that is why the cf-29 will be supported. You could just by the gobi sled for the cf-30 and pop it in the cf-29 right?

I was and still am under the impression that they have the same connectors on the sled and are interchangeable.

-James

 

alright guys sorry busy week...ok so..Gobi...the final skinny...for now Gobi is availbe for the CF-30 beginning last week. This just hit the market and Pana is the first to crack at it, Dell and Hp will fallow shortly, Dell is about to launch a Gobi campaign to counter attack (finally) the Toughbook series of Pana. theirs is the same concept, mag allow case, shockers, heaters and such, their series is going to be the XPS somthing or another and is avaible in 2 color casings. Dell is off to a good start BUT hasent been able to as of yet conqure all that Toughbook has. For every upgrade on the XPS to making is fully rugged and as close to a Toughbook as possible their are other hardware sacrifices you must make. They have yet to do what pana has and offer all in one packages. Ne ways on to Gobi. Pana does not have access to individual sledding at this time. To be able todo this swap of sleds you will have to go through a reseller. The major resellers also have yet to recieve any access to the swappable sleds but they will be availble soon. Like towards the end of the year and crack of '09 which is just a few months away. Price = $500.00. Give or take. For now Pana and Dell are just trying to concentrate on their new products as they launch this Gobi campain and keeping their fingers crossed with it and that Vista doesnt hate it. (seeing as how vista hates anything wireless). They have takin Gobi to the prom, popped the cherry, but are still waiting waiting on that second time. As more details become avaible, because I love my CF-29 as do all of you, i will be updating this as much as possible.