Qualcomm has entered a new world of computing devices, using its chipsets, reference designs and software specifications for a small device it calls a Kayak PC Alternative.
The first Kayak device, which comes with embedded 3G access with W-CDMA/HSPA and CDMA2000 EV-DO, is being built by the Taiwanese manufacturer Inventec Corp.
The first units are expected to ship in the first quarter of 2009, according to Luis Pineda, senior vice president for marketing and product management for Qualcomm’s CDMA Technologies unit.
Kayak, likely about 4 inches by 6 inches in size, is aimed at emerging markets that don’t have wired broadband access. Qualcomm sees them being targeted for markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa and India. They could be sold through wireless operators, or through the manufacturer’s normal retail channels.
Pineda expects the first devices to be priced between $200 and $300 but operator subsidies could lower that.
The Kayaks won’t have screens but can be plugged into a TV or other external screen. The devices are designed for five sets of applications—Internet browsing, e-mail, messaging and chat, some infotainment like gaming and music, and some productivity tools. The latter would use software on the Internet and not stored on the device. The software on the device will be built around Qualcomm’s BREW platform.
Filed Under: Infrastructure
