Qualcomm unveiled its “Kayak PC” alternative that leverages 3G wireless broadband to bring Internet connectivity to markets where wired Internet access has often been difficult to access or unaffordable. Qualcomm believes the Kayak PC will fill the niche that exists between desktop PCs, which normally require landlines or separate accessories for connectivity, and Internet-capable wireless devices.
The Kayak PC alternative includes a reference design and recommended software specifications that will be made available to device manufacturers. The reference design uses Qualcomm’s dual-core Mobile Station Modem (MSM) MSM7xxx-series chipsets to provide both computing and connectivity. Key capabilities of devices based on the Kayak reference design will offer:
- a full-featured Web 2.0-capable browser from Opera Software able to perform at desktop resolutions
- Access via the browser to Web 2.0 productivity applications
- Support for both television sets and computer monitors to be used as displays and/or for a built-in display
- Compatibility with a standard keyboard and mouse for input
- Music player and/or a 3D gaming console functionality
Taiwan-based Inventec plans to rollout a Kayak PC alternative and initiate user trials during the first quarter of 2009 in Southeast Asia on both CDMA2000 and WCDMA (UMTS) networks.http://www.qualcomm.com
