Snapdragon-powered phone, netbook for Korea in 2009
updated 06:35 pm EDT, Mon June 22, 2009
Qualcomm netbook due in 09
Qualcomm has confirmed its Snapdragon-based smartphone and Smartbook netbook will launch in its home market of Korea later this year, according to a Monday Telecoms Korea report. The company is apparently engaged in talks with the country's local mobile operators to launch the products. The Smartbook will become available in the fall from Taiwanese companies, while the Snapdragon handset will come from a Korean phone maker late this year or early next year, said Qualcomm marketing director Jordan Lim.
Lim did not reveal which wireless providers Qualcomm is involved with, but did indicate subsidized pricing will be lower than that of Intel Atom-based netbooks.
Qualcomm expects to release 2.5 billion of its pocket devices by 2011, which includes a number of products combining elements of notebooks and cellphones. The company’s mobile devices will be split into smartphone-type models, although with larger LCD screens and longer battery life; and Smartbooks geared for mobile productivity with larger, high-resolution touchscreens.
Snapdragon-based MIDs will differ from Intel-powered devices as they will include 3G mobile broadband, a long-lasting battery and built-in GPS navigation functionality.
