Just as Clearwire starts a service that can
run it
In a stunningly short sighted move, Nokia has decided to stop
making its WiMax tablet computer just as Clearwire launches its long awaited
WiMax data network in two cities. The move is quite surprising because Nokia's tablet is
the only machine that is on the market that can use the new network.
Nokia
spokeswoman Laurie Armstrong confirmed that the company has discontinued the
N810 Internet Tablet WiMax Edition on its Web site and she didn't say
why. However she did say that Nokia was still interested in WiMax, and by the
time WiMax networks are more widely deployed, "refreshed products with even
better performance will be required."
To make up for the shortfall,
manufacturers are rushing to make their laptops WiMax-capable, but for now the
only way to use Clearwire's "Clear" network is with plug-in modems.