ASOCS unveils MP100 Multicomm processor -- add LTE or mobile WiMax via software update

Remember how the BlackBerry Thunder (RIM's rumored touchscreen device) was said to possibly come LTE-ready? An eye-brow raiser for sure since the US networks won't deploy LTE until 2010. Nevertheless, here's how it could be done. ASOCS and Fujitsu just announced what they are calling the "world's first wireless Multicomm processor." The system-on-chip can run up to three wireless air interfaces such as GSM/EDGE/GPRS, WiFi, HD Mobile Digital TV, and GPS concurrently. Better yet, device manufacturers "using ASOCS ModemX technology can ship a single-chip mainstream MultiComms baseband solution in parallel with LTE development and later add LTE as a low-risk software upgrade." Get that? LTE or pretty much any other wireless service added via software update. Hot damn!

[Via Thumb Report]

[James @ May 19th 2008 6:20AM]

This sounds almost revolutionary - if I gathered correctly, you can add new virtual hardware via a software update?

[w00t @ May 19th 2008 6:25AM]

Software upgradeable radios ey?
Sounds absolutely fantastic but I wonder how many manufacturers will want to implement this, and offer new technologies when available?

I mean, there goes an excuse for customers to buy a totally new device!

[Sheldon @ May 19th 2008 6:58AM]

"Software upgradeable radios"
Close, try "Software Defined Radio" (SDR). Concepts and examples have been around for a while but nothing major in use within the consumer space as far as I am aware.

The biggest problem is what happens if the SDR used within a phone gets hacked: every phone has the potential to become a white noise generator and block any other mobile phone within (power) range of that hacked SDR phone!

[icebox @ May 19th 2008 6:40AM]

not that any device that is more then one year old *ever gets* software updates - especialy if it introduces new features. Look at nokia - the e50 - e61 etc range of devices suport all features of the n95 do we have them? NEVER. Why have on demand paging internet radio and so on when you can buy a new phone for it ...

[Kurian @ May 19th 2008 6:58AM]

They should also make the clock speed changeable, so that when the earth freezes over, the lower room/cave temperature will allow us to get a stable 100% OC.

[Nick @ May 19th 2008 7:26AM]

Interesting that they're, for graphical purposes, a mobile device that was released 4 freaking years ago. Chip or not, that K700i can only dream of getting the LTE treatment via Software Updates!

[iSpork @ May 19th 2008 7:29AM]

*using

[Frankenstein Black @ May 19th 2008 11:50AM]

Oh fiddle sticks and boulder dash! IF, SDRs (Software Defined Radios) show up in devices it won’t be until at least “5G”! From a Mobile Op and Hardware MFR perspective it’s currently “not securable enough” (yea, right). Besides, where in a Cap/Corp fascist world do you find an industry willing to knowingly commit seppuku? SDR implementation is just not profitable right now. And if you are just waking up, WELCOME TO FERENGINAR!!

[nikster @ May 20th 2008 1:36AM]

cool stuff

[GSFR.COM @ Aug 13th 2008 7:30AM]

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