Dell looks to answer mobile connectivity problems

The Texas PC manufacturer will include new Qualcomm chips that are mobile technology agnostic, allowing multiple options for connection..

Called Gobi, the technology was introduced last October. It allows for connection to both HSDPA and EV-DO, as well as legacy networks across both technologies from a single chip.

Dell aims to have the laptops out later this year, which follows Gobi's official release planned for the second quarter. Users with capable laptops will be able to switch between technologies easily.

Europe and much of the rest of the world use the GSM technology, while the US is one of the only large countries to have a major CDMA deployment.

The new functionality solves some of the problems business travelers may have abroad when mobile data transfer is a necessity. Currently, the person must carry a separate card for each, or a card for the technology that isn't already built into the laptop.

"The Gobi solution enables enterprise users and consumers with the freedom of being untethered from Wi-Fi hotspots and connecting to the Internet using 'almost anywhere' cellular broadband connectivity," Qualcomm CDMA product management chief Greg Raleigh said.

Gobi will be built into Latitude, Dell Precision, as well as consumer laptops, which seems to suggest Dell may be aiming to push mobile data onto the average consumer as well.

Until now, mobile data has been more of a business-oriented feature, but lately more consumers have been clamoring for connections outside of Wi-Fi hotspots.