Apple Job Listing Suggests Possible Plans to Add 3G Wireless to Macs?

[MacRumors]

Computerworld has discovered an Apple job posting for a "Communications QA Engineer" position within the Mac Hardware Group that mentions among its duties the testing of "3G Wireless WAN".

The Comms Software QA team within the Mac Hardware Group is seeking a motivated QA engineer to perform quality assurance testing for new Apple CPU Products.

Duties for this position include, but are not limited to:

- Testing and reporting hardware, software, and device driver bugs for Communications technologies including AirPort (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth v2.0, gigabit Ethernet, and/or 3G Wireless WAN in a detailed, timely manner.

While it is possible that the job duties described in the listing may be referring to testing of third-party 3G cards, there has been speculation that built-in 3G connectivity could make an appearance in future notebook revisions.

Article Link: Apple Job Listing Suggests Possible Plans to Add 3G Wireless to Macs?

[sbrhwkp3]

Not surprising really.

Quality assurance testing. Netbooks must be close.

[Macsterguy]

Good time to buy an iMac - Not a Macbook / macbook pro?

[TheSlush]

Originally Posted by sbrhwkp3

Any sort of netbook they're working on must be a lot further off than we thought.

Not necessarily. I'm sure Apple could have made plenty of progress on a 3G-connected tablet with their current personnel. Hiring someone specifically for this just means they intend to invest further in this area.

[Beric]

The problem is 3G is an additional cost beyond an ISP, and yet it's slower. Probably good for some, but I prefer to just connect to a LAN.

[twoodcc]

yep. can't wait for that touchscreen netbook!

[Mykbibby]

Now the question is this... Verizon or AT&T? Or Both?

[talkingfuture]

Looks like the pieces are falling into place for some of the rumoured updates, be it simply adding 3g to current machines or a new, more portable device.

[TheIrishKro]

As long as it is not tied to a certain service I will like this.

[8CoreWhore]

It's a no brainer for laptops to include 3G chips inside.

[Peace]

Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore

It's a no brainer for laptops to include 3G chips inside.

With 4G rolling out I don't see this happening.

[str1f3]

How does this fit in for the MBP? They already have an ExpressCard slot for this. I'd rather they use the battery technology in the 17" to potentially double the battery life.

Why would I want the a card anyway when I could potentially tether the iphone and save $40/month. This has to be for another product otherwise it is wasting space and utterly useless.

[sbrhwkp3]

Originally Posted by str1f3

How does this fit in for the MBP? They already have an ExpressCard slot for this. I'd rather they use the battery technology in the 17" to potentially double the battery life.

Why would I want the a card anyway when I could potentially tether the iphone and save $40/month. This has to be for another product otherwise it is wasting space and utterly useless.

Teathering your phone ties your phone up.

I'd much rather have one account, and pay an extra 10 per month to have 3G or 4G on my laptop without teathering.

[skellener]

Better not be locked to AT&T.

[Le Big Mac]

Originally Posted by 8CoreWhore

It's a no brainer for laptops to include 3G chips inside.

Why is a USB dongle not superior? Yes, it can break off. But you can switch providers, whereas a 3G chip will work with either Verizon or AT&T, but not both.

[Le Big Mac]

Originally Posted by TheIrishKro

As long as it is not tied to a certain service I will like this.

How can it not be? It's going to be CDMA or GSM, so you're stuck right there.

[str1f3]

Originally Posted by sbrhwkp3

Teathering your phone ties your phone up.

I'd much rather have one account, and pay an extra 10 per month to have 3G or 4G on my laptop without teathering.

I'm not sure that necessarily happens under OS 3.0. It's still early in development. The cost of monthly card payment is $60/month. An iPhone would cost at least half that much.

Also, like I said before the MBP already has the ExpressCard slot that can use a wireless card and a lot more.

[The Samurai]

I think this would be a really good idea. No more messing about with dongles and I hope its free if your an iPhone customer.

I'm actually quite impressed with 02's 3G connectivity.

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by Peace

With 4G rolling out I don't see this happening.

4G roll out in the States is 12-18 months away.

This ``grouping'' of expected areas for work covers all areas in which the SQA department tests.

[DELLsFan]

Apple Netbook iPad - coming soon to an AT&T or Verizon store near you ...

Exciting stuff ... but ... not really for me. Stop distracting me, Apple! I'm trying to save my cash for a Mac Pro!!

[cswiger1]

couldn't this just mean testing the capabilities of a mb to teather with the iphone on 3g or any other sort of device not specificly built in?

[pika2000]

This is long overdue, especially for the Air. However, knowing how US wireless providers are, I'm afraid now we will see provider locked Apple laptops.

[skellener]

Originally Posted by The Samurai

....and I hope its free if your an iPhone customer.

Ahahahahahahaha! Yeah right - they'll just give it to you for free!!

[Peace]

Originally Posted by mdriftmeyer

4G roll out in the States is 12-18 months away.

This ``grouping'' of expected areas for work covers all areas in which the SQA department tests.

Verizon is rolling 4G out beginning 2010. Less that 8 months away.
Any laptop with 3G would be outdated by then.

[skellener]

Originally Posted by Peace

Verizon is rolling 4G out beginning 2010. Less that 8 months away.
Any laptop with 3G would be outdated by then.

Yeah because 4G will be up and running, on time, perfectly, no hiccups, no issues - ready to go day one!

3G will still be around for sometime afterwards. Expect 4G to have just as many growing pains as 3G did.