Nokia N900

[Aninhumer]

I've definitely seen USB 3G modems offered in the UK.

http://threestore.three.co.uk/broadband/
http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband/data-devices

Admittedly they likely have proprietary drivers so using them with the Pandora might not be possible.
Although they have been marketed at netbook users, so linux drivers might at least exist (although probably x86 binaries).

However I don't think these devices support phone calls over the standard phone network, and VoIP services are probably against the terms of the contract, so they're not really the convergence devices people are talking about yet.
That said, personally I'd be happy carrying my old fashioned just-a-mobile-phone, and using one of these for the internet on the go.

 

[Nation.A.List]

I've definitely seen USB 3G modems offered in the UK.......
Admittedly they likely have proprietary drivers so using them with the Pandora might not be possible.
Although they have been marketed at netbook users, so linux drivers might at least exist (although probably x86 binaries)........

I have a Huawei E220 3G modem working on my SmartQ 7 MID (http://en.smartdevices.com.cn/Products/SmartQ7/200905/27-3.html) which runs on an ARM processor using the 'Gnome Dialup' App with a modified gnome-ppp.conf file

 

[gruso]

Huawei E220 and E160 modems have been tested on Pandora hardware: http://openpandora.wordpress.com/2009/02/13/mobile-broadband-a-confirmed-yes/

DJWillis was hoping for these to be pretty much plug-and-play in the final Pandora. I must say, I've found my E220 easier to get going in Linux than in Windows.

 

[Exophase]

Geez, this thing is quite a bit cheaper than the premium you pay buying an unlocked phone over a device that can do everything the convergence one can except the phone capability. ... and possibly lacking phone friendly form factor.

I imagine a design made to fit well against the Pandora casing (or some other device, I guess) would be even more attractive.

 

[Aninhumer]

Geez, this thing is quite a bit cheaper than the premium you pay buying an unlocked phone over a device that can do everything the convergence one can except the phone capability. ... and possibly lacking phone friendly form factor.

That was a confusing sentence, I had to convert it to MATHS to follow it maybe I'm just tired.

E220 < unlocked phone - Pandora

or better:

Pandora + E220 < Unlocked Phone

(pricewise)

 

[lulzfish]

Geez, this thing is quite a bit cheaper than the premium you pay buying an unlocked phone over a device that can do everything the convergence one can except the phone capability. ... and possibly lacking phone friendly form factor.

I didn't understand Aninhumer's version either, so I'll give it a shot.

THIS THING (N900) is cheaper than the PREMIUM (Unlocked phone - Pandora-like device)

...

So what you mean is, it's cheaper to buy a Pandora and an N900 than to ...
Wait, maybe "over" meant "divide"?
Unlocked phone / Pandora?

I suspect you mean:
N900 < (Pandora + Unlocked phone)

but, how does "over" and "premium" fit into this?
Maybe you should just write the prices down, and say, "LOOK AT THIS"

Also consider that I could theoretically save money by using the same unlocked phone for 10 years and replacing the Pandora 2 or 3 times, whereas you'd have to keep buying the phone every time you upgraded your UMPC hardware.