Windows Phone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

"Today Clear said in an interview with Phone Scoop that it does not expect any WiMax-equipped smartphones to hit the market until the very end of 2010. Clear believes that 2011 will see more WiMax phones become available. Clear would not say what hardware or software vendors it is pursuing to bring a smartphone to market..."

Clearwire, provider of the nation's first (and largest) WiMax wireless network announced that we may have to wait until late 2010-2011 before we see WiMax enabled smartphones hit the market that work with their 4G network. Currently, Clearwire is still focusing on improving its service for notebook & desktop PCs.

Although no manufacturers have officially announced availability of Clearwire compatible smartphones, I suspect that HTC and/or Samsung will be the first to the plate since they have already developed WiMax-enabled devices like the HTC Max 4G smartphone and Samsung Mondi mobile internet device. Since Clearwire's WiMax service is data-only, this leaves the option for a VOIP app that can be installed on some existing smartphones, or a dual-mode option that allows WiMax and support for another voice carrier's network. Since Sprint owns a majority of Clearwire, they will more than likely be the first U.S. carrier to offer a dual WiMax/CDMA compatible smartphone.

Samsung's M8400 features WM6.5, a 3.7in AMOLED screen, WiMAX, DVBT and a 5MP AF camera. Given that configuration and the size, it looks to me more like an updated OMNIA II variant for the Korean market, which also implies we're unlikely to see it outside of Korea. Still it's nice to see Samsung isn't standing pat.

"Dieter got his hands on the WiMAX-enabled Samsung Mondi back at CTIA in April and was less than impressed. Samsung decided to release the device anyway, and it comes alongside the launch of WiMAX service in Las Vegas. Sammy says the 4G Mondi will be available in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Portland, Ore. - three of the initial WiMAX launch cities - starting Aug. 1 for an undisclosed sum."

If, unlike Dieter, you're still interested in the Samsung Mondi, you'll be able to pick one up starting August 1 for some probably-not-so-cheap amount of money. Oh, and you can really only use it to it's full potential in a few markets (Even fewer than T-Mobile 3G!). But if you want it, you can soon have it.