A new study from ABI Research suggests that digital cameras, media players and portable game devices are increasingly offering direct mobile broadband connections to the internet.

"However, the 3G market is fragmented. There is EV-DO and there is HSPA, and different carriers are using different frequencies in different regions of the world.

"Such fragmentation represents a significant challenge. In addition, such devices must compete against smartphones that increasingly include similar functions."

Solis added that the first products have already appeared, all from South Korea. Two portable video players - Digital Cube's iStationNetforce and Cowon's Q5 - offer 3G connections through add-on HSDPA modules.

The 7.2-megapixel device also shoots video, reads e-books, receives T-DMB television, plays MP3s and video, and allows the user to send or download photos and videos.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform and Freescale's Mobile Extreme Convergence platform will help enable cellular-based devices, and a wide ecosystem of WiMax semiconductor vendors will enable devices with embedded WiMax.

"It is an IP-based network with simpler architecture and better connection to the internet. Sprint, with its commitment to WiMax, will promote such devices heavily, helping US markets keep up with Korea and Japan in the process."

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