WiMAX when?

We found it interesting that WiMAX was being touted here with Segways.  The two technologies have a lot in common.  When both of these products were announced, they were heralded in the press as ‘the second coming’ tech that would change the world.  Then, as delay after delay after delay hit, the hype wore down and reality set in. 

When the Segway was released, it had lost it’s ‘cool, world –  changing status’ and been relegated to Steve Wozniak geek toy.  We still see some around and now they have off-road models and such – but they aren’t changing the world.  They are doing things like giving police an excuse not to walk or ride bikes or horses. 

Is WiMAX doomed to a similar fate?  The mood around the technology certainly feels that way.  The hype has long since worn off and other mobile technologies seem to be coming up that could render it meaningless?  It is probably too early to tell. 

WiMAX still has a monster partner in Intel and the Internet has a way of leveling the playing field.  VoIP technologies pretty much make legacy telecom garbage a thing of the past.  Also, some help from the Google-Android platform could really help.   It wouldn’t hurt to see Apple jump into the game – almost everyone wants more competition in the wireless industry – even Apple.

Via Intel Blogs