Like in Microsoft's case with their Zune the most important criteria for the early launch was very early time to market and not to make a great-looking bestselling device. I cannot imagine that the SPH-P9000 will be any better than its horrible name: a market flop. But it will be remembered as the first one with WiMAX mobile built in and will also leave endless room for Samsung and many others to improve this device.

Two further pieces of news last week - announcements that WiMAX will be installed in both Iraq (by Redline Communications) and in Lebanon (by Alcatel). No doubt these are excellent places where fast, lower cost and flexible deployments are prime criteria and favour WiMAX over anything else wired or wireless.