Photos courtesy of Samsung and CTV

Samsung has jumped on the WiMax and convergence bandwagons and unveiled at the recent Mobile Wimax Summit a phone/media player/mini computer that is compatible with the long-range wireless broadband technology. The device sports a unique three-way folding, and according to the company, is the world's first WiMax device that doubles as a mobile phone.

The SPH-P9000 will work with mobile WiMax standards, as well as CDMA 1x EVDO, the 3G standard for mobile communications used in the US as well as parts of Asia. According to Samsung, the device will use WiMax for internet applications and EVDO for mobile voice communications.

Along with traditional mobile functionality and a 1.3 megapixel camera, the SPH-P9000 sports a few PC-style features, including a fold out Qwerty keyboard and a 30GB hard drive, and runs Windows XP as its operating system. The device measuring 143 x 92 x 29.7 mm and weighing 560g, includes functions such as MP3 player, and VOD (Video on Demand) which will offer users quick access to multimedia entertainment. It runs the full version of the Microsoft Windows XP OS, and also supports the CDMA mobile phone communications standard.

The Samsung WiMax device will be available in its home territory of South Korea in the first half of 2007 though the company has not yet disclosed the pricing.