Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 4

Hopefully somebody can fill me in a little more with what all the blue-connect will have to offer. From what I have read it seems as though it will only allow us to transfer and communicate wirelessly in a small area, am I wrong?? What I am really hoping for is a module that will do what the Palm VII is doing, wireless internet (sorta). Will the blue-connect be able to do that, or does anybody know any other devices that will? I'm pretty certain that Palm VII users are able to subscribe to the wireless service, then be able to get certain other services via that connection e.g. etrade, email, yahoo, etc. I've seen info on pagers, cell phone links, and wireless connections. So whats up with wireless internet? Hope somebody has some info, any kind of info worth looking into would be great to hear.

Happy Holidays,
KC

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 2

The Blue Connect is based on the Bluetooth protocol. To find out more about it, go to:
http://www.bluetooth.org

It's designed for a very local (personal) area network.

I don't think there's anything for the type of connectivity you want yet, but I'm sure somebody like Novatel Wireless will do something if the market's there...

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 54

From what I saw on TV (which i dont know if its 100% sure if I heard it right), you can write a message on your visor, and then the bluetooth attachment sends it thru your SMS (short messaging service) application on your cell. Then your message is sent via your wireless connection (phone) to the email recipient...

yummy idea if i heard it right!




------------------
Tony Tran
[email protected]
BVDx

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 4

Now that sounds extremely cool. Hmmm, so I'm wondering now, I was thinking of buying the sixpack when it comes out, but will I need it if I have blueconnect. Maybe both? Time for investigation on that, probably gonna have to wait for details though. One that I thought of that would be very nice. Since the blueconnect can communicate with other bluetooth enable devices, then maybe if you are in a range of a computer that is connected to the internet, you can go through the computer to get out to the net. sorta like you're linked into a wireless LAN. That too would be suhweet.

whataya think tvt, and does anybody else have factual information on the blueconnect or other means of connection???

laterz,
KC

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

Yeah, you can spend a load o' cash on the springboard for yor Visor, a new phone, and new software, so you can wirelessly send an email from your Visor through your phone. My guess is that once it's released it will only cost around $500 to set that up.

Or you can do the same thing with a $20 cable plus software using existing technology, and probably more reliably.

Plus, don't bother doing it anywhere near your wireless (non-Bluetooth) network, because suddenly the network may not function properly anymore. Unfortunately, both standards use the same 2.4 GHz band, and are incompatible with each other.

I'm often an early adopter, but Bluetooth is one technology I will NOT adopt early... too many problems for minimal benefit and high cost.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 4

hehehe.....this is true. I agree that a connection via a cable or just sitting down at your computer if you are 5 feet away is 10x better. I think we are excited about the "Neato!" factor of it all. The one important thing that I do want to see though, is the ability to check my email from on the road. I already have a cell phone, and considering the fact that it has been stated that the blueconnect will be under $100, the cost is well worth the benefit. Knowing that my cell phone may not be "compatible" with the blueconnect is bothersome, and maybe the fact that most computers or networks may not be bluetooth compliant also, but the main idea here is the possibilities of it all.

As far as the incompatibility between bluetooth and other wireless stuff I have to say I am uninformed. However,(Eug) you have stumbled upon some information regarding this information, and I would be very interested to hear what you know, or even a link would be nice. I'm not completely sold on bluetooth, but like I said, the "neato" factor is there and usefulness too. Perhaps there are other alternatives, better and/or cheaper (as opposed to actual physical connection to a network). Of course this is the reason behind the topic, what is there out there or coming???



------------------
Kyle C.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/stories...1018289,00.html

"Not all smooth sailing ahead

The Bluetooth SIG needs to deal with other issues as well. For instance, the SIG has yet to figure out how to keep Bluetooth from interfering with wireless LANs. Both the 802.11 wireless LAN spec and Bluetooth run on the 2.4GHz radio frequency."

This is of concern to me, because I am considering wirelessly networking my house. (Laptop + PC + high-speed wireless internet access.)

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

Also,
http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/stories...1018311,00.html

"The developers this week also are discussing the persistent problem of Bluetooth interfering with the 802.11 wireless LAN spec, which makes it hard if not impossible to include both specs in one device.

"'It will take some time,' Ellis said. 'Clearly, changing the spec is not an attractive solution for either spec.'"

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 4

http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/stories...2397686,00.html

I post this everybody else, too bad that they all can't be compatible, I suppose competition spawns better products, but interference with other products is definitely a negative.

------------------
Kyle C.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 16

There are also a number of cordless phones out now that operate on the 2.4GHz frequency (I've seen Panasonic and Siemens models for sale in my area). I wonder if Bluetooth would interfere with these also.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

Dunno how bad Bluetooth degrades cordless phone function, but I do know that 2.4 GHz cordless phones do seriously interfere with wireless LAN connections. According to the reviews, if the phone is exactly in-between the networked computers, network speeds are markedly decreased. Apparently running microwave ovens are bad too.

P.S. If you're wondering, much of this info comes from reading reviews of the much touted Apple Airport setup, and not so much from the PC versions of 2.4 GHz LAN setups.

My problem is that I want to run aDSL via PPP over Ethernet (Sympatico) using a PC in my home office and a Mac iBook everywhere else in the house. Unfortunately, it seems that's gonna be a very difficult setup and just about nobody has any useful information on it, since the technology is so new and that combo isn't that common. Any links to info specifically to wirelessly networking PCs and Macs would be greatly appreciated.