Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Bethesda, MD, US
Posts: 8

Why isn't there an IR connected pocket modem? It would be compatable with any IrDA device, so you could use the same modem with Palm, Visor, Laptops, even CE. It could just be an IR tranceiver, a 9V battery, an RJ11 jack, and a normal V.?? modem. Plug it into the phone, and put it in IR range of the Visor...
It seems like a commonsense device, but noone has done it? There is a "Soft IR modem" for 98... -Tom

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 151

Just a guess, but probably because IR forces line-of-sight limitations while wireless (which is the huge direction everything is going right now) allows complete freedom within the range of either your home/corporate wireless network or that of your wireless service provider.

That said, it's not a bad idea, just one that most serious hardware developers wouldn't feel is worth the cost. Though it would be fun to do!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

I'm not sure, but I would doubt that an IR link could reach anything like even 33k. The LEDs and sensors probably have too much rise/fall time for this to be a practical idea.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Posts: 56

No, because for I/R Beaming they suggest starting at 38.4, and if that works to try 57.6.

Of course, it's puzzled me as to why modems don't work at the same speed that rs/232 does. I guess they figured that the software compression would make it catch up.

What would happen if you took say a USR 33.6 external modem and connected the serial end t the IR module that the IR/Sync folks sell? Then the trick would be diverting the rs/232 in the visor over to the IR port.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Bethesda, MD, US
Posts: 8

IrLINK comes with redirection from serial->IR for _any_ application, selectable by application, so that part isn't an issue. -Tom

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: munich,germany
Posts: 5

there is an ir-modem already. it�s on board of the siemens s25 cellular phone. it works with a palm so ist should work with a visor too. for more information goto: www.palmos.com/info/discussion/messages/1546.html

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Bethesda, MD, US
Posts: 8

But I'm not looking for a _cellular_ modem.

I'm looking for there to be a _wire_ modem.

A box the size of a pack of playing cards,
or smaller, with an IrDA IR port on one side,
an RJ-11 phone jack on the other side, and a
place to put a 9-V battery, would be perfect.

-Tom