Add Wireless To Almost Any Handheld

Posted By: Ed Monday, March 25, 2002 1:08:59 PM

Enfora is close to releasing the Wireless Portfolio, which uses an infrared connection to add a wireless modem to almost any handheld. There will be both CDPD and GPRS versions. There will also be an option to add a GPS receiver. It is called a portfolio because the add-ons are contained in a zippered case, with the handheld on one side and the modem, GPS, etc. on the left. Enfora says the basic version will be available April 1 for $300.

In the near future, the Wireless Portfolio will be available with 802.11b, Bluetooth, and 1XRTT capability.

The modem can be switched out to allow the user to upgrade without having to buy a whole new portfolio.

The company has drivers for the Palm OS, as well as other handheld platforms.

"Enfora is very proud to introduce to the wireless market an extremely innovative and unique solution capable of allowing the user to take advantage of current wireless technologies, with the ability to upgrade the solution to future wireless technologies without the constraints of customized PDA solutions," said Mark Weinzierl, chief executive officer of Enfora.

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Connection

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 1:25:52 PM #
Ok, so what does the modem connect too? Because of the standards they mention, I'm guessing
that we would need to now get some kind of service contract through a cellular carrier? I looked
at their website and I didn't get any more information.

OR does it connect to a land line?? That might be nice if I was in a hotel room and wanted to walk
around without being connected to any cables. But if at home, most likely, I'd just settle for
sitting at my desk and using a computer.

RE: Connection
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 2:10:54 PM #
Cool, so I can zip my lunch bag into that baby and carry it as a full-sized briefcase.

RE: Connection - DUH
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 2:11:57 PM #
>infrared connection to add a WIRELESS MODEM to almost any handheld

READ IT AGAIN!!!!


RE: Connection
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 5:09:51 PM #
I guess what he knows it uses infrared to connect between the modem and the PDA, but what he is trying to ask is that what type of connection will be between the modem and the ISP. Is the modem a traditional 56K modem? or does it use cell phone's GPRS network to connect?

RTP - Read The Post

RE: Connection
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 5:29:08 PM #
RTA

"There will be both CDPD and GPRS versions."

STP
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 7:39:17 PM #
STP = Sea the Picture

Cable connection included!

hehehe, this is a hoax

APRIL FOOLS!!!

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 2:14:10 PM #
Read the website, AVAILABLE APRIL 1!!!

RE: APRIL FOOLS!!!
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 2:26:10 PM #
Um, dude, just because it's available April 1st doesn't make it an April Fool's prank. Nice try.

RE: APRIL FOOLS!!!
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 2:28:20 PM #
OK, then, have you seen the SIZE of this thing ?? Sleek device ? That is an iPaq you are looking at and unless the iPaq comes out in the size of a matchbox, this thing is anything BUT SLEEK.

Gullible, aren't we ?

RE: APRIL FOOLS!!!
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 2:35:00 PM #
OK, if it isn't an april fool's prank, then I will buy a hat and eat it (sorry, don't own hats...)

Some more info from their website:
Sleek Integrated Design Provides Wireless Access, Portability and Protection for Your PDA:

...........the organizer provides space for business or credit cards, notes, while serving as a small protective carrying case for the PDA.

Sleek, small

I don't know...

In any case, why do companies introduce products on April 1, specifically products like this that are bound to get labeled a prank ?

NOT an Joke
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 2:42:24 PM #
Go to the site. These are the same people who make the Spider line of CF wireless modems. Looks like what they have done is make a Compact Flash slot that connects to a handheld with IR. Ummm, what's funny about that?

Better start shopping for a hat.

RE: APRIL FOOLS!!!
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 2:50:08 PM #
make a CF slot that connects with IR to the handheld...

so, where is the slot located ? WHY NOT IN THE HANDHELD???

Think, people, think!
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 2:54:31 PM #
Why not in the handheld? Because then they'd have to make a different version for every handheld model. This one works with every Palm model ever made and alot of PPC ones, too. Check out the site. They are making these for the enterprise who will buy a ton of them and don't want to dick around with buying 5 for the m500, 7 for the V, 3 for the iPaq, etc. Instead they can order 15 of these and everyone is happy.

This clearly offends your religeon but many, many people carry their PDA around in a case so this won't add much, if anything, to what they already have.

RE: APRIL FOOLS!!!
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 3:06:26 PM #
GPS modules, Bluetooth and modems are now the size of SD cards, (actually, smaller, but for your benefit).

802.11b the size of CF cards

How in the hell are they going to fit all these in this small, sleek design????

RE: APRIL FOOLS!!!
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 4:09:11 PM #
No it's real. I saw it at Internet World Wireless. Nice idea, but still doesn't solve my overwhelming problem... wireless devices are too big. Doesn't stop me from using them, but I keep hoping someone comes up with a good Blackberry-like solution for the Palm OS.

Treo doesn't cut it (service is too expensive). i705 feels cheap and is awfully clunky with the extra keyboard.

RE: APRIL FOOLS!!!
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 4:59:34 PM #
Well Wireless service is going to be expensive for the forseeable future. It is going to be years before we are able to get cheap wirless for PDAs...and by then they will have new wireless services that also cost an arm and a leg (such as streaming movies and music).

Too Big

C @ 3/25/2002 2:22:25 PM #
What do I want a briefcase for a palm for?

RE: Too Big
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 2:59:48 PM #
Many, many people carry their PDA around in a case so this won't add much, if anything, to what they already have.

One size fits MOST

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 3:10:02 PM #
This is a nice idea. More and more manufacturers seem be turning to the IR port as a cheaper to manufacture, one-size-fits-all way of adding accessories to various handheld platforms and form factors. As with any one-size-fits-all solution, however, many people at one extreme or both will be dissatisfied. Those of us who love our Palm OS devices for their small size, even when put inside a case, may not be all that pleased to see the roomy fit for that chunky iPaq. I, for one, am not.

...the roomy fit for that chunky iPaq
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 3:18:57 PM #
>the roomy fit for that chunky iPaq

Now THAT is THE tag-line for this product!!!

ROFL

Isn't that too close

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 4:04:43 PM #
My palm requires A good 6" between IR ports to make a connection. The little wire in the picture is connected right to the palm.

RE: Isn't that too close
EnocH @ 3/25/2002 4:11:10 PM #
No, IrDA specifications allow quite 'close' communication. However, the receiver can be 'tweak' to ensure that connection is successful. I bet thats what they've done. Sorry i got time to produce facts to back up my claims but trust me on this, my final year project in University is on Infra Red communication. Cheers.

God Bless,
EnocH
RE: never too close
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 5:56:59 PM #
there may be something wrong with your palm. Mine can talk to Nokia 8290 with 0" distance, both Ir ports literally touch eath other.

Hmm

Fzara2000 @ 3/25/2002 4:15:03 PM #
The person who will really benefit from this, will be the Sony people. THe Sony has an enhanced IR port, so if the port connecting to the device, whatever it is, enables fast IR sending and receiving transmits, this will be a biggie with the new Sony.

SONY ROCKS!
RE: Hmm
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 5:02:43 PM #
Geesh. Why does the Sony fans have to add a Sony line to every story that is posted on the site? Slowly but surely PalmInfoCenter is becoming SonyInfoCenter.

RE: Hmm
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 7:18:53 PM #
Gee I hate to disappoint you, the enhanced IR in the Sony is only activated when in the "remote control" mode.
I'm a happy Sony owner, and I agree, a lot of Sony owners think that their **** don't stink.

RE: Hmm
Fzara2000 @ 3/25/2002 9:54:23 PM #
In fact, I own a Palm M500, and I would just like to say, it is the first, and last PDA I will own, yet alone buy from the company.
I was trying to get to the first letter of my sentence today, but I think the M500's borders don't allow that, so I had to delete the letter..blah
The new Sony is going to destroy every PDA company except for Samsung, and maybe Handspring if the Treo is successful.
The lighted Grafitti area of the new Sony is what is really awesome, along with the high res. screen, and awesome swivel design. Eat that Palm!

SONY ROCKS!
RE: Hmm
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 12:28:01 AM #
Well... I can only say that you are talking about stuff that you don't even know...

The stuff you spew about Sony's enhanced IR is proof enough...

Sony's enhanced IR is for "SENDING" IR beams out ONLY, there's no "Enhanced" IR receive port... Infact, the enhanced IR LED is a stand alone unit. With a set of standard Send/Receive IR module next to it. The enhanced IR is used ONLY by Sony's remote control program, not all that many people even KNOW how to use that port. As the information about controlling that enhanced IR LED is still tightly controlled by Sony.


I've used 3 PDAs so far, first is the huge TRGpro, which is a tad be creaky... (squeeze... creak...) The second is Sony PEG-S300. Not much complaints except the resolution is not high enough for my need. (It is nearly impossible to read Chinese on the darn thing) And now I'm using Sony PEG-T415, and I'm happy with it. And more importantly I KNOW what I'm happy about...


Yes, Sony rocks, but not for the reason you stated. I think I will likely kept on getting PalmOS devices from Sony, but at least I have a clear understanding of the product before I buy. I think you should too.

IrDA Speed

rclayton @ 3/25/2002 4:18:34 PM #
I know this is an easy one...but what is the speed of the IrDA port? I thought it was max at 14.4....sounds a little slow for internet use.

Ryan
ryan@girlandgeek.com
http://www.girlandgeek.com
RE: IrDA Speed
ktran @ 3/25/2002 5:24:18 PM #
The IR port on the old P3 upgrades for the Palm Pro were capable of up to 38.4 kbps. The PIII/PV ports communicated at 56 k, and my Visor goes at 115 kbps. The IrDA standards allow for communications up into the 4 megabit per second range.

Really, with all the hype about bluetooth and wireless, we forget that Ir is an excellent technology with some great applications despite certain limitations.

rgds,

K. Tran

RE: IrDA Speed
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 7:41:02 PM #
IrDA slow (which is what all PDAs support) operates at 115.2kbps.
IrDA medium almost never gets implemented, and IrDA fast (which is rare) goes to 4Mbps.

This thing operates at 115.2k


I don't get it

digilaw @ 3/25/2002 4:21:11 PM #
Is that case part of the device? Or is the device the case? Where does the white wire go on the other end (the end that is not connected to the Palm unit's IR port)?

RE: I don't get it
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 5:31:47 PM #
Is it really that complicated?

"It is called a portfolio because the add-ons are contained in a zippered case, with the handheld on one side and the modem, GPS, etc. on the left."

The wire goes from the IR port to the modem.

RE: I don't get it
digilaw @ 3/25/2002 11:38:05 PM #
Let me rephrase as Iguess my question was unclear. Is the case mandatory to use the device? Can it operate without that huge case? Say I have the e-vest can I take it off the case and stick it in the vest or are the wires and interface attached to the case?

RE: I don't get it
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 8:46:02 AM #
OK, think for a second. Is this product out? No. So how many people have one of these? Zero. So how would anyone knows the answer to this question?

Go to the site's contacts page and send your question to the company. There ^might^ be someone there who knows.

RE: I don't get it
digilaw @ 3/26/2002 2:34:22 PM #
Look I hope I am misinterpreting your comments but there is no need to be snippy. I was just asking a question. If you don't have the answer that's no reason to jump on my back for asking the question, is it? In fact, if you don't have the answer, not only is there no call to jump on my back but maybe you should't have even posted a reply. Or maybe a simple reply of: "Hey guy, why don't you ask the ppl who put out the product?" How difficult is that?

RE: I don't get it
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 3:09:03 PM #
That is the problem with half the people on this site... either they are snippy/arrogant jerks, or people who troll around poking fun at others about the type of device they own. Do your best to ignore them.

This is the Palm***Info***center.

RE: I don't get it
digilaw @ 3/26/2002 7:48:33 PM #
Thanks!

Bluetooth makes this obsolete

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 5:04:34 PM #
Now if I only had a BT phone and a BT Card.

RE: Bluetooth makes this obsolete
mikemusick @ 3/25/2002 5:07:08 PM #
Exactly. This would've been a great product, say, two years ago. For the cost of the "basic" IR interface system, you can REPLACE your older Palm (etc.) with a new one (m125) and have almost enough left over for the Bluetooth SD card.

This sort of highlights a big problem with specialty products in the very-fast-moving PDA market - if you're not connected to one of the makers, by the time you analyze, engineer, produce and package your product, it's too darn late. :-(

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