What will bluetooth do for me?

[05Edge]

Okay guys, I have a LifeDrive, and love it (as you probably know). I've yet to use the bluetooth. This isn't because I don't want to, it's because I don't have anything to use it with! I tried to use it on a demo printer at staples, but to no avail. So I have a couple of questions.

1. What can i do with one of those bluetooth usb devices? If I plug it into my PC, will I then be able to look at web pages, etc from my LD?

2. What will having a bluetooth phone to go with my LD help? I know I could use it to connect to the web, but that costs extra through my carrier (Cingular) doesn't it? Could I finally use the contacts "dial" feature? When I bought the phone I wanted to use that feature with my current phone's IR port, but am not able to do so.

3. What bluetooth devices would you guys recommend?

[potter]

First, what things I have actually used Bluetooth for:
From bed or the couch in the den, remotely:
Connect to my home desktop computer and then pass through to the Internet.
Hotsync.
Check to see what my son is doing on the desktop computer (Palm VNC).
Send files and PIM records to my wife’s Palm.
However, since I now have a LifeDrive, I can do all but the last one using WiFi.
This isn't because I don't want to, it's because I don't have anything to use it with!
It was almost a year before I first used my Tungsten|T's Bluetooth, in other than playing in a store against their display model.
I tried to use it on a demo printer at staples, but to no avail.
You probably need the print drivers, which normally one has to pay extra for. But, since you have a LifeDrive, if you use the Addit program that came with your device, you can request a free copy of Print Boy.

1. What can i do with one of those bluetooth usb devices? If I plug it into my PC, will I then be able to look at web pages, etc from my LD?
Once properly configured, yes. See this page (http://www.whizoo.com/bt_setup/) for details. You will also be able to remotely Hotsync.

2. What will having a bluetooth phone to go with my LD help? I know I could use it to connect to the web, but that costs extra through my carrier (Cingular) doesn't it? Could I finally use the contacts "dial" feature?
I have not done so, but my understanding is yes, you will be able to connected to the Internet (with possible extra cost), and use the Contacts dial feature.

3. What bluetooth devices would you guys recommend?
I currently use the Linksys USBBT100 Bluetooth USB Adapter.

[05Edge]

Thanks for the info... I'll be checking some more into this... I'd use wifi for the internet, and at some point may get it, but if it's not too bad on BT, those adapters are really cheap.

Thanks again.

[SpecialK-MD]

I had the same questions, thanks for the update. I was planning on using BT for syncing, but that's infinitely slower (in theory) than WiFi or USB2.

Also, why are you using BT to send files to another PDA. Can't you use the IR beaming?

[05Edge]

I had the same questions, thanks for the update. I was planning on using BT for syncing, but that's infinitely slower (in theory) than WiFi or USB2.

Also, why are you using BT to send files to another PDA. Can't you use the IR beaming?

I don't want to speak for potter, but maybe he used bluetooth so the two PDA's didn't have to be directly facing each other.

[potter]

Also, why are you using BT to send files to another PDA. Can't you use the IR beaming?
Convenience. You do not have to have the devices aligned.
Speed. Well my impression is that it is faster for larger things (though I have never timed it). It is not faster for small things (like PIM records), because of the setup time.
For the paranoid, another reason could be:
Security. If the two devices are paired, the transmission is encrypted.