Why WIFI and Why Bluetooth?

[donaldekelly]

This may seem like a stupid question. Maybe it is. Feel free to ignore it.

I do like the internet - best thing to do with a computer or clie.

But, why on a clie when you can do it cheaper on the computer you already have?

It seems it boils down to being able to sit next to your wife on the couch while cruising the net. Or lying in bed while on the net?

That is a good thing, but it doesn't do anything for me. (not that it has to). I can sit on the couch next to my wife using a $40 laptop (yardsale) connected to a long phone line and get the internet.

Bluetooth - can be used away from yer network in your office or house through a BT phone, but how often does one really need to do this? While waiting for a bus maybe? On long trips in the car it would cost a lot to pay for roaming.

I am not putting down others excitement - I want to get in on it and understand why it is worth the investment.

I have a 53k internet at work - soon to be hi speed. I will also soon have hi speed internet at home. But while I am walking down the street I really don't need email, or even want it at this point. Please help me understand what the draw is.

Thanks. And congrats to everyone who does enjoy his or her clie internet!

[donaldekelly]

Me again

I must confess the reason I decided on the NX70 rather than the TG50 was it seemed like it would be easier to get internet on the NX than the TG50. Not that my reasoning makes any sense now, but based on one other posting I thought that would be the case.

[n2ifp]

Not everyone needs or wants it. Some want the freedom to move around, for some it's a toy. It all depends too on your job function where there maybe a need.

Bluetooth is better with devices and 802.11b WiFi is more suited for a wireless LAN. Bluretooth would be more personal where as WiFi would be corporate.

They have different functions, but there is overlap. The two are not compatible together RF wise without extra equipment.

[aenox]

Well, I think its a cool idea... I can see your thoughts as well.

n2ifp didnt explain it too well tho.

Let me give you a situation to explain it all.

Your sitting in the lunch room at your office. You have your cell phone in your pocket and a bluetooth capable Palm device with a bluetooth modem. Using bluetooth the modem on your palm connects to your phone. Which acts as the provider to the internet. From there you could use bluetooth to access a printer somewhere in the office and print. Bluetooth is wireless, for devices, but on a much larger scale. While wireless is LAN. They dont coincide with one another but would allow mobility on a grandure scale. It isnt the next huge invention of the century. But it is certainly buzz-worthy.

[yawn]

donaldekelly, a lot of people share your thoughts. Probably the vast majority of handheld users :).

[ashVID]

Why have an NX when you can have a Palm ZIre? I mean, how much do you use the camera or keyboard? Everyone is different, what is a waste to some, is a savior to others...


ash =o)

[donaldekelly]

"savior to others"

I guess that is what I am looking for - examples of how BT or WIFI is really helpful and not just cool. Then I can see if it fits my life. I do agree that it fits other peoples needs and wants - and both are valid. I am just trying to bring this whole list to focus on ... ME ME ME!!

Thanks for replies

[mux1]

Wifi is 802.11b, an actual network protocol. If you are familiar with NIC's (network interface card/LAN card), you understand the need for a card to connect you to a network, whether it be wired or wireless.

Think of it like a wireless LAN card for your PDA. Bluetooth is really suited more for connectivity between personal devices. Bluetooth could be thought of in the same light as the IR port on most Palm devices. You can beam files, play games, even print to IR enabled printers with it. Bluetooth, albeit much different, was designed for similar purposes. Have you seen the Microsoft Bluetooth keyboard/mouse? Of course there are bluetooth capable phones, etc.

If you are looking for network connectivity, i.e. to your home LAN or any other wireless LAN (802.11b), then you would be interested in Wifi and the PEGA-WL100 card.

[kdn102]

I just wanted to be able to IM and surf the web when I'm on the toilet!

Actually, the only reason I own it now is that 66.99 clearance at Best Buy. I had previously purchased one when they first came out with the $50 rebate. But when I got it home I looked at it and asked myself why I needed to spend the $100 just to be able to be surf on the toilet....so I took it back the next day (damn good thing too!).

I do like the idea of wireless access points in cafe's and such. However, after the fact, I found out there aren't any wifi spots in my area! Sucks!

Another thing I do use it for a lot is to update WorldMate's data. I rarely remember to hot-sync the CLIE, so when I do go to check the weather I realize it's not there and just click a button, and POW up to date weather forecasts and conversion rates.

You really have to weigh out the cost versus the need/want. In my case $100 was far to much. But the $20 or so after tax was justifiable. Now, if I was a network engineer and worked at a larger firm, even $150 would have been justifiable since I wouldn't be at my desk all the time.

Oh, and there have been times in the past when I wanted to check something on the net, but was already in bed. In that case I would have used the wifi.

Hope this helps!

[legion]

Here's another example. I usually have my cradle at work and it's a pain to bring it home. I could buy another one for home but for $17 I can sync to my home pc though my wireless network at home and update my movie listing before we go out or worldmate weather.

Or my brother-in-laws flight information before we leave for the airport with out. And I can do all the from the living room as we're leaving with out my wife saying " where are you going we don't have time for that" as we're trying to leave the house. Espeically as we now have a new baby. So I can hit sync on my palm and get the baby ready and know I'm synced up before I leave the house.

Or if I need it and I'm on a trip I know I can find the nearest Starbucks and get on the web.

Or when I get to the ariport If it has a hotspot (wich ours is getting) I can sync up the flight times for the relative I'm picking up, Or surf the web if they are delayed.

Also I've seen threads here that you can used your W100 for your laptop with a simple CF to PCMCIA Type II adapter and a driver. So while I haven't picked up the addapter I think I might for my laptop. And since people on this board have made it work and have posted directions My wife and I now have wireless laptops as well.

All of these examples are for my home as it sounds like that's where you'd use it most. This doesn't even touch how nice it can be at work to get email in a borring meeting or grab information with out leaving the meeting.

So for $17 (plus the cost of the adapter) I have wireless for my palm, and my two laptops.

[n2ifp]

You can use either a Type I or Type II adapter for the CF card.

You can find the PC driver on the link below.

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/Product_Filter.asp?ProductID=450