Improving on NZ90's size :)

[dks99]

No this is NOT another thread about how big and clunky this thing is (I don't think its not big and clunky :)

However with recent developments I found an interesting opportunity to decrease the current size of the clie (even if just by the few cm that the WiFi card is sticking out)

Once the CF driver is fully working, we will be able to use CF memory cards (which are smaller then the WiFi card and almost entirely fit inside the slot at the bottom)

Also, since an MS WiFI stick is either being developed or is already available. we will be able to use that for our WiFi communication. I'm not sure if the stick is larger then normal MS but if not, then we have a CLIE with "built in" WiFi and extra Memory storage without anything sticking out... :)

What are your thoughts ? Is that duable ? I just don't like how the WiFi card in my clie looks more like an afterthought and addon (expecially since I pretty much use it all the time )

Later
dks

[Bo_]

All the pictues I have seen of the MemoryStick WiFi card, indicated that it will have a chunk outside of the actual Clie, the size a little smaller than the WiFi card we are using right now. only difference is that the chunk will be on the side.

Not yet a perfect solution. Part of the reason it need to be out there is the magnesium body of the Clie would block any radio-signals, so the antenna needs to be outside the body.


Bo

www.bophoto.com/clie

[n2ifp]

Well, the last time I looked, the new WiFi memory stick will stick out even further :). The antenna alone needs exposure and so it needs to be out in free space as a transmitter and receiver.

[dks99]

figures i guess its back to the drawing board :)

later
dks

< send with wireless clie >

[Hong Kong Nick]

Yep ... I was going to say that *something* has to stick out of the bottom in order to act as an antenna ...

Unless you can figure out how to turn your case into somesort of antenna ... sort of like the backs of the newer Nokia phones, with their 'internal antenna' .. I dunno ...

Nick

[YTTAN]

Use Bluetooth instead lor. Why insist on WiFi?

Maybe Singapore is very small country as it can provide almost 100% GSM coverage for the whole island.

[the_iceman]

Bluetooth is nice.... but limited to a much smaller range than WiFi. While one needs to be within 10m of the device you are connecting to... WiFi allows up to 90m Indoors and up to 300m Outdoors(according to the WiFi Card Specifications for the Sony Clie NZ90).

Nice to be able to have a HandHeld or laptop and 'surf' from the bedroom where your internet connection is downstairs and in the far corner of a house. Also... WiFi will be expanding coverage here in the US. By this I mean... airports and more will be 'selling' internet WiFi services to commuters. One can get to the airport... sit down with their laptop and just have fun surfing via the WiFi Networks being setup.

BlueTooth, while very nice, can be very pricey here in the States. I actually work for AT&T Wireless.... and many of us 'geeks' who love our toys can surf the web for hours at a time. Data Plans, here in the states, utilizing the BT in a phone to the PDA, range from $7.99 for 1mb.... all the way up to $99.99 for 100mb). I would venture, for many of us.... it would be easy to use 20mb worth of Data per month (costing $39.99). Why be limited to the BT ... when you can WiFi usually at cheaper rates?

For Businesses.... WiFi Connectivity is great. A company can subscribe their business travelers to WiFi Accounts, and not have to rely on BT connectivity. With GSM/GPRS/ETC..ETC networks ....connections still not everywhere in the US for data use. Connectivity with another source is very important here. I would agree with you Yttan, in regards to a city or an area of coverage which is 'saturated' with GSM Coverage.

Unfortunately, here in the states, AT&T Wireless, and some other companies are just now 'getting their act together' and starting to use GSM/GPRS Communications setup. Even with the expansion of the AT&T Networks here in the states..... 90%+ of our core business is still on what we classify as 2g (TDMA Communications). It will still take some time... before everything is converted over from TDMA to GSM/GPRS.

Unfortunately the United States is a smidgeon larger than Singapore, and to build such an extensive GSM/GPRS network of Towers, and connectivity will take time.

Here in the states, Many StarBucks Coffee Houses, and other retailers offer WiFi connectivity to their customers who wish to 'surf the web' or do 'work' while sipping a hot cup of coffee, instead of reading papers/magazines.

BT is much better for Personal communications (for your own personal devices/independent-network. But out commercially It is much easier for WiFi to be implemented for connectivity 'on-the-go'.

[dks99]

I agree with the_Iceman, WiFi is much better then BT.

I purchased the Belkin BT module and tried using it at least for syncing (that's until I found somewhere on this forum instructions on how to hotsync over WiFi - this forum is GREAT :)

I immediately noticed a fair improvement in hotsync speed...
and disabled my BT.

I'm actually to the point now where the Bluetooth module is completely removed from my PC and sitting back in its box. Kinda a waste of money, but I guess I would not learn unless I tried...

I was hoping to use my Motorola 270c cell phone with 'supposedly BT capabilities' to check my clie email from the road, but it turns out Motorola turned their backs on technology (at least in Canada) and decided not to provide Bluetooth capabilities for their cell phones in Canada (you have no idea how pis#$%@ I am about that ) But that would be a different thread.

So for now, I have absolutely no use for BT until Canada catches up to the BT technology...


P.S. I know that Nokia sells BT enabled phones but my service provider doesn't cell Nokia phones... :(
Plus I already shelved big bucks on the 270c thinking it would have BT as the upgrade in the future...

later,
dks

[Roni]

Nick, Nokia's phones don't turn their case into an antenna, they have a small "block" inside there that is the antenna... it's a bit bigger than the external antennae... it's just an antenna pushed inside the case

[YTTAN]

the_iceman,

I understand what is US situation between BT and WIFI.
Thanks for explanation.

Just opposite here in Singapore. BT in data access is cheap and in the rate of $0.10 per min-using my current free airtime of usage $104 at $55 (19.6kbps) but slower than GPRS at 115kbps.

While WIFI need to pay monthly subscription at SGD$52 for 40mb free. SGD$3 per mb thereafter and can be used at certain cafes or places.

Normally, the webpage size are from 80kb to 300kb = SGD$0.42 to $1.56. It is senseless to surf a page at the cost of SGD$1.56 while BT able to charde it at $0.20 - $0.30 only(10 cents per min)

That is one of the reason I replace my NX to NZ90 with BT functions.

[greg elmassian]

back to the original thread topic: the wlan 100 is a symbol wifi card with diversity antennas, i have one i used in my trg 330, it's a great card. i think the ms wifi will have a hard time meeting the same performance.... also sitcking out the side of the case seems pretty weird, for example sliding it in a case? or it sticking into the palm of your hand? no thanks...

greg

[Bo_]

Greg,

if they really could fit the entire WiFi card in a Memory Stick, it sure would be great to have a straight MemoryStick with and PLUG-IN external antenna. (smile)

Bo

www.bophoto.com/clie

[Unregistered]

dks99,

[Unregistered]

dks99, Since you are not using the BT module do you want to sell it? If yes how much and what type is it? You can email me at silverslider@prodigy.net Thanks.