Thoughts about Bluetooth

[Jeff]

I am curious. For the people using Bluetooth with your PPC, what do you
think of it? My main interest will be for using it to do an activesync, MSN
Messanger or ICQ, check e-mail, and once in a great while browse the web. I
am not looking to do streaming audio or video as the sound quality out of my
Toshiba e335 leaves much to be desired.
I understand that Wi-Fi is really the way to go, but there isn't a SD wi-fi
card available yet and the way things are going it may be about 3 to 6
months or longer before a card would be available. I found a deal where I
can get a bluetooth USB adaptor for $50 and a SD bluetooth card for about
$75. I am just not sure if I should hold off until wi-fi is available, or
would bluetooth fit the bill for what I am looking to use it for? Distances
should not be a big deal as I live in a tri-level home that will let me be
within 10 meters of the main computer almost at all times.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Jeff

[Robert O'Hara [MSFT]]

Personally, I use an iPAQ 3870, which has integrated Bluetooth, and a
SonyEricsson T68 (GPRS). I like the "two body" solution, because I can
leave the PPC home if I don't need it at night, and yet I can use the iPAQ
as if it was a phone-edition PPC, because the phone is always in range,
usually in my pocket.

On short business trips (less than 3 days) I no longer take my laptop, I
just take the PPC & phone, and the great new Compaq folding keyboard. Doing
email that way works great, especially in coach class when the guy in front
of you reclines the seat...

I find GPRS speed just fine for email, and for most browsing it works OK.
But the big advantage to me is that GPRS coverage is much more widespread
than wifi.

Just my opinions!

Regards,

Robert O'Hara

"Jeff" <no...@noway.com> wrote in message
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[David Hettel Microsoft - MVP - Mobile Devices]

Depends on a number of things, if you are moving a large amount of data,
then Wi-Fi is the way to go. I can activesync, using bluetooth, wi-fi, ir,
serial or usb. For me I prefer wi-fi, then usb. My bluetooth connection is
slower than usb, it is a serial connection. Connection range for me is not
bad, it will go from one end of my home to the other. One thing to watch out
for is the software included with the card, you will need drivers for your
PPC, and if they are not included with the card, unless you happen to enjoy
writing drivers, the SD card may never work.You will also need to
understand, what features the SD card supports today, because this will be
what you can do with it.

--
David Hettel
Microsoft - MVP - Mobile Devices

"Jeff" <no...@noway.com> wrote in message
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[John H]

"especially in coach class "

....I've not heard that term before !

I use "cattle class", which I think is more to the point !!

John

"Robert O'Hara [MSFT]" <roh...@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
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