Wednesday, July 3, 2002
Look Ma, No Cables!
Posted by Jason Dunn in "ARTICLE" @ 07:18 AM
http://www6.tomshardware.com/network/02q2/020626/index.html
There's a very long, and very detailed article at Tom's Hardware Guide that deals with wireless options to eliminate cables, and ultimately breaks down into a look at several Bluetooth products on the market today. They ran into the same problems I did with Bluetooth - it really depends on the implementation. You can have the same core technology (Bluetooth) yet have wildly different end results. It would seem that TDK rules the Bluetooth world now with their USB Bluetooth (search for the lowest price) and their USB PCMCIA card (search for the lowest price). I'd be curious to know if the TDK bluePAQ iPAQ sleeve (search for the lowest price) works as easily as their desktop/laptop products do. On the generic Pocket PC side of things, the Socket Communications Bluetooth CompactFlash card (search for the lowest price) seems to be the leader - I've been really impressed with mine, even if I can't figure out how to transfer a file from my HP 565 to my iPAQ 3850 over Bluetooth. I need a Bluetooth book for dummies or something.
Actually, what I really need is for Bluetooth support to be integrated into the operating system, either by Microsoft or by the software installed onto the Pocket PC. Why can't there be a tap and hold functionality to send a file via Bluetooth?
"There are huge differences in the ever-important control software for BT devices. The software is the actual console for the Bluetooth components and is used to control all aspects of the hardware, from establishing and terminating a Bluetooth connection to defining the passwords needed for the connections. These passwords are indispensable because they are the only way to block unauthorized access to the Bluetooth devices. It's up to the software producer to supply users with well-designed control software that allows these features to be used conveniently. And that's where the main difference lies between the individual BT adapters. Whereas TDK, for example, has brought Widcomm's easy-to-use software on board, Mitsumi ends up irritating its customers with a poorly designed program."
There's a very long, and very detailed article at Tom's Hardware Guide that deals with wireless options to eliminate cables, and ultimately breaks down into a look at several Bluetooth products on the market today. They ran into the same problems I did with Bluetooth - it really depends on the implementation. You can have the same core technology (Bluetooth) yet have wildly different end results. It would seem that TDK rules the Bluetooth world now with their USB Bluetooth (search for the lowest price) and their USB PCMCIA card (search for the lowest price). I'd be curious to know if the TDK bluePAQ iPAQ sleeve (search for the lowest price) works as easily as their desktop/laptop products do. On the generic Pocket PC side of things, the Socket Communications Bluetooth CompactFlash card (search for the lowest price) seems to be the leader - I've been really impressed with mine, even if I can't figure out how to transfer a file from my HP 565 to my iPAQ 3850 over Bluetooth. I need a Bluetooth book for dummies or something.
Actually, what I really need is for Bluetooth support to be integrated into the operating system, either by Microsoft or by the software installed onto the Pocket PC. Why can't there be a tap and hold functionality to send a file via Bluetooth?
"There are huge differences in the ever-important control software for BT devices. The software is the actual console for the Bluetooth components and is used to control all aspects of the hardware, from establishing and terminating a Bluetooth connection to defining the passwords needed for the connections. These passwords are indispensable because they are the only way to block unauthorized access to the Bluetooth devices. It's up to the software producer to supply users with well-designed control software that allows these features to be used conveniently. And that's where the main difference lies between the individual BT adapters. Whereas TDK, for example, has brought Widcomm's easy-to-use software on board, Mitsumi ends up irritating its customers with a poorly designed program."
