Looking For Wireless Handheld E-Mail And Web? 130
"I see Blackberry has an offering but it appears to be e-mail only. It uses the RIM Interactive Pager from Research in Motion. It looks like you can use the same device and get Internet email service through RCN. Price is about $40-$45 including rental of the box? To get web access, it appears you can do it through GoAmerica but they make you buy the RIM box (about $299). Service is $60 per month, ouch! Service is provided by Bell Atlantic Wireless Data and coverage is excellent. I saw these guys and played with the unit at Sring Internet World last week and I really liked it but the cost is too prohibitive. Wolfetech also appears to support the RIM with their PocketGenie software and their service is only $29.95/mo but they don't say if that includes the wireless access or if that fee is just for their content.
I already have a Palm III so don't want to purchase a Palm VII because their service is pay per character only and the coverage is lousy. I would rather not get a Minstrel as it's too bulky and the coverage is lousy in my area. Although GoAmerica has a good deal on it at $99 and $49.95 for the service.
I would consider getting an Internet Ready phone, but my provider, Cellular 1 SF, doesn't offer any service. I don't want to switch to PCS because the phone quality is awful out here. The display on the phones is also really limiting.
There are services (usually free) that e-mail things to your text pager or text messaging cellphone, but I don't like the push model. Web Wireless Now has a neat hack, where you call a number and it picks up your caller ID and text messages you your preselected content but it seems really limited and I doubt it works when you're roaming. The added cost of the text messaging feature which could get expensive with heavy use."
If there are any current users of these services, I'm sure there would be readers here interested if the assesments here match with your experiences. What other alternatives for wireless Web and e-mail access exist and what do you all think of them?
PalmVII And OmniSky (Score:2)
Nextel? (Score:1)
The coverage isn't great, but the quality is...
I can't stand it! (Score:2)
"...RIM with their PocketGenie..."
Please stay away from my RIM device with your PocketGenie. I don't swing that way.
--
Have Exchange users? Want to run Linux? Can't afford OpenMail?
You can taylor your own content on webwirelessnow (Score:2)
Motorola Page Writer (Score:1)
Infowave (Score:1)
the RIM device is real cool.. (Score:2)
I managed to send a few quick emails to my inbox and tested the amount of time it takes for a message to reach it's destination. It was just like most email, as it only took seconds to reach my land-based account.
The machine comes with 2 megs of Non volatiale memory, and the more programs you have stored, the less you have for storing email. (even though, say, you have 800k free space.. that's TONS of room for text-emails)
If i'm not mistaking , the devices have very programmable features, so stocks, news, should not be very tough to do.
There was also games, like Tetris: Just turn the device over vertically and you play tetris using the scrollbar and one or two of the buttons. The screens resolution and number of grayscale 'colours' impressed me.
Also, don't be fooled by the small 'keyboard'.. It still allows you to 'type' in your email/etc VERY quickly and effectively.
The scrollbar (like ones on a mouse, sorta) is placed very intuitivbely.. you use your thumb to move around the menu systems in their propriety OS and once you get used to it things become very quick and productive.
Concluding: I wanted one very bad after playing with it. The sheer possabilities of instant-email-in-your-pocket is enough for me..
bring on the newer models!
AT&T just announced a new plan (Score:2)
They have a $100 Ericsson and $200 Mitsubishi phone (the Mits is pretty nice, with the bigger display), but you do have to sign up for AT&T wireless voice service.
See AT&T's Web site [attws.com] on the topic. There's also a story over at the SJ Mercury. [mercurycenter.com]
Re:Nextel? (Score:1)
for the content part... (Score:1)
You have to set up a profile, and basically say what you want to get from it. As far as I know, its not supposed to give you anything YOU haven't asked for.
As for the device you want to get it on...this site is supposed to deliver to most portable thingis you want.
hope this helps
g'luck
if you're in a PCS-covered area (Score:1)
VoiceStream GSM (Score:1)
The 9600 bps is a bit painful at first, but for checking my email it's really not too bad. Plus with IMAP, I can selectively choose which messages to download.
Nokia also has a DataSuite package that runs on the Win32 platform that uses the phone as a modem... so far I haven't found anything for linux, however (anyone?).
I'm pretty happy with my current solution... I keep reading about 144kbps through GSM in a year or so and that makes me smile even more.
jason
Palm (Score:2)
--
Roaming with WebWirelessNow.com (Score:1)
If your SMS/text messaging service roams with you, the WebWirelessNow service will roam as well.
GSM PCS? (Score:2)
Pacific Bell Wireless provides GSM in SF, and here's a map [pbwireless.com] of their coverage. Digital data service [pbwireless.com] at 9600 bps for $5/month + 0.15/minute. Connects to PCs or PDAs with a $50 cable. Even their low-end [pbwireless.com] Nokia 5190 will work.
There are descriptions of cables [www.hut.fi] available, and the Linux interface is at gnokii [fatburen.org].
More about the RIM devices: (Score:1)
This shows some other models compatible with the RIM style devices.
http://www.blackberry.net/overview/handheld_spe
Here are specs on the two RIM models.
I now know the one I used was the 950. The 957 no doubt has much more possabilities.. i'm just not so sure that one will fit in one's jean pocket easily (although it should fit in many others<G>)
CDMA a blessing (Score:2)
Here in the UK (stop yawning!) (Score:3)
Incidentally, if you have a cellphone which can send SMS messages, check out Excell [excell.to] which converts SMS to email for free (150 character limit, though). Also, I think Quios [quios.com] convert email to SMS for free, although I can't ever seem to get it working properly
Lots more gory info at MobilServer [mobilserver.com], which seems to be written in Czech sometimes *frown*
Ok, enough advertising
--Remove SPAM from my address to mail me
Nokia Phones (Score:2)
At least in the U.S., that is. In Finland, people have had hand-held e-mail for quite a while now.
Re:AT&T just announced a new plan (Score:1)
Palm Vx & OmniSky (Score:1)
While it's not terribly cheap ($300 for the modem), the service will be a flat monthly rate, regardless of the amount of traffic, and works over AT&T's digital network which covers pretty much the whole country.
It comes standard with e-mail (up to 6 POP accounts, with automatic polling & notification (via a red LED on the front of the modem)), web browser (including graphics if you want to wait for them to download), stock (E*Trade), weather (Weather Channel), traffic (Etak), directions (via MapQuest) and any other web-clipping app you sync to your Palm.
The modem itself is only 19.2Kbps, but that's more than enough to download my e-mail when I'm stuck in traffic on the Beltway. You would be very tight for space if you try it with a regular 2MB Palm V, since the OmniSky software uses 1MB on the Palm.
Overall, I've been really happy with it, if for no other reason than it looks infinitely better than the Palm VII. The modem fits right in with the sleek design of the Palm V series.
OmniSky's website is, surprisingly enough, http://www.omnisky.com/
Re:if you're in a PCS-covered area (Score:2)
Whether you consider Sprint or not, PCS is probably the way to go because it's a device you're carrying around anyway, rather than an extra device. It's also a rather small addition to a monthly expense that you're probably paying already, rather than a completely separate service. If you end up buying the next Palm or the fabled Transmeta web pad in a few years, just turn off the feature and you still have a nice cell phone.
"What I cannot create, I do not understand."
I'd like to ask the question from the other side. (Score:1)
I'm looking to make content designed for the Web available via wireless devices. What's my best bet to reach the widest audience? WAP? HDML? Simplified HTML? Don't bother making different documents for wireless, just let the devices and/or gateways do the translating?
I'm really not looking forward to going back to the Bad Old Days of Web content, with sites providing a different page for different user agents: "If you have a Nokia FR3000, click here. If you have a Motorola Web-Smacker compatible device, click here."
Re:RIM : cool but closed (Score:1)
but i played tetris =)
And there are more games..
i was more excited about the email part.
I still want one.. i should walk to their head office and get one (I'm not far from the head office)
att pocketnet and ericsson r280xl (Score:1)
Re:I'd like to ask the question from the other sid (Score:1)
Much stricter standards than HTML though. But maybe that's a good thing.
WML FAQ here [colorline.no]
--Remove SPAM from my address to mail me
Re:You can taylor your own content on webwirelessn (Score:1)
I should know...I is one. Pet peeve. Sorry.
Re:the RIM device is real cool.. (Score:2)
Palm III + IR Cell Phone= (Score:1)
Instructions for setup at this page [zipworld.com.au]. Also some other info about Palm & online access.
RIM 2-Way Pagers (Score:1)
Re:PalmVII And OmniSky (Score:2)
RIM information (Score:1)
as far as email goes, you can't beat the RIM pagers. they're not a haldheld that tacked on wireless, they're a wireless device, that tacked on an organizer. what this means is that as a wireless device, the BlackBerry comes out on top (though its organizer functions leave something to be desired).
the big difference with RIM pagers is that they're "always on." what this means to users is that you get your email instantly, when it's sent. there's no "dialing" your connection, checking your mail and then waiting for your mail to transfer. instead you hear a chime, and you've got the email right there. and since the email fully downloads before you get the chime, it appears as though the email is instantly there. this is a *big* plus for the RIM device, and makes it *very* useable.
also, the "keyboard" on the RIM is much much better then writing with the pen on the Palm. i thought i'd hate it, but the more i used it, the more i realized i really wish my Palm III had the same thing. you can type surprisingly fast with your thumbs.
as for web surfing, i'm not completely sure on the statis of stock quotes and other niceties. i know that RIM has talked about this in the past, but i'm not sure of its current statis. check with your service provider to see what they're offering right now (any RIM employees care to comment?)
and if i were you, i'd get the BlackBerry 957. it's oh-so-sweet.
- j
Palm 3 and Novatel Wireless (Score:2)
Oh, and I stuck on a goVox digital recorder [landware.com] thingy too.
Re:if you're in a PCS-covered area (Score:1)
I too have the Samsung SCH-3500. I have had it for 6 Months and I am very happy with it. Granted the display is rather small and you have to scroll all the time, but the phone fits nicely in your pocket.
I have recently discovered that I can sync my address book and calendar with Yahoo and have it show up on my phone. If the coverage gets better and the phone get's some local storage, my palm pilot would become obsolete.
Re:AT&T just announced a new plan (Score:1)
"The future will be better tomorrow."
* Vice President Al Gore
Ricochet! (Score:2)
I absolutely love [sinasohn.com] my Ricochet modem [ricochet.net] and will always have it [sinasohn.com].
I know of one guy who has his hooked up to a (iirc) a psion handheld and telnets to his linux box to read e-mail and surf the web. Personally, I prefer a real laptop, but I have big fingers.
So, if you're in one of their covered areas [ricochet.net], I strongly recommend them.
Check out SkyTel and the PageWriter 2000X (Score:1)
OmniSky for the Palm V (Score:1)
I had the chance to play with this device but it is only in Beta stage right now. You hook your Palm V into a 'shoe' made by Novatel and boom, you are wireless. I noticed very similar functionality to the Palm VII, and you can use Palm Query Applets from the Palm VII on your Palm V. IIRC this is much cheaper of a solution, but I do not remember the pricing details because it has been about 6-9months since I have played with this thing.
A (semi-serious) thought about wireless ... (Score:1)
For $130 bucks list, I am amazed. It's like a combination low, low-end PDA (you can keep a virtual "business card" on it, like on a Palm, and there are attempts at least, which I have not well investigated yet)
Is it a Palm or a threat to winCE? no, that's absurd. But I do shake my head in frustration that my Visor (a great to[y / ol]) labors along in isolation, while three cybiko units can talk with each other over up to 600 feet thanks to message propogation.
It's not a real wide area service like a Palm VII, or a minstrel modem, or even a $20 pager -- but for office environments, I'd like to see cybiko create a business / geek centric division making local low-power radio tranmsitters for Palms, Handsprings and other Palm OS devices. After all, there are few enough of these durn handpsring modules (Bluetooth? what's that?), and I'd like only one part of a $139 device, so under $60 seems fair
timothy
Disclaimer: we have some for review right now, and you'll see the article on slashdot at some point;)
Re:Here in the UK (stop yawning!) (Score:2)
--GnrcMan--
What about Handspring? (Score:2)
In the meantime if you want movie times and maps there are some apps for Palm OS that you can install. For movie times there is a little program called Showtimes [palmgear.com] that allows you to download movie times for you favorite theaters from Yahoo! [yahoo.com] and stores them in a database, on your Visor or Palm, that you can access very easily. It's an awesome program and it is free!! As far as maps go, there is software available from Mapblast.com [http], called PocketBlast, that allows you to import maps to your handheld device of choice.
Re:PalmVII And OmniSky (Score:1)
I highly recommend it, great service, great device.
More about WebWirelessNow.com (Score:1)
[Disclaimer: I'm one of the software developers behind WebWirelessNow.com] [webwirelessnow.com]
Compared to other available services, WebWirelessNow.com (WWN) is the cheapest for both web site owners and users. For cell phone users with rate plans that include text messaging already, the service is essentially free. It will also work on their existing phones, so no new device to buy either. When the user dials the phone number, WWN never answers so no charge for the call.
For web sites, the WWN service is free to use. WWN gives web sites the ability to send their content on-demand to 50 million cell phones in the US. It's also easy to use -- register your site, then add a simple sign-up link to your web pages. The WWN service takes care of everything else. Of course a site does need small content (most phones can only handle 100 character text messages), but there's no new mark-up to learn. Check out the Developers Zone [webwirelessnow.com] for more information.
One of the key differences between the WebWirelessNow service and WAP, Palm VII, etc, is the ease of use for the consumer *and* the web site owner. One thing that gets overlooked in the WAP hype is the burden for web site owners: site's need to learn WAP, they need to learn a new markup language (WML), and they need to do this work without any certainty that consumers will actually pay for WAP service and use WAP phones. Just because a phone is WAP capable, doesn't mean the user will pay for the WAP service.
With WWN, sites have access to millions of their mobile users now, not 2 years from now. There's also better coverage with WWN because text messaging is available over a larger geographic area compared to WAP availability.
Regarding the "limitations" of WWN, it's true that it does not support general purpose surfing. On the other hand, have you ever tried to surf with a WAP phone? Because of limited screen sizes on phones it's not a pleasant experience. With such limited screens, mostly what you want is little bits of information, and most of the time you probably know what you want. For example, I want the latest Mariner's score and the Seattle weather forecast. With the WWN service I signed up for each and stored each phone number in speed dial. When I want to know the forecast or the Mariner's score, I simply use the speed dial, wait for the ring, and hang-up. Compared to surfing to find the info with WAP, the WWN service is very simple.
Ericsson & Psion (Score:2)
The email application is great, it allows you to view your inbox and delete emails without downloading them, but the web browser is not too hot. Good enough for simple stuff, though.
EPOC : but that's two devices.. (Score:1)
I'd go for either the Ericsson MC218 [ericsson.com]
or
The Psion revo [psion.com]
oh yeah, and there's more revo info here [revoworld.com].
For the phone, something like a Nokia 7100 Series [cellular.co.za] or 8200 Series [cellular.co.za] would do.
There's currently an HTML browser for the psion devices, with a WML one promised. The MC218 already has a WML browser.
The Unfettered Mind: Takuan Sôhô - ISBN: 0-87011-851-X
My contact details are here [wiretrap.net].
Metricom; CDPD; AT&T Wireless Pocketnet (Score:2)
data offers [attws.com];
demo thing [attws.com]
CDPD is Cellular Digital Packet Data, which crams data packets around the TDMA digital cellphone space, giving 19.2kbps always-on IP data service. AT&T offers a flat-rate service for about $55/mo, and there are various other service providers that offer per-packet pricing.
Metricom [metricom.com] Ricochet radio modems are cool - depending on the model, they range from about 28kbps-equivalent to 128kbps performance for radio-based Internet access. They're mainly located in high-tech areas and big airports, but they've gotten recent investment from MCI, so they're starting to grow a lot. It's a microcell system with pole-top radio pods connected to the network either by radioing to each other to reach wired pods. I'm not sure about the new service - the older modems could switch cells easily at walking speed, but not very well at driving or train speed. Hang one on your laptop and you can work wherever you feel like, or at least stay connected when you head out for coffee, meetings, work in the park, etc.
eLink from Motient (Score:1)
Haven't used the other fellas, so I can't attest to their service. Like the RIM 850, though.
Re:Palm (Score:2)
A Ricochet modem [ricochet.net] looks just like a regular modem to the computer. For internet access via ppp, you just have your dialer call a slightly odd looking number and voila, you're online.
So, the issues you face in doing this with a palm is the serial port, the ppp dialer, and the e-mail/web/etc. client. Those may be easily solvable; I haven't looked into them.
Another option is to use a terminal emulator on the Palm and use the Ricochet to dial into a system where you have a shell account. You can then use whatever e-mail/browser/etc. you want on that system. Note that this costs an extra $5/mo (to cover their costs for modems and outgoing lines) but can be well worth it [sinasohn.com] in some situations.
reply to self;) (Score:1)
that's all;)
timothy
Re:I'd like to ask the question from the other sid (Score:1)
The whole WAP protocol/corporate support is still very unstable and Web Clipping hasn't caught on outside of the Palm VII, so I think it's premature to commit to either one exclusively.
Cell Phone costs.. (Score:1)
RIM 850 ARDIS (DataTAC) (Score:1)
phone.com (Score:1)
Just a day ago I was doing a competitive analysis of our product and I had to go through many different wireless solutions.
So davinci.ca, phone.com, 724.com, microstrategy.com, orionserver.com
Cost aside (Score:1)
Ever consider a WindowsCE product? I bought a Casio E100 [casio.com] 8 months ago and have feel it was the best purchase Ive ever made.
When I saw my first PDA, I knew I had to have one, but recognizing how limited the hardware was, I resolved that I would resist my horrible 'first adopter' tendencies and wait for the 'next gen' products. When the E100 became available I thought it was sufficiently spec'd to be useful. 8/8 ROM/RAM, Industry Standard [compactflash.org] Compact Flash (none of this springboard stuff), Stereo Output (portable MP3), Excellent 65k colour TFT Screen (was showing StarWars Trailer on this guy 4 hours after release). It is still the best specs available in a PDA. I have a 96MB CF [sandisk.com](for MP3s), a 56k [xircom.com] CF (bought @ less than $80 through a promotion), and an Ether [xircom.com] CF (onto the network I go).
I purchased a Nokia 56xx(forget exact model #) and use the adapter ($150!!!!) to dialup my ISP.
No hassle internet - no 'services', or 'content products'
This setup set me back a bit (600+80+600+150 $CDN(subsidized by the odd 'deal' and my employer))but I feel it is the only VIABLE portable/wireless computing solution available (presently).
Sure its WinCE - but it really does perform its duty. The OS is not the only reason I bought the device. Please be objective about my decision to buy this setup - Im as much a lover of GNU/Linux and free(dom) software as you are, but what were my choices to match this performance?
Alpha pager support (Score:1)
stuff to check out (Score:1)
Tiger Electronics (maker of the Furby) is planning some cheap wireless communicators [messagingonline.net]. They only have a range of about 50-100 feet right now, so they only communicate with other devices in the area, but they have dial-up capability, so it is possible that you could rig one up as a bridge providing local wireless internet access a la Airport.
--
Go America Web is only $9.95 a month (Score:1)
WAP is already providing this!!!! (Score:1)
There is at least one product that I know of, called MAX, from Nokia (check it out here [nokia.com]
A little snippet from the Nokia page:
In addition to the portal, Nokia Artus MAX
Platform offers an optional service, MAX
Platform E-mail, that provides access to any
IMAP4, POP3 or SMTP Internet e-mail host via
a WAP supporting device.
I think this answers your question.. maybe?
RIM Pagers, these things rock.. (Score:1)
Motorola's has 9 lines of display, the RIM 950 has 6 or 8 and the RIM 957 has 16 or 20.. (user selectable)
Motorola's pagers
http://commerce.motorola.com/consumer/QWhtml/page
RIM's pagers
http://www.blackberry.net/overview/handheld_spe
Like said before, RIM's pagers are wireless devices that are also PDAs... No flip tops and no external antennas to be broken. No external add ons to carry around that will increase it's size..
They are not bulky as refered to earlier.. The 957 is about the size of a Palm and the 950 is the the size of a regular playing card..
Also as earlier, I don't see any reason to carry around a Palm also, because the RIM pagers are also date books, address books, has to do lists, everything the Palm has to offer besides the extra apps.. Palm has been around longer and is more widely used and therefore has a lot of extra apps.. But the SDK for RIM pagers is available..
If you check out www.neomar.com, they are soon releasing a WAP for the Palm and the RIM devices. I don't know when..
PocketMail & Related Devices (Score:1)
The deal is, it's 9600 baud I think, email only... but with web-email gateways, you could do a lot... and the JVC device sells on ebay for around $50... definately a budgeted device anywhere in the states. International callers have to use a direct dial number, and will incur charges probably for that... anyway... neat devices to play.
If you have your own web services, you could probably write up a bunch of scripts to email you data you need when you trigger the page with an email. That's what I do.
Re:You can taylor your own content on webwirelessn (Score:2)
I can see that my wacky sense of humor interests you not.
Go Visit Wireless Vendors (Score:2)
The last time I was in the BAM shop, they had Palm divices, so there are definately options out there.
Anomalous: inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected
Re:Cost aside (Score:1)
600 PDA
80 56k
600 96MB CF
150 Ether
+ 250 Cell
+ 150 Modem/Cell Adapter
+ 20 Cell Service
Pardon lack of clarity/completeness on previous post.
Wireless handheld? That's easy! Palm + cellphone (Score:1)
- Palm IIIx with OS3.3 upgrade for IR -> modem support
- Nokia 8210 GSM cellphone, which is about Zippo lighter sized and has a built in modem and IR port
- Qualcomm pdQSuite web browser for surfing.. works great, no proxies or proprietary services needed $44.95
- MultiMail for email - supports SMTP, POP3 and IMAP4 (free with voluntary $10 registration fee)
- PalmVNC for remote control of Win 9x, NT and several UNIX's
- TopGun SSH when you just feel like you have to get shell access while you're sailing, in a train, subway, bus or rollerblading
What more could I ask for?
Why does this WAP thing even seem interesting? (Score:1)
Why aren't mobile-phone makers implementing a simple text-oriented web broswer on their phones (or on palm-tops)?
The html could be used to describe pages and the http protocol could be used to look at those pages. It could even be possible to generate pages for the mobile users automatically from regular internet pages and not rewrite them.
That would save everybody time and money. And mobile phone operators would only have to grant acess to the internet to their users.
Motorola Startac and Verizon (Score:1)
I'd recommend the service to anyone as long as they can get digital service in their main calling area. It isn't that expensive either...I think I'm getting 200 minutes a month for $40.
-witz
minimal web surfing (Score:1)
> traffic, movie showtimes, driving directions?).
No need for a browser! I use my normal (CellOne SF) cell phone and one of the new "voice portals". I'm hooked on Quack.com [quack.com], but there are others (e.g. TellMe [tellme.com] ). A great thing about these is that I don't have to take my hands off the wheel (and my eyes off the road) to get the info while I'm in the car.
> wireless email
OK, until somebody does a good phone-based Text To Speech and voice recognition service, you're back to some other device.
In addition to my CellOne service, I also have WAP through SprintPCS (currently $75 for 2000 minutes/mo). I got the TouchPoint phone which has a larger screen than my Nokia CellOne phone, and is very easy to use. It's my data phone. I also got the connector kit so I can use the phone as a wireless modem. This morning I was using Yahoo Messenger on my Palm III. Works fine.
> Since it seems WAP is a ways off
I disagree. While many web sites don't yet support WML, everything you are asking for is already in place. Visto [visto.com] and Yahoo! [yahoo.com] already support WAP very well, if you want to do email from there.
One thing I have seen but haven't tried yet - let's say you are standing in the Good Fried Circuit store about to buy some new widget. You think to yourself, "is this a good deal? I should go home and surf the web for prices." Instead, while you're standing in the store, WAP into DealTime Mobile [dealtime.com] and do some comparison shopping.
There are more interesting WAP services springing up all the time.
Of course now I am travelling around with two cell phones (I like the CellOne service, I just wish they would add WAP), a Palm III and cables. But that's nothing compared to lugging around my laptop and the bulky ricochet modem, which I had to return because my house is outside their service area.
Re:Palm (Score:2)
Re:RIM 2-Way Pagers (Score:1)
seriously, i figured they would be using encryption but running a dsp and decoding it as plain old mobitex works fine. granted, you get all the other crud on the mobitex network but if you filter for the man # you want it shouldn't be an issue.
and they said the same thing about mdt's. rember, bit scrambling is _not_ encryption, it's a data integrity mechanism...
Internet without wireless / modem and phones (Score:1)
Re:if you're in a PCS-covered area (Score:1)
Check your Sprint PCS store in the next month or so: they're supposed to begin offering a belt holster for this phone a la the StarTAC. I can't wait to get mine!
Palm VII versus Rim (Score:1)
Tellme (Score:1)
Re:if you're in a PCS-covered area (Score:1)
Perhaps there are differences between what you're using and what I'm using, but from Sprint's web site (http://s4.sprintpcs.com/wireless/pricin g.html [sprintpcs.com]), I see
Sprint PCS Wireless Web Option
For $9.99 a month, you can add the Sprint PCS Wireless WebSM to your existing service plan of $29.99 or more. This Option lets you use your calling plan minutes for both clear calls and accessing the wireless internet, and you get 30 Sprint PCS Wireless Web updates included. Each additional minute of Sprint PCS Wireless Web access costs $0.25. Each additional update costs $0.10.
I figure it's cheaper for me to pay the 39c per minute (I never go under on my minutes, but don't go over enough to bump up) rate instead of paying $10 for 30 minutes + 25c/minute after that.
Are you really getting an "unlimited service is only about $11/month" through Sprint PCS?
Wireless LAN option for those that don't move much (Score:1)
http://www.3com.com/wireless/ [3com.com]
slightly offtopic, but still kind of on the mark.
Re:RIM Web interaction (Score:1)
lamp77
iPIX [ipix.com]
Re:eLink from Motient (RIM 850) (Score:1)
Web Browsing via email, for RIM pagers, etc. (Score:1)
lynx -dump -width=60 http://www.cnn.com, for instance, gives you most of what you need to easily create a web display and process links. It cops out on forms so far and the output needs to be postprocessed to target zones of the page. All easily doable. Links could be requested by replying with the link number. Forms submitted with text after the quoted field lines or tagged.
Email me if you want to help or be notified of progress and I'll create a list.
I have the RIM dev kit, which is free, so it's possible some enhancement could be done that way.
Palm 3 Solution (Score:1)
Omnisky Minstrel 3 modem [novatelwireless.com], with GoAmerica coverage, Top Gun Postman [berkeley.edu] for email (Set up a new POP account to mirror my email), and ProxiWeb [proxinet.com] as my web browser.
Postman and ProxiWeb are free (as in beer).
Stock quotes/Weather/traffic/movie showtimes all provided by my.yahoo.com. Driving directions by Mapquest (they have palm pilot version of their page, although I forget the URL)
--
Psion - Opera - Symbian (Score:1)
IMO, everything else is half-baked and under-powered. See Psion's website. [psion.com]
Psion likes cell phones... (Score:2)
It's a nice idea; 640-pixel wide screen, fonts, zoom control for dealing with small fonts, email...
Coverage area and Hardware, Service (Score:1)
You wont go wrong with any of these devices.
Personally, I run the AT&T Pocketnet servers. I see how these features are being used in businesses.
Dispatch companies love WAP phones, Corporate types like the Wireless palms, and unix/network admins love the wireless modems.
Biggest war right now is that everyone and their brother has a WAP phone, Content is the big key.n fospace_preview.html [attws.com]
Check out the content providers AT&T has, every major trading firm, infospace, disney, abcnews/espn, ebay, and the list goes on...
http://www.attws.com/personal/explore/pocketnet/i
IMHO -IronWolve
Re: Alpha pager support (Score:1)
There are many services that have daily "push" of information you request. To differentiate ourselves, WWN is focused more on "pull" where users request info. Regarding alpha-pager support, the idea is that people with analog cell phones but alpha-pagers could place the call from the phone and have the content delivered to the pager.
That said, a combination of push and pull is under consideration. You might sign up for headlines once a day and be able to request on demand. No firm decisions or dates yet, but it's definitely under discussion.
UK also has hand-held email (Score:1)
Phillip.
Re:Go Visit Wireless Vendors (Score:1)
BAM uses AT&T for roaming, AT&T has the larger network.
Ive been disappointed on how such a good service as wireless data could be sold without any marketing..
BTW, Not sure what the price is, but AT&T does have an unlimited CDPD package.
-IronWolve
Super cheap mobile email solution (Score:1)
Use your palm III in combination with a cell phone (Score:1)
I used to use a Nokia data cable, a palm V travel kit, and the abovementioned converter. I have since switched to a Motorola i1000, which has pre-made palm data cables available.
The nice thing about using the palm instead of some device like the Blackberry is the flexibility. I have an SSH1 client, a pop3 reader, a web browser, and an IRC client on there. I even have a VNC client, though it's a major pain to use. However, VNC and SSH come in very useful in emergencies, when you absolutely, positively must get that server back up
Also, if you have an analog phone, chances are you won't have to pay extra to make data calls. I have a GSM phone, so it's $15/mo for the data calls, and the minutes come out of the normal free minutes each month.
check out unimobile.com (Score:1)
Re:ppVII Has Lousy Coverage?!@# (Score:1)
Re:VoiceStream GSM (Score:1)
I don't know if there's an equivalent of the DataSuite package for non-Win32 platforms, but someone could probably use the AT commands to figure out how to dial on the Nokia phone. I think VoiceStream or Nokia has a page with a link to the AT commands, but I don't have the URL handy.
One thing I like about VoiceStream is that I can call any of my ISP's POPs within my home range (if the Portland POPs is misbehaving, I can connect to the Vancouver, Seattle or Salem POP without any L/D charges... woohoo!).
With DSL at home and very fast Internet connection at work, the 9600bps wireless connection was a bit hard for me to get used to. Hey, as long as I get my e-mail and pull down driving directions on the go, I'm happy.
Look at Metadot open source portal server (Score:1)
Daniel
Re:AT&T just announced a new plan (Score:1)
There is also a limit on how many e-mails you can have in the inbox before they start deleting stored messages and send a bounceback message. I think the limit is 50, but I'm not sure. Anyone have the actual number?
Personally, that's a bit spendy, but I guess it was never meant to be used with a PDA/computer.
Re:CDMA a blessing (Score:1)
Re:Go Visit Wireless Vendors (Score:1)
I'm not surprised. But they must have not been educating their sales force on it becuase no one in the Manhattan store front that I visited last May knew a damn thing about it.
Anomalous: inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected
Re:Alpha pager support (Score:2)
You want slashdot via wwn? I threw together a few infolinks at landsberger.com/infolinks [landsberger.com]
Re:Why does this WAP thing even seem interesting? (Score:2)
A big reason is that html is way overkill for a pocket phone. Modern browsers have gotten to the point where they are correcting html tag errors on the fly, handling various types of scripting languages, etc. The cost for a phone to be html 4.0 compatable would be probitive. XHTML is supposed to fix this, but it is not ready yet.
Re:Here in the UK (stop yawning!) (Score:1)
When I got a DVD player it was damn boring too, after I had watched the only disc I owned. Then I got more movies.
Wait for the content, and realize what WAP is supposed to do - it's a tool, not an entertainment medium. If you expect to go web surfing with a WAP device you might get bored, yes. Same goes for using Lynx.
Re:Nextel? (Score:1)
Re:I'd like to ask the question from the other sid (Score:1)
To keep it polite, you have some imagination! You only have to visit www.wapforum.org to disprove this statement. The WAP protocol is NOT unstable -go get the specs for yourself. Attend a bi-monthly WAP forum meeting and see representatives from ALL the vendors, including Symbian, Microsoft, Phone.com, Ericsson, Nokia and others planning the next enhancements. Go ask all the big handset manufacturers whether they will ship WAP-enabled devices in 2000.
I can understand why you think this - here in the USA the fragmented standards used for mobile device communications has slowed the adoption of WAP, but in Europe it's live, and it's big. You have a lot to learn about the state of WAP.
Re:if you're in a Sprint PCS area (Score:1)