Wireless Connectivity Options for the Palm Platform
Tuesday, August 15th, 2000
SeaPUG Meeting #2
By peter bohac

* About Me
	* Palm Addict since 1996
	* Hobbiest developer
	* Professional wireless projects

* Wireless In General
	* Why wireless?
		Access to quick info from anywhere.
		Not tied to a PC or a phone line.
	* Wireless data networks:
		LAN vs WAN
		CDPD, CDMA, GSM
		Bluetooth,
		Wireless Ethernet
		3G, GPRS
	* TLAs & Other Acronyms
		Local Area Network
		Wide Area Network
		Cellular Digital Packet Data
		Code Division Multiple Access
		Global System for Mobile Communications
		Digital Spread Spectrum
		3rd Generation of Mobile Communications
		General Packet Radio Service
		Bits Per Second
	* Connection Speeds
		Today: 9600 - 19200 bps

* Integrated devices
	* Palm VII/VIIx
		Monthly: $9.99 - $44.99
	* Qualcomm/Kyocera pdQ
	* Symbol 1700-series
	* more in the future
	* Hardware Cost: $399 - $800+

* Hardware Modules
	* TRGPro CF card
		Xircom CompactCard Modem 56 GlobalAccess
		perhaps more...
	* Springboard modules for the Handspring Visor
		None available for purchase today
		Several announced
		Possibilities for wireless voice and data

* Hardware Add-ons (Clip-ons)
	* Novatel Minstrel Modem
		for Palm III/V series
		for Visor (future)
		GoAmerica monthly charges: $9.95-$49.95
	* Omnisky Modem
		Rebranded Minstrel V plus additional software
		Monthly: $39.95
	* Hardware Cost: $150 - $369

* Tethered Wireless Hardware
	* Two-way Pagers
		Beamlink by JP Systems, Inc.
		Works with SkyTel, PageNet, PageMart and others
	* Cabled PCS Phones
		Sprint WWeb Conn Kit
		Kyocera Palm Conn Kit
		GlobalPulse Cable
		Hardware Cost: $80 - $100
	* IR PCS Phones
		PalmOS >= 3.3
		GSM Phones
		Hardware Cost: $0 - $400

* Cabled PCS Phones
	* Sprint PCS Wireless Web Connection Kit
	* Kyocera Palm Connection Kit
	* Global Pulse for Nokia

* Infrared PCS Phones
	* IrDA only available on GSM phones
		Ericsson CF/I 888, Motorola Timeport, Nokia 7190/8290/8890
		Also Option Adapter and DI27
	* PalmOS 3.3 or later works best
		Palm m100, IIIxe, Vx, VIIx, TRGPro
		Some other PalmOS devices upgradeable
		Enhanced IR patch available for PalmOS < 3.3 (except Visor)

* Other/Esoteric Hardware
	* Desktop Sync
	* Desktop serial
	* Landline modem
	* Am. Packet Radio
	* Sleds and PCMCIA cards

* Wireless Software
	* Browsers
		HTML, WML, PQA/WCA
	* Email
	* Other
		Telnet, SSH, FTP, VNC, Ping

* Questions, Comments, Corrections?
	* This is by no means an authoritative list of options nor a 
        complete listing of all that is available. Technology 
        changes fast, and there is more available than time or space
        to cover it all.
	* Feel free to email the SeaPUG mailing list with your questions
		(or comments) and I'll do my best to help you out:
		seapug@egroups.com

* Other presentation notes
	* Things to cover and/or spend more time on in the future:
		power consumption
		air-time costs
		specific examples and scenarios