08-20-2002, 04:00 PM
|
|
Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
|
|
Be careful when buying hardware claiming PDA compatibility
Be careful if you are buying hardware that is primarily designed for desktops but you want to use it with your Pocket PC, especially in the burgeoning bluetooth market. There are a lot of bluetooth WLAN solutions coming out, and while ultimately most will eventually work just fine with your Pocket PC, it may not right out of the box.
Daniel Brahms ordered the Blue Gear bluetooth USB kit online. I checked a few places like Outpost.com to see what they had listed for this product. Lots of claims at the site, including "True Versatility - Synchronize the data between your Bluetooth� enabled PDAs and other Bluetooth� enabled devices with your computer to experience BlueGear innovation." However, once you get the box, there is a nice little disclaimer.
� You have to purchase the software that allows your PDA to work
� You cannot purchase it yet. It is still in beta according to Amazing Technologies, the company that makes BlueGear.
No doubt the kit is cheap - $129 to network two PCs. Far cheaper than any WiFi solution, though the cost of the software is an unknown at this point. Just be careful when buying bleeding edge technology like this. I'd wait until you saw an independent online review or got a money-back guarantee. Thanks to Daniel for alerting us to this and taking the time to scan in the box and email me the above image.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-20-2002, 05:01 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 129
|
|
NOTE: I purchased it in June and tried to order the PDA app...was told the ipaq app would be ready in 60 days. Called after 60 days (august) and was told "end of the year"...then, I got an email response which stated October 2002. not sure if they know what's going on....the beta version they were kind enough to send me comes with ZERO support (which they state in advance) along with a "simplified set of instructions"...which was 65 pages and much of the text was in Japanese. Grrr....
|
| |
|
|
|
08-20-2002, 05:06 PM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 784
|
|
Another product that claims to work with all PPC 2002 devices is the Linksys WCF12 card, but it did not work with my Toshiba E570 and tech support said it was not compatible with the Toshiba... :roll:
|
| |
|
|
|
08-20-2002, 05:09 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 129
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by djtipmothee
Another product that claims to work with all PPC 2002 devices is the Linksys WCF12 card, but it did not work with my Toshiba E570 and tech support said it was not compatible with the Toshiba... :roll:
|
STATE THE PRODUCT SO OTHERS ARE WARNED!!!!
|
| |
|
|
|
08-20-2002, 05:16 PM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 784
|
|
Um I did...LINKSYS WCF12
Others have claimed that they got it to work though so maybe Linksys was just throwing me some BS...who knows... :?
|
| |
|
|
|
08-20-2002, 05:19 PM
|
|
Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by djtipmothee
Um I did...LINKSYS WCF12
Others have claimed that they got it to work though so maybe Linksys was just throwing me some BS...who knows... :?
|
Works just fine with my iPAQ 3800. Wonder what Toshiba has done with their CF implementation that messes it up?
|
| |
|
|
|
08-20-2002, 05:43 PM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 94
|
|
Quote:
|
Far cheaper than any WiFi solution
|
$129 to network two PC's is about what WiFi costs right now. You can get two 802.11b cards for $60 to $70 a piece. If you use Windows XP, you can even bridge to your wired network at no additional cost. Why do you say that the Bluetooth kit is "far cheaper"?
|
| |
|
|
|
08-20-2002, 05:47 PM
|
|
Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,350
|
|
Well, it's just that Ed is this huge Bluetooth fan, that will say anything to have people choose Bluetooth over WiFi solutions. G,D&R
|
| |
|
|
|
08-20-2002, 06:27 PM
|
|
Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by johncj
$129 to network two PC's is about what WiFi costs right now. You can get two 802.11b cards for $60 to $70 a piece. If you use Windows XP, you can even bridge to your wired network at no additional cost. Why do you say that the Bluetooth kit is "far cheaper"?
|
I was thinking more of a real LAN with a basic wireless access point/router, not ad hoc. You are right, if you just want to slap two NIC's in there, you can do that for about $130-$140 depending on the brand, maybe $150+ if you need a CF NIC.
|
| |
|
|
|
08-20-2002, 06:38 PM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 384
|
|
Be careful of software as well ... SwiftWare (Swindel Ware)
http://www.cosmi.com/html/product%20...le_journal.htm
I picked this up at Staples as it advertised Journal Capability and was buying other products.
It clearly states that it
"Works with both Palm and Pocket PC Handhelds"
Upon installation, I discoverd that it was only a DESKTOP application. The alleged "PocketPC/Palm" functionality was an option to manually export and import .rtf files. It doesn't even do the export/import automatically.
BIG RIPOFF!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of SwiftWare (www.cosmi.com) appear to be discounted/discontinued software. That's fine for the desktop. However this "PalmTop" program is not for PalmTop. Based on this outrageous false advertisement I would recommend everyone AVOID Swiftware when browsing the lines at your local Staples.
 <---- DONT WASTE MONEY ON THIS !!!!!!!
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
