My iPAQ 3870

[Jason Dunn]

On Monday, I received an iPAQ 3870. Hooray! The device is quite cool, although I still like my Jornada. The newest thing on the 3870 to me is the Bluetooth. So the question is, now that I have it, what do I DO with it? No cell phone provider in my area sells Bluetooth phones yet. I have no Bluetooth cards for my laptop, and I'm not sure I see the purpose in getting one.<br /><br />What would you do if you were me? What would your killer Bluetooth scenarios be?

[Shaun Stuart]

I am using my 3870 with a TDK USB Bluetooth adaptor. My Desktop is in the spare room upstairs but this connection allows me to sync , check email and surf the web (using the activesync internet pass through option) from anywhere in the house.

I have been trying for a while to get my ipaq to work with PCdrive which creates a virtual storage card on your desktop - problem is PCdrive/ipaq appears to struggle with transferring large data files :D

[mgd]

If I had a 3870, I would consider buying a Bluetooth Access Point which would allow me quick access to my LAN without need of a sleeve for a WiFi/LAN card. I hate having to use sleeves because the naked iPaq feels so comfortable in my hands, but since mine is a 3670, I haven't a choice.

[rene_canlas]

Jason, if you have GSM service where you live, check out if your GSM provider is offering GPRS. If they do then get an Ericsson T39m and surf the web wirelessly with no bulky sleeves :)

Also, you can buy Pocket Presence's Running Voice GSM and use your ipaq to dial and send/receive sms text. If you get the ericcson bluetooth headset, then you can even answer calls.

[heliod]

Jason,

I will suggest you some options, none is very new and probably have already been suggested:

1. Although you don't have it now, surely soon you will have BT enable cellphones in your area, it's a question of time.
2. An access point to your network would be a fine application
3. A USB plug for your computer would let the computer communicate with the IPAQ
4. A BT PLUG for your printer would let you print directly from the IPAQ.
5. And there will always be (in the future) the public access points... I hope.

Best regards, and have a good trip to Germany.

[JoeThielen]

What would your killer Bluetooth scenarios be?


Syncronizing
Wireless Headphones
GPS
Internet (via cell phone or access point)
Printing
Automotive hooks (vehicle systems monitoring, for auditing purposes (taking exact measurements for business trips, oil-chage history, etc...))
Home Automation (more likely an Internet-related thing, but maybe someone will come up with a stand-alone HA system with bluetooth hooks).
FAST FOOD ORDERING SYSTEM (gone would be the days of those darn kids screwing up my orders! Oh I behold the idea wonderful! Pull into a Wendy's parking lot (the spaces would be numbered), and order directly from your screen... pay via an electronic method (credit/debit card or other) and have your food served directly to you... in-store also (using table number)).
Telephony
Universal Home Entertainment Center Controller.
PaceMaker monitoring (for all you old-farts out there ;) Just kidding!). For real, I think the medical impact of something like this could be AMAZING!

The list of 'killer' items goes on and on and on...!

[Jason Dunn]

The list of 'killer' items goes on and on and on...!


Cool ideas, but how many of them can I do TODAY? :-) That's really what I'm looking for.

[vetteguy]

The GPRS with a Bluetooth phone is a good option, too bad it is all but iimpossible to get it to work with Voicestream's service.

[JoeThielen]

Cool ideas, but how many of them can I do TODAY? :-) That's really what I'm looking for.


I know, but you asked for ':twisted:' scenarios. I just had to put my non-sensical USD$0.02 in like usual :).

[JMountford]

I would love to help Jason, but the thought that keeps coming to me is give it to me!! :D

I plan on buying an Xscale with Bluetooth when they come out. Hopefully by then My wireless service will have a Bluetooth enabled handset.

I was told in confidence that there are plans to release Bluetooth Handsets for the CDMA market within the next few months.

I know you and I are kind of in the same boat so good luck. :?

[Andy Sjostrom]

"What would you do if you were me?"

Move to Sweden! :D

[mememe]

The list of 'killer' items goes on and on and on...!


Cool ideas, but how many of them can I do TODAY? :-) That's really what I'm looking for.


Your in Calgary, right? :?:

Go to PCS in the Eatons Centre Mall in dtown, check the store called PCS (Portable Computing Source). They sell FIDO service, but are able to bring in handsets not offered by the carrier. They do have access to many different options.

I'm still pondering your email about GPRS service... Justification is hard. :?

[Jason Dunn]

Go to PCS in the Eatons Centre Mall in dtown, check the store called PCS (Portable Computing Source). They sell FIDO service, but are able to bring in handsets not offered by the carrier. They do have access to many different options.


I have mixed feeling about FIDO. Their GPRS pricing is quite expensive if I were to use it a lot, and they have a really poor reputation in Calgary for cell coverage. I have enough problems with crappy Telus coverage... :-)

[mememe]

Go to PCS in the Eatons Centre Mall in dtown, check the store called PCS (Portable Computing Source). They sell FIDO service, but are able to bring in handsets not offered by the carrier. They do have access to many different options.


I have mixed feeling about FIDO. Their GPRS pricing is quite expensive if I were to use it a lot, and they have a really poor reputation in Calgary for cell coverage. I have enough problems with crappy Telus coverage...)


Funny, I was out in Calgary last week (Sun-Thur) w/ a 1.5 days spent in Red Deer and was covered everywhere I went (depends on where you go, I guess :-)

As to pricing, GPRS priced by Microcell/FIDO is less than what you would pay for in the USA or most other places on the globe...

You want something faster than CDPD or the ethereal 1xrtt, GPRS is the only place to go :-)

[topps]

I have been doing some testing between two 3870's - am quite impressed with the range of BT - I had been thinking of it as just a cable replacement but I could use it anywhere in my house or office.

I also tried a BT dongle with my laptop - was set up for me by Wireless Networks Inc here in town. Tracy Presilowski might be able to help you. We got the 3870 talking nicely to the laptop, could do file transfer etc. Did not manage to get ActiveSync working, although it is supposed to be possible.

We have so far been unable to find a BT network hub - the BT on the 3870 is apparently not the latest 1.1 iteration.

Also it does not support links to headphones yet, which is disappointing...but I suppose the ROM is flashable so there's always the next upgrade.

dt
////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Dr David Topps
PocketProf Project Leader Tel: +1 403 219 6100
Assistant Professor Fax: +1 403 219 6120
UCMC Sunridge, 3465 26AvNE Calgary. T1Y 6L4.
Dept of Family Medicine, University of Calgary
www.pocketprof.org

[Liquidrice]

Well if it is cheaper.

I would love to get the $150 bluetooth printer adapter.
$150 - Bluetooth CF Card.
$200 - Bluetooth Headset for my Ericsson T39m.

But to Jason, I do recommend the Ericsson T39m. I got the phone for $125 with a 1 year contract with voicestream. I think you can do it with cingular too. It's a lovely small phone. Too bad I can't afford the $150 bluetooth cf card for my jornada 567. owell.

[GregWard]

Has anybody got ActiveSync working over Bluetooth?

I have a socket card in my iPaq and the TDK USB on my PC - but can't seem to find a way of even starting ActiveSync this way. Socket tell me that I'll need a new version of their firmware (not yet released) - so maybe it's not yet possible with this combo.

[shilmover]

Jason,

I had the pleasure of using a T39 phone from Rogers (the only one they had). While i could communicate with it via bluetooth, they had not turned the data on at the tower, so i could not dial out from my 3870.

This service, however, will be available mid March (a week or so away).

:D

Barry

[Jason Dunn]

But to Jason, I do recommend the Ericsson T39m. I got the phone for $125 with a 1 year contract with voicestream. I think you can do it with cingular too.


Remember that I'm in Canada, not the USA. :-)

[merlin]

For people in the U.S., The manager of a Cingular store here in Las Vegas tells me they will have the T68 available in mid April.

GregWard - There is a tutorial here that might help you ActiveSync with Bluetooth:
http://www.ppcshowcase.com/btasync.htm

[GregWard]

Thanks for the link - although the page seems to have moved. I did find a tutorial elsewhere though - it didn't work for my set-up (I have a Socket CF card, a 36xx and the TDK usb). Socket tell me that I need to wait for a firmware upgrade. I'm on their list!