View Full Version : Compaq iPAQ GSM/GPRS Wireless Pack Review
Jason Dunn
03-07-2002, 07:31 PM
<a href="http://www.pocketpcwriter.net/stories.php?story=02/03/06/4560436">http://www.pocketpcwriter.net/stories.php?story=02/03/06/4560436</a><br /><br />Arne Hess reviews the Compaq iPAQ GSM/GPRS Wireless Pack on his site, Pocket PC Writer.net. Looks like quite the piece of hardware! Arne says that even when the iPAQ is off, the GPRS sleeve can receive a call and wake the iPAQ up. And with a standby time of 180 hours and 4 hours of talk time, it's on par with most cell phones.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ipaqgprs.jpg" /><br /><br />"The Compaq iPAQ Wireless Pack for GSM/GPRS Networks broadens the functionality of Compaq iPAQ H3600, H3700 and H3800 Pocket PCs to include data and voice capabilities. The Wireless Pack combines Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technologies to allow users to access the Internet and send and receive email and Short Message Service (SMS) messages, in addition to making wireless phone calls. The Wireless Pack essentially converts the pocket PC to a mobile phone and wireless data device that can be easily and conveniently taken anywhere also because it supports GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz."
JohnnyFlash
03-07-2002, 08:47 PM
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ipaqgprs.jpg
Cool gadget indeed it is. But the price!!! For this price one can buy decent smartphone!
JohnnyFlash
03-07-2002, 08:52 PM
converts the pocket PC to a mobile phone and wireless data device that can be easily and conveniently taken anywhere also because it supports GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz."
Not truth! It lacks WLAN !!! There are already on the market gadgets that combiane WLAN and GPRS in 1 expansion pack for iPAQ! In order to treat this pack as serious solution for enterprises it would need to have WLAN too!!! Sorry, to be critic but it is truth...
Here is my baby with WLAN:
http://www.wirelesssoftware.info/archives/2002.3.3_12223/ipaqwlan1.jpg
I just cannot imagine myself life without WLAN...
whoopus
03-07-2002, 09:01 PM
Now, the question is can Whitney fit this in a naked Vaja sleve? 8)
Mark
marlof
03-07-2002, 09:24 PM
converts the pocket PC to a mobile phone and wireless data device that can be easily and conveniently taken anywhere also because it supports GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz."
Not truth! It lacks WLAN !!!
This I don't get. I believe the quote from Jason (who quoted Arne) is true as can be. It converts the Pocket PC (iPAQ) in a Mobile Phone (GSM) and Wireless Data Device (GPRS) that can be easily and conveniently (True, both iPAQ and sleeve are highly portable) taken anywhere because it supports GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz (True, because tri band means coverage in for instance Europe and the US).
In short, there's nothing wrong with the quote, and still you got pretty excited (twice the word 'truth'). So you like WLAN as well. But I'm sorry to disturb you: life without WLAN is imaginable. I'm an enterprise user, and still I don't use WLAN. But I do use GPRS. All the time, every day. Still you don't catch me saying that people should forget about WLAN, and do only GPRS. That would be plain silly.
Please realize that people will have different schemes for doing the things they do, and your scheme might not always be the one and only scheme. If you want GSM, GPRS and WLAN, take a J928 WDA as soon as it's available. Or that GPRS/GSM/WLAN sleeve. But don't go around saying a quote that doesn't lie does not speak the truth....
Jason Dunn
03-07-2002, 09:27 PM
For this price one can buy decent smartphone!
You could also buy a few hundred McDonald's hambugers indead. What's your point? A Smartphone is a totally different device than an iPAQ sleeve, so comparing them strictly based on price doesn't make much sense....
Jason Dunn
03-07-2002, 09:30 PM
Not truth! It lacks WLAN !!! There are already on the market gadgets that combiane WLAN and GPRS in 1 expansion pack for iPAQ!
And how much do they cost? I bet they're more expensive than a Smartphone... :lol: :lol: :lol:
I just cannot imagine myself life without WLAN...
Go a mile away from your WLAN access point and then imagine life without GPRS - more mobile workers benefit from WAN technologies than LAN technologies. Not everyone stays within 1000 feet of their office. :roll:
Arne Hess
03-07-2002, 09:45 PM
What's your point? A Smartphone is a totally different device than an iPAQ sleeve, so comparing them strictly based on price doesn't make much sense....
JPZR doesn't understand it or he doesn't read my full review including my conclusion:
I can recommend the Wireless Pack for everybody how needs professional access to the Net. Non professionals, or user who want to access the E-Mail from time to time only should better think about a Pocket PC/Mobile Phone connection; but again the philosophy behind all Wireless Pocket PCs (doesn't matter if integrated or like the Wireless Pack) is data centric with voice support, while the new Smartphone 2002 is voice centric with data support.
JohnnyFlash
03-07-2002, 09:53 PM
Go a mile away from your WLAN access point and then imagine life without GPRS - more mobile workers benefit from WAN technologies than LAN technologies. Not everyone stays within 1000 feet of their office. :roll:
8)
Jason, I know what you mean. My point was that it
cannot be called "enterprise solution" if it does not have WLAN.
Look at gismo at http://www.gismoclub.com/ to see what I mean.
For this price I would really prefer to buy some
device with PocketPC Phone Edition
or even device with MS Smartphone 2002!!!
Sorry, but I don't believe in "GPRS-only expansion packs"...
Arne Hess
03-07-2002, 09:53 PM
converts the pocket PC to a mobile phone and wireless data device that can be easily and conveniently taken anywhere also because it supports GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz."
Not truth! It lacks WLAN !!! There are already on the market gadgets that combiane WLAN and GPRS in 1 expansion pack for iPAQ! In order to treat this pack as serious solution for enterprises it would need to have WLAN too!!! Sorry, to be critic but it is truth...
Here is my baby with WLAN:
I just cannot imagine myself life without WLAN...
JPZR - where is the point? What is not true? Nobody wrote that it supports W-LAN so what is not true?
BTW: I recommend to use a CF W-LAN card, it's more handy than your baby - a brick. Your iPAQ looks like a Nokia 3G prototype today (or even the brick called Nokia 7650)... But okay, the Finns (and I count you as a Finn, even if you are not one) will loose/already lost the design war of cool mobile devices... :lol:
And you are right, I can not live without W-LAN at home too but I can not even live without GPRS on my ways. I can not live without Net access but what you are talking about are different focuses...
Scott R
03-07-2002, 09:54 PM
Did I read Arne's review correctly? $600+ just for the sleeve? Add that to the cost of an iPaq and wow! It also makes for a very big device. The Nokia 92xx series seems like a better overall package, IMO.
Scott
Jason Dunn
03-07-2002, 09:55 PM
Look at gismo at http://www.gismoclub.com/ to see what I mean.
Yes, nice device. 8) They emailed us last year with an offer for a review unit, but we haven't seen anything yet. I'm also not sure of the price...
JohnnyFlash
03-07-2002, 10:02 PM
BTW: I recommend to use a CF W-LAN card, it's more handy than your baby - a brick. Your iPAQ looks like a Nokia 3G prototype today (or even the brick called Nokia 7650)... But okay, the Finns (and I count you as a Finn, even if you are not one) will loose/already lost the design war of cool mobile devices... :lol:
And you are right, I can not live without W-LAN at home too but I can not even live without GPRS on my ways. I can not live without Net access but what you are talking about are different focuses...
Calm down, Arne. And don't Finnlandize me, please, it is not fair, you
know that I am from country which is 60 km away from capital of your
country.
My concern is about PRICE and usage in enterprise. In both these
factors the expansion pack described by you fails!
It is not big deal to produce something for THAT high price!
JohnnyFlash
03-07-2002, 10:14 PM
And how much do they cost? I bet they're more expensive than a Smartphone... :lol: :lol: :lol:
really :lol: ?
I don't think so.
here is what Sendo says about its Sendo Z100
(first phone with MS Smartphone 2002):
Price of the device depends on operator subsidies and on the software package the operator selects. You can expect prices between $399 and $999.
you get my point?
Arne Hess
03-07-2002, 10:18 PM
BTW: I recommend to use a CF W-LAN card, it's more handy than your baby - a brick. Your iPAQ looks like a Nokia 3G prototype today (or even the brick called Nokia 7650)... But okay, the Finns (and I count you as a Finn, even if you are not one) will loose/already lost the design war of cool mobile devices... :lol:
And you are right, I can not live without W-LAN at home too but I can not even live without GPRS on my ways. I can not live without Net access but what you are talking about are different focuses...
Calm down, Arne. And don't Finnlandize me, please, it is not fair, you
know that I am from country which is 60 km away from capital of your
country.
My concern is about PRICE and usage in enterprise. In both these
factors the expansion pack described by you fails!
It is not big deal to produce something for THAT high price!
You have to differentiate the corporate market: There are guys which are working day in day out in the office, maybe they need W-LAN, maybe not... But there is the market of road warriors (like I was), field forces and sales men which are more in the cars, airplanes or trains. There W-LAN is totally useless but Net access is highly required. And there, the Wireless Pack is the right decision.
Don't get me wrong, I love W-LAN too but there are more people who need real wireless access on their way than in offices. W-LAN in an office is mostly is a kind of luxury gimmick!
Arne Hess
03-07-2002, 10:22 PM
Look at gismo at http://www.gismoclub.com/ to see what I mean.
Yes, nice device. 8) They emailed us last year with an offer for a review unit, but we haven't seen anything yet. I'm also not sure of the price...
Still far away from any availability! I'm not sure if we will ever see it...
JohnnyFlash
03-07-2002, 10:24 PM
There W-LAN is totally useless but Net access is highly required. And there, the Wireless Pack is the right decision.
OK, I admit, I was wrong. This GPRS pack is good
for enterprise - for people on the move. WLAN is not
needed for everyone.
by the way, what about HSCSD:?
- it is cheaper for transfer of big files
- in some countries (like those of Arne) there is FLAT RATE for HSCSD (120 euro monthly)
- this pack does not have HSCSD !
nirav28
03-07-2002, 11:55 PM
Hate to sound so cynical about this..but whats the point of this? GPRS in the United States still sucks. It basically non-existant.
And whatever wireless is available , its way to damn expensive. I'll consider wireless when they have flat rate pricing. Not that I want to download mp3s on my wireless,but it would be nice to not worry about airtime charges...Heck, I'll even pay $75 a month if they had true working wireless...sigh. :cry: ..richochet was a dream that never became true...
JohnnyFlash
03-08-2002, 07:27 AM
Hate to sound so cynical about this..but whats the point of this? GPRS in the United States still sucks. It basically non-existant.
And whatever wireless is available , its way to damn expensive. I'll consider wireless when they have flat rate pricing. Not that I want to download mp3s on my wireless,but it would be nice to not worry about airtime charges...Heck, I'll even pay $75 a month if they had true working wireless...sigh. :cry: ..richochet was a dream that never became true...
exactly! in some countries like Germany THERE IS WIRELESS FLAT RATE ! In USA however I don't think that it will be soon - you telco/cellco market is not free enough...
Arne Hess
03-08-2002, 07:51 AM
exactly! in some countries like Germany THERE IS WIRELESS FLAT RATE ! In USA however I don't think that it will be soon - you telco/cellco market is not free enough...
Flat in Germany? LOL... Perhaps some dubious offers for HSCSD but nothing so far from operators...
The point is that the Vodafones, T-Mobiles, mmO2s, Telefonicas have to realize how mobile data works (for pricing)!
Andrew Duffy
03-08-2002, 09:24 AM
Anyone from the Northwestern corner of Europe might remember the Gizmo from a comedy program called The Fast Show...
http://www.cdp181.demon.co.uk/images/gizmo.jpg
exactly! in some countries like Germany THERE IS WIRELESS FLAT RATE ! In USA however I don't think that it will be soon - you telco/cellco market is not free enough...
jpzr, your gismo fails as a complete solution because it isn't availbable and isn't triband. Also, triband makes the iPaq GPRS sleeve a better, but not perfect, wireless solution because it theoretically works around the world. W-LAN is great but is useless once you are distanced from your Access Point.
The GPRS sleeve with a 3870 and an SD W-LAN card (when they become available) is a more complete solution than Gismo. Even a 3670 with a GPRS sleeve, plus a separate CF sleeve and W-LAN card is a more complete solution imo. My only complaint about Compaq is their lack of vision as far as the inclusion of memory expansion is concerned. A CF slot would have made this a killer sleeve. For me, the less sleeve swapping the better. With a CF slot this solution could include WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, the works.
In USA however I don't think that it will be soon - you telco/cellco market is not free enough...
You definitely do not know what you're talking about, here. The problem with the USA and GSM/GPRS is that the telco market is more varied. There was no government directive (as in EU countries) making GSM a national standard. The Telco's were left free to fight for market share with different technologies--sort of like Betamax and VHS. That, sir, IS a free market. Most US cellcos also use a different payment scheme than in Europe. In Europe, only the caller pays; a scheme I prefer because it simulates the fixed phone line model.
Europe is only just discovering flat rates. Most of The USA has had them for decades. When I lived in Washington, DC in the 70-80s you could talk all day on a public telephone for 25 cents--no wonder there were long lines at public phones formed by recent immigrants who didn't have fixed lines. Not to mention I could receive calls at public phones which I can't do here in Spain, for instance. I was able to talk all day to anyone in the DC/MD/VA metropolitan area, and it was all included in my monthly fee. Is that flat rate or what?
JohnnyFlash
03-08-2002, 05:27 PM
[Europe is only just discovering flat rates. Most of The USA has had them for decades.
I was speaking about WIRELESS DATA TRANSFER FLAT RATES
and not about voice flat rates. Fact: in Germany there is available the first one and in USA not.
I was speaking about WIRELESS DATA TRANSFER FLAT RATES
and not about voice flat rates. Fact: in Germany there is available the first one and in USA not.
And my main point is that Telcos/Cellcos have lots more freedom. How they use that freedom is up to them and public demand. Germany is not Europe. I am not talking about who had flat rates first. Flat rates have been more widely available in the US than in Europe. In any case, how US Telcos apply wireless data transfer rates is not a question of freedom, but marketing.
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