Turn Your Jornada 560 into a CDMA Phone?

[Brad Adrian]

<a href="http://pdazone.info/info/info00170.html">http://pdazone.info/info/info00170.html</a><br /><br />I came across this little tidbit on the <a href="http://www.mobigeeks.com/e/">MobiGeeks</a> site. It describes an accessory that plugs into the Jornada compact flash slot, turning the device into a full-function CDMA telephone. &lt;!><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/cf_phone1.jpg" /><br /><br />The photos aren't great, and much of the information is in Korean (I think), but the specs are interesting:<br /><br />• Interface : CompactFlash Type I<br />• Battery Life : Usage 2.35h, Waiting 40h<br />• Charge time : about 2h<br />• Vibrator : 9000rpm/sec<br />• Speaker : 400 ~ 1Khz 43dB<br />• Size : 62 x 57 x 17 mm<br />• CDMA : Qualcomm MSM 5000 <br />• Data Transmit Rate : 144 Kbps (Max 740kbps) <br />• Warranty : 1 year<br /><br />This, to me, looks really interesting. I've always liked the idea of using add-ons like this to enhance the functionality of my Pocket PCs; it provides greater flexibility than trying to use an all-in-one device. And this little bugger seems nice and small, about the size of the <a href="http://www.enfora.com/enfora/products.nsf/prodFS?readform&product=CDP0601&navbanner=/6666D300D9BC7FC68625698F005ACD3C/$FILE/pocketspider.nav.gif&navimg=/55ACE4D5FA0F9A488625698B004DCF36/$FILE/greenpckt.jpg&ani=N&session=DOMO-52FJML&survey=">Enfora PocketSpider wireless modem</a>, but more smartly configured. I'd LOVE to give it a try.<br /><br />(The MobiGeeks page also lists a URL for the device's manufacturer, Be Interactive, but I couldn't find any additional information there.)<br /><br /><b>UPDATE:</b> One of our readers has gotten word from Be Interactive that, due to the HP/Compaq merger, this product will probably NOT be produced (see the discussion thread). Too bad, this could be a useful tool.

[Mr. Anonymous]

Yum, I'd LOVE to get my hands on one of these! I wonder if it's DOA since the 560 series is being phased out?

[donkthemagicllama]

I have doubts about the specs... It says it's IS-95 (which is run-of-the-mill 2G CDMA used by Telus and Bell here in Canada, Sprint and others in the States), which as far as I know (and I'm pretty sure I do) cannot support 144Kbps, let alone 740Kbps... maybe there's a decimal point off somewhere, because I'm pretty sure the max data rate with IS-95 is 14.4Kbps.

If anyone else has other ideas, let me know, but I'm highly doubtful.

[Paragon]

I have doubts about the specs... It says it's IS-95 (which is run-of-the-mill 2G CDMA used by Telus and Bell here in Canada, Sprint and others in the States), which as far as I know (and I'm pretty sure I do) cannot support 144Kbps, let alone 740Kbps... maybe there's a decimal point off somewhere, because I'm pretty sure the max data rate with IS-95 is 14.4Kbps.

If anyone else has other ideas, let me know, but I'm highly doubtful.

Doesn't the Sierra 555 card run on 1x and IS-95? I think you are likely right... that it's just out a decimal with the 14.4

BTW You aren't related to "Puff" by any chance are you? :)

Dave

[Brad Adrian]

...I think you are likely right... that it's just out a decimal with the 14.4...

Probably correct about the speed. For my needs, though, 14.4 is sufficient.

And, as far as the viability of this device with the HP/Compaq merger, it may be a moot point.

[Tari Akpodiete]

one thing to remember is that there are a lot of Jornada owners out there. once the device gets orphaned, it could actually take on a whole other life. it could prove to be a nice tidy little market. by the way, i am looking for a used 567/568 - [email protected]

[Tsamoudakis]

I contacted Michael Chang of Be Interactive to ask him about this PocketPhone Card, and here is his answer…

“Regarding Phone card module for the Jornada 560,
One day we got the order Phone card module for the Jornada 560 from HP Korea,
so our engineer has been progressed and just completed it.
But as you know that Jornada 560 will stop to produce including in KOREA.
Unfortunately we dropped this project, and can't release for commercial products.
We are going to translate to english version on our URL for Phone card.”

Too bad, I really thought that this could be a cool accessory :(

[JMountford]

Maybe this device could be adapted to work on any PPC running Phone Edition with a CF slot!? Then carriers would just have to pick it up. Or is it possible to take something like this in to a carriers tech guy and have it set to a certain carrier frequency. I know that GSM/GPRS phones use SIM cards but CDMA phones don't.

[Joff]

Yes, why not make these CF phone modules work on any PDA with a CF slot. That would greatly expand their potential customer base.

And please make one for GSM/GPRS, for us guys in Europe.
By the way, I own an HP568 and would seriously consider one if only it was compatible with TDMA systems.

Give me, give me give me,........ :P

[Will T Smith]

Very compact and usable. You'll notice that it doesn't interfere with the battery slot so Bluetooth/MMC-SD/extended are still an option.

This thing really puts the iPaq GSM brick to shame with respect to size and flexibility.

Hopefully, HP will decide to keep the Jornada form factor in the "new" iPaq lines. However, given their current propensity for outright stupidity, I doubt it. :cry: