Look Ma, No Cables!

[Jason Dunn]

<a href="http://www6.tomshardware.com/network/02q2/020626/index.html">http://www6.tomshardware.com/network/02q2/020626/index.html</a><br /><br />There's a very long, and very detailed article at Tom's Hardware Guide that deals with wireless options to eliminate cables, and ultimately breaks down into a look at several Bluetooth products on the market today. They ran into the same problems I did with Bluetooth - it really depends on the implementation. You can have the same core technology (Bluetooth) yet have wildly different end results. It would seem that TDK rules the Bluetooth world now with their USB Bluetooth <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?siteid=39648844&bfpage=search_box&bfmid=19187551&Operator=2&linkin_id=2054462&keyword=TDK Bluetooth USB">(search for the lowest price)</a> and their USB PCMCIA card <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?siteid=39648844&bfpage=search_box&bfmid=19187551&Operator=2&linkin_id=2054462&keyword=TDK Bluetooth PC card">(search for the lowest price)</a>. I'd be curious to know if the TDK bluePAQ iPAQ sleeve <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?siteid=39648844&bfpage=search_box&bfmid=19187551&Operator=2&linkin_id=2054462&keyword=tdk bluetooth ipaq">(search for the lowest price)</a> works as easily as their desktop/laptop products do. On the generic Pocket PC side of things, the Socket Communications Bluetooth CompactFlash card <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?siteid=39648844&bfpage=search_box&bfmid=19187551&Operator=2&linkin_id=2054462&keyword=socket communications bluetooth">(search for the lowest price)</a> seems to be the leader - I've been really impressed with mine, even if I can't figure out how to transfer a file from my HP 565 to my iPAQ 3850 over Bluetooth. I need a Bluetooth book for dummies or something. <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif" /> <br /><br />Actually, what I really need is for Bluetooth support to be integrated into the operating system, either by Microsoft or by the software installed onto the Pocket PC. Why can't there be a tap and hold functionality to send a file via Bluetooth?<br /><br />"There are huge differences in the ever-important control software for BT devices. The software is the actual console for the Bluetooth components and is used to control all aspects of the hardware, from establishing and terminating a Bluetooth connection to defining the passwords needed for the connections. These passwords are indispensable because they are the only way to block unauthorized access to the Bluetooth devices. It's up to the software producer to supply users with well-designed control software that allows these features to be used conveniently. And that's where the main difference lies between the individual BT adapters. Whereas TDK, for example, has brought Widcomm's easy-to-use software on board, Mitsumi ends up irritating its customers with a poorly designed program."

[bitbank]

Bluetooth support in Pocket PC 2002 is really awful. Each vendor has incompatible hardware and drivers with a unique SDK that only supports their setup. Pretty much chaos.

but...

Things get better in WinCE .NET

I am developing a bluetooth version of my IRDAsh program for an industrial CE device running CE .NET and the integration of bluetooth is very good. Winsock has support for it, so existing network applications can be converted to use bluetooth with minimal pain.

[x94webboy]

This is along the same lines, but different process.

I see all the time that you can do an "ad hoc" wifi connection between wireless devices which allows you to eliminate the need for an access point. Well, I can connect two wifi enabled pocket pc's, but after that- I don't know how to transfer files or do anything. The two handhelds can see eachother's mac address, and I know that they are connected, but then what??

Anybody have any experience with this?

thanks,
Scott

[R K]

For Bluetooth, I think you will need to make sure that both Bluetooth hardware supports the OBEX File Transfer protocol. After that, it's just a matter of finding an option that has to do with file transfer, or OBEX (Object Exchange).
For WiFi, that's a different story, I think. Don't networks need a File Sharing service to be able to swap and transfer files? I know that a lot of desktop computers won't even be able to transfer files with the file sharing services. Unfortunately, I don't think that Pocket PCs have this service installed. You might be able to find a third-party software application that enables file transfer over WiFi.

I know that these answers to your questions are a little vague, but I hope they help-even if only a little bit.

[hollis_f]

I'd be curious to know if the TDK bluePAQ iPAQ sleeve (search for the lowest price) works as easily as their desktop/laptop products do.
Even easier. Installation of the drivers is the simplest imaginable. When you slide on the sleeve for the first time it asks if you want to install the drivers. These are stored in a small area of memory on the sleeve. No CD, no downloads, no ActiveStync - just plug'n'go.
There's a pretty good review at http://reviews.pocketnow.com/content.cgi?db=reviews&id=262

[Martin I Pettinger]

Hi hollis_f

I am thinking of getting the Bluepaq for my iPAQ - question is what do you use the Bluepaq with - i.e. what works well, what is the range and how quick is the connection. I have read speeds equivalent to Infrared for the iPAQ3870. Also the CF has to go in backwards I think with this device - any problems with this.

Martin