Understanding Bluetooth

[FunHouse82]

Is bluetooth used to go on the internet wirelessly? If not, what is? I am trying to find something for my pda so I can like serf the net while I am like outside and doing stuff

[bobkatt]

Wi Fi which is 802.11b or gsm/gprs which is cellular based.

Bob

[maximus]

I learn this from the people on this forum. Hope this help.

If you want to connect to internet via bluetooth, the connection must go through a mobilephone. Hence you have to have a bluetooth-capable mobilephone.

If you want to connect directly from the internet from your PPC, you can do 2 ways: 802.11b or GSM card.

In order to have connection thru 802.11b, you have to be inside a hotspot area (an area with wifi transmitter installed). With a GSM card installed, you can access internet anywhere, as long as that area is covered by your mobilephone operator.

. . .

[Shadowcat]

When you say "outside" do you mean your backyard or on the road?

If you mean in your backyard you'll want a WiFi card for your PDA and another one (or a router) for you computer.

If you mean on the road, you can still get a WiFi card but you'll need to be in range of a WiFi "hotspot". For example Starbucks in the US and I believe some airports, hotels, and public parks, have hotspots. Otherwise, you'll need to use a cell phone. In that case, you can connect your PDA to your cell phone either by buying a cord to connect the two devices or buy a bluetooth card and a bluetooth cell phone.

Hope that helps.

[spursdude]

I think, in theory, that you can get a USB Bluetooth adapter for your PC, and if you have Bluetooth on your PPC, you can get online wirelessly. Bluetooth is a lot shorter range than 802.11b, though - around 30 feet, if I remember correctly.

[bobkatt]

You could connect to the internet but Bluetooth is far slower than 802.11b. Therefore is not suited for Internet access unless all you have is Bluetooth and no ability to support 802.11b like a cellular phone connection.

[Pony99CA]

If you want to connect to internet via bluetooth, the connection must go through a mobilephone. Hence you have to have a bluetooth-capable mobilephone.

That's not true. There are Bluetooth access points which you can hook into a network just like WiFi access points. Or, as spursdude pointed out, there are Bluetooth cards for your PC that you can use Internet Connection Sharing (I think) with.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

I think, in theory, that you can get a USB Bluetooth adapter for your PC, and if you have Bluetooth on your PPC, you can get online wirelessly. Bluetooth is a lot shorter range than 802.11b, though - around 30 feet, if I remember correctly.
Actually, there seem to be multiple classes of Bluetooth. Bluetooth Class 2 has a range of 30 feet or 10 meters. Bluetooth Class 1, though, has a range of 300 feet or 100 meters, just like WiFi.

I think the iPAQs are Class 2 devices, but I've heard the Loox is a Class 1 device.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

You could connect to the internet but Bluetooth is far slower than 802.11b. Therefore is not suited for Internet access unless all you have is Bluetooth and no ability to support 802.11b like a cellular phone connection.
I think that depends how fast your Internet connection is. Bluetooth is supposedly capable of over 720 kbps, so it should be sufficient for any dial-up or ISDN connections and many DSL connections. Unfortunately, I've heard that some devices, like my iPAQ 3870, cripple that by implementing it as a serial protocol, so you don't get anywhere near 720 kbps.

Of course, WiFi is preferable if you can get it. :-)

Steve

[FunHouse82]

What I mean, is to be able to use it like when I am walking in the street, or in a park, anywhere... Speed isn't too big of a deal for me right now...

[bobkatt]

Then your only option is cellular based. Meaning either a cellular add-on card and service or a connection between your PDA and cellphone.

If you really want to use a cellphone or cellular card, I would check your local area and see what cellphone service plans are available that support digital internet access. Specially through PocketPC's. Keep in mind, you will most likely have to use the internet service supplied by the cellular service provider for web browsing and email sending.

Good luck

[maximus]

In that case also, welcome to the pain of getting a GSM/GPRS card. Then again, taht depends on where you lived. In asia, it is like trying to find needle in a haystack. :(

Found an online store. No, we dont deliver overseas.
Another online store. We deliver overseas. But we dont have the item that you want.
Yet another online store. Oh yes, we have your item, and we do deliver overseas, but wait, are you inquiring about a GSM phone ? :devilboy:

Doh.